[Pax Jordana]

I figured this is (hopefully) in the same vein. Thumbing through my sportsman's guide today, I came across what they purport to be an 1800's patch knife. Of course, they're selling 'em for $40 a pop, but skepticism aside it might be neat to own one.

This is a link. (http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=282487)

Anybody care to comment on its authenticity?

--PJ

[coelacanth]

Seems like a fairly typical come on ad for new/old merchandise. "Golly GEE! Look what we just found! " I am no authority on this type of thing but there are probably hundreds of makers that specialise in antique looking repros for historical re-enactment groups and others that are fond of something a bit less shiny than today's latest nuclear powered folder with cloaking device. If there are a lot of old Nepalese knives around I would think the folks at Himalayan Imports would know something about them.

[Master Blaster]

A couple of years ago, some folks were cleaning out an old warehouse in Nepal. It was filled to the rafters with old Muzzleloaders and other antique fireams and knives that had been put into storage.

American rifleman had a long article on this find and its subsequent sale by the Nepalese Government.

Many different retailers have been selling these knives swords Kukris and muzzle loaders that date back to the turn of the 18th century.

That is where the patch knives came from.

[mp510]

Those have been floating around the US Market since the arms cache in Nepal was discovered. I've seen them for as little as $20 on eBay.