Most widely used Knife style?

[Loyalist Dave]

Well if you go all the way back to the colonies forward to today....8" (full tang) butcher knife family with a carbon steel blade is probably the most utilitarian including being used for utility and combat. Highly traded/sold, especially in the 1800's forward. Joint up large game, Butcher steaks, carve your meat, carve your enemy, makes no difference.

See, it's not only is the knife sharp, but also..., can you get one? Great so you can special order a "Bowie" from Sears and Roebuck...., and it will get there by train in a month or two, OR you can find a Wilson (or some other brand) 8" butcher knife right now....

LD

 

[IWAC]

RED;
Probably a little of both.
I have no direct info, seeing as I wasn't alive back then, but talking to my dad and police officer uncle, as well as an ex-marine who hunted and/or associated with men who used knives back then, they were fairly popular, and used instead of fixed blade hunting knives. My dad just called them"big knives". AFAIK, my dad never carried anything except about a 2", two bladed pocket knife. He never did talk about what he did during the war.

Of course, the Barlow and any number of other unnamed styles were used, too.

 

[Gun Master]

What I Use (used)?

In my youth, I carried a Barlow and unnamed others.
Back in the day (late 1950's- early 1960's), while hitch-hiking 200+ miles to and from college, I used to carry a 12''OA (open) stiletto switch-blade in my pocket, and feel very safe. I rode with preachers and drunks, but had little fears. My concerns were mostly standing outside in the cold winter rain, with my thumb pointing over my shoulder, looking pitiful, hoping for a ride.
Soon after, the switchblade was outlawed, and I got married to an amazingly beautiful and astonishing girl (and still am, happily), and finished college. (I also became father to two beautiful and wonderful girls).
During this time and afterwards, I carried folding and straight bladed Uncle Henrys, Old Timers, and Schrade. Also, Sears Craftsman (unknown maker).

I forgot the 12'' OA straight bladed Bowie (mid-college), and the 18" OA Edge Solingen steel Bowie now.

Now here I sit, with all sorts of bayonets, machetes, and hunting knives in my chest-of-drawers, but always in my front pants pocket, hanging by a clip is a Schrade one hand opening lock blade, no matter what HG or BUG I happen to be carrying.

 

[C.R.]

Well the tacticool knives have their followers but all fads do. but The 2,or 3 blade folder in the stockmans pattern is a classic,aand will be around as long as someone has some twine to cut. Barlow knives are also under appreciated IMHO. Switch blades are kind of cool i guess if allowed not ny thing though.The huge Bowie knives are great if you have to carve up a bison. A small handy SHARP pocket knife is most usefull overall