Used Hunting Knives

OLD OLD Antique Eskimo Seal Skinning/Hunting Knife from Alaska withBone and Sheath

OLD OLD Antique Eskimo Seal Skinning/Hunting Knife from Alaska withBone and Sheath

OLD OLD Antique Eskimo Seal Skinning/Hunting Knife from Alaska withBone and Sheath

Please read our Terms below for details. PLEASE NOTE: We take our photos in natural light outdoors and as a result there are sometimes reflections or shadows or glare shown in the blades. In person none of these exist; we will say so in the description if it may be otherwise. I've owned this knife for well over 40 years, and it has always looked as it does, which is OLD. This one was only recently unboxed from storage so up it goes here now for sale.

To say that its owner was amazed I would be interested in it would be the understatement of the day. He was as old and weathered as any one man can be--the human being equivalent of the knife itself, but he wasn't much help in recounting the knife's history, only telling me that he got it many years ago but didn't remember where or from whom. He later told me, somewhat matter-of-factly, that he had no use for it because nobody was hunting seal anymore. I suspect it was nothing special to him, but to me, it was a piece of folk-art, as beautiful for its form as for its utility.

Notice the way it incorporates a figural seal's head at the top of the blade, not only for use as a thumb-grip and caplifter, but to embody the spirit of the prey--a VERY Native American notion in that part of the world. Its hand-forged, carbon steel, sawback blade was probably formed by cannibalizing another old knife blade or possibly a saw blade (not uncommon for either one), or may have been forged by hand--hard to tell, so deeply is it patinated. As you'd expect, there are no markings, and it was probably made by the original user, or possibly made by some blacksmith or other enterprising handyman, but there's no disputing its age, which is OLD, OLD, OLD.

The patina on the knife (an overused, one-word cliche, but very apt in this case) has a depth and lustre that just can't be reproduced and its stag handle also has a silky texture. The handle is made from a single chunk of bone (probably deer) or possibly some other kind of natural material, with a hidden tang. As you can see in the photos, at the pommel there is evidence that this chunk was drilled to accept the knife's tang and the entire piece is still capable of hunting--nice and tight. It does have a single hairline at the point where blade meets handle but it doesn't affect the knife at all and it remains solid in every way. Despite its age, the knife is remarkable in how perfectly balanced and comfortable it feels in the hand--ideal for making the difficult strokes any good skinning knife needs to when cutting around bones, through joints, limbs, etc.

Associated with skinning a trapped or fallen animal. It's also not hard to imagine it being carried as a weapon. It's a slightly smaller piece, made with a 4-3/8" blade (8" overall length) but would still make a formidable enemy, still able to get you out of a jam, if called upon to do so. If you're collecting Fur Trade or Native American items, you're in luck--this is a rare opportunity to add some authenticity and quality to your collection on a piece that will be an instant heirloom in even the most discriminating collection. Our store's inventory is searchable using the search field or may be browsed by clicking on categories, with each option found on the left side of the store's homepage.

Don't see it or can't find what you're looking for? It's wrong--it's STEALING--and you WILL be turned in to us by one of the legion of our loyal customers, who inevitably see your plagiarism and notify us about it.

All items come from a smoke-free home. There will be NO EXCEPTIONS to this policy. If you dislike this or find this unfair, PLEASE shop elsewhere; we only want happy customers and it's our feeling that no one should be able to claim dissatisfaction with this policy, since we're stating it up front. It's not an attempt to profit, simply the only way my elderly bones can continue to offer so many items.

WE SELF-INSURE using our business policy. I will gladly send you the forms necessary to file. Late, so again, we ask you in advance to please forgive our humanity. We take customer service very seriously and want to do whatever it takes to meet your needs. If you're not in total agreement with us here or disagree for any reason, we can only urge that you PLEASE shop elsewhere.

International packages will be calculated on the basis of a MINIMUM ONE POUND weight. IMPORTANT: After TWELVE YEARS of doing everything we could to hold the line on int'l. If you're not in total agreement with us here or disagree for any reason, again, we can only urge you to PLEASE shop elsewhere. REGARDING FEEDBACK: We prefer that you leave us none at all and join us in boycotting this sham.

What're they afraid of--the world actually knowing how their greed is manifest? Please don't misunderstand; we're all for making a buck but CENSORSHIP? That has GOT to go! We'll be happy to tell you what we really think but dare not do so over the (easily monitored) intra-net the company runs.

Other web-based companies often filter our attempts to contact you with a spam filter. It is YOUR responsibility to maintain an address that is reachable at all times. We'd like to sell'em cheaper.. But MY WIFE won't let me!!

The item "OLD OLD Antique Eskimo Seal Skinning/Hunting Knife from Alaska withBone and Sheath" is in sale since Monday, January 16, 2017. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Knives, Swords & Blades\Collectible Fixed Blade Knives\Vintage Fixed Blade Knives\Custom & Handmade". The seller is "ralph1396" and is located in Los Angeles, California.

This item can be shipped worldwide.

  • Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
  • Handle Material: Bone
  • Brand: Unbranded
  • Blade Material: Carbon Steel
  • Type: Everyday Carry
  • Tang: Hidden
  • Blade Length: 4.1 - 5in.

  • Dexterity: Ambidextrous
  • Blade Edge: Combination
  • Features: Sheath Included
  • Authenticity: Original
  • Year: Antique

OLD OLD Antique Eskimo Seal Skinning/Hunting Knife from Alaska withBone and Sheath