Neck Knife; BEAR 3 On Quill/birchbark Sheath, Skinning Knife P St John, Mohawk




Item History & Price

Information:
Reference Number: Avaluer:24759669Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
Tribal Affiliation: MohawkArtisan: Paul St John
Original Description:
Paul St John, Mohawk craftsman has placed a black bear of porcupine quill on a birch bark sheath for a neck knife.     There is a skinning style knife with blade from Pakistan and wooden handle put on it by a friend of Paul's.  The sheath has soft tanned elk leather on the back, more comfortable to wear under a shirt against bare skin.  
This birch bark neck knife sheath has a large bear of black dyed quills on the front.  The sheath is b...ordered on front edges with a border of natural white quills (w/darker ends left on). The bear of black dyed quills walks on green grass (green dyed quill).   The bear is a very important animal to many Native American tribes- it features in many Native American legends and stories.
Birch bark or leather were the original knife sheath materials used long before European contact by many different tribes. Here Paul St John has made a traditional birch bark knife sheath with designs in traditional porcupine quill work. He has backed the sheath with native tanned deer leather so it can be worn next to the skin, under a shirt as it traditionally was.  The leather neck strap is of the same soft leather. The small "skinning" style knife is a shape used for over 300 years by many Native American tribes.The neck knife was made by many Native American tribes, worn around the neck the small knife in the sheath was always handy. This is a great looking knife/neck knife sheath for reenacting or regalia and adding a knife will prove very useful for hunters, campers, hikers, crafts folk, etc - and ... and would this would look great in a display case too!Here the sheath is 7" long, 2 5/8" across at top (tapers to a point at the bottom). The neck strap is about 15" long from center back to top of sheath.  you can tie a knot at top to make this a shorter length you would like.  The knife is 4.75" long with a 2.25" blade and a handmade wooden handle.  Blade is sharp!! (you may have a favorite small knife that you would like to substitute - sheath would accommodate a knife somewhat longer and/or wider ...)The knife form is a type that was used for many purposes, including skinning hunted prey.  
 
  Paul St. John now lives in Maine, near the homelands of his mother's tribes.  She is Passamaquoddy, MicMac and Maliseet.  He grew up on the Mohawk lands in New York, his father's homeland and is an enrolled Mohawk tribal member.   Paul makes such a variety of items - traditionally dressed dolls using authentic materials, quill and birch bark items, sweet grass baskets with birch bark and quill medallions on the lids, traditional Iroquois beaded velvet items,  moccasins, beaded jewelry,   dance rattles and fans - and so much more.  All are traditionally made using traditional authentic materials. 

Watch this store for more of his pieces.  Can't wait to see what he is going to create next. 
  


00611


    Similar items


  • Antique Marbles Stag Handle Hunting Knife - 9 3/4 " W/leather Sheath

    Antique Marbles Stag Handle Hunting Knife - 9 3/4 " W/leather Sheath

  • Ted Dowell Double Edged Dagger Knife 9 3/4” Near W/ Sheath

    Ted Dowell Double Edged Dagger Knife 9 3/4” Near W/ Sheath

  • Us Navy Seals Combat Dive Knife,  Mk 3 Mod O With Sheath

    Us Navy Seals Combat Dive Knife, Mk 3 Mod O With Sheath

  • Case Xx Stag Usa Small Game Knife 523 - 3 1/4 Ssp/sheath - Pheasant

    Case Xx Stag Usa Small Game Knife 523 - 3 1/4 Ssp/sheath - Pheasant

  • Custom Buck Usa Model 119 Fixed Blade Knife.  File Work On Blade Spine.  Sheath

    Custom Buck Usa Model 119 Fixed Blade Knife. File Work On Blade Spine. Sheath

  • Quartermaster Alf - 4 Dr.  Jekyll Neck Knife Fixed 3.  15 " Cpm - 154 Stonewashed Tanto

    Quartermaster Alf - 4 Dr. Jekyll Neck Knife Fixed 3. 15 " Cpm - 154 Stonewashed Tanto

  • Vintage German Hunting Fighting Dagger Knife Solingen 3 Arrow Logo W/sheath

    Vintage German Hunting Fighting Dagger Knife Solingen 3 Arrow Logo W/sheath

  • Winchester Bowie Knife 8 3/4 " Blade W/ Sheath

    Winchester Bowie Knife 8 3/4 " Blade W/ Sheath


    • You might also like


    • Vtg Native American Hand Made Warrior Bow And Quiver With Arrows Large 59 "

      Vtg Native American Hand Made Warrior Bow And Quiver With Arrows Large 59 "

    • Plains (sioux) Indian Gun Stock War Club

      Plains (sioux) Indian Gun Stock War Club

    • Authentic Native American Indian Spear/lance

      Authentic Native American Indian Spear/lance

Avaluer          About Us          Privacy Policy          Contact Us          UP
© 2022, avaluer.net, Inc. or its affiliates