Sante Fe, New Mexico, home of the Apache. 

Up till the later 1870’s the Sante Fe Trail ran from Kit Carson to Las Animas around 300 miles.  This trail was used to run cattle and products.  The Apache were known to raid the Sante Fe trail from time to time.  That is where this knife comes in.  Both Apaches and cattlemen took scalps and butchered meat on the trail.  This is Little Badger's design and interpretation of this Butcher/Scalper knife.  Handles polished nickel.

Badgers Sante Fe knife is a little shorter, good for saddle placement. Double  edged , full tang with nickel handles and polished brass bolsters/end caps. The nickel handles give this knife a south of the border look as Mexicans used allot of nickel in handles because of the ease of availability and the cheaper price of brass.  This is a heavy knife that works well for both a camp knife and taking a scalp. 7.5” knife long and the blade is 4.4” long.  The blade is the beaver style butcher, scalping knife.  Very good for self defense.

The sheath is stitched together with a Metis whip stitch, Badger learned from his Grandfather. The sheath has the three traditional pewter stars in the Sante Fe southwestern pattern.

Carbon blades are known for their patina… and rusting without oiling. Forging a carbon blade is an art.  The blade needs to be taken care of with a light coat of oil regularly.  I oil my blades weekly with machine oil like a 3 in 1. I emphasize weekly to get that beautiful blue Patina these old blades were known for.   That is why so many modern blades are made from a form of stainless steel.  Stainless blades are hard to keep sharp but they do not rust. There is not much work involved in a stainless blade but the regular sharpening process because they do not hold an edge.  Carbon blades hold an edge and are stronger and more versatile.  

Little Badger Knives are made using the same techniques and styles of the original frontiersman knives of the 1820’s and 1830’s. Very few of those men used a mass produced knife.  They were forged by the local blacksmith. Each knife was an individual piece.   

Badger knives are made in the same tradition.  Each knife is unique, no two knives are the same.  I ship knives, well oiled, wrapped in plastic wrap. Do not touch the blade. Touching the blade of a newly forged carbon blade can leave permanent  prints from the oil in our skin. I never touch the blade with my skin.  I always use a fine cloth. When you get your knife Wipe the oil on the knife and re oil. It only takes a couple drops.  Oil weekly and you will build a beautiful blue patina on the blade.

*Authentic Native American Knives

As a member of the state-recognized tribe, Cherokees of Northeast Alabama, Keith Little Badger is in full compliance with The Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990.  This Act protects Native American Artisans.  All products must be marketed truthfully regarding Indian heritage and tribal affiliation of the producers.