Bent's Fort Fur Knife 11.5"

Blade:       Polished hand forged carbon steel 
Handle:    American black walnut 
Sheath     Top grain leather

Though this knife is not a Viking knife, we have included in our knife collection because of it's rarity and outstanding craftsmanship.

A Bent’s Fort knife with snake stamping is a significant artifact from America’s frontier history.  Bent’s Fort was a trading post established around 1833 along the Santa Fe Trail, in what is now Colorado.

These knives became well known among fur trappers and traders for their versatility and no-nonsense, full-tang design.  They were forged in places like Sheffield, England; Solingen, Germany; and early American forges.  Often referred to as trade knives, they were commonly used by settlers to barter with Native Americans and Mexicans.

Historians remain uncertain about the original meaning of the snake stamp.  It may have started as a simple forge mark or brand, but it likely gained added significance on the frontier due to its appeal to Native American customers, who often attached spiritual or symbolic meaning to animal imagery.

The snake stamp has since become iconic among collectors of Bent’s Fort-style knives - even though not all of the original knives featured it.

Today, original Bent’s Fort knives are rare and highly valuable, especially those bearing an authentic snake stamp.  This mark is particularly prized by collectors of fur trade-era artifacts.

Photo of a Bent’s Fort knife on display in the
Museum of the Mountain Man, Pinedale, Wyoming.

Our Bent’s Fort knife is an exact replica of the original knife found in the Museum of the Mountain Man, Pinedale, Wyoming.

Our blacksmith went through great lengths to ensure every detail was exact. Furthermore, bringing a hand-forged carbon steel blade to perfect straightness is a skill earned only through decades at the forge.