{"product_id":"viking-raven-knife-10-copy-1","title":"Bent's Fort Fur Knife 11.5\"","description":"\u003cp\u003eBlade:       Polished hand forged carbon steel \u003cbr\u003eHandle:    American black walnut \u003cbr\u003eSheath     Top grain leather\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThough this knife is not a Viking knife, we have included in our knife collection because of it's rarity and outstanding craftsmanship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHistorians 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe snake stamp has since become iconic among collectors of Bent’s Fort-style knives - even though not all of the original knives featured it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToday, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" height=\"83\" width=\"183\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0792\/4013\/4972\/files\/Bent_s_Fort_knife_picture_PNG.png?v=1770341226\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003ePhoto of a Bent’s Fort knife on display in the\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eMuseum of the Mountain Man, Pinedale, Wyoming.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur Bent’s Fort knife is an exact replica of the original knife found in the Museum of the Mountain Man, Pinedale, Wyoming.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Norsewood Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52722715885884,"sku":null,"price":89.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0792\/4013\/4972\/files\/IMG_2119_1.jpg?v=1770337929","url":"https:\/\/www.norsewoodshop.com\/products\/viking-raven-knife-10-copy-1","provider":"Norsewood Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}