IN THE EARLY DAYS SUCH A KNIFE WOULD HAVE BEEN PRESENTED TO A HIGH CHIEF ADDING TO THE PRESTIGE AND WEALTH OF THE TRIBE. THIS WOULD GAIN FAVOR FOR THE ONE PRESENTING SUCH A GREAT GIFT AND NO DOUBT SPECIAL TRADE AND TRAPPING PRIVILEGES WOULD BE GIVEN IN RETURN OR PERHAPS A WIFE.
SUCH KNIVES WOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN COMMON TRADE GOODS CARRIED IN LARGE NUMBERS OR TRADED WILLY-NELLY TO JUST ANYONE.
DURING LATER YEARS WHEN SETTLEMENTS WITH A GOOD BLACKSMITH WERE PRESENT PERHAPS MORE OF THESE WERE MADE AND MAY HAVE EVEN BEEN COMMISSIONED BY THE TRIBES FOR GIFTS IN THEIR CEREMONIES.
TAKE THIS AS MOSTLY CONJECTURE AS i JUST DRAW IT FROM THINGS I READ IN THE PAST AND CAN NOT GIVE SPECIFIC REFERENCE SOURCES.
