Whats in a Name: The Arkansas Toothpick

Jim McDougall · 1st June 2021, 07:37 PM

Most are familiar with the famed Bowie knife of 1830s Texas and its many descendants, but for many years the term has been loosely applied to unusually large knives, and often termed colloquially 'Arkansas Toothpick'. The thing is that while many inadvertently called the 'Bowie' an 'Arkansas Toothpick' it was actually a different form of large knife that carried that term.
This was referenced in "The Bowie Knife: Unsheathing an American Legend", Norm Flayderman, 2004.

We know that James Black, a blacksmith of what is now known as 'Old Washington' Arkansas, made a knife for James Bowie in Jan. 1831. It remains unclear what the actual knife looked like, however it is generally held that it was quite large, had a cross guard and a clipped point.
What is further unclear is whether it had the regular type grip and pommel or if it was what became popularly known as a 'coffin' shaped grip.

Returning to the term noted in the title, as James Bowie's fame grew as a knife fighter, particularly in regions of the Chihuahua Trail in Texas, people began to go to Black to make them, 'a knife like Bowie's'.

Black had by then developed another large knife(or perhaps more popularized it), more of a dagger for throwing, with double edges coming to a point. These were actually the knives that became known as the 'Arkansas Toothpick', more of a hubris laden reference to these as oversize and deadly knives as exaggerated toothpicks'.

These in antebellum times were known as both 'Arkansas knife' or 'Arkansas toothpick', and eventually both the Bowie and 'Toothpick' became collectively regarded, with the 'toothpick' nickname prevailing in many cases. Both were well known especially among Confederate forces.

In time, Arkansas' reputation became somewhat slighted for its association with violence and these deadly knives, primarily the 'toothpicks' and for some time it became known as 'the Toothpick State'.

ref: "Arkansas and the Toothpick State Image", William B. Worthen, 'Arkansas Historical Quarterly', 53, Summer 1994, 161-90

While Bowie's tended to be worn at the side, the 'toothpick's' were inclined to be worn and drawn over the shoulder, and thrown (much in the manner as seen in the 'Crocodile Dundee' rendition).

So as with the nicknames of many weapons, the 'Arkansas toothpick' was so termed with somewhat fearful and respectful, but cautious, regard.
So things often are here in 'these parts'

here in Texas.
I have been to the shop in Old Washington, Arkansas (rebuilt on the exact location of the original) where they still busily produce knives in the traditional way, an experience not to be forgotten.
\

The bottom two knives (double edged daggers) are the deadly 'toothpicks;.

M ELEY · 2nd June 2021, 08:25 PM

I'm enthralled by both the bowie and Arkansas toothpick knives! I used to own a nice one myself, but in my brainless youth, I traded it for a sword not worth a fifth of what it would have brought. Sigh... I particularly like some of these types I've seen with the so-called 'coffin' grips. Considering how deadly these blades could be, the hilt seemed aptly named!

Jim McDougall · 2nd June 2021, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M ELEY

I'm enthralled by both the bowie and Arkansas toothpick knives! I used to own a nice one myself, but in my brainless youth, I traded it for a sword not worth a fifth of what it would have brought. Sigh... I particularly like some of these types I've seen with the so-called 'coffin' grips. Considering how deadly these blades could be, the hilt seemed aptly named!

Thank you for answering Capn!!
As noted, these knives are pretty much a standard hereabouts, and have a remarkable history to them. Dare I say, these have become a tradition carried even into modern times!! The term 'Bowie' seems very loosely applied to any big knife, and the 'toothpick' term as noted also loosely used in the same manner. Kind of like the elaborate similes used in American lore and Davy Crockett etc.

Those coffin hilts are as noted rather morbidly fashioned, sort of like some hilts on British sabers of late 18th c. In many weapons there is is a kind of memento mori theme.
With Mexican knives, many of them 'Bowie's, there are phrases like, 'when this snake bites, there is no remedy' or to that effect.

I have a huge Mexican Bowie, which I cannot post here because of its period despite being quite old (but then so am I

, but it is most fascinating because of its cactus hilt, and the notable 'notch' in the blade, a distinction used by Black on his blades.

M ELEY · 3rd June 2021, 04:01 AM

I'm in total agreement, Jim, with the importance and incredible history of these blades! During the American Civil War, many Confederate soldiers carried both 'types'. Likewise, many Sheffileld-made bowies were carried as side knives by the Union troops. It is hard to imagine the deadly wounds these monsters could inflict in hand-to-hand fighting! The story of the infamous Sandbar fight between Bowie and his rival on that spit of land in the middle of the Mississippi River really captures the lethality of these weapons!

Here's a pic of the coffin handle variety I mentioned-

fernando · 3rd June 2021, 11:22 AM

Jim, i didn't realize that the phrase Si esta vibora te pica no hay remedio en la botica,, originally seen in Spanish navajas, has crossed the ocean and (also) found residence in modern Mexican Bowies.

Mark, also amazing that historic knives like the 'coffin handle' are presently imortalized by modern Pakistani cuttlers, as you show us.

On a different note, although there appears to be evidence that Bowie (or better, his brother Rezin ?) ordered the famous big knife from James Black, there is no actual detailed description, or image, of such knife's form ... and size. As i see it, the picture in Flayderman's book cover is completely a thing different from all 'Bowie' variations we see out there, including the one in Bowie's portrait posted by Jim.
Guys, just tell me i am talking nonsense

.

.

Chris Evans · 3rd June 2021, 02:51 PM

Hi Fernando,

On a different note, although there appears to be evidence that Bowie (or better, his brother Rezin ?) ordered the famous big knife from James Black, there is no actual detailed description, or image, of such knife's form ... and size. As i see it, the picture in Flayderman's book cover is completely a thing different from all 'Bowie' variations we see out there, including the one in Bowie's portrait posted by Jim.
Guys, just tell me i am talking nonsense .

That knife held by JB (in the illustration that Jim uploaded) bears a very strong resemblance to the the controversial Joseph Muso's Bowie. If I recall correctly, many years ago the renowned expert Bernard Levine thought that it was a fake. I remember seeing one in Australia back in the 1960s, around the time that Muso obtained his, so by then a number must have been made and sold.

A quick search on the internet will reveal many images of the Muso Bowie and the ongoing debates about its authenticity.

Cheers
Chris

1st June 2021, 07:37 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,747	Whats in a Name: The Arkansas Toothpick Most are familiar with the famed Bowie knife of 1830s Texas and its many descendants, but for many years the term has been loosely applied to unusually large knives, and often termed colloquially 'Arkansas Toothpick'. The thing is that while many inadvertently called the 'Bowie' an 'Arkansas Toothpick' it was actually a different form of large knife that carried that term. This was referenced in "The Bowie Knife: Unsheathing an American Legend", Norm Flayderman, 2004. We know that James Black, a blacksmith of what is now known as 'Old Washington' Arkansas, made a knife for James Bowie in Jan. 1831. It remains unclear what the actual knife looked like, however it is generally held that it was quite large, had a cross guard and a clipped point. What is further unclear is whether it had the regular type grip and pommel or if it was what became popularly known as a 'coffin' shaped grip. Returning to the term noted in the title, as James Bowie's fame grew as a knife fighter, particularly in regions of the Chihuahua Trail in Texas, people began to go to Black to make them, 'a knife like Bowie's'. Black had by then developed another large knife(or perhaps more popularized it), more of a dagger for throwing, with double edges coming to a point. These were actually the knives that became known as the 'Arkansas Toothpick', more of a hubris laden reference to these as oversize and deadly knives as exaggerated toothpicks'. These in antebellum times were known as both 'Arkansas knife' or 'Arkansas toothpick', and eventually both the Bowie and 'Toothpick' became collectively regarded, with the 'toothpick' nickname prevailing in many cases. Both were well known especially among Confederate forces. In time, Arkansas' reputation became somewhat slighted for its association with violence and these deadly knives, primarily the 'toothpicks' and for some time it became known as 'the Toothpick State'. ref: "Arkansas and the Toothpick State Image", William B. Worthen, 'Arkansas Historical Quarterly', 53, Summer 1994, 161-90 While Bowie's tended to be worn at the side, the 'toothpick's' were inclined to be worn and drawn over the shoulder, and thrown (much in the manner as seen in the 'Crocodile Dundee' rendition). So as with the nicknames of many weapons, the 'Arkansas toothpick' was so termed with somewhat fearful and respectful, but cautious, regard. So things often are here in 'these parts' here in Texas. I have been to the shop in Old Washington, Arkansas (rebuilt on the exact location of the original) where they still busily produce knives in the traditional way, an experience not to be forgotten. \ The bottom two knives (double edged daggers) are the deadly 'toothpicks;. Attached Images Last edited by Jim McDougall; 2nd June 2021 at 05:05 AM.

3rd June 2021, 04:01 AM	#4
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,066	I'm in total agreement, Jim, with the importance and incredible history of these blades! During the American Civil War, many Confederate soldiers carried both 'types'. Likewise, many Sheffileld-made bowies were carried as side knives by the Union troops. It is hard to imagine the deadly wounds these monsters could inflict in hand-to-hand fighting! The story of the infamous Sandbar fight between Bowie and his rival on that spit of land in the middle of the Mississippi River really captures the lethality of these weapons! Here's a pic of the coffin handle variety I mentioned- Attached Images Last edited by M ELEY; 3rd June 2021 at 05:02 AM.

3rd June 2021, 11:22 AM	#5
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,642	Myths ... and legends Jim, i didn't realize that the phrase Si esta vibora te pica no hay remedio en la botica,, originally seen in Spanish navajas, has crossed the ocean and (also) found residence in modern Mexican Bowies. Mark, also amazing that historic knives like the 'coffin handle' are presently imortalized by modern Pakistani cuttlers, as you show us. On a different note, although there appears to be evidence that Bowie (or better, his brother Rezin ?) ordered the famous big knife from James Black, there is no actual detailed description, or image, of such knife's form ... and size. As i see it, the picture in Flayderman's book cover is completely a thing different from all 'Bowie' variations we see out there, including the one in Bowie's portrait posted by Jim. Guys, just tell me i am talking nonsense . . Last edited by fernando; 3rd June 2021 at 11:33 AM.

3rd June 2021, 02:51 PM	#6
Chris Evans Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 664	Hi Fernando, On a different note, although there appears to be evidence that Bowie (or better, his brother Rezin ?) ordered the famous big knife from James Black, there is no actual detailed description, or image, of such knife's form ... and size. As i see it, the picture in Flayderman's book cover is completely a thing different from all 'Bowie' variations we see out there, including the one in Bowie's portrait posted by Jim. Guys, just tell me i am talking nonsense . That knife held by JB (in the illustration that Jim uploaded) bears a very strong resemblance to the the controversial Joseph Muso's Bowie. If I recall correctly, many years ago the renowned expert Bernard Levine thought that it was a fake. I remember seeing one in Australia back in the 1960s, around the time that Muso obtained his, so by then a number must have been made and sold. A quick search on the internet will reveal many images of the Muso Bowie and the ongoing debates about its authenticity. Cheers Chris Last edited by Chris Evans; 3rd June 2021 at 02:53 PM. Reason: Add additional iformation

2nd June 2021, 08:25 PM	#2
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,066	I'm enthralled by both the bowie and Arkansas toothpick knives! I used to own a nice one myself, but in my brainless youth, I traded it for a sword not worth a fifth of what it would have brought. Sigh... I particularly like some of these types I've seen with the so-called 'coffin' grips. Considering how deadly these blades could be, the hilt seemed aptly named!