George Reech.... Anyone familiar?

[mmajor75]

I am looking at this knife and it is beautiful but I can find nothing on this engraving.

[KLJ77]

I suspect 'George Reech' was presented this knife and his name was engraved on the blade, or he had his name engraved. I'm not sure what "Africa Knife" means or why it would even be engraved on the blade. There are numerous South African knife makers, but no one by the name of Reech. A moderate search for a 'barefoot' mark ended with negative results.

[mmajor75]

I finally found some info. And, yes, KLJ77, that is correct. It was his personal knife that he apparently purchased from a Mr. Frank Vought, a local Louisiana knifemaker. So, I am told. Heartbreaking to see, in my personal opinion, a beauty of a blade defaced in that way. I don't believe it will sell for sell for the price they are asking so I may return to see if it is still there for negotiation of price.

Thanks for the response!

[mmajor75]

Also, additional info I left out was it was part of the knifemaker's barefoot collection. As per the barefoot symbol on the blade.

[KLJ77]

Glad you were able to narrow the history down a bit, Major. It's nice to at least know who the maker was.

As a side note: I looked at your photos again, and it appears that the jimping on the spine has lost some of the teeth. They look like they're broken off or was used on something metal and were worn down. Such a shame, as you stated.

[mmajor75]

Wow.. I never noticed the teeth were ate up that way. Good eye. I just posted a couple of knives that I purchased at the same place though. A Collum and Duff and a Stone. Loving the Stone

[Jennyjane_1982]

Frank Vought was my grandfather on my mother’s side of the family. He passed away when I was young. As far back as I can remember, he and my grandma lived in Hammond, LA. I know that my mother mentioned that she was actually born in Boston, MA. I believe it may have even bc he was working out there at the time or something. I know that my great grandmother had a big house in Baton Rouge once upon a time (however, it was before my time. I only remember her also living in heaven in Louisiana on Michigan Street near Southeastern, Louisiana University.) I know that my mother went to school in Ascension Parish so if that helps you with some of his actual places of origin, I don’t know. I just couldn’t help but feel obligated to reply. Whenever I just so happen to cross his name whenever I was googling something totally different. It had nothing to do with him which is pretty crazy…. But yes, that was my grandpa and I do remember being a young girl going out to his small shop that he had behind his house and he had a lot of really cool stuff in there and I was fascinated watching him make things such as knives and such ,jewelry, etc..

[GSPTOPDOG]

I suspect 'George Reech' was presented this knife and his name was engraved on the blade, or he had his name engraved.

I'm not sure what "Africa Knife" means or why it would even be engraved on the blade.

My guess was that this was presented to and possibly used by a big game hunter on an African hunt. It looks like a fairly good profile for outdoor use. ... only a guess...