Morseth Boot Knife

[hank_krebs]

[img][img][/img][/img]Hello Gang -Here's the prize . OL= 8.5", looks like layers on back edge(Damascus?), wavy line on front and back, morsel name appears to be part of the forging while on the back side"BILL LAMB" looks to be engraved, slotted brass screw in hilt, 3 layers of leather spacers. Recommendations of age or where to start for more info? Thnks for your help H

[southpaw]

I did a quick Google of "Morseth Knives". Looks to have been a custom maker of knives. The Bill Lamb engraving may have been the original customer? Below is a brief history from Wikipedia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morseth

[knife7knut]

The "layering" you see is just that:Morseth knives were constructed with laminated blades.They consisted of a very hard inner piece surrounded by two relatively soft outer layers. The theory was that you could crank up the hardness of the inner layer and the outer layers would be more chip resistant.The advantage was that the inner layer would hold an edge much longer and require less frequent sharpening.
I've never owned a Morseth knife but not because I didn't want to;I just couldn't afford one.They were essentially all custom knives and the prices were on a par with the custom knives of the day.They were pretty popular in the 1970's but after that you didn't hear too much about them.
This knife looks like it has a lot of miles on it and has accomplished what old Harry set out to do:make a good knife last a long time.Even in the condition it is in,I would consider it a prize.

[HiPower]

knifenut has the right info. initally harry morseth was a custom maker whom did the laminated process popular in norway & sweden. i believe after he passed his son or sons continued the business & sometime in the 70s or 80s a.g.russell bought op the company & began making the knives in arkansas probably directed by bob dozier. your knife appears to be one of the early ones made by the originator. this knife should have considerable collector interest. maybe several hundreds of dollars.--HiPower

[RobesonsRme.com]

I think Harry Morseth imported the layered steel for his earlier blades from Sweden or Norway.

Charlie Noyes

[HiPower]

i believe harry actually did purchase the blades from brusletto in sweden.--HiPower

[Sanders Knives]

I have owned several Harry Morseth made knives and a few made by Steve morseth. I am about 98% sure that this is an A. G. Russell era Morseth. To my knowledge Harry never made a knife like this one on the other hand I have seen several like this one that were sold by A G Russell.