Arkansas Toothpick Blade - 12"

I like the shape and profile. However, I have two complaints. One, I’d prefer “windlass made in India” to be on the tang (like the Scottish Dirk) instead of on the flat of the blade. Second…and this is more important…one of the two blades I purchased failed the flex test. A light flex test mind you. One day, it passed, next day, it warped, after I already attached it to a custom ballock dagger handle I had made myself. I’m debating buying a new blade from another company and swapping blades, as the handle is more valuable to me than the blade is at this point (to be perfectly honest).

My conclusion is that 1) the blade has a low carbon content (I’m afraid to even sharpen it when the time comes), or 2) the steel was never hardened & tempered (or done so improperly), resulting in a blade that is annealed, but not hard enough to maintain a good edge or flexibility.

The second blade may have the same problems. I’m afraid to do much with it, and it’s already attached to its own custom handle.

Also, the tangs are thicker than the blade (both of these and all 3 Dirks), which required me to grind down the tangs to the thickness of the Ricasso of the blade in order to put on brass ferrules that don’t have a gaping round hole on top. You guys might want to fix that.

It is a great blade.  I just need to sharpen it some. I didn't order it pre-sharpened. It is a long blade. I still have to shape the handle (scales), I am very satisfied with the quality.

I have made several knives from these blanks.  they make nice big daggers.

I was ver impressed with this blade when I received it  the famed civil war pick immediately jumped in my mind . It was very easy to accomplish this project using nichol silver as an oval guard and splayed maple in a coffin  shaped handle . Beautiful blade quality steel at this price from windlass  got me right back to my catalog and ordered the companion blade. Anxiously  waiting for this blade the possibilities with Atlanta cutlery  blades are endless.Good steel.great prices and wonder service  have kept me a years long customer  and will continue to purchase  from them  when history  calls for an accurate  reproduction in blade form. DJ. March,2019

I really like this blade. You could make lots of different types of dagger with it, other than just an Arkansas Toothpick. I did like how long the tang is, which adds to the versatility. If it is too long. just cut it down. The last 2-3 inches of the tang is round and thicker than the blade. If that doesn't work for you, you can just grind it flat. Factory edge is not at all sharp (which is fine by me), bit the tip is quite pointy.

Well, it is appropriately wrapped in oil and plastic with construction paper outer cover for safety. I can't wait to get to work on this. The photo on your on website does not serve it justice. This is a truly nice toothpick blade. The rat tail tang is more robust than I expected, so this will be a great addition to my outdoor collections. I plan to make a walnut coffin style handle which I think is historically accurate. Thanks a bunch for the fine quality blade!

These are Great I refit them on 1918 trench Handles

Have used this blade before to make daggers and plug bayonets. Generally good quality and enough length to alter if a different blade profile is needed. Have always had a good ordering experience with Atlanta Cutlery.

I bought this blade some time ago and was planning on making a Mountain Man version of the Arkansas toothpick.  I made an elk horn handle for it, with a brass guard, but, I did not get around to finishing it.  I was looking at the blade, one afternoon recently, and wondered how it would look on a short war lance.  So, I made a four foot shaft out of yellow poplar, and mounted the blade as a spear point.  The result was similar to an Apache war lance, that I have seen in several museums.  I plan to make this piece as a present for one of my Delaware Tribal members in Oklahoma, as we have been friends for 59 years and still communicate on a regular basis.  Although it is a highly polished blade, it "antiqued" very well.  I am very pleased with this blade, and plan to make more items utilizing it.  I am pleased that Atlanta Cutlery can deliver this quality in a blade for a low price point.  By the way, it did not take much work to get a razor sharp edge on both sides of the blade.  Always a plus as I see it.  Thanks for carrying this blade.

Very nice, but could be a bit harder, but still a great double edged blade. I decided to leave it as long as it came and made an extra long handle and that is why I gave 4 stars instead of 5. The end of the tang is 1/4 inch thick and had to be ground to slide the guard on, but I made it 1/4-20 threads and put a 1 1/2 inch bullet pointed pommel on it and it came out great.

Makes a nice Dagger for most period pieces. The tang is extra long,So fit to hand size and cut the rest off. This is good, because, it would be hard to make the handle larger. Wish I could get more guards for it.

Just what I was looking for !  Been shopping for a double edge knife with no luck, decided to make my own.  Not the prettiest thing, but exactly what I pictured.

Fantastic versital blade.  I have made a medieval dagger, plug bayonet, and buffalo dance lance with this highly polished blade.
I am going to make a boar spear next.

I just got it in today, and what a blade, good high carbon steel.  and the tang is wider than the picture shown.  my hands were shaking when i unboxed it. great for making a medieval dagger (and yes, medieval knights daggers were quite large.) well worth the wait,
thanks Atlanta cutlery.