Description
The knife was placed in a bundle which was "purchased" by a warrior only after he had endured a torturous "transfer ceremony" .
After intense sweat lodge sittings, the warrior would be thrust into a thorn thicket and repeatedly slapped with the flat side of the blade. In a final act of courage, he would have to catch the knife as it was violently thrown at him.
The triumphant contender was then awarded the bundle and knife. Warriors who carried this knife were terribly feared. Some accounts say that enemies would collapse or flee upon sight of the knife.
This Beaver Tail knife has a hand-forged blade that is roughly twice the width of ordinary knives its size. Its oak handle has sinew-wrapped imitation spiked eagle feathers, brass bells, and leather fringe attached.