'Captain Jack' Utility Knife

Details

Steel: 1080

Handle Material: Misquite (lanyard: leather, brass, & horse hair)

Sheath: Leather with brass spots

Dimensions: 3.5 '“ blade, 3.5 ” handle, 7” overall

The ‘Captain Jack’ Utility Knife is inspired by the ethos of historical figures and designs of historical knives.

Historical knives offer tried and true designs that emphasize functionality over looks. However, I wanted to incorporate the ethos of Modoc chief ‘Captain Jack‘ into this blade’s aesthetics.

Who is Captain Jack?

Captain Jack, also known as Kintpuash, was a principal headman of the Modoc tribe during the 1860s and early 1870s.

He rose to national prominence during the Modoc War of 1872-1873. Leading a coalition of Modoc bands in a war of resistance against U.S. Army forces and local militia, he held off a numerically superior force for several months.

On April 15, Col. Jefferson C. Davis, with a force of over a thousand soldiers, attacked Captain Jack and his warriors. The Modocs scattered, and Captain Jack evaded capture for several weeks.

On May 22, a large number of Modocs surrendered and, in exchange for their lives, agreed to help the army capture Captain Jack. This group, known sometimes as the Hot Creek Band of Modoc Indians, was led by Hooker Jim.

A week later, the army caught up with Captain Jack in the Langell Valley, Oregon, east of the lava beds.

He avoided capture for two days until, on June 1, he surrendered. Official army reports claim that Captain Jack said: "My legs had given out." His descendants would later remember that he admitted: "I am ready to die."