The crooked knife, or "canoe knife," is an ingenious, one-handed draw knife that stands as a testament to the woodworking skill of the Woodland Native Americans. This distinctive tool was indispensable for the peoples of the Eastern Woodlands, particularly the Abenaki—who call it the bikahtagenigan (bee-kah-tah-gen-i-gan)—where it was essential for the construction of canoes, sleds, and snowshoes.
The knife’s design is deceptively simple and highly effective. It is essentially a single-handed draw knife, meaning the user pulls the blade toward their body to shave wood, offering excellent control and power. Its most defining characteristic is the bent handle, traditionally crafted from a piece of wood or antler, which allows for a comfortable, ergonomic grip during prolonged use. The handle often features an L-shaped variant, where the short arm provides a sturdy thumb rest, enhancing leverage and precision.
Historically, the blade was created by skillfully repurposing readily available metal, such as an old flat steel file, a farrier's knife, or even a straight razor. This material was modified into a narrow, tanged blade. A crucial feature is the cutting edge, which is beveled on only one side. This single-bevel edge makes the knife exceptional for hollowing, shaping concave surfaces (like canoe ribs), and creating smooth, curved cuts—tasks that would be challenging with a standard straight-bladed knife.
Once the blade was forged, its tang was securely fitted into the wooden or antler handle. Traditional fastening methods included durable sinew lashing or tightly wound pitched string. In later years, materials like wrapped wire or a metal sleeve were also used to ensure the blade remained fixed under the strenuous forces of carving.
A less common but equally traditional variant features the same ergonomic L-shaped handle but utilizes a straight blade emerging at a 90-degree angle from the bottom. Regardless of the slight variation, the crooked knife remains a powerful symbol of traditional Native American ingenuity, enabling the creation of the watercraft and transportation essentials that defined life in the Eastern Woodlands.
The Crooked Knife: A Woodland Essential
