1770’s Virginia, USA - knives
I’m working on woman’s garb for a working woman/colonist/settler in 1770’s western Virginia. I’m starting to accumulate accessories as I sew the clothing, but I can’t figure out what kind of knife would be appropriate. I carry a knife every day in my modern daily life, so I can’t really imagine going without, especially on the homestead. I’m sure anyone working on the frontier farm back then would be carrying a blade too, right? Would I have carried a “patch” knife? Something small worn hanging around the neck and tucked into my stays? Something else? I don’t exactly have a belt to sheathe things on if I’m wearing three skirts - would I have had something little in my pocket? Hanging off of my pockets under my skirts?
Anyway, I’m looking for academic resources and input. Most of my historical resources are silent on things that aren’t clothes, and I’m having a hard time finding relevant extant examples (I don’t really care what they were using to cut their meat at the French court in 1770!). Any internet search on the topic only provides information on weapons and arms instead of knives carried as daily tools, and leans towards weird frontier-man macho cosplay stuff instead of serious academic sources.
Can y’all help a girl out?
Thanks in advance, and happy costuming.