Zodiackillersite.com

masootz wrote:

Simplicity wrote:Courtesy of relentlessz:
It is or was Harvey's of course and my understanding is that it almost perfectly matches the weapon described being used at the LB crime scene.

no it doesn't. from my notes:

"Knife with sheath on right side, near front of his trousers. Knife description: 12" bread knife, 3/4" wide, hardwood handle, 2 brass rivets, cotton surgical tape wrapped 1" around handle. "

description from the ncsd lb crime report, page 17.

That same report also states the knife was seen on his left hip, so I'd say it's not a good description to rely on for anything to do with the knife. I believe there is a report from the coroner somewhere that has a description of what was used. If I find the link, I'll edit and post it here.

I wouldn't waste any more time on that knife because no way is it the LB knife. A description of the knife can be found here.

http://www.zodiackillerfacts.com/galler ... fullsize=1

It had a wood handle.

CuriousCat wrote:I wouldn't waste any more time on that knife because no way is it the LB knife. A description of the knife can be found here.

http://www.zodiackillerfacts.com/galler ... fullsize=1

It had a wood handle.

The coroners report stated the knife was roughly 10 inches long and was sharpened on both sides. That's why this letter opener came into focus for me. But lacking the wooden handle, it's clearly not the same device he used. With that said, Harvey was a very skilled woodworker, I still have his wood widdling tools. The report mentions the sheath appearing to be homemade.

masootz wrote:

Simplicity wrote:Courtesy of relentlessz:
It is or was Harvey's of course and my understanding is that it almost perfectly matches the weapon described being used at the LB crime scene.

no it doesn't. from my notes:

"Knife with sheath on right side, near front of his trousers. Knife description: 12" bread knife, 3/4" wide, hardwood handle, 2 brass rivets, cotton surgical tape wrapped 1" around handle. "

description from the ncsd lb crime report, page 17.

A bread knife? No wonder Hartnell survived and Shepard lived for a short time.

This is being sold on the 'net as a "vintage bread knife. I suspect the one at LB that day was something like it, it even has the wooden sheath.

I suppose it's not too terribly difficult to sharpen a bread knife on both sides that's 9 to 11 inches long.

relentlessz wrote:I suppose it's not too terribly difficult to sharpen a bread knife on both sides that's 9 to 11 inches long.

Why sharpen a duller blade instead of just acquiring a reliable dagger? This is a killer who had a collection of firearms. He was practical. Was it the psychological gratification of crafting the murder weapon?

jacob wrote:

relentlessz wrote:I suppose it's not too terribly difficult to sharpen a bread knife on both sides that's 9 to 11 inches long.

Why sharpen a duller blade instead of just acquiring a reliable dagger? This is a killer who had a collection of firearms. Was it the psychological gratification of crafting the murder weapon?

Not sure what the laws were in California at the time but daggers are often illegal and hard to purchase. I know most are illegal where I live. It's depends on the state laws, but even some cities prohibit them.

CuriousCat wrote:

jacob wrote:

relentlessz wrote:I suppose it's not too terribly difficult to sharpen a bread knife on both sides that's 9 to 11 inches long.

Why sharpen a duller blade instead of just acquiring a reliable dagger? This is a killer who had a collection of firearms. Was it the psychological gratification of crafting the murder weapon?

Not sure what the laws were in California at the time but daggers are often illegal and hard to purchase. I know most are illegal where I live. It's depends on the state laws, but even some cities prohibit them.

In 60s America you could order guns through the mail (though this might have been tightened after the JFK assassination). Ironic if knives were more strictly regulated.

In terms of improvised weaponry, surely a sharp kitchen knife you would use to cut vegetables would be more reliable.

A couple of things,
There are multiple varied view points of the weapon in question,

I don't know what other weaponary of harvey's is in relentless collection

The picture of that knife match the description in some ways to the description that i understand to be valid.

deriving answers about the weapon used from Laws is not logical in the matter of a murderer.


I think we can all at least agree it's a interesting weapon and that we don't know everything.


Also, bread knives are serrated, but maybe that's only a modern thing.

Edit: it's a 11inch letter opener with such a weird impractical ergonomic hilt?