These knives were made from various tools and resources that were available to the tribes in each region. A common Native American knife is one made of animal bone. Sometimes referred to as an Indian dagger, this knife was short and pointed at the tip. It was typically made of all bone and adorned with animal fur or other leather decorations.

Native American knives were employed in close quarters fighting or thrown from horseback. They were also used for scalping enemies, which became a trademark for some of the Native American tribes. A hunter or warrior would carve a blade from the bone of a large game animal.