Boat knife/navy knife/rope knife?

running bird · Nov 25, 2023

https://imgur.com/a/bjucOL0

I have this old Camillus navy knife/rope knife I got when I was back in Highschool. It was one of the first knives I bought with my first paycheck. I miss walking into an antique store few a few dollars and walking out with a handful of pocket knives

I love the shape and size of this one, it’s very slim yet still manages to just fit my hand. The action is very solid and firm, has a half stop.

I don’t have many duplicate knives but this pattern I think I could see myself owning a few of. Does anyone know of any modern production knives with similar profile and blade shape? Most of the ones I see have more curved handles and blade shapes, they seem more bulky which doesn’t appeal to me. I know there’s a few GECs that are pretty similar in style and size but I don’t have that kind of money or time to scour the secondary market for one.

Kevin

jdswitters · Nov 25, 2023

Otter maybe, still a chonky knife but I do like it.

Drop bear · Nov 25, 2023

Camilus does a good one.

Just Tom. · Nov 25, 2023

Fraraccio makes a similar, inexpensive knife, you can find them on the Bay and other places. I have had a few knives from them and except one with a flawed spring, they were pretty solid, and came very sharp.

(Not my picture)

Fraraccio Coltello mozzetta permesso dalla Legge

running bird · Nov 25, 2023

jdswitters said:
Otter maybe, still a chonky knife but I do like it.

Yeah those were the main ones that came to mind. They do look quite chunky to me too, I think I’d have to see one in person at a shop.

Just Tom. said:
Fraraccio makes a similar, inexpensive knife, you can find them on the Bay and other places. I have had a few knives from them and except one with a flawed spring, they were pretty solid, and came very sharp.

(Not my picture)

Fraraccio Coltello mozzetta permesso dalla Legge

That looks like a sweet knife! I’ll have to give them a look. I’m not a fan of etching on the blade its self but that is too pretty of a knife for it to bother me

Just Tom. · Nov 25, 2023

running bird said:
I’ll have to give them a look.

They’re solid budget fare. Be aware they come in a variety of sizes - the 19cm knife should have a handle of about 4-1/4 inches, which is just about right for me, but there are smaller ones, too.

waynorth · Nov 25, 2023

running bird said:
I have this old Camillus navy knife/rope knife I got when I was back in Highschool.

You show a civilian version of a US Navy issue knife from after WW1 !!
The pre-war issue knives had a manicure blade on them! They were made by many cutleries, and a used version is usually findable on aftermarket sites!!

Here is a "civilian" version: (bottom). Note the spear blade and pen blade!! They also came with different single blades like yours!!

BDubbs · Nov 25, 2023

GEC has done a few runs of these as well on a 15 pattern.

running bird · Nov 25, 2023

waynorth said:
You show a civilian version of a US Navy issue knife from after WW1 !!
The pre-war issue knives had a manicure blade on them! They were made by many cutleries, and a used version is usually findable on aftermarket sites!!View attachment 2403333 View attachment 2403344 View attachment 2403345 View attachment 2403347
Here is a "civilian" version: (bottom). Note the spear blade and pen blade!! They also came with different single blades like yours!!View attachment 2403349

Thank you for the info! You got a really sweet collection there

I’ll have to take a look at what I can find, such a cool and handy pattern IMO

waynorth · Nov 25, 2023

Here is a knife made between the Wars, using wartime parts!
Schatt & Morgan trying to cash in on the burgeoning Scouting market I will bet!!

Note the arched tang stamp on the pen!! Below is a Pre-WW1 Schatt comparison pic!!!
Pre-WW1, then post WW1!!!

waynorth · Nov 25, 2023

waynorth said:
Schatt & Morgan trying to cash in on the burgeoning Scouting market I will bet!!

The Scouts in America were established in 1910!!!
R running bird If I could contact you I could solve your problem!!!

meako · Nov 26, 2023

How about the British Army Knife / Sailors type knives...?

running bird · Nov 26, 2023

waynorth said:
The Scouts in America were established in 1910!!!
R running bird If I could contact you I could solve your problem!!!

Thanks for the offer! I’m not sure I’m able to do private messages without a paid membership. Do you have an email? Even just some tips on what to look for in these types of knives would be cool

meako said:
How about the British Army Knife / Sailors type knives...?

The ones I see look a little more modern looking than what I’m looking for. Though a bottle opener and a sheep’s foot blade would be pretty handy

BDubbs said:
GEC has done a few runs of these as well on a 15 pattern.

if I ever see one that is affordable I would definitely jump on it. That’s mostly what got me to make this post, looking for more affordable alternatives since the GECs were the only ones I’ve seen. I hope GEC does more runs of them

Arathol · Nov 26, 2023

running bird said:
That looks like a sweet knife! I’ll have to give them a look. I’m not a fan of etching on the blade its self but that is too pretty of a knife for it to bother me

The Fraraccio shown in the cheaper budget version with white ABS scales. The knife is available in horn and wood as well.
A better look at the Fraraccio Mozzetta and the two blade Duetto version-

waynorth · Nov 27, 2023

running bird said:
Thanks for the offer! I’m not sure I’m able to do private messages without a paid membership. Do you have an email? Even just some tips on what to look for in these types of knives would be cool

I have four of the type you are looking for. I don't post my email here, or I will get no peace!! There must be another way!! Post your phone number, and I'll call you tomorrow (Monday)!

Two Camillus, a Hammer Brand, and a Kingston!!

Will Power · Nov 27, 2023

I believe Douk-Douk offered a version with a Sheepfoot blade and bail.

Quite a few French knives of the 'London' pattern have a nice 'chopper' Sheepfoot blade too.

Take a look at

Knives-of-France

waynorth · Nov 27, 2023

Will Power said:
Take a look at Knives-of-France

I took a look! Interesting knives!!

I'mSoSharp · Nov 27, 2023

R running bird worth a look at this thread - https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/riggers-sailors-rope-mariner-marinera-taponera-knives.1889043/

aji1 · Nov 27, 2023

Will Power said:
Quite a few French knives of the 'London' pattern have a nice 'chopper' Sheepfoot blade too.

Fontenille-Pataud is releasing a London pattern. I guess it will be nice, but probably not cheap!

I'mSoSharp · Nov 27, 2023

Arathol said:
The Fraraccio shown in the cheaper budget version with white ABS scales. The knife is available in horn and wood as well.
A better look at the Fraraccio Mozzetta and the two blade Duetto version-

The etching on the blade references the Italian law of 1908 prohibiting sale & carry of knives with pointed blades because of civil unrest so it's not strictly a boat/Navy/rope knife but more a historical knife, discussed in the thread I linked to a couple of posts up.

A similar law was brought in in Spain 1890~1902, this style of "Navaja punta cortada" knife with a "cut" blunt point was the only knife that could be carried in public.

This style in Spain is also called a "Navaja Taponera" meaning stopper, as in bottle cork, the knives used in processing cork (to this day) simply don't need a point. https://www.google.com/search?clien...2ahUKEwirsKmXmuWCAxXrVqQEHQoxB8IQ0pQJegQIEBAB

These knives are often incorrectly referred to as Sailors, Navy or rope knives, (the Sailor/rope "Marinera" knives can sometimes have anchor inlays in the scales) but in Mediterranean countries it's worth knowing these three similar styles of knives have got three very different names, uses & histories.