Miller Bros Folding Rope Knife

C

CTS68

Joined
Oct 4, 2021
Messages
12
Hello, I'm hoping to find more info on this knife, and methods of cleaning that won't cause more harm. I can't find much on the internet besides years of manufacture, and the possibility they were given to Navy sailors.
It belonged to my grandfather who served in the army in Korea, and I'm not sure where he got it originally. It's possible that he got it from his father, but since he's no longer around, I can't ask him.
Pictured is the miller and my Spartan Astor for size comparison. Overall length including loop is 9" cutting edge is right about 3 1/4"
 
That knife looks to be in really good shape as is. I would say to you to just wipe some oil on the blade and a drop or two in the joints. The blade shows some natural patina which should be left as is, if there is any red color to the spots, just wipe at them with some cotton with some oil on it to remove any rust.
 
CTS68 said:
Hello, I'm hoping to find more info on this knife, and methods of cleaning that won't cause more harm. I can't find much on the internet besides years of manufacture, and the possibility they were given to Navy sailors.
It belonged to my grandfather who served in the army in Korea, and I'm not sure where he got it originally. It's possible that he got it from his father, but since he's no longer around, I can't ask him.
Pictured is the miller and my Spartan Astor for size comparison. Overall length including loop is 9" cutting edge is right about 3 1/4"
Click to expand...


Very nice Miller Brothers rope knife, way before WW2, Miller Brothers made knifes 1863 to 1926. Your knife is a very nice example and most likely made around the time of the Spanish American War to WW1. Wonderful that it came from your Grandfather.
Here are 3 different sizes of Miller Brothers rope or sailors knives.
IMG_0625.jpeg
 
Also do not do any cleaning, devalues a collectable knife like that, just wipe the metal with oil to prevent rust and you can wipe the bone with mineral oil, I use Ballistol which is mainly mineral oil.
 
That is a great old knife in great shape! As others have said, don't do anything drastic to it. Polishing or similar activities decrease the collector value AND erase the evidence of use by your family (the second part is the important part in my opinion).

A coat if oil is all you need. If the plan is mostly storage (like, not going to use it for food and such), I would echo the Ballistol recommendation, though I personally prefer Hoppes 9 (for the highly scientific reason of I like the smell better).
 
By cleaning I mean knocking the rust out of the harder to reach places, qtips helped slightly, but needs a little more work. Not trying to make it look new, and I figured disassembly would be a bad idea. I used a nylon brush and clp to get some of the light rust, then lightly coated with gun oil.
 
CTS68 said:
By cleaning I mean knocking the rust out of the harder to reach places, qtips helped slightly, but needs a little more work. Not trying to make it look new, and I figured disassembly would be a bad idea. I used a nylon brush and clp to get some of the light rust, then lightly coated with gun oil.
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I think that is about the best that you can do.
 
CTS68 said:
By cleaning I mean knocking the rust out of the harder to reach places, qtips helped slightly, but needs a little more work. Not trying to make it look new, and I figured disassembly would be a bad idea. I used a nylon brush and clp to get some of the light rust, then lightly coated with gun oil.
Click to expand...

You could use toothpicks or those wooden skewers (if they fit). Or popsicle sticks that you can put a sharper angle on the end. I wouldn't recommend anything harsher than that unless you have experience.(and then I still wouldn't recommend it, LOL)

That's a beauty of a knife. Do not try to remove the screws. They can snap off pretty easily.
 
glennbad said:
You could use toothpicks or those wooden skewers (if they fit). Or popsicle sticks that you can put a sharper angle on the end. I wouldn't recommend anything harsher than that unless you have experience.(and then I still wouldn't recommend it, LOL)

That's a beauty of a knife. Do not try to remove the screws. They can snap off pretty easily.
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That's one thing I had read, the screws can break fairly easily so I'm not going to touch them. Maybe a small dowel or something will help. Thanks for the help everyone.
 
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