Miller Bro's Rope Knife

r8shell

r8shell

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Jan 16, 2010
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I came across a neat old find today: an old Miller Bros rope knife. My research on the brand tells me the company made knives between 1872 and 1927, so it's possibly the oldest and rarest in my humble collection. I want to clean it up a bit, and keep it from rusting, but wouldn't mind a bit of advice first. Usually, to clean an old knife, I make a paste of baking soda and dish soap, and scrub with a toothbrush. Then I fill the well with mineral oil and let that sit and soak a while, then blow out the oil and gunk with compressed air. I repeat this until the oil comes out clean. I want to be cautious with this one, and I don't know if the oil could soften or damage the bone. Any suggestions?

Also, does anyone have any information regarding a closer estimate on the age? The tang stamp just says "Miller Bro's"

I'm really excited about this knife. It's just so cool! I saw it and it said "Buy me!"




 
Very interesting acquisition, remarkable jigging on that, it almost looks like scratting on early tusk or bone knives. Are those screws on it?

Your cleaning regime sounds fine but I've stopped soaking knives in mineral oil-others disagree I know, but my results have led me to be very wary of it. Short soak maybe, wipe over is excellent. Lot depends on your humidity levels, I'm plagued with very dry interiors in the winter time, natural materials' enemy.
 
Nice find! I picked up an old Miller bros awhile back. Here is a ling to thread I started about it http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1124979-Miller-Bros-Curved-Jack
Not much more info than you have found, but interesting none the less. Here is mine:

IMG_2850_zps814bac8d.jpg
 
That is a great old knife Rachel. As far as clean-up, your plan is good and if you get a little oil on the bones scales, just wipe it off. The trick is to not saturate the bone with oil. I usually stand the knife up with the joints down so that the residual oil will drip thru the blades, middle liner and out the pivot bolster end.

Great snag!! :thumbup::)
 
I think it's fine the way it is. I tried CLP but the stuff cleaned thing too good I think, but I soaked the knife down. Maybe CLP on a rag and rub the steel. I've been using a steel rule and gun cleaning patches. Do you plan on taking the scales off? Ive made the mistake before on knives to over clean. I polished the bolsters on the Camillus I found and wished I hadn't.
 
navihawk said:
Do you plan on taking the scales off?
Click to expand...

Do not try and and take the scales off. The brass screws are now part of the steel liner, they will break off at any attempt to loosen them.

Rachel, if you feel uncomfortable cleaning it properly, send it to me and I will do it for free.
 
willgoy said:
Very interesting acquisition, remarkable jigging on that, it almost looks like scratting on early tusk or bone knives. Are those screws on it?
Click to expand...

I just Googled "scratting", and learned something new! Cool
Yes, those are screws. Miller Bros made knives this way. I've never seen it before on an old knife. I wonder if it is for ease of production, or to avoid the tendency of bone to crack at the center pin. Or maybe even for cleaning.

Markesharp said:
Do not try and and take the scales off. The brass screws are now part of the steel liner, they will break off at any attempt to loosen them.

Rachel, if you feel uncomfortable cleaning it properly, send it to me and I will do it for free.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the offer :thumbup: I'll let you know if I have any doubts. I don't think it really needs much. There's just a faint start of rust on the inside of the backsprings and liners, and I plan to rub that out with oil on a Q-tip. For now, I just want to keep any rusting at bay (It can get a little humid around here in the spring and fall)

The thought crossed my mind about taking it apart, and then my mind immediately gave itself a smack! :D It lasted possibly a hundred years without cracking and I will definitely leave those screws alone for the reasons you give.

Here's a few more pics. Check out the width of that backspring! (4mm)

 
Rachel - that Miller Bros. rope knife is a real beauty. Congrats on adding it to your collection and good luck with the restoration, but quite frankly it looks amazing as is. :thumbup: Here's a photo of my one and only Miller Bros. knife.

imagejpg1_zpsa389ef68.jpg
 
That's a great piece, Rachel! With those, the blade is usually "well-used", the knife rusted beyond hope, bone in shambles, or the lanyard ring is always missing. That one has a lot going for it.

The comments regarding the brass screws are spot on, they are so easy to snap off. Perhaps the screws were a way to reduce assembly cost?
 
That is the fullest blade I have ever seen on that old a Miller Brother's knife.
Please rub off any rust inside, but don't over clean it. Wipe all over with a slightly oily cloth, a drop in the joints and call it a day. You've been entrusted with a super-fine and rare antique. A lot of people would like to see that blade, to see what theirs used to look like!
You lucked out r8shell!
 
waynorth said:
That is the fullest blade I have ever seen on that old a Miller Brother's knife.
Please rub off any rust inside, but don't over clean it. Wipe all over with a slightly oily cloth, a drop in the joints and call it a day. You've been entrusted with a super-fine and rare antique. A lot of people would like to see that blade, to see what theirs used to look like!
You lucked out r8shell!
Click to expand...

Thanks, Charlie. I'll do just that.

Do you have an idea of its age? That is, a narrower range than 1872-1926?
 
Very beautiful knife!

Thanks for the pictures, and congratulations!

best


mqqn
 
The patina looks perfect to me. Certainly oil the pivot and stop any destructive rust but I wouldn't do anything at all to change the look. Congrats on the cool find.
 
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