Old Herder sailor's knives

[Franciscomv]

For some reason I can't quite fathom, some decades ago an insurance company that worked mostly with a rural client base decided to give out sailor's knives as gifts to their customers. European brands have always enjoyed great prestige in my country (Argentina), so they went with Herder. Perhaps they thought the sheepsfoot blade would be broad enough to display a bit of text clearly.

I've been looking for one of these in good nick for a rather long time. Most are very worn out, overpriced or both. I managed to get my hands on one in pretty decent shape a few days ago, it has some damage but I was looking for a user. It needed some cleaning, sharpening and some cracks in the handle had to be fixed.

I was quite happy with it. I told a good mate of mine who also collects knives (but not slipjoints) about my find and he sent me pictures of one he'd found at a fair and wanted to sell. It was in fantastic shape, so I bought it.

Now I've got one to use and one to save. Lovely pattern, on the big side (I included a Case 75 for reference). The springs are very strong and I like how the marlin spike sits out of the way.

The text on the handles is the name of the insurance company ("La Rural") and the Spanish word for hail ("granizo"). The blades have "A gift from La Rural hail insurance company" on them.

 

[Bigfattyt]

Fantastic knives!

 

[RickHuf]

That is really neat, thanks for posting! I haven't seen this one before. The spike is great!

One of my favorite patterns is the sheepsfoot rope knife and schrade or Utica makes some nice ones.

Herder has been on my list of knives to find for quite a while now but unfortunately when one does pop up it's usually too expensive, too trashed or the shipping is prohibitive.

 

[glennbad]

For some reason I can't quite fathom, some decades ago an insurance company that worked mostly with a rural client base decided to give out sailor's knives as gifts to their customers. European brands have always enjoyed great prestige in my country (Argentina), so they went with Herder. Perhaps they thought the sheepsfoot blade would be broad enough to display a bit of text clearly.

I've been looking for one of these in good nick for a rather long time. Most are very worn out, overpriced or both. I managed to get my hands on one in pretty decent shape a few days ago, it has some damage but I was looking for a user. It needed some cleaning, sharpening and some cracks in the handle had to be fixed.

I was quite happy with it. I told a good mate of mine who also collects knives (but not slipjoints) about my find and he sent me pictures of one he'd found at a fair and wanted to sell. It was in fantastic shape, so I bought it.

Now I've got one to use and one to save. Lovely pattern, on the big side (I included a Case 75 for reference). The springs are very strong and I like how the marlin spike sits out of the way.

The text on the handles is the name of the insurance company ("La Rural") and the Spanish word for hail ("granizo"). The blades have "A gift from La Rural hail insurance company" on them.

Those are worthy of some nice stag...

 

[Franciscomv]

[...]

Herder has been on my list of knives to find for quite a while now but unfortunately when one does pop up it's usually too expensive, too trashed or the shipping is prohibitive.

Old Herder fixed blades are pricey, but plentiful in Argentina. Folders in general are hard to come by.

Those are worthy of some nice stag...

Now that I've got to I was thinking about modifying the rougher one. I'll carry it for a while before deciding.

 

[Will Power]

Imposing 'choppers'. Very nice to see and to hear about their background

 

[1911bphil]

Those are awesome!! Thanks for sharing.

 

[waynorth]

For some reason I can't quite fathom, some decades ago an insurance company that worked mostly with a rural client base decided to give out sailor's knives as gifts to their customers. European brands have always enjoyed great prestige in my country (Argentina), so they went with Herder. Perhaps they thought the sheepsfoot blade would be broad enough to display a bit of text clearly.

I've been looking for one of these in good nick for a rather long time. Most are very worn out, overpriced or both. I managed to get my hands on one in pretty decent shape a few days ago, it has some damage but I was looking for a user. It needed some cleaning, sharpening and some cracks in the handle had to be fixed.

I was quite happy with it. I told a good mate of mine who also collects knives (but not slipjoints) about my find and he sent me pictures of one he'd found at a fair and wanted to sell. It was in fantastic shape, so I bought it.

Now I've got one to use and one to save. Lovely pattern, on the big side (I included a Case 75 for reference). The springs are very strong and I like how the marlin spike sits out of the way.

The text on the handles is the name of the insurance company ("La Rural") and the Spanish word for hail ("granizo"). The blades have "A gift from La Rural hail insurance company" on them.

Apt rural knife!! I'm sure many people found uses for that "marlin spike"!!!

 

[Franciscomv]

Apt rural knife!! I'm sure many people found uses for that "marlin spike"!!!

Come to think of it, when I worked with horses I carried a sheepfoot fixed blade quite often. The blunt tip made it safer in case of a fall and to work in enclosed spaces (like having to cut rope inside a trailer). It was also quite handy for leather work and fixing gear on long rides. Awls, hoof picks and similar tools are also good to have around and the marlin spike could work in a pinch.

 

[lambertiana]

That's a great pattern, I wouldn't mind finding one myself.