Out on the High Seas

William Schrade

William Schrade

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Jul 30, 2012
Messages
616
Greetings,

I was asked to make a knife for someone who crews out on the Atlantic. I found out that all crew members are required to carry a knife in case of emergencies, be it folding or fixed. A marlin spike is also required for untying knots. It was fun making the marlin spike and I thought I needed to make it different from all the rest so I incorporated a cap lifter to open his grog preserving his teeth. The slot is for turning shackles on the rigging.

Knife is 154cm with Micarta handle scales. 4 1/4" blade, 8 3/4 O/A
Marlin spike 416 stainless 6"

Hope he likes it.

Bill Schrade

Phear of Elliott.JPG
 
I like it/them William. I worked in the marine industry in the Gulf of Mexico for several years and can say that both tools are used on a daily basis. Those 2 tools and a Fid would handle about 90% of the tasks a seaman does on a regular basis.
 
That's a great blade shape and I'm sure it will be very useful for cutting rope. Good steel choice too. I'm not a big fan of finger grooves but I know that some are partial to them. What made you go with that handle shape?
 
darrin sanders said:
I like it/them William. I worked in the marine industry in the Gulf of Mexico for several years and can say that both tools are used on a daily basis. Those 2 tools and a Fid would handle about 90% of the tasks a seaman does on a regular basis.
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Hi Darrin,

Thank you, I was a crane operator/rigger in my own business and I would bet most of my employees didn't know what a Fid was. They were used when riggers were riggers making their own steel chokers and braiding wire rope. There is a braiding competition at the Specialized Crane and Rigging Association convention every year and I gotta tell ya I'm glad I didn't have to do that.
 
S.Alexander said:
That's a great blade shape and I'm sure it will be very useful for cutting rope. Good steel choice too. I'm not a big fan of finger grooves but I know that some are partial to them. What made you go with that handle shape?
Click to expand...

the customer sent me a picture of a knife similar but didn't want it exactly the same. He wanted it very different. It had 1 finger groove so after looking around the Net I didn't see anything with four.

He actually hasn't seen it yet. Hope he likes it.
 
Nice work.
I've spent a couple (hundred) days at sea here and there, and that pair would certainly do the job...
 
William Schrade said:
Hi Darrin,

Thank you, I was a crane operator/rigger in my own business and I would bet most of my employees didn't know what a Fid was. They were used when riggers were riggers making their own steel chokers and braiding wire rope. There is a braiding competition at the Specialized Crane and Rigging Association convention every year and I gotta tell ya I'm glad I didn't have to do that.
Click to expand...

I hear ya William, like so many other old skills, braiding wire and rope is quickly becoming a lost art. Heck, most of the guys these days can't even tie a proper Bowline. All the slings and chokers these days are pre-made because they have to have inspection tags on them. At least on the oil rigs and supply vessels in the GOM they do.
 
darrin sanders said:
I hear ya William, like so many other old skills, braiding wire and rope is quickly becoming a lost art. Heck, most of the guys these days can't even tie a proper Bowline. All the slings and chokers these days are pre-made because they have to have inspection tags on them. At least on the oil rigs and supply vessels in the GOM they do.
Click to expand...

Most guys tie Gofer nots. Gotta gofer your knife to untie it. We always said, If you can't tie a knot.......Tie a lot.
 
William Schrade said:
Thanks Joe, I enjoy your clips here too.

Bill
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Bill

I could of really used a setup like that when I was working the marinas and boats growing up

Thanks for the kind words

Here's to swimming with bow legged women :)

That's a line from a classic fishing movie
 
JParanee said:
Bill

I could of really used a setup like that when I was working the marinas and boats growing up

Thanks for the kind words

Here's to swimming with bow legged women :)

That's a line from a classic fishing movie
Click to expand...

Captain Quint.
 
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