Riggers Knife Question

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This knife seems like a very nice piece of American craftsmanship.One side of the blade is stamped "Schrade Walden NY USA " and on the other side is "735 stianless". Is the 735 a model # or is 735 some grade of stainless steel? Also if anyone knows, just what is a marlin spike used for.
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Thanks, Rick
 
The marlin spike is made for loosening knots. The knives were originally a navy pattern (that is a riggers pattern, in this case of the one you have, I havent seen it?). The Army and AF both use this knife also. We had the ones made by camillus. When I was in survival equipment in the AF We could order these knives and we used them as parachute riggers knives.

The 735 is a model number.
 
Thanks, I was prity sure the spike was used for working with rope but was not sure about the number.
The gentleman I got it from said he had recieved it while in the navy in the '60s. He referred to it as a Boatswain Riggers knife.
 
I had one of those when I was in the Navy from '74-'80 (I was an Electronics Tech).

You jam the Marlin Spike into a knot to loosen it up. The knife was basically indestructable. Somehow, I lost it after I got out of the Navy.

A Boatswain's Mate is a deck-hand in the Navy. They typically carry a knife such as this, but they also carry 12" long Marlin Spikes around with them (in a sheath), because the lines (ropes) that they handle are typically 2"-3" in diameter, and the small Marlin Spike on this knife wouldn't be any use at all.
 
That would be the model number. Like the others said, the spike was used for loosening knots but in a pich I suppose it could be used as a means of self defense if you went able to open the blade.
 
I use a marlin spike quite often though I have never had any of those nice Schrade rigging knives.

It is a handy tool not just for loosening knots but also for tightening and "dressing" them, you grab a loop or a loose end of the rope or cord and pull to tighten, sometimes it is also used to tighten or loosen pins in a shackle, you put it through the hole in the pin's head and use it for leverage.

I like a chance to show off some knots, here's some fobs and bellropes and couple of monkey fists.

Luis

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I always enjoy seeing your work, Luis! Thanks for posting.

Man, two to three inch ropes?! I guess for tying battleships up to the pier, huh?

Phil
 
Phil, Phil, Phil...

Those can be used in lieu of THONGS,as well as securing battleships, of course....and are quite popular with the lengendary "Maidens"....or so I've heard.

Bill

P. S.
Excellent work, as always, Luis. :thumbup: :thumbup:
 
I use a Marlin Spike in my work, but it is hollow. It is used like a needle to thread the end of a braided rope back through it's center to make a loop in the end without knots. Pulling the outside rope tightens the braid around the inside rope end. WOrks like the woven chinese thumbcuffs we played with as kids. Much faster and easier than whipping the end, or braiding the loop. Braiding the loop would be the way a sailor might finish it, I think.

Codger
 
The needle type is often called a fid, there's also some that are hollow and slotted so that you can push them in, push the end of the line through, pull the fid back out and slide it sideways out of the line, there's all kind of tools really. Here's some of my knives and spikes and some knotted fobs:

Luis

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I have the identical knife to the one you posted. It's one of my favorites. That great big sheep blade is not to be discounted either! It's a workhorse...er, worksheep!! But my marlin spike no longer locks open. Not sure why not, but I'm afraid the lock has become worn down over time. Any way, there are indeed a million different uses for that spike, some of which I haven't discovered yet.
 
i just picked up one on ebay for like $15.00, its a schrade walden it in good shape, but on mine the spike wont lock very good either but the blade in excellent shape it has a very tight snap to it, when i saw the knife on ebay i just had to have it. plus i was at the flea market last week and i saw one just like the one in the picture with the black handle i think the guy wanted $8 for it i might have to go get it, what kind is the is it camilluis
 
How do you like the Schrade 735 now that you've used it some?
I'm looking to get this Schrade or a Buck 315 Yachtsman for working cords and knots, so I'm interested in how well they work, especially with regards to sharpening and holding an edge.
 
Here's a Schrade Cut Co rigger's knife with bone scales. Don Luis, those aren't knots, they're works of art!
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Eric
 
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