Rope Knives after WWI

waynorth

waynorth

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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I believe these knives were marketed for several uses! The first three were made by Schrade-Walden, so after WWII. They have advertising on them, for rope companies, or possibly Ship Chandlers, or marine shippers; Wall Rope, Eitler Rope and Powell River - Alberni. Alberni is on Vancouver Island, off the BC Coast where Powell River is situated!
One is marked "Approved - USCG" which would be for the Coast Guard. It's the first one in the second Pic, made by Utica-Kutmaster. These last three are different; they have half-stops and bails, and might all be Coast Guard spec. A Kutmaster, one unmarked, and the last a 4-line Camillus! The unmarked has an etch I can't read, but looks like a Camillus
Schrade 3 A.jpgCamillus n Kutmaster 3 A.jpg
 
Charlie I’ve wondered about why they are called rope or whalers and lack a point? Safety issue on a pitching and rolling deck? I guess it’s apples and oranges since the whaler I have is more of a sheepsfoot and does have a point.
 
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BDubbs said:
Charlie I’ve wondered about why they are called rope or whalers and lack a point? Safety issue on a pitching and rolling deck? I guess it’s apples and oranges since the whaler I have is more of a sheepsfoot and does have a point.
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That controversy about a point has been going on forever!! Certainly the long straight edge and wide blade is good at cutting large rope!!
Some of these knives were also part of Life Raft gear, and some are of the opinion that inflatables are at risk from a point!!
 
BDubbs said:
Charlie I’ve wondered about why they are called rope or whalers and lack a point? Safety issue on a pitching and rolling deck? I guess it’s apples and oranges since the whaler I have is more of a sheepsfoot and does have a point.
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These knives weren't really slicing tools. Generally lines were cut by laying them on a block. The blade was held against the line and pounded though with a belaying pin or mallet.
 
Nice rope knives! waynorth waynorth
Here is another 4 line Camillus, interesting they did jigged wood handles on these. Does your unmarked Camillus have bone handles?
H6ssoE3.jpg
 
Charlie, I think the USCG meant the knives were suitable to being put in life boats and rafts on US merchant vessels, not just for the USCG. My Father was a Captain for Moore McCormick Steam Ship lines and after WWII, about 1947, he became what they called the Port Captain for the line in New York City. He would get Christmas gifts from various companies who dealt with the MM. Down in the garage (I think) I have a rope knife , again I think a Schrade, with a wooden handle and a round plastic disc with "Columbia Rope Company" on the disc. I would verify that but that is two floors down and I just had a total left knee replacement on 28 June, so verification will have to wait a while. John
 
waynorth waynorth
Charlie, Did any of the post WW1 military issue rope knives have a Marlin Spike for helping untie and splice the rope/lines as needed?
Or was the Marlin Spike only issued in the days of sail and very early steam power when ships had both engines and sail?
 
dsutton24 said:
These knives weren't really slicing tools. Generally lines were cut by laying them on a block. The blade was held against the line and pounded though with a belaying pin or mallet.
Click to expand...
I have one of those smaller Camillus knives in front of me right now. Its not real big, 5 1/2" overall, with a blade barely 2 1/2" long made from 3/16 blade stock. Hitting something like this with a mallet or belay pin isn't really an option....more like just a pocket knife for use where pointy things aren't an option.
 
afishhunter said:
waynorth waynorth
Charlie, Did any of the post WW1 military issue rope knives have a Marlin Spike for helping untie and splice the rope/lines as needed?
Or was the Marlin Spike only issued in the days of sail and very early steam power when ships had both engines and sail?
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Camillus #697 knives like this were Navy issue for years with both locking and non-locking spikes

uV8ZSZTl.jpg
 
Extremely Nice Knives Charlie, you'd swear the Middle unmarked Knife was a Camillus well...I would put money on it it is- same Pin pattern, same everything really - and its awesome so it must be a Camillus :) - Beautiful Worn Jigged Bone, I wonder if that would be earlier- is the Copper Bail a hint of the more earlier time Charlie? I kinda had it stuck in my Head it was??? :confused:
 
John A. Larsen said:
Charlie, I think the USCG meant the knives were suitable to being put in life boats and rafts on US merchant vessels, not just for the USCG. My Father was a Captain for Moore McCormick Steam Ship lines and after WWII, about 1947, he became what they called the Port Captain for the line in New York City. He would get Christmas gifts from various companies who dealt with the MM. Down in the garage (I think) I have a rope knife , again I think a Schrade, with a wooden handle and a round plastic disc with "Columbia Rope Company" on the disc. I would verify that but that is two floors down and I just had a total left knee replacement on 28 June, so verification will have to wait a while. John
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Thanks, John! Later is fine!! Heal well!!!😊
I go in for a hip replacement on Wednesday!! :rolleyes:
 
afishhunter said:
waynorth waynorth
Charlie, Did any of the post WW1 military issue rope knives have a Marlin Spike for helping untie and splice the rope/lines as needed?
Or was the Marlin Spike only issued in the days of sail and very early steam power when ships had both engines and sail?
Click to expand...
I'm sure there were knives with marlin spikes available! Right up until now!! But I'm weak on the history of issued knives!
 
I also have one of the Camillus 4 line rope knives, with the USCG approved stamp, and the current issue one in Stainless Steel (marked S702 on the tang). The current one also has a can opener, which makes sense to me as most lifeboat survival rations come in tins. It also has a thick, 6' long lanyard to tie off the knife so it is not lost over boards. Good Wishes on the hip replacement! John
 
20210705_171245~2_resize_84.jpg20210705_171841~2_resize_55.jpg20210704_192301~3_resize_35.jpgOlder Hammer Brand. A little one at 3.25 inches. Maybe cocobolo handles? Was missing its bail when I bought it, so I made a new one from brass wire twisted in a pair, and soldered to make the bail stiff. Then flattened and drilled the ends and attached it with a peened-over brass wire nail.
 
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