Sailor's knives

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billym

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Jan 8, 2006
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I am excited to hear my 15yo niece has earned a three summer scholarship to sail a tallship! I knew she was cool but hell yea! My sister's lil girl is an adventurer!
I NEED to buy her the best knives for her journeys. A Vic Farmer for sure but I need advice on a HIGH quality but reasonably priced Sailor's knife with a Marlin spike and Sheepsfoot blade. Do I just get the common UK Navy knife?
 
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Congratulations to your niece

There are several current manufacturers, the only one of these I own is the S&W which I don't recommend because the flat handles are unpleasant to use and the spike lock is weak.

I have a vintage CASE XX Marlin Spike knife that I really like. The spike locks up rock solid, and the traditional non-locking slipjoint blade (typical to most folding sailors' knives) is ideal for batoning thru rope. The CASE were made by, and appear identical to the 'old' Camillus, so that's another option. They still come up regularly on eBay. My only concern is that they may be a bit heavy and bulky (similar to a Buck 110) for a young lady, but the size also makes for a good solid grip with wet hands.

I know that the 'new' Camillus has a couple of models but not having seen or handled any I am reluctant to recommend them.

The few RN clasp knives I've handled have all been nail breakers and IMHO don't have anywhere near the quality of the CASE

Hope this has been of some assistance
Antonio
 
Hello, I know it's not traditional but whenever I go sailing I always carry a leatherman charge, which is a very useful tool to have around the boat.
Pliers come in very handy for a lot of stuff
See you
 
AIRQ is right, although not traditional and not cheap, Boye knives are the best. David Boye is a knifemaker whose family were fisherman. His boat knife design has been refined for over 20 years.
 
First of all, congratulations to your daughter. As far as your knife goes, and think its worth keeping in mind that this journey is aboout tradition not unlike tmy day in the Guard when the potential officers crewed the Eagle. Tradition dictates a knife in the time proven design, say, a Colonial (providence R.I.) or maybe even a Camulus with the Japanese propriatary steel. Both have lockijng spikes for splicing, and the majority of her work will be to learn splicing, backsplicing, eye splicing, etc.. Of course neither one costs a lot but that's not what it is about. I think you have to be careful to remember too she's going to be learning on this knife, sharpening it often for instance, and a serrated blade might not be all that appropriate here. Just my two cents.
 
Congratulations to your niece! This will be an experience she will never forget. I hope she has the time of her life.:D
 
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This is the rigging knife I have used it is not great, it's just ok, but if you are pairing it with a Vic farmer it should work.
The things I like about this cheap Teto knife:
Screwdriver on the tip of handle, no need to open.
Marlin spike is best feature locks in place by moving the shackle.
A shackle key.
And least of all the blade.
It's also all stainless which is 15 year old proof.
I don't know if you can still get a Teto but I think they are made by Davis.
After she gets back she might have a better idea of what she likes and then buy her something special, more of a investment to take on future voyages.
 
If you can find one inexpensively, I like the old Russian bosun's knife. Sheepsfoot blade, marlinespike, bail. Huge knife- closed it's about 5.5 inches, 10 ounces plus in weight, but works like a sledgehammer. The blade's massive enough I've beaten it through 1.5 inch sisal with a mallet, and the spike is the size of a Sharpie. Absolute beast of a knife, it's taken all I can toss at it and asked for more.
 
Well, if a marlin spike is not a Must-have I would recommend an Ankermesser (anchor knife) by Otter Knives, Solingen. They have a big sheepfoot and nothing else. The awl at the Vic Farmer could be used instead of the marlin spike (I think - I don´t have any experiences in naval things, I live nearby the Alps and not the sea).

Here´s an inhand pic ;)

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and a better pic of the knife

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This one went to a nice forum member, who won it during my GA.

Kind regards
Andi
 
Vic makes a knife with a marlinspike, two actually. They come in blue but I can't remember the names. I would personally get a separate marlinspike with a very secure sheath and have a sheepsfoot folder.
 
I've seen some rather nice Buck 315 rigging knives lately at auction. I believe they were made by Camillus.

Good, solid, robust, sharp knives.

I had one exactly like it (probably a Camillus) when I was at sea back in the early seventies. Flawless performance.

For those who have not used a marlin spike (or marlinspike, if you prefer), it is not sharpened. The point is intentionally slightly blunted (some are actually rounded) so as not to damage rope fibers. It's used to separate strands of larger rope (or "line") for splicing and mid-knotting. So, a round, tapered shape is appropriate for that, but no sharp edges or points.

If you planned to use the punch/awl blade on a SAK or scout style knife, you'd want to file off the sharp point and edge, and even then it would probably a) not be large enough (these are big lines), and b) not be strong enough (the lateral force would possibly distort the scales/liners of the knife). I have an old scout knife where someone used one of the blades to pry, and the distortion is quite noticeable.

(Another fairly competent model is currently being produced by Rough Rider. The RR guys seem to have got the hang of quality and, although I wouldn't characterize theirs as "the best," it's probably a quite serviceable piece. I have no experience with this model from them, so I am only speculating. It's an import, and not from Italy. That puts some people off, and I understand that. Still, it's an option. If it turns out to be better than the price would indicate, then that's a pleasant surprise.)

 
ConBon said:
Vic makes a knife with a marlinspike, two actually. They come in blue but I can't remember the names. I would personally get a separate marlinspike with a very secure sheath and have a sheepsfoot folder.
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Victorinox Helmsman, I would do the Vic Farmer and a Myerchin A009 marlin spike.( just a marlin spike w/ leather sheath)
 
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neeman said:
Little heard of, except by the Coast Guard!


Best in the market, and very reasonablely priced
Click to expand...

I have one of those Meyerchins, model BW300P. Hardly the best in the market. Blade wobble when open, positively sloppy closed, won't even stay closed. It has a pocket clip thats useless because the blade opens freely about 1/4" in the closed position exposing the tip and part of the blade. No way I would put it in my pocket. You have to be very careful opening the spike as it works on the same spring as the blade. Pull the spike open and the blade swings out of the handle. Did I mention the lock mechanism? There is a clevis on the end of the handle that you push up and towards the blade to unlock it. Its very easy to actually get your finger under the cutting edge when closing the knife. Keep your fingers clear and don't slip when closing the blade or you will get a nasty cut.

Best bet is find a nice older Camillus on Ebay, there is always 1 or 2 up for sale.
 
I've been working on oil field supply boats in the Gulf of Mexico for 21 years. I carried the Camillus marlin spike knife for a very short period and really had no need for it. I was given a Myerchin titanium as a gift and it will probably sit on the shelf. It does seem solid and has a pocket clip. I have gotten more use from the Vic Helmsman than any other I have carried. The shackle opener is tapered to function like a marlin spike but does not lock. If you use the marlin spike to loosen a knot, anything larger than 3/8" line, you'll wind up using something else anyway. I don"t have any sail experience so maybe her needs will be different. The other tools serve their purpose well enough for light duty. If I could only carry two (non sheepfoot)...Vic Helmsman and a stainless Spyderco.
 
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