What traditional marling spike knife

[Shepherd Jim]

...<snip>...A proper spike is almost obsolete for rope work nowadays. A doubled over piece of seizing wire is almost all I use anymore for double braid and single braid line....<snip...-Xander

I'm an old dog. On the boat (a Doughdish, a f/glas "replica" of a Herreshoff 12 1/2) I've stayed back in the last century and use only a "chemically-modern-but-looks-like-hemp" 3-ply rope for halyards and sheets. The anchor rode is nasty 3ply nylon spliced onto galvy chain.

Around the farm I use whatever's close to hand, and IF it gets whipped, it gets whipped with the flame of a butane lighter (I quit smoking 10 years ago but still have to carry a lighter!).

I watch in wonder as others splice braid to wire, etc etc. It's a comfort to know there are people out there so much cleverer than me!

 

[Maniacal Pete]

I'm a couple days late and a few dollars short, but I feel that I now have my chance to put an appearance here in Traditional without making a "splash," hence, with the permission of the respected local community I will dispense with the standard introductory thread and comment within this thread, as it is the first that has truly struck me as being relevant to the only traditional blade that I own thusfar.

I am new here on BF and please let me say here that I have nothing but respect for the folks here in the Traditional forum.

Anyway, enough for introductions...

I did a search on a knife that I own and am very pleased to say that I am the proud owner of a Buck 315.

A friend of mine gifted to me about 10 years ago, and from time to time, I take it out and handle it. I know that as a traditional it might for some push the limit a bit as far as the topic goes, but this thread compelled me to post about it.

Cool. That's all I have to describe it. Very cool.. A friend gifted it to me about 15 years ago. I'm obviously not a sailor, he is. He told me that the Marlinspike was for loosening knots. I used it for that tonight, as I have many times, which prompted me to finally post, as this thread has not yet reached dinosaur status for replying.

I figure the blade shape is best designed for cutting ropes / opening boxes; probably the only two things I use a knife for (besides preparing food, which I have done a great deal of, using chef knives for the past 35 years). I would appreciate being further enlightened as to the typical uses for the sheepsfoot blade shape. It would obviously excel at paring fruits and vegetables.

Until tonight, I had never really thought of it as a Traditional, but now that I look at it, it is everything a great Traditional could hope to be. The tough, shiny bolsters, textured scale material, rivets, fit and finish are wonderful and fascinating. It feels great held closed in the hand, and drops into and rides very comfortably in the front pocket of my Levi's. What a great piece.

I have lurked here, not posting for fear of accidentally insulting someone. but this knife exudes the qualities that you have all been posting about all along, and I feel emboldened to make my introduction here now and speak of what this knife is saying to me. It might deserve a sailboat or such, but it will not feel ill at ease either in my pocket nor in my world.

I'm tempted at this point to just throw it in my pocket and leave it there until they find me dead.

It is very well made and sturdy, and as it has aged it has only improved in appearance as have my fond feelings for it.

Anyway, by means of introduction, I hope that this post expresses my sincere appreciation for what the Traditional Sub-Forum contributes to the (sometimes) circus atmosphere that is BladeForums.com.

You folks occupy and enviable corner of the site, and I humbly hope that my introduction here is received in the way that it is intended, and that you will accept me as a sincere contributor in the future.

Thanks for reading,

Bill

 

[Shepherd Jim]

Hey Maniacal Pete! Welcome aboard. Honestly, for someone claiming to be maniacal you come across as mostly being thoughtful ...of course, that is just a first impression.

Your Buck 315 is at least 25 years old as they changed the "Mariner" in 1986 with the re-design not having those elegant, nickel silver bolsters. And so, as we all KNOW, anything older than 25 years is officially "traditional."

For the most part, it's best not to worry TOO much about stepping on toes "up here" ...at least not to the point that it keeps you sitting on your hands and not posting comments and asking questions. I've been visiting BF for most of this year, asked lots of newbie questions and no one has dumped on me.

Like you I'm partial to the sheepfoot profile. In the "rope sense", when cutting a rope, sailors would position the blade where they wanted to cut and then hit the back of the blade with something (hopefully, a wooden mallet (maybe a belaying pin!) to drive the blade through -- getting a clean cut vs. "sawing" or chopping which tend to leave a ragged edge. Similar profiles you might enjoy are the Coping and Wharncliffe.

Jim

 

[Maniacal Pete]

Excellent, thanks for the information.

It does have some minor scuffs on the bolster, but other than that it is like new, so I had no idea it was over 25 years old (of course, I'm forgetting that I've had it for 15 of those years - time flies). I also didn't know that being over 25 years old qualified it as traditional. Add to that my lack of knowledge of how exactly how it might be used to cut rope, and well, it looks like my education in this sub-forum has commenced rather abruptly.

I'm not worried about stepping on toes, here. My comment was more along the lines of admitting that I am prone to let my reckless side get the better of me at times in some of the other BF areas, and assuring present company that I have no intention of permitting that to happen here when discussing Traditionals with the esteemed present company. This is a great, well heeled subforum, and I do get a kick out of reading it.

Again, sincere thanks for the warm welcome and the info on the knife. Anything other info someone thinks of will be much appreciated. I do intend to acquire at leat one more traditional: I had a knock-off yellow handled Case Fisherman as my first knife as a boy, and I have a hankering to find something to remind me of it, probably a toothpick of some configuration.

Have a great day,

Bill

 

[Maniacal Pete]

Oh yeah, almost forgot, does anyone happen to know what the handle material might be on this older Buck 315?

Edit: Nevermind, should have googled first..."Delrin."

Bill

 

[LKJW]

Excellent, thanks for the information.

It does have some minor scuffs on the bolster, but other than that it is like new, so I had no idea it was over 25 years old (of course, I'm forgetting that I've had it for 15 of those years - time flies). I also didn't know that being over 25 years old qualified it as traditional. Add to that my lack of knowledge of how exactly how it might be used to cut rope, and well, it looks like my education in this sub-forum has commenced rather abruptly.

I'm not worried about stepping on toes, here. My comment was more along the lines of admitting that I am prone to let my reckless side get the better of me at times in some of the other BF areas, and assuring present company that I have no intention of permitting that to happen here when discussing Traditionals with the esteemed present company. This is a great, well heeled subforum, and I do get a kick out of reading it.

Again, sincere thanks for the warm welcome and the info on the knife. Anything other info someone thinks of will be much appreciated. I do intend to acquire at leat one more traditional: I had a knock-off yellow handled Case Fisherman as my first knife as a boy, and I have a hankering to find something to remind me of it, probably a toothpick of some configuration.

Have a great day,

pete

Hey Pete, I'm giving away a fishing knife as we speak. Get in on it. Throw up a fishing story. If you don't have one, make one up. Given your use of the written word I bet you could pull it off and I often have a greater respect for fiction than reality. (edit: I'm a writer, not a liar...if you care about making those kinds of distinctions. Just to clarify.)

 

[Maniacal Pete]

OK, I've got one, I'll post it tonight.

Bill

 

[Shepherd Jim]

...<snip>...over 25 years old qualified it as traditional....<snip>...

whoops! Sorry MPete, but as usual I left the old tongue fixed in my cheek and might have lead you astray about a definition of "traditional" -- generally or in the BF-sense.

As I started to type this I realized I had NO CLUE what BF wants us to disciss in this forum so I checked the "stickies" and found a post "Relevant Subject Matter & Decorum:" by Blues in which he states,

"Relevant Subject Matter & Decorum:

The "Traditional Folders and Fixed Blades" sub-forum is defined as follows:

Discussion of classic Hunters, Trappers, Lockbacks, Slipjoints, Skinners and other classic designs... "​

It turns out that the word "traditional" has most to do with things being passed down from generation to generation without written documentation. So, I checked out "classic":

Noun: classic (plural classics)

1. A perfect and/or early example of a particular style.
2. An artistic work of lasting worth
​

Take a close look at your 315, For the first few years (1972-1974) the model number "315" was on the blade's reverse tang -- it came round to the "front" in 1974 and stayed there = "BUCK, 315, USA" ...even after the knife's design changed completely in 1986.

One last fact about the Buck Mariner, you better sit down, the 315 was made for Buck by Camillus.

If you want more info about "things Buck" you should contact my buddy 300bucks.

 

[Blues]

Gents, before we take this thread further off course, for the purposes of this forum, "traditional" refers to current or vintage knives based upon classic traditional patterns such as cattle knives, barlows as well as various other slipjoints, lockbacks and fixed blades.
(Where there is a question or judgment to be made, either Gus or I will make a determination as to whether the topic belongs in this sub-forum or is better served elsewhere.)

Now, let's please bring this thread back to its intended subject matter. Thanks.

My one and only example of the breed. This is an E.J. Coles (Germany) which I obtained while employed at Abercrombie & Fitch (NYC) in 1975:

 

[Maniacal Pete]

Take a close look at your 315, For the first few years (1972-1974) the model number "315" was on the blade's reverse tang -- it came round to the "front" in 1974 and stayed there = "BUCK, 315, USA" ...even after the knife's design changed completely in 1986.

One last fact about the Buck Mariner, you better sit down, the 315 was made for Buck by Camillus.

That is So Cool!

I think it might qualify as a traditional, insofar as it is a folder made of traditional materials, it's blade design, vintage status (after 1974 - nickel bolsters - 315 on front of tang), and this piece could easily be handed down for the next generation. It really is a beautiful, high quality knife; strong lock up.

I did order a new "traditional" traditional today, a small Case yellow handle toothpick.
I can't wait to see it.

Bill

 

[Maniacal Pete]

Gents, before we take this thread further off course, for the purposes of this forum, "traditional" refers to current or vintage knives based upon classic traditional patterns such as cattle knives, barlows as well as various other slipjoints, lockbacks and fixed blades.
(Where there is a question or judgment to be made, either Gus or I will make a determination as to whether the topic belongs in this sub-forum or is better served elsewhere.)

Now, let's please bring this thread back to its intended subject matter. Thanks.

My one and only example of the breed. This is an E.J. Coles (Germany) which I obtained while employed at Abercrombie & Fitch (NYC) in 1975:

That E.J. Coles is a beauty, I'll bet it is very rare.
Thanks for the clarification, I'll try to image my knife and post a photo if you think it meets the criteria.
Thanks for the great forum, as well.
Sorry for the off topic comments.

real name = Bill

 

[STDK]

I have read before that Camillus also made the Case Marlin Spike knife. Comparing the ones I have (Buck/Case) they sure look the same to me. I dont have a Camillus to compare them to. The Buck is a First generation one and the case is from around 2002. So it seems between these 3 you can just pick your favorite brand and it is the same knife. I need that Camillus.

 

[Blues]

That E.J. Coles is a beauty, I'll bet it is very rare.

real name = Bill

Bill, I don't really know how rare they are. I'd personally never seen any others except for an article in Knife World a few years back (which I probably have in the house somewhere but for the life of me don't recall where).

I also can't remember specifically if this knife was standard production for Coles or was made as an SFO for A&F at that time. (I have a Case fish knife with the name "Abercrombie & Fitch" displayed on the scales.)

In any case, like a few other knives I picked up during my employment there (Puma, Normark etc) it's a reminder of good times from my past and adventures that it accompanied me on. :thumbup:

 

[Maniacal Pete]

Here are a couple of images I took today of my Buck 315.
Looks like it was manfactured somewhere between 1974 and 1986.

Bill

 

[Shepherd Jim]

...<snip>...Comparing the ones I have (Buck/Case) they sure look the same to me. I dont have a Camillus to compare them to....<snip>...I need that Camillus.

I'm putting together a "rigger timeline" in which Camillus will, obviously, be prominently featured. Here are
-- a Camillus 696 (their 695's blade wasn't half-serrated)
-- a Buck 315 -- the final version of MPete/Bill's Mariner and
-- a Ka-Bar 1121

One interesting point is that, as far as I've been able to determine, Camillus never made a "duplicate" of the early double-bolstered Buck 315 with their name stamped on the tang.