If you want to see some modern sailor knives, go to www.boyeknives.com. David Boye has been perfecting his design for a number of years. He now includes additional tools in a saltwater-proof package.
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
What would an old sailor use?
- Thread starter JHouston
- Start date
- Joined
- Jun 16, 2003
- Messages
- 20,207
The typical sailor's "clasp knife" in the age of sail was square-ended - like a razor. It also typically had a shackle so it could be attached to the belt by a lanyard to prevent loss overboard. Such knives were U.S. Navy issue items. See Cole and Selvey, The Best of U.S. Military Knives (CJA Publications 2002), at 179-181.
It is my good fortune to have an English example from the 1870's.
It is my good fortune to have an English example from the 1870's.
- Joined
- Jun 16, 2003
- Messages
- 20,207
JHouston said:u-uh, no way, I don't believe it. Post a pic and prove it! (please...)
And this should concern me why?
And why would you not believe it? It misses being my oldest blade by many years. Assuming it doesn't rust away, steel is rather durable.
If you're a collector and really interested, it's marked "Thomas Fenton" on one side and "Made in England" on the other. The name "WOLF' [all caps] is carved in one handle scale 9owner, I presume). The shackle is copper. The liners are iron or steel. The bolster is steel. The blade has an even dark patina but no pitting.