World War I Navy Issue Knife

[pertinux]

So I skimmed the thread and did not notice, but I too was wondering more about the functional design. I agree that it makes the most sense that it has a square tip so that you dont drop it and stab yourself, or stab your mate if you slip on deck.

I'm not sure of the need for the blunt tip on them thar new-fangled metal ships, but in the days of yore a pointed knife tip could be quickly lethal to a wind-filled sail.

[Charlie, is the tip on the WWI Navy Issue Knife on which your knife is patterned squared for practical purposes, or a matter of, dare I say, Tradition?]

~ P.

 

[knarfeng]

Happy new year to all of us!

( My Antique Amber arrived this morning. )

Cool!

 

[nyrico]

Got my first CC SFO yesterday, blown away by the fit and finish and the level of detail.

 

[HST]

^^^Congrats, it's a beaut.

 

[Half/Stop]

Anchors Aweigh - Since this thread had somehow slipped halfway down to page 2, I thought I would bring it back to the front page!
I finally got time and nice enough weather to get a few photos of these new Northfield rope knives. I think that Charlie and all the gang at
Great Eastern did an outstanding job on these latest SFO's for Charlie! The jigging on these are some of the best I have seen on any production
folder lately. A job well done to all involved. As Charlie says, eat your spinach and always oil the joints!

 

[Campbellclanman]

Anchors Aweigh - Since this thread had somehow slipped halfway down to page 2, I thought I would bring it back to the front page!
I finally got time and nice enough weather to get a few photos of these new Northfield rope knives. I think that Charlie and all the gang at
Great Eastern did an outstanding job on these latest SFO's for Charlie! The jigging on these are some of the best I have seen on any production
folder lately. A job well done to all involved. As Charlie says, eat your spinach and always oil the joints!

Ron my friend, mate I LOVE this photo...that anchor AND THOSE KNIVES!!!! I am pleased you have the these :thumbup: I agree about the jigging- early Case stuff imo. :thumbup:
Great post Ron.

 

[Half/Stop]

Ron my friend, mate I LOVE this photo...that anchor AND THOSE KNIVES!!!! I am pleased you have the these :thumbup: I agree about the jigging- early Case stuff imo. :thumbup:
Great post Ron.

Duncan - Thank you my friend! Now that you mention it, early Case is a great comparison.

 

[btb01]

Beautiful photo, Ron!

 

[pertinux]

Thanks, Ron!

(Thank your photographer, too. )

I remain amazed at the depth and character in the jigged bone of this run, which your image shows to such good effect.

[Not only does it look wonderful on this pattern, but its very existence bodes well for our bone futures. ]

The anchor is the perfect touch. :thumbup:

~ P.

 

[Jack Black]

Beautiful photo, Ron!

:thumbup:

 

[waynorth]

I'm not sure of the need for the blunt tip on them thar new-fangled metal ships, but in the days of yore a pointed knife tip could be quickly lethal to a wind-filled sail.

[Charlie, is the tip on the WWI Navy Issue Knife on which your knife is patterned squared for practical purposes, or a matter of, dare I say, Tradition?]

~ P.

~P, I dare say that the issue of the square/blunt tip will be discussed and argued for generations to come!
For me it is an iconic shape that fairly shouts "Navy Rope Knife", so that is why I chose it!
The reasons for it might go back a century or two. I have suspected that the strength of the blade tip had something to do with it. The pre-WWI Rope knives were pounded through rope with a belaying pin or other mallet-like object. A slim point would be in danger of breaking off!
The argument that a squared end protects a stressed sail on a swaying/lurching ship seems to have some merit, as does preventing grogged-up sailors from stabbing each other lethally, but to a lesser extent.
I imagine more reasons could be added - anyone?
Will the answer ever be definitive? Who knows??

 

[pertinux]

~P, I dare say that the issue of the square/blunt tip will be discussed and argued for generations to come!
For me it is an iconic shape that fairly shouts "Navy Rope Knife", so that is why I chose it!

... Which is, of course, reason enough. Thank you for your reply. As you know, I enjoy thinking about these things, especially in light of the myriad decisions you (and others) face in contemplating the patterns of history and considering how to en-vision them going forward.

For what it's worth, I hope that you are heartened now that, outcomes in hand literally and figuratively, the Peanut Gallery shouts Hurrah once again.

~ P.

 

[Jack Black]

~P, I dare say that the issue of the square/blunt tip will be discussed and argued for generations to come!
For me it is an iconic shape that fairly shouts "Navy Rope Knife", so that is why I chose it!
The reasons for it might go back a century or two. I have suspected that the strength of the blade tip had something to do with it. The pre-WWI Rope knives were pounded through rope with a belaying pin or other mallet-like object. A slim point would be in danger of breaking off!
The argument that a squared end protects a stressed sail on a swaying/lurching ship seems to have some merit, as does preventing grogged-up sailors from stabbing each other lethally, but to a lesser extent.
I imagine more reasons could be added - anyone?
Will the answer ever be definitive? Who knows??

I suspect not Charlie! As you know, I spend a lot of time pondering things like this!

While it may look strange and antiquated to many today, the square-end is one of our oldest and longest-lived blade shapes, seen on many types of knife throughout history, and was even fashionable once. The esteemed cutlery historian Simon Moore tells us that during the Commonwealth of Oliver Cromwell "knife points, like religious images, seem to have been disfavoured", with square-ended blades, which usually widened towards the tip, being the fashion. It was during this same period that there was a popular revival of folding knives, encouraged by the invention of the spring knife, which may have been as early as the beginning of the 17th century (though it is usually ascribed to later in the century). Moore tells us that in the 1670's, square-ended folding razors and pocket knives of similar form were carried. The knives had a curl at the end of the handle, which supported the little finger, suggesting that the square-ended "razor-knives" also doubled as shaving implements (with the common addition of a nail-file blade, I've wondered if it was ever considered that the shorter US Navy Knife might double as a razor?) The square-ended knife seems to have been considered a perfectly useful blade-shape in many walks of life, not just among sailor's, so it is possible we are asking the wrong questions. It may seem strange to our modern eyes that people generally carried knives without central points, but the history of knives is dominated by in-line points, not by spearpoints, and people seem to have found them entirely satisfactory for all manner of things, not just cutting rope

 

[Jolipapa]

~P, I dare say that the issue of the square/blunt tip will be discussed and argued for generations to come!
For me it is an iconic shape that fairly shouts "Navy Rope Knife", so that is why I chose it!
The reasons for it might go back a century or two. I have suspected that the strength of the blade tip had something to do with it. The pre-WWI Rope knives were pounded through rope with a belaying pin or other mallet-like object. A slim point would be in danger of breaking off!
The argument that a squared end protects a stressed sail on a swaying/lurching ship seems to have some merit, as does preventing grogged-up sailors from stabbing each other lethally, but to a lesser extent.
I imagine more reasons could be added - anyone?
Will the answer ever be definitive? Who knows??

Just my 10 cts , I share your opinion, it is more the strength of the blade rather than any other reason.
In France the official sailor's knife was during the 19th century the Montpellier, which is quite sharp (all pictures borrowed on the Net). You don't need a sharp knife to hurt someone if you want to.
The Montpellier today :

the Capitaine de vaisseau (Commodore?) Polony (1756-1828) 's knife , Commander in chief of the revolutionary Corsaire fleet, then of the Empire 's 5th squadron.

three navy knives made in Sheffield, Joseph Rodgers.

A few other Navy knives to see (most from Sheffield btw) here : http://www.couteaux-jfl.com/marine.htm

 

[texmex03]

Took these yesterday, the jigging and coloring on the knife is sooooo nice.

Untitled by Josh, on Flickr

Untitled by Josh, on Flickr

Untitled by Josh, on Flickr

 

[Half/Stop]

Beautiful photo, Ron!

Thank you Barrett

Thanks, Ron!

(Thank your photographer, too. )

I remain amazed at the depth and character in the jigged bone of this run, which your image shows to such good effect.

[Not only does it look wonderful on this pattern, but its very existence bodes well for our bone futures. ]

The anchor is the perfect touch. :thumbup:

~ P.

Thank you Sarah It's really fun to have a wife that enjoys the hobby also.
This jigged bone would be wonderful on so many of the classic patterns that Great Eastern has in the line up. I am hoping for a #56 Bare End Dogleg Jack, with Spear main and Pen secondary.

:thumbup:

Thank you Jack

 

[texmex03]

And today.......

Untitled by Josh, on Flickr

Untitled by Josh, on Flickr

Now I just need to find a small leather lace to make a lanyard.

Untitled by Josh, on Flickr

I was able to keep the bail in perfect condition and if I need to put it back on I would guess I just need a post....any idea what I would look for? Just Nickel Silver post of the same diameter?

 

[cbr1000]

And today.......

Untitled by Josh, on Flickr

Untitled by Josh, on Flickr

Now I just need to find a small leather lace to make a lanyard.

Untitled by Josh, on Flickr

I was able to keep the bail in perfect condition and if I need to put it back on I would guess I just need a post....any idea what I would look for? Just Nickel Silver post of the same diameter?

I wonder if GEC would sell you a spare post?

 

[texmex03]

I thought about calling them Monday just to keep it complete if I sold it and someone wanted to put bail back on.

 

[cbr1000]

I guess another option besides a small lanyard would be to put another brass pin where the bail used to be.