World War I Navy Issue Knife

Jack Black said:
Thankfully, all my Boker knives still have their shields :) :thumbup:
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Waaaay ahead of you. ;) :D

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I spotted this old Robeson in a random lot of knives for cheap, the bail is broken but I could probable re-peen just that pin. I got some users/trade fodder in the mix so all in all I was excited to do the deal. Crazy patina on it, best to leave that? I think it looks cool. (sellers pictures, it's currently in the mail)

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Looks like a very full blade on that Robeson, NorthShore.
Don't clean it, please!!! You might carefully file the bail remains until it falls off, and peen the remaining pin (gently!).
That Robeson jigged bone is like gold! Don't crack it!!
 
waynorth said:
Looks like a very full blade on that Robeson, NorthShore.
Don't clean it, please!!! You might carefully file the bail remains until it falls off, and peen the remaining pin (gently!).
That Robeson jigged bone is like gold! Don't crack it!!
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That's just what I had in mind. Could you let me know if you received the Empire relic? You're welcome to call me Danny btw.

Thanks
 
Oh Wow! Danny that is a very neat old Knife.
Like Charlie says - mate that Patina us just stunning - what a shame to loose that - and to ruin the knife.

Man- that Peening job is going to take some concentration- as already said that Bone is simply gorgeous!!
Please - post updates :cool:
 
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I just got it in the mail, I'm shocked at how small and delicate it seems for a purposeful rope knife for the Navy no less. I was expecting something much bigger with thicker blade stock. Turns out the Old Timer that came with this knife in the lot I was using for size reference wasn't a full sized stockman its the size of a peanut.
 
waynorth said:
Did you ever work on the bail pin, Danny??
North Shore North Shore
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Hi Charlie, thanks for following up
I haven't been able to locate a replacement bail of the same style. Come to find out most of the contracted cutlers used a bail variant of their own so there wasn't much consistency. At one time I asked knife repairman Gary Claxton if he had any bails in his parts pile that would match and I never really followed up. I have opted to leave it as is though, it sits as it is pictured above.

Did you ever do anything with that relic Empire I found metal detecting in Beverly MA?
 
That "unearthed" Empire is sitting in a box, shedding dirt and rust flakes.:rolleyes:
Maybe I will do something besides oil it - some day.
 
waynorth said:
They are not razors, MC. You would struggle to shave with that blade. The file/manicure blade kept your nails maintained, and the main blade was designed to cut rope well. The swedge reduces bulk, and eases slicing through deep material.
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Is there a specific reason the are so squared off on the end instead of a more traditional looking Sheepsfoot? Seems like a point would be handy for some tasks.
 
jstrange said:
Is there a specific reason the are so squared off on the end instead of a more traditional looking Sheepsfoot? Seems like a point would be handy for some tasks.
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The WWI knives evolved from these big honking Rope knives of the Sailing ship days!! Some of these are near 5" long!!
You needed a long, broad spine on the back of the blade so you could tap or pound the blade through a hawser or other large rope. A point was a hinderance, and considered hazardous on a sailing vessel!
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waynorth said:
The WWI knives evolved from these big honking Rope knives of the Sailing ship days!! Some of these are near 5" long!!
You needed a long, broad spine on the back of the blade so you could tap or pound the blade through a hawser or other large rope. A point was a hinderance, and considered hazardous on a sailing vessel!
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Those are all pretty sweet, but that curved one with the copper bail. I really like that one
 
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