World War I Navy Issue Knife

[Rostislav]

Looks like my lightning finger landed myself an amber jigged bone. I can't wait to see these roll out. I have been wanting a GEC rope knife ever since Charlie posted a picture of one a while back .

 

[Ryouchijtx]

Too slow on the button but I can't wait to see the production of these come to light slowly on the main GEC page. Will be one nice Christmas present for everyone

 

[btb01]

Dang, I have a feeling these are going to be a hot item! I missed the notification for "early reserve" on one distributor's site by like 15 minutes and missed out on them there.

 

[dispatch184]

Yeah they go super quick. This knife is going to be just plain neat Charlie. Looking forward to seeing real world pictures all!

 

[mazman]

I have an old Case 6217 that looks similar to this style.

 

[wundergussy]

I saw that GEC production schedule before I saw this thread; so I had a red reserved before I knew exactly what it would be; but I figured 15 frame and Charlie would be a no-brainer. What a great Xmas bonus this will be!

 

[Jack Black]

Ouch!

The size differences are indeed amazing, Jack. I am not sure why. I think the two types existed side by side for a goodly spell.
Maybe it had something to do with rope technology - it's hard to imagine batoning a 3 1/4" knife through a 1" hemp rope!

Thanks everyone for the kind words! I can't wait to get one of these in my hands!!

Yes indeed Charlie, thanks for your thoughts, something else to mull over!

Absolutely amazing, I am beginning to wonder what you are going to pull out of the hat next my friend! :thumbup:

Here is another of the larger old Rope knives that Jack was talking about - sort of the ancestor of the WWI knife. This one is nearly 4 3/4" long, with big gnarly stag for grip!

Fantastic, what's the name on that one Charlie? :thumbup:

Surprised to see a more 'luxury' material such as stag on a rope knife but man does it look amazing!

I'm not sure it would have been considered so much of a luxury material back in the day Tim :thumbup:

Joseph Rodgers' stag store!

That account of the file cutters of Sheffield, technique and history and customs, was absolutely fascinating. Not for the first time, I'm glad I don't have a job like that.

Thanks very much for posting the link.

I'm glad it was of interest. Yes, those old boys worked hard for very little. An old file cutter sometimes calls in at the tool stall I frequent in my local market, and he was telling us how many GROSS of files he used to have to make for £1. I can't remember the exact figure (will write it down next time), but he certainly wasn't highly paid!

 

[Campbellclanman]

I always love that photo of JR's stash.

Dave - Oh man the horror when hearing that Blade snap

 

[AreBeeBee]

.......I'm glad it was of interest. Yes, those old boys worked hard for very little. An old file cutter sometimes calls in at the tool stall I frequent in my local market, and he was telling us how many GROSS of files he used to have to make for £1. I can't remember the exact figure (will write it down next time), but he certainly wasn't highly paid!

I appears that one works down a piece of shaped but soft steel with a hardened linear punch, eyeballing the spacing as you go. Then the file gets heat-treated to make it hard enough to take metal off other steel work pieces. I have to wonder (1) how long those hand-cut files lasted in normal use, and (2) whether they were "touch-up-able" as they wore down.

Also, I have to think that every file-buying machinist was delighted when standardized machine-cut files began to take over the market, even if it was hard on their old mate Alf's livelihood. And if file-cutters didn't get paid much, at least some? many? of them could find work running automated file-cutting machines.

Thanks again.

 

[5K Qs]

Whatever gave you that idea??

You mean sorta like this??

Very cool! :thumbup::thumbup:
I've had my eye on something like an Anchor Messer for quite a while, and will probably still lean that way just because ever since visiting my daughter in Spain, I like dabbling with knives from other countries. (Or isn't an Anchor Messer very similar to Charlie's cool rope knife design?)

- GT

 

[Ryouchijtx]

Very cool! :thumbup::thumbup:
I've had my eye on something like an Anchor Messer for quite a while, and will probably still lean that way just because ever since visiting my daughter in Spain, I like dabbling with knives from other countries. (Or isn't an Anchor Messer very similar to Charlie's cool rope knife design?)

- GT

I thought the same thing GT! Thanks to a friend/member here I can't wait to see what the brick red looks like. Right in time for my birthday~

 

[r redden]

Great looking knives Charlie.:thumbup::thumbup:

 

[Jack Black]

I appears that one works down a piece of shaped but soft steel with a hardened linear punch, eyeballing the spacing as you go.

Yeah, 10 hours a day or so with a 6ib hammer, maybe 8 hours as the middle of the 20th century approached :thumbup:

I have to wonder (1) how long those hand-cut files lasted in normal use, and (2) whether they were "touch-up-able" as they wore down.

Still come across them regularly enough, they seem to be OK :thumbup:

Also, I have to think that every file-buying machinist was delighted when standardized machine-cut files began to take over the market, even if it was hard on their old mate Alf's livelihood.

From what I know, one of the reasons that hand-cut files stayed around so long is that that they were considered a superior product :thumbup:

And if file-cutters didn't get paid much, at least some? many? of them could find work running automated file-cutting machines

Well file-cutting machines required a lot fewer workers, and most of the machine-cut files came from overseas, so I think lots of small business, (who couldn't afford to invest in new machinery) went under, and lots of file-cutters and their kids went hungry, but I guess they could always re-train, and it was a rotten job after all :thumbup:

Happy Thanksgiving everyone :thumbup:

 

[coolio]

Boy you have some great light-bulbs that go off in your head Charlie. Wonderful looking knife. Will it have the "knurling" on the bolster as shown?

 

[puukkoman]

Whatever gave you that idea??

You mean sorta like this??

Ohhhh, mama! I'm definitely going to need one of these, when the time comes.

 

[waynorth]

Boy you have some great light-bulbs that go off in your head Charlie. Wonderful looking knife. Will it have the "knurling" on the bolster as shown?

The rope design on the bolster is actually raised, Brad!!
I cannot wait to see it!!
I am gonna rent me a helicopter, and hover over Titusville!!

 

[Ryouchijtx]

The rope design on the bolster is actually raised, Brad!!
I cannot wait to see it!!
I am gonna rent me a helicopter, and hover over Titusville!!

The subtle nuance in detailed touches are what make sfo's great. Very interested to see that raised rope liner on the bolster as they progress.

 

[Ramrodmb]

Charlie,
I am sooo excited for this!!
Thank you !!
The bolster and the fancy bail look great. Love the Diamond series!!
The jigging looks alot like the new day spey barlows a short while back. Do you think?
Mark

 

[cbr1000]

The rope design on the bolster is actually raised, Brad!!
I cannot wait to see it!!
I am gonna rent me a helicopter, and hover over Titusville!!

What's goin' on with the bail? Looks like a rope.. Braided metal?

 

[swaybacksteve]

The raised rope area on the bolster will contrast very well with nice feathering of the jigged bone.:thumbup: