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Marlin Spike knives -- Folding Riggers and related Sailing Knives!

Above is my Rough Rider Marlin Spike knife in White Smooth Bone The Scrimshaw work was done by TX Force O'Brien. The scene is the Mermaid of Warsaw. (more on that knife later!)

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I think it is the idea of traveling around the globe is what brings a certain mystique to the sailing knife. When I come across an old sailing knife I try to imagine who might have used it, where they may have gone, what they may have been through. When getting a new one I wonder where it may go, what it might be called upon to do and how other like-minded souls will put it through its paces and test the steel of its blade and spike. The sailing knife just seems to naturally exude adventure and daring unlike that of any other knife.

What is a sailing knife? It is a knife designed for use onboard a boat or ship, especially a sailing vessel; with a primary purpose to cut line, untie knots or any other day to day job while at sea. Most people are familiar with the Marlin Spike knife or the folding riggers but there are several other knives that were made for use on board boats and ships or by people who spend their lives on or around a body of water. The sailing knife goes by several names, some you may have heard, while others may seem obscure.

Most of the modern folding sailing knives, often called a marlin spike knife, can trace their roots back to the British Pattern 6353/1905 clasp knife that was adopted for service use in 1905. This was a large frame (almost 5 inches/ 120 millimeter) knife with a large spear blade, small punch and very intimidating marlin spike. Surprisingly the knife was used by all branches of the British military on land, sea, and later air!

The 6353/1905 pattern knife is itself similar to early rigging knives used in the 19th century. A smaller frame pattern which has become a standard pattern used by many American companies is a variation of this 6353/1905 that was adopted for American Maritime service in 1942. It has changed very little since the adoption. Still other versions were adapted and modified for the civilian market. Over time new steels were introduced and ergonomics and the sailor’s needs further tweaked designs.

Despite the adaptions one thing remains universal with most of the folding marlin spike knives; the familiar Z pattern the knife make when the main blade and marlin spike are moved to the half open position. And while some companies continue to churn out the tried and true traditional patterns, other companies do nothing but try to perfect the perfect sailing knife!

Let’s see some sailing knives! It doesn’t matter if they are folding or fixed, with or without the Marlin Spike. If you have a knife that was made for use at sea, show it off!

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Replies to This Discussion

KnifeMakerPermalink Reply by Fred OBrien on April 12, 2015 at 4:07

That is a good design indeed. I can see the place of folders as a backup and for tinkering. When I was younger, every man carried a folder for odds and ends or for whittling as a hobby. The whole tradition of the bullnose blade, I am told is from when a seaman would board a new vessel, the 1st. Mate would stab his knife into the rail and break the point off. The purpose being that if it was dropped from above, it wasn't fatal to those on deck. I think the Merchin is an off shoot to that. Personally, I have always loved the design of the Spirit of South Carolina blade by Sam Cox and use it in my own blades.

KnifeMakerPermalink Reply by Fred OBrien on April 12, 2015 at 6:27

Permalink Reply by tim payne on April 12, 2015 at 8:05

thanks for sharing your bullnose blade story fred

Fred OBrien said:

That is a good design indeed. I can see the place of folders as a backup and for tinkering. When I was younger, every man carried a folder for odds and ends or for whittling as a hobby. The whole tradition of the bullnose blade, I am told is from when a seaman would board a new vessel, the 1st. Mate would stab his knife into the rail and break the point off. The purpose being that if it was dropped from above, it wasn't fatal to those on deck. I think the Merchin is an off shoot to that. Personally, I have always loved the design of the Spirit of South Carolina blade by Sam Cox and use it in my own blades.

Permalink Reply by J.J. Smith III on April 12, 2015 at 10:46

Nice looking set, Fred.
Fred OBrien said:

Permalink Reply by Jerryd6818 on April 12, 2015 at 13:12

Just three

A Schrade Yachtsman with a missing shackle and a weeble wooble marlin spike.

A Buck 315 Riggers Knife.

And a WWII British Army Knife

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on April 12, 2015 at 13:58

That's a great lookingfixed blade w/spike Fred! I love it! do you know who made it?

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on April 12, 2015 at 14:14

Fred commented:

"The whole tradition of the bullnose blade, I am told is from when a seaman would board a new vessel, the 1st. Mate would stab his knife into the rail and break the point off. The purpose being that if it was dropped from above,"

And I'm not going to say Fred is wrong but I still remain dubious of the story (and another variant that claims it was done to lessen the chance of fatal stabbings in case sailors got inro a quarrel) . The reason is I've tried to find an official policy written somewhere within Navy or merchant marine regulations stating such a thing. What's more, if navies or merchant services had such a policy why were they still issuing sailors knives with pointy blades well into the 20th Century. As a matter of fact, pointy blades knives are still issued today! Another reason the story doesn't make sense is the same sailors were given pointy marlinspikes. And finally why aren't we seeing all of these broken tip knives showing up on Ebay for sale?

I will remain skeptical of the story until I see concrete proof. Even some of the best nautical fiction from the 18th, 19th and 20th, century doesn't seem to go in depth on this topic. Combine this with the fact that sheepfoot blades have been in use specifically for cutting rope and whittling wood for hundred of years adds to my suspicions. Can you imagine how many ship's rails would need to be repaired from all that stabbing!

Permalink Reply by J.J. Smith III on April 12, 2015 at 14:46

http://knife-expert.com/sailor.txt

Permalink Reply by tim payne on April 12, 2015 at 15:50

good read JJ

J.J. Smith III said:

http://knife-expert.com/sailor.txt

Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on April 12, 2015 at 16:09

Here's a Marlin Spike, a Camillus #697, (I think), that I found yesterday at one of the many yard sales during our local annual "community yard sale" weekend. Being a small harbor town, with a small commercial fishing fleet still operating, it is no surprise to find such a knife around here. It was purchased from a "local" who was born and raised here, and this had belonged to a relative of his who was, according to him, a "fisherman", which in local parlance means he had been a commercial fisherman. The knife has a wonderful patina to it, and has a natural "pocket worn" look and feel to the handles. I like that it was actually used by a commercial fisherman, and that it's patina comes from being used exactly for the purpose for which it was made. I did some online research, and found several posts on Blade Forums, and according to what I read there this is a post-WWII knife, probably from the 60's or 70's; perhaps Tobias or someone else can confirm that from these photos. Due to some color variation in the handle, (see closeup photo), and not being especially knowledgeable about this frame, my initial impression was that the handle could possibly be bone, but according to what I have read it is actually Delrin. Perhaps someone can confirm that for me too. I ended up paying $25 for the knife, with a brass belt buckle thrown in by the guy to sweeten the deal. He just wouldn't budge on the price, but I wanted it so I popped for it, hoping I got a reasonable deal. I think I did alright. Good deal or not I now have my first Camillus, and my first nautical knife.

I read a few posts that mentioned that these sometimes develop cracks around the handle pins, but I can see no cracks in this handle. The main blade is still reasonably sharp, with no nicks, and the locking function for the spike works well, with the pins in the spike release clip seeming to be strong. The blade and spike both are tight in the frame, and the knife feels heavy, substantial and well made in the hand. I have always viewed pocket knives as tools, was aware of the frame, and had a vague idea of what they were designed for, but never thought about getting one because I didn't "need" this particular type of tool. Now that I have one though, I find it interesting due to it's mechanical uniqueness, and am happy to add it to my collection.

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on April 12, 2015 at 16:15

JJ, I have read that on more than one occasion and this is my problem: It is one person's account aboard one ship. And there is a comment that on board another ship it was NOT done. I've yet to see a published account of an official policy among merchant marines or within a nation's navy. I'm not saying it didn't happen, It also mentions the Maritime Law of 1866 However the law has nothing to say about the shape of a knife's blade! , Levine should have checked into it. It states:

From the US Maritime Law of 1866

46 U.S. Code § 11506 - Carrying sheath knives:

A seaman in the merchant marine may not wear a sheath knife on board a vessel without the consent of the master. The master of a vessel of the United States shall inform each seaman of this prohibition before engagement. A master failing to advise a seaman is liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty of $50.

There is no such comment on what type of blade said knife should have. This also explains why the Sailor's Jack (folding knives) became so popular. I've seen other parts of Levine;s books that are taken as the Gospel by knife enthusiasts but are historically inaccurate or misleading. I remain skeptical of this practice being widespread . I lean more toward the thought that the sheepfoot blade was adopted because it gives a great flat edge that can easily be batoned through a rope and it has a blunt tip that reduces the risk of accidentally stabbing yourself in rough seas!

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on April 12, 2015 at 17:11

Syd, that is an excellent example of CM 697. And you got it at a great price! It probably does date from around the 1960s-1970s but it could be newer. The problem with the Camillus Tang Stamps is we can normally use them to date the earliest a knife might have been made but not when it stopped being made. For instance most people assume that the 4 line tang stamps mean the knife was made before 1946. But the official historian for Camillus said that while they switched tang stamps in 1946 there were thousands of blades made for the war effort when the 1945 Government contract was abruptly canceled (Peace broke-out!). They blades were subsequently used well after WWII in knives made for civilian production (and later government contracts). He assumed they may have still been used in the early 1950s but has no real idea when they stopped being used. He also said this is why you will some times find knives with mixed tang stamps on the blades and people will assume someone tried to counterfeit them!