Add a Comment

Comment by Lee Saunders on May 7, 2012 at 12:50

Those are nice JJ.  Youcan see how they got from the old ones to the new ones.  There is definitely a genetic code there.

My grandfather was WWII Army and he had one of the old Sailors knives.  Probably why I like em.  Although the shape of the blade and the heft are part of it.  I remember him showing me how to hack down on rope and cord.  He would use it out in his garage, building things or just having fun without his wife.

Comment by J.J. Smith III on May 7, 2012 at 8:44

My buddy Frank Stennett picked up one of each variety, cotton sampler, at the show this past weekend.

Sailors have used knives that are now a days called "Hacking Knives".  You would hammer on the spine to cut through heavy rope hawsers.  My grandfather had one that he used as a lineman for "Ma Bell", years ago.

Here's a pic, off the net, of a nice set for riggers.

Comment by Lee Saunders on May 6, 2012 at 21:22

You are right as usual J.J.  Thanks for picking that up.  There are two different shapes of Cotton Samplers.

One has a curve and point.  The other is squared off exactly like that bottom knife.

That's why I come here.  To learn from you folks.

Comment by J.J. Smith III on May 6, 2012 at 20:36

Lee, the bottom one is what's referred to (now) as a "cotton sampler".