Welcome Home...THANK YOU FOR BEING A PART OF OUR COMMUNITY

iKnife Collector

The online community of knife collectors, A Knife Family Forged in Steel

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!)

---

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!

5 members like this

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by J.J. Smith III on April 8, 2015 at 18:50

Picked this one up when I was doing a lot of ropework. I'll need to unpack it to get the particulars...

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on April 8, 2015 at 22:21

Below is one of my most recent additions to my collections. It is a 6353/1905 Camillus knife Marlin Spike. The handles are bone, the liners, pins, springs and blades are all Carbon Steel. The bail is made of copper wire.

The blade would most likely be a 1095 while the liners are something softer. The spine of the blades were not given the same heat treatment as the cutting edge. The idea is to make the spine softer and tougher to allow the sailor to pound on the back of the knife without breaking it. These early marlin spike knives had a spear blade instead of sheepfoot. Spear points were considered to be about the most versatile of all blades back in the late 19th early 20th Century.

The knife also has a large marlin spike, used to loosen lines and untie knots. (the Marlin fish is actually named afer the spike and not vice-versa! The word Marlin is a corruption of Marline, a type of tarred roped used on sailing ships. Marline Spiikes were used to loosen these lines)

the funky looking triangular blade is normally called a tin cutter. This is what the British called can openers. It is one of the earliest forms of can openers you will find on folding knives and was typical of the 6353/1905 pattern. The thumb stud not only allows the user to open the blade but also acts as a guide when opening cans. The tin cutter has a half stop which is great safety feature because it closes with an extremely strong snap.

Camillus began making these knives in 1915. These were made under contract for British War Department. This was most likely the first government contract Camillus was ever awarded. Similar knives were also being made by Canadian manufacturers. These are large knives.

She im great shape for a 100 year old knife that may have seen a war or two. The blade is relatively full. One of the bone scales is slightly loose but fixable. The spear blade has the slightest wobble but a great snap. Other implements have no wobble what so ever and a terrific snap. And the bone is absolutely gorgeous!

Specifications:

Manufacturer: Camillus
Country: Camillus New York
Closed Length: 5 inches
Blades: 3
1) Spear: 4 inches
2) Marlin Spike 4 inches
3) Tin Cutter (Can opener) 1 5/8 inches
Blade Steel: Carbon steel
Handle: Bone
Pins: Carbon steel
Lining: Carbon steel
Bail: Copper wire
Bolsters: Carbon steel

Relative size compared to a 1970 era Camillus Marlin Spike as issued to the U.S. Navy Personnel

Permalink Reply by Bryan OShaughnessy on April 8, 2015 at 22:46

Another name for the spike is "fid". No idea of the etymology of the word, but I like the explanation of "marlin" noted in Tobias' post above. I have several of these knives, and most (but not all) have a locking device on the spike: the item that looks like a lanyard bail is pressed down, away from the spike to unlock it and allow the spike to be folded. The springs on these knives are usually very robust, making the blades pretty hard to open. The reason for this is probably to maintain the structural integrity of the pocketknife when it is used for twisting and forcing a knot to loosen up.

All the old ones I own have suffered a hard life, looking authentically used hard and put away wet. Can anyone tell me the use of the open-rail attachment on J.J. Smith's stainless knife above? ---Bryan O

Permalink Reply by James Cole on April 9, 2015 at 1:10

Sorry Bryan, but a fid is much larger than a marlinspike. Fids are usually made from wood and occasionally bone. Some of the boatswains mates that I knew carried a separate marlinspike 6 to 8 inches long. Marlinspikes are used on rope and fids are used on hawsers.

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on April 9, 2015 at 7:58

Bryan asked:

Yep. That's a shackle key. It is used to break open and tighten shackles. See my video:

located on you tube at a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90YvjmODHlM" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90YvjmODHlM >

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on April 9, 2015 at 8:03

James is correct. a Fid is made of wood or bone where as marlinspikes are made of metal, normally steel or titanium these days but brass ones were also common at one time. Not all Marlinspikes are small, however. The ones on folding knives are only going to be a long as the knife allows. But marlinspikes that are unattached to knives tend to be larger. I'll need to post a pic of Myerchin Rope Knife and its accompanying marlinspike.

(and yes I know several companies are now selling "titanium" and "stainless steel" spikes and calling them "fids" I can't help it is they don't know the difference between a marlinspike and a fid!)

Permalink Reply by Bryan OShaughnessy on April 9, 2015 at 9:14

Well, it looks like I've misunderstood much about this unique pattern. Thanks all for teaching me about these useful tools. --B

Permalink Reply by James Cole on April 9, 2015 at 11:20

I'm sorry, I used an incorrect term I used "rope" it should have been "line".

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on April 9, 2015 at 12:29

That's funny, James especially considering "Rope Knives" are used to cut "Lines"

James is also correct in that marlinspikes are used for differently than fids. The marlinspike is used on wire and lines have been tarred or (today) epoxied or melted together in order to separate strands. Fids are normally not capable of handling this type of chore and are normally used to separate untreated lines. Fids are also more often used when lines are spliced together and such as they are less likely to cut or damage strands within the line.

A fid's size is determined by the size of line one is working with and can become quite long and quite wide. Marlinspikes tend to be around 5-9 inches in length (though some may will be larger when working with large diameter wire cables.)

Also, Bryan, I apolgize for my flippant answer earlier. You are also correct! More and more companies are turning away from wood and bone and are turning to aluminum, soft steels, and glass reinforced plastics to make fids. These are more cost effective and last longer than older style fids. (But that doesn't mean I have to accept these new fangled ways! LOL)

Permalink Reply by James Cole on April 9, 2015 at 16:36

Tobias, In the USN, its lines and bo'son's knives and in civilian life its rope and rope knives. Neither is more correct than the other, just different terms for the same thing and based on where you have your feet planted.

In any event, I always enjoy reading what you post.

Jim

KnifeMakerPermalink Reply by Fred OBrien on April 11, 2015 at 7:49

Living on the Midcoast of Maine with several friends who are schooner bums, I find this article interesting. I never knew there was a desire for folding rig knives as all I have known carry straight blades with sturdy spikes. Thank you.

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on April 11, 2015 at 12:39

Fred you are 100% correct. If anything the folding marlin spikes are a back-up for a sturdy fixed blade and are probably more popular among the week-end sailors. Still folders have been going to Sea with able-bodied sailors for centuries!

Currently I only have one example of fixed blade rope knife. It is my Myerchin W100 Off-Shore System. It consist of a 8 1/2 inch rope knife with cocobolo handles, a seven inch spike and leather sheath. Myerchin makes a more practical one with a mildew resistant nylon sheath G-10 handles but it just isn't as elegant! For those who are unfamiliar with the Myerchin brand -- Myerchin doesn't just any knife they only make nautical knives. Made by sailors, for sailors, and tested at sea!

Knife and spike in sheath.