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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

Permalink Reply by tim payne on April 12, 2015 at 17:26

nice addition syd

Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on April 12, 2015 at 17:46

Thanks for the critique Tobias, I appreciate it. Yup, I'm tickled to have found it, and I was pretty sure I hadn't paid too much. Due to it's obvious pocket wear, and the fact that the original owner was now deceased, that places this knife firmly in that 60's-70's era when that particular gentleman would still have been an active commercial fisherman. At that time our little bay side town had a thriving fishing industry, which sadly declined for various reasons in recent times. That gives some local historical provenance to this knife, which makes it even more "collectible" to me. The fact that it was actually used by a seaman makes it even better.

I snagged a total of five knives yesterday during our annual community-wide yard sale, and I'm sure if I had the time I could have found more pocket-worn treasures at any of the multitude of sales that I missed, but this knife was definitely THE find of the day. I was going to go back out today to look for more, but never made it out of the house. I pretty much blew my monthly knife-addiction budget yesterday, best I leave some treasures to be found at next year's sale.

Thanks again for the historical info Tobias.

Tobias Gibson said:

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!

Permalink Reply by J.J. Smith III on April 12, 2015 at 18:34

I didn't say that I was in agreement with the Levine article, Toby, I just added it to the discussion for information.

KnifeMakerPermalink Reply by Fred OBrien on April 12, 2015 at 18:43

Sorry for the delay replying, Tobias. I made the knife. It is one of four I am making this year. This one has gone to a member of the team rebuilding the Nathaniel Bowdich in Thomaston, Maine. The next two are going to crew members of the Appledore II, which is currently in Key West Fla., and the last is yet to be determined. It is a hobby of mine

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on April 12, 2015 at 18:54

JJ. My apologies. The problem with discussions via text is they can some times come across as a gruff or argumentative. That was never my intention. In actuality I'd love to find a definitive answer somewhere stating that sailors were prohibited from boarding vessels with a pointy knife, not on the the action of a particular ship's captain but as the actual regulation by a governing body. For instance many people think that it is against the law for U.S. Merchant Marines to carry firearms. In actuality, U.S. Law allows them to carry firearms but the companies that employ them normally forbid it and instead hire security guards.

I fear I might be trying to prove a negative.

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on April 12, 2015 at 19:15

On another note, here are five of my six Rough Rider Marlin Spikes.

Top to bottom, left to right:

White Smooth Bone

Red Jigged Bone (anchor shield)

Yellow Comp (badge shield)

Amber Jigged Bone (anchor shield)

Hazardous Swirl

I'm not sure if the hazardous swirl is a proto-type, a re-handle or something else. It showed up online at the same time SMKW released its "Hazardous Swirl Trapper" and I've never seen it again.

All feature a double back spring which lessens the tension on the blade allowing you to open it easier. Of course this also means the blade closes easier! all feature 440A Stainless steel in the blade and the spike, stainless back springs, brass liners, and pins, and ringed nickel-silver bolsters. They are patterned after late model Camillus 697 marlinspikes and as such have the locking spike controlled by the bail.

Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on April 12, 2015 at 19:31

Are these as hefty and substantial as the Camillus? I'm feeling a "I need more of these" tingle in the addictive areas of my mind, I think I must have MORE!!.

Tobias Gibson said:

On another note, here are five of my six Rough Rider Marlin Spikes.

Top to bottom, left to right:

White Smooth Bone

Red Jigged Bone (anchor shield)

Yellow Comp (badge shield)

Amber Jigged Bone (anchor shield)

Hazardous Swirl

I'm not sure if the hazardous swirl is a proto-type, a re-handle or something else. It showed up online at the same time SMKW released its "Hazardous Swirl Trapper" and I've never seen it again.

All feature a double back spring which lessens the tension on the blade allowing you to open it easier. Of course this also means the blade closes easier! all feature 440A Stainless steel in the blade and the spike, stainless back springs, brass liners, and pins, and ringed nickel-silver bolsters. They are patterned after late model Camillus 697 marlinspikes and as such have the locking spike controlled by the bail.

Permalink Reply by J.J. Smith III on April 12, 2015 at 19:42

I keep a copy of Slocum's book "Sailing Alone Around The World" on my bookshelf. Found another account about Slocum having the tips broken on his crews knives. Perhaps fact, perhaps fiction.

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on April 12, 2015 at 21:16

An interesting account and I do like the comment about the point of the sheath knife adding nothing to its proper use. That would only make sense when it comes to cutting through a line. There are obviously numerous good reason for a point on a knife other than stabbing sailors. Again this is the act of a ship's captain and not an naval or merchant regulation. The regulation from 1866 actually leaves the use of a sheath knife on his ship up to him. He could actually confiscate the knives.

And again, pointy knives, including pointy folding knives are still being issued by the Navy, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines.

KnifeMakerPermalink Reply by Fred OBrien on April 13, 2015 at 1:23

Maybe one has to rely on practicality rather than the writings of one person and ask themselves what sounds right. Why would a sailor on a tall ship carry a knife which would require both hands to open while clinging to a high spar? Who uses the point of a knife ia a knife fight? When cutting a line of 1" diameter or larger, wouldn't you prefer a good, sturdy knife?

Permalink Reply by jim buda on April 13, 2015 at 8:38

I HAVE A QUESTION MR TOBIAS HAVE YOU EVER WORKED ON A TALL SHIP OR DO YOU JUST COLLECT BECAUSE I THINK A FIXED BLADE IS MORE PRACTICAL BECAUSE OF WEATHER,SEAS AND NOT HAVING TO USE TWO HANDS TO OPEN KNIFE WHEN YOU MIGHT BE HANGING ON SO YOU DON'T GO OVERBOARD I'VE NEVER BEEN IN THAT SITUATION BUT I CAN SEE WHERE FIXED BLADE IS MORE PRACTCAL A9NOT HOLLERING JUST THE WAY I WRITE)

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on April 13, 2015 at 8:46

Syd asked:

"Are these as hefty and substantial as the Camillus? I'm feeling a "I need more of these" tingle in the addictive areas of my mind, I think I must have MORE!!."

I will have to say no. While the knives are well made and look great, they are not going to take as much of a beating as the old Camillus knives. They are extremely sharp, and have a decent enough marlin spike but there are more solidly built ones in the same price range. If you're looking for one that is as hefty as the the old Camillus 697 I would suggest the Colonial 1757 Ranger. While the knife is a little crude it is solid as a rock. But ti will cost two to three times that of a Rough Rider!

A better option might be the Camillus Ti Marlin Spike with bamboo scales. It has a titanium-nitride coated AUS8 blade and marlin spike. The blade can be opened with one hand and features an excellent liner lock. Not to mention the pressure treated bamboo looks awesome! They also run in the $30-$40 range.

I'll get some photos and more info up on these and others as time permits. In the meantime below is my comparison of the old Camillus and the new Bamboo Ti Camillus