All About Pocket Knives

Great find Lee. I didn't know the smaller one existed. ____Dave

Thanks Dave ... I didn’t know about the smaller version either until not long ago - there just doesn’t seem to be many around and don’t think they made them in the numbers of the larger one... Levine notes in the 1998 3rd edition that the small one is more rare and he put a higher price tag on it as well...

You know, the "small one" isn't exactly small. It's still over four inches, way larger than the two blade WWI knives.

I think the so-called "Naval Jacks", regardless of maker or country of origin, are really impressive knives.

Charlie

Great find, Lee! Nice to have the pair.

Thanks Charlie and Dan ...

Charlie - as you say not a small knife but given the length and girth of the larger (4 3/4”) MB it is smaller on a relative basis ...

I have not been following this rope knife thread but did just win a Miller Bros 4 3/4" Rope knife. It does not have the eyelet? that is screwed into the handle end. I do not yet have this knife so i don't know if it had this feature. These pics are the seller's. It does look similar to the Miller Bros Rope knives shown in Mike Silvey's Pocket Knives of U.S. Military so i think it is 'correct' even though i have very little experience with this brand. Please comment if you think otherwise.
thanks, kj

KJ - if you look above and search this thread there are a few examples of the Miller Bros 4 3/4” rope knife. They all originally had the brass lanyard ring but many snapped off which I would bet happened with your example. Your knife looks fine and not cobbled - bone is abit worn but seems right - again see examples above. Your stamp is different than mine but is a Miller Bros stamp often used - I see less with my knife stamped “Miller Bro’s” and your stamp is a common Miller Bros stamp seen often. Hope that helps my friend and nice knife ...

Thanks Lee. The markings are identical to the same Rope knife shown in Mike Silvey's book. I did not know that all had the 'lanyard ring' attachment.
Perhaps this is why i got this one for well under $100 ? Still, it looks like a nice example. Snap was stated as "o.k." which usually means a bit slow and weak. I will see if clean & lube of joint helps once it has arrived.
kj

Picked up this WW2 Camillus rope knife, they are really common but this one is interesting in that it is unused and has a thick lanyard attached to it. The lanyard is probably twice as thick as the lanyard that came on the later ones with the can opener.
I think I read one time that these knives were packed in life boats and life rafts, I would think they would have a lanyard but I have never seen another.

RobesonsRme.com wrote:You know, the "small one" isn't exactly small. It's still over four inches, way larger than the two blade WWI knives.

I think the so-called "Naval Jacks", regardless of maker or country of origin, are really impressive knives.

Charlie

Charlie, we have two things in common, respect for J Sidlow Baxter and an appreciation for "Naval Jacks".

JohnR wrote:Picked up this WW2 Camillus rope knife, they are really common but this one is interesting in that it is unused and has a thick lanyard attached to it. The lanyard is probably twice as thick as the lanyard that came on the later ones with the can opener.
I think I read one time that these knives were packed in life boats and life rafts, I would think they would have a lanyard but I have never seen another.

Nice score John ... Not easy to find the lightly or unused ones for Rope knives - reminds me of Hawkbills - a hard working knife that usually shows in condition ... and Camillus makes a solid knife imo (especially the old ones)

Won an auction for the mid size Miller Bros rope knife, nice unmolested condition, great bone.

Very cool knife John! And an awesome group

JAMESC41001 wrote:Very cool knife John! And an awesome group

Thank you, better pic of the three Miller Bros, I would think a difficult set to put together.

JohnR wrote:

JAMESC41001 wrote:Very cool knife John! And an awesome group

Thank you, better pic of the three Miller Bros, I would think a difficult set to put together.

Great group of knives.

JohnR wrote:

JAMESC41001 wrote:Very cool knife John! And an awesome group

Thank you, better pic of the three Miller Bros, I would think a difficult set to put together.

Very nice John, very nice to have all three

David, Bill, thanks for the comments.

John, I like all three; how can one not? But, I really like that WWI knife.

Charlie

JohnR wrote:

JAMESC41001 wrote:Very cool knife John! And an awesome group

Thank you, better pic of the three Miller Bros, I would think a difficult set to put together.

Wow John - That’s what I call “3 Aces” - Lovely trio ... I thought I was doing good with having found the 2 but never have seen a Miller Bros sailors knife with the manicure blade - I thought I was lucky finding the Thomaston Sailors knife... Great group John and super hunting ... and sorry I missed this .. still trying to catch up from 2 weeks ago..

LongBlade wrote:

JohnR wrote:

JAMESC41001 wrote:Very cool knife John! And an awesome group

Thank you, better pic of the three Miller Bros, I would think a difficult set to put together.

Wow John - That’s what I call “3 Aces” - Lovely trio ... I thought I was doing good with having found the 2 but never have seen a Miller Bros sailors knife with the manicure blade - I thought I was lucky finding the Thomaston Sailors knife... Great group John and super hunting ... and sorry I missed this .. still trying to catch up from 2 weeks ago..

Thank you Lee and Charlie, yea, I was pretty happy to put this group together, the hardest one for me to find was the middle one, they are out there but most are missing the lanyard ring or the blade is worn.

John Matey
Again my friend- just WOW Factor on finalising a hard-to-get set

Campbellclanman wrote:John Matey
Again my friend- just WOW Factor on finalising a hard-to-get set

Thank you Duncan, it's nice having this set.

Those are something else John
I just have the largest variety, got it from my local CL and it turned up in a thrift in Gloucester MA originally which I find cool.

Hey Guys, Here is my R. Bateman Sheffield Sailors knife. It has square joint construction & small round shields. To my understanding these features were quite common during the Civil War Era. Your thoughts are welcome & appreciated!
Here is the only info I could dig up on it. With the prominent curved end, kinda resembles the "Smiths Key" sailors knife too in a way. I think its a pretty cool knife
Kindest Regards,
Mark

Here's one a buddy of mine gifted me a few months ago and I believe a few others have been posted previously... Camillus Rope knife with jigged wood handles - WWII vintage and supposedly used on life boats and made for the Coast Guard and Navy...