Imperial Japanese rope knife "Orimesu"
Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2022 3:51 am
I scored a rare one for the military pocket knife collection. Having trouble learning the finer details, so I'll share what I know and see what comes of it. Laminated steel blade, bone covers, brass bolsters and steel bale. I imagine that this spring was once pretty strong, but its well worn out now. It has a nice half stop and the blade is in good shape. The bone covers are coarsely jigged and also well worn, to the point that they dip below the level of the bolster on one side. The long pull is styled to look like a shoot of bamboo. A very handsome detail.
The the best (at least, most detailed) information I've found on this sort of knife is from an old auction post (here: https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/ ... 1812339542) I'd love a more reliable reference. I've seen a few other comparable examples, usually without a marker's mark and with a simple nail nick instead of the fancy bamboo motif. I'd like to think that means that this might be a 1930s production navy issue knife, but that's just wishful speculation.
- Not a small knife. The tang stamp reads "warikomi", meaning laminated steel and the blade reads "Kiyotake", the manufacturer.
- The reverse.
- The spine is pretty thick and it gives one a good view of the high carbon, dark patina core steel. Actually, everything on this knife is pretty thick, including the backspring and covers.