All About Pocket Knives

Hi. I am new to pocket knives. I acquired a knife that looks pretty old to me and has an attachment I don't recognize. Possibly an awl? I would also love to know how to tell it's age. It has George Wostenholm Sheffield on the main blade and I*XL. I can't find a similar knife picture . Thank you for any information.

The 'awl' is called a marlinspike and is used by sailors to spread the strands of rope whilst splicing, and to help undo knots. These knives were made by most companies world wide for sailors and were often government issue to navies. Other more knowledgeable folk here may give you more information.

That's a pretty cool old knife by one of the best from Sheffield.

Hey Paul! It seems you got your answers so I'll just you to AAPK! Nice knife you have there!

Thanks guys for the information. Is there a way to tell how old is knife is? Just curious. Thanks again! Paul

I believe it's the WWI pattern of the British Army/Navy knife. It was changed sometime in the 1930s to a much smaller pattern, which is still produced today (with the issue versions having flat steel handles).

Check for an upward-facing arrow, or upward facing arrow inside of, or beside a "C". If the latter, it was produced in 1917 as a part of a rather large contract for the Canadian Army. I have one around here somewhere, but the handles were falling off, and a large portion of the blade tip had been rounded off.

Paulstimo: Here's one with the "C" and arrow Canadian mark. I agree with WWI vintage. This one is a bit stained but in great shape. It's so tight and snappy it's a little scary to open and close. Like a whittler, the marlin spike bears on both springs while the blade and can opener each bear on one. The bail is copper and the blade is stamped "I*XL". It's a big (4-3/4") and heavy knife. Good luck. J.O'.

I have a 'couple' of these. Very heavy knife and the spike could be a lethal weapon.
kj

KJ: I agree. While handling it for the pic, I wrapped my fist around it with the spike at half stop. I believe you could punch a pretty big hole in a pirate with it!
Any sailors out there probably know that "Marlin" is the name for the thin, strong line that's used to whip the ends of rope. Before there were synthetics like dacron and nylon, rope was hemp and couldn't be melted to seal a cut off end. It had to be "whipped" with marlin line and pulled very tightly to keep it from fraying. The marlin spike was used in the whipping process to complete the job neatly and tightly. In Scouts we learned rope-whipping. It's probably not even taught anymore. Modern rope ends are either melted or "back-spliced", but it was fun to learn.
J.O'.

A page from Graumont.

Nice TR, I love fooling with rope. One of our patrol's projects was a knot board with about 20 knots Can't remember if we ever finished it. J.O'.