All About Pocket Knives

A friend found this knife while metal detecting on a Delaware beach. He thinks it's stag. Looks like it's stuck to some shell or rock fragments. I think the dark pins hint at a European or British origin. He's going to soak it for a week and try to get it open. Any opinions welcome. Stay tuned. J.O'.

I'm going with Challenge, Bridgeport, congress.

Looks bone

The pins in the shield corroded faster than the shield itself

Definitely not an easy opener

Definitely not an easy opener
Cracken me up TWKG

My only comment is that rat tail bolsters like those are rare on current production knives, so that should eliminate over 90% of Congress knives.

Looks like a job for Kroil. It will penetrate into a space one millionth of an inch to loosen rusted items.

I was thinking the same thing, OC.

My friend says it fell apart when he started messing with it, but we may get a clue anyway. It's a two blade. I'm still suspicious of those dark endpins. Agree on it being bone from the way it has peeled off. Thanks all. J.O'.

Salt is a killer! Looked this up…
“Long-term exposure to salt will damage a natural bone-handled knife. Bone is a porous, organic material that can absorb chlorides and sulphates from salt water, which, upon drying, form salt crystals inside the material that physically destroy its structure.”

Thanks tvic. My pickup and boat trailers can attest to that! J.O'.

Ridgegrass wrote: ↑Wed Feb 04, 2026 2:17 pm Thanks tvic. My pickup and boat trailers can attest to that! J.O'.

What business does a truck or trailer have being made of bone is what I'm asking myself. I mean sure it looks Kool, but the maintenance !