Its a Knife But...

diggummup · May 30, 2015

It's a Knife But...

What is it used for? Appears to have a specific use. It's German made, marked Rich A. Herder and Solingen. The "bar" is attached by 2 screws so it can be removed. Total length is about 7 inches and the blade is about 3 inches.

diggummup · Jun 1, 2015

I don't know but it's killing me that I can't figure out what this tool is used for.

Alchemy · Jun 1, 2015

That is really a unique knife.
I don't think it's medical. It looks more like it was used for cutting thin strips of something, with same or consistent size with each cut.
Could have been custom made for someone in leather work, or?
It seems it'd be a bugger to sharpen too.

Go for it. It's most likely WWII era. That way when you do find out what it is, all the better. You wont lose on it.

Charlie P. (NY) · Jun 1, 2015

I have a similar blade on a Swiss hunting knife - without the guard - for field dressing game. Works great and you don't slice the organs opening up the abdomen.

The Parachute Cord Cutter from Mojjax was also good - that was my initial thought but I could not find any similar knife that was issued to German paratroopers . . . but that does not mean it could not have been a specialty item purchased privately. A "gravity knife" was issued to them for the purpose so I would say it was not for German paratroop use.

Safety cutter for cord on inflatable liferafts? Possibly but it still has a point.

Net working knife? So you don't accidentally slice too much netting?

This is a good one!

Charlie P. (NY) · Jun 1, 2015

Here's a similar hunting knife by Rich A. Herder, Solingen that has the gut-hook blade less a guard. The guard on yours is probably removable so it can be resharpened.

I'm leaning towards a special purpose knife for hunting guides or slaughterhouses. It wouldn't justify carrying something so specialized for a "normal" hunter.

diggummup · Jun 1, 2015

Charlie P. (NY) said:
Here's a similar hunting knife by Rich A. Herder, Solingen that has the gut-hook blade less a guard. The guard on yours is probably removable so it can be resharpened.

View attachment 1169380

I'm leaning towards a special purpose knife for hunting guides or slaughterhouses. It wouldn't justify carrying something so specialized for a "normal" hunter.

Good points. Whatever it was used for probably required a certain amount of physical force, hence the need for a blade guard. I think the guard would also aid in speed and efficiency during use. I've searched gut hooks of all types too, so far no luck.

Alchemy · Jun 1, 2015

Charlie P. (NY) said:
The guard on yours is probably removable so it can be resharpened.

View attachment 1169380

I'm leaning towards a special purpose knife for hunting guides or slaughterhouses. It wouldn't justify carrying something so specialized for a "normal" hunter.

Ahh, had I had my second cup of coffee, I might have noticed/thought of that. Thank you for that bit...
I'm all about a sharp blade (chainsaws, knives, cooking cutlery)
I peel Birch trees to make birch baskets, etc...gotta have a good blade!

When I first posted, I almost said it may have been for slicing pieces for jerky. It would make for quick slices, once the game had been dressed and sorted.