Pocket Knife...an old one?

[villagenut]

Been stuck inside the last week due to much needed rain, and was goin through some old stuff that my Father left me many years ago, just lookin for old stuff inside seeing I cant do much screening in wet dirt outside.I remembered this old knife since I was a young one and figured I would get it out and look at it again. Problem is, I cant find anything out about it except the obvious maker Keen Kutter E.C. Simmons. My dad had always told me it was a sailor's knife, and I see that is what it was called...a rigging knife for splicing rope I believe. But how old is this thing, and surely it must have some value? Not that I would sell inherited things but just curiosity gettin the best of me. Thanks for lookin,vn.

 

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[jewelerguy]

that logo was in use from 1900 to 1940

 

[ARC]

It has a marlinspike.

Net makers knife. / sail makers knife etc.

And yes... rope /rigging.

 

[villagenut]

I think it would take a sailor to haul this knife around. I always carried pocket knives as a youngster but this would take a man's pocket to carry it.It is huge.

 

[ARC]

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/keen-kutter-sailors-rigging-knife-marlin-spike

 

[ARC]

RARE VINTAGE KEEN KUTTER MARLIN SPIKE WW1 1915 PATTERN 6353/1905 | eBay

 

[villagenut]

Both are similar but my grip material is different and mine has no chain loop . This is where I was stumped, I haven't found one like it. I would think this one would be in an old catalog or in a Keen Kutter collector site.Maybe a knife collector who specializes in E.C. Simmons .

 

[Anduril]

RARE VINTAGE KEEN KUTTER MARLIN SPIKE WW1 1915 PATTERN 6353/1905 | eBay

You ever notice how everything is "rare" when it's being offered for sale on eBay?

 

[nhbenz]

Is it possible that that the grips were replaced (long ago) and the loop left off? It seems like the loop would be handy with the type of work one might do with these. I don't know if seeing the other side might help someone determine something?

 

[ARC]

Sorry VN...
Dropped the ball last night... If ya notice it was late post for me... Was beat from the Aquarium etc...

Your marlinspike knife is / has a definitely different handle than the links / pics I posted... which I noticed...

I usually post / help with a "start" for these things and will check back after awhile to see where the thread / posts go.

Upon return this morn I see that the actual / same knife has eluded.

So...

IMO... I would also say one of 3 things on this...

1. Like Benz said... grip has been replaced perhaps...
2. Prototype.
3. Rarer than normal.

 

[villagenut]

Looks like they have been on the knife for a long time from what I can tell.

 

[jude061]

The scales on that knife look original. It's like kind of knife we call a rigging knife, but all of the sailor's knives I've ever seen have sheepsfoot or blunted tips. Folklore suggests that they were made like that so sailors didn't stab one another on long voyages (and that the tips of pointed knives were broken off by the bosun).

British and Commonwealth military forces issued what they termed "clasp knives" which were configured like yours, including the spear point blade.

That knife should have a copper bail pinned on the spike pivot side, but zooming in, I don't see where it would be affixed. It could have been made without one, however. The handle is jigged "fiber."

Reading through some pocket knife forums, the WW1 era date seems to fit. Some American-made (E.C. Simmons was out of St. Louis) knives like yours were patterned on the British clasp knife and appear to have been sold to the Canadian military, though yours doesn't seem to have markings.

Google "British military clasp knife" to see all of the different varieties.

That's a really nice knife you have there.

 

[villagenut]

Thanks so much Jude061, lots of good info you provided.Thanks a bunch.