Mariner's knife -- myArmoury.com

Ben Potter · Industry Professional

This is my take on a 19th century scandinavian sailor's knife.

Click on the image to go the gallery page with more pictures and the full specs.

Let me know what you think.

Randy W · Posted: Mon 07 Sep, 2009 12:29 pm Post subject:

very attractive and whimsical, not something I would buy (the case setracts from the knife for me), but I can see the craftsmanship and imagination put into the design and execution, thanks for the view

Paul Hansen · Posted: Mon 07 Sep, 2009 11:25 pm Post subject:

Really beautiful work!

I see only one real problem with it: the lack of a lanyard hole. Wink

Really, this is a must, especially when you are working with the rigging.

The scabbard might look outrageous, but I actually see how this could have been made by a 19th C. sailor with a lot of skill and too much time on his hands. Although a simple leather scabbard would be more practical, I guess.

M. Eversberg II · Posted: Tue 08 Sep, 2009 2:32 am Post subject:

Certainly unique and memorable. What's the "E" for on the blade collar?

M.

Dan P · Posted: Tue 08 Sep, 2009 5:22 am Post subject:

M. Eversberg II · Posted: Tue 08 Sep, 2009 8:29 am Post subject:

Site wouldn't load so I didn't get to see that he put the compass rose on it Razz

Spiffy work, though.

M.

Addison C. de Lisle · Posted: Tue 08 Sep, 2009 10:28 am Post subject:

I like the knife, it looks very elegant and practical. My biggest criticism is that I don't feel like the sheath goes with it. They don't visually coordinate when the blade is sheathed; they just seem like two separate pieces stuck together. Both are nicely executed though.

Ben Potter · Industry Professional

Thanks for all the input. I will keep the suggestions in mind for the next piece.

The scabbard is taken from examples of sailors work from the period (too much time and plenty of skill).

I agree that a lanyard would be practical, but I have not seen a fixed blade Sailor's knife from time with one or a hole where one could be attached. If you know of any examples I'd love to see them.

Thanks

Paul Hansen · Posted: Wed 09 Sep, 2009 7:31 am Post subject:

Attached is a traditional Dutch / North German sailing knife. This is a new knife, but this pattern has been around for a very long time. The sheath is also very traditional. A marl spike is often included in the sheath, but this maker does not offer this option for some reason.

The folding knives are also traditional, and according to what I heard, the folding knives were introduced after the fixed blade knives got banned due to the amound of knifefights which took place on the overcrowded ships of the time.

Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures of originals, nor a definitive timeframe when these designs were introduced.

However, knives very similar to the fixed blade knife shown here have shown up as trade knives in North America as well, so they must have been around by then anyway.

Source of the pictures: http://loewenmesser.de/Download/Loewenmesser_2008.pdf
I own both patterns, the fixed blade one by Loewen Messer, and the folder by Friedr. Herder Abr. Sohn. Both very good work knives by the way...

But a lot of the traditional Solingen factories make (or at least sell) them.

Ben Potter · Industry Professional

Thanks for the pictures, The look like the pictures of origanals but with the (in my opinion good) addition of the lanyard hole. I have seen folders with the marline spike on the reverse side.

Gavin Kisebach · Posted: Wed 09 Sep, 2009 12:47 pm Post subject:

The knife is of course lovely, but I do like the scabbard very much. I presume that the anchor is a loop for a belt? A lanyard on any seagoing knife is probably well advised but I would hate to interrupt the natural lines of the grip.

Michael Eging · Posted: Wed 09 Sep, 2009 1:11 pm Post subject:

I actually like the sheath very much, a nice touch with the knife. Do you have any pictures of what inspired the sheath work? I am not familiar with such works, have seen other crewman carvings that have a similar spirit to them.

Thanks, and very cool work! Cool

Ben Potter · Industry Professional

I don't have any pictures as the idea came from visiting museums all over the US a couple of years ago.

Rod S. · Posted: Mon 14 Sep, 2009 9:41 pm Post subject:

Lovely work, Ben. In particular I like the compass motif on the knife's bolster, and the whimsical whale sheath swallowing the blade.

Ken Speed · Posted: Tue 15 Sep, 2009 10:19 am Post subject:

Ben,

I think the knife is an absolutely beautiful piece of work and the sheathe ties in to the scrimshaw and other handicrafts that sailors and whalers used to produce in their spare time. The pewter bolster with the cardinal directions and the anchor belt loop are very appropriate to the whole concept.

The only criticism I have of the whole thing is that I don't care for the fire darkened decoration on the knife handle and sheathe and feel that it detracts from the overall craftsmanship and high quality of the piece.

Ken