Old Rope Knives

This forum is dedicated to the discussion and display of old knives. The rich history of all the many companies that made them through the early years will be found here as well as many fine examples of the cutlers art. Share pictures of your old knives and your knowledge here!
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Re: Old Rope Knives

Post by JohnR »

1967redrider wrote: Thu Oct 15, 2020 10:06 pm
JohnR wrote: Thu Oct 15, 2020 9:08 pm Going to put this Russell Green River Works stag Navy Knife in this thread also for reference.

Still has the etch and man is that some amazing stag. Almost reminds me of toffee, and it's just as sweet. ::tu:: ::tu::

Is that a copper bail and, if so, why did they use copper? I have an old Keen Kutter with a copper bail which is a mystery to me. ::shrug::
FRJ wrote: Fri Oct 16, 2020 1:05 am Fantastic knife, John.

I'm curious about the hole at the bail.
Thanks everyone, 1967redrider, I think this one is copper or a copper alloy, others used brass and as Lee stated it was because of salt corrosion.

Joe, the hole is unusual but seen on the Russell's, I'm guessing they wanted to give you an option for a lanyard attached to the knife instead of the bail.
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Re: Old Rope Knives

Post by peanut740 »

Here's #3.
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Re: Old Rope Knives

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Thanks, John, and there we go, Roger shows a Russell with a hole at the lanyard.

Beautiful knife, Roger.
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Re: Old Rope Knives

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peanut740 wrote: Fri Oct 16, 2020 2:37 amHere's #3.

Nice Roger ::tu:: ::tu:: Russell sure used some nice stag on these knives, I wonder if they were trying to compete with all the stag Navy Knives coming from Sheffield or if the government contract specified stag. Yours, mine and Lee's make 3 on this forum, I don't know how common they are but I've been looking for quite awhile before I was able to find one.
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Re: Old Rope Knives

Post by LongBlade »

Nice Roger ::tu:: ::tu:: ... Now I can see the etch very clearly :) ..

Just as an aside - Miller Bros rope knives also had the extra lanyard hole in the handle other than the swivel rings... made sense as the bails could be lost and the rope knives were essential in those days for work at sea.. so I would bet that lanyard hole was a great backup if needed... Never looked at other rope knives from other companies for that feature so be interesting to see just looking back through this thread...
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Re: Old Rope Knives

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LongBlade wrote: Fri Oct 16, 2020 8:48 pm Nice Roger ::tu:: ::tu:: ... Now I can see the etch very clearly :) ..

Just as an aside - Miller Bros rope knives also had the extra lanyard hole in the handle other than the swivel rings... made sense as the bails could be lost and the rope knives were essential in those days for work at sea.. so I would bet that lanyard hole was a great backup if needed... Never looked at other rope knives from other companies for that feature so be interesting to see just looking back through this thread...
Right you are Lee, both the medium and large Miller Bros.
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Re: Old Rope Knives

Post by 1967redrider »

JohnR wrote: Fri Oct 16, 2020 1:28 am
1967redrider wrote: Thu Oct 15, 2020 10:06 pm
JohnR wrote: Thu Oct 15, 2020 9:08 pm Going to put this Russell Green River Works stag Navy Knife in this thread also for reference.

Still has the etch and man is that some amazing stag. Almost reminds me of toffee, and it's just as sweet. ::tu:: ::tu::

Is that a copper bail and, if so, why did they use copper? I have an old Keen Kutter with a copper bail which is a mystery to me. ::shrug::
FRJ wrote: Fri Oct 16, 2020 1:05 am Fantastic knife, John.

I'm curious about the hole at the bail.
Thanks everyone, 1967redrider, I think this one is copper or a copper alloy, others used brass and as Lee stated it was because of salt corrosion.

Joe, the hole is unusual but seen on the Russell's, I'm guessing they wanted to give you an option for a lanyard attached to the knife instead of the bail.

Thanks for the info, and for sharing that gorgeous knife. ::handshake::
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Re: Old Rope Knives

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Nice knives Roger and John ::tu:: ::tu::
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Re: Old Rope Knives

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I love old rope knives, a few more for the till.......
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Re: Old Rope Knives

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Miller Bro's wrote: Sun Oct 24, 2021 4:21 am I love old rope knives, a few more for the till.......
MB, that Case Bro sunfish is badass!!!
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Re: Old Rope Knives

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Miller Bro's wrote: Sun Oct 24, 2021 4:21 am I love old rope knives, a few more for the till.......
::tu:: ::tu:: Nice!
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Re: Old Rope Knives

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edge213 wrote: Sun Oct 24, 2021 5:03 am MB, that Case Bro sunfish is badass!!!
It sure is David!! ::woot::
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Re: Old Rope Knives

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Waukonda wrote: Sun Oct 24, 2021 12:16 pmNice!
Thanks Ike ::handshake::
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Re: Old Rope Knives

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Nice lineup MB! ::tu::
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Re: Old Rope Knives

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Thanks Roger ::tu::
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Re: Old Rope Knives

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I am always looking ::paranoid:: for another one... ::paranoid::
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Re: Old Rope Knives

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GSPTOPDOG wrote: Wed Oct 27, 2021 4:36 am I am always looking ::paranoid:: for another one... ::paranoid::
Yeah, I know the feeling!
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Re: Old Rope Knives

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Hunter, Sheffield made around 1870 or so.
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Re: Old Rope Knives

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Outstanding John! ::tu:: ::tu::
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Re: Old Rope Knives

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JohnR wrote: Tue Nov 02, 2021 2:15 pm Hunter, Sheffield made around 1870 or so.
As good as they come, beautiful! ::tu::
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Re: Old Rope Knives

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Old Camillus toe.
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Re: Old Rope Knives

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That's a beauty Greg! ::woot::
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Re: Old Rope Knives

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JohnR wrote: Tue Nov 02, 2021 2:15 pm Hunter, Sheffield made around 1870 or so.
Very nice John ::tu:: ::tu::
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Re: Old Rope Knives

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gsmith7158 wrote: Thu Nov 04, 2021 2:08 am Old Camillus toe.
Wow Greg very nice ::tu:: ::tu::
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Re: Old Rope Knives

Post by peanut740 »

gsmith7158 wrote: Thu Nov 04, 2021 2:08 am Old Camillus toe.
::tu:: ::tu::
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