Thread: Counterfeit knife for your perusal

The gent selling this monstrosity is well known among certain circles as being less than honorable. There are a more of them than just this gent. Sad part to me is that guy is obviously a very talented knife mechanic.
Vintage 1 Bld Miller Bros Cut Co Meriden Ct 4"L Folding Rope Knife 1872 1926 EX | eBay

Nothing is "right" about this knife. It looks old and it looks sort of correct, but it is nothing more than parts cobbled together and stamped with a long defunct maker's name. The stamp is close but not quite right. His stamp is copied from later production knives than were the rope knives.

A real MB rope knife usually sells in the $150-$300 range depending on condition.
Here's his knife.


and here's a real MB rope knife.


stamp


Miller Bros used screws to hold the scales to the liners. His knife has pins. Also notice the different style of "jigging" on the bone scales. MB's knives were very distinct with their style of jigging. In fact most makers of the day had their own style of jigging the bone on their scales and a lot of unmarked knives can be traced to their makers by the scales.

A bit of history on those knives. Real ones are a manly hunk of knife. They were made with thick blades in order that the blade could be driven through a line with a belaying pin. Also you'll notice it isn't pointed. Reason being that Admiralty law of that era forbade sailors from carrying a knife with a point. If they were discovered to have a pointed blade, the knife was "tipped" by having the point broken off and then returned to the owner.

I now return you to regularly scheduled broadcasting.

Thank you for the history. I'll now keep my eye out for real ones.

Interesting read. Thanks for sharing I was unaware of the law forbidding knife points!

Shame people try and scam others if I was looking at it I would never know the difference. I feel like that's what this fellow prays on and hopes for.

Yes, the issue "Pusser dirk" folder we had was blunt tipped and had a folding spike too. Even the modern sailors clasp knives I have seen carry on the blunt tip tradition. Pretty practical design for it's intended use.

Didn't realize people would go to the effort of faking knives but then again where people are involved I guess it should come as no surprise. You really have to knowledgeable on the small details when you are collecting things. Thanks for the reminder.

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

Yes, the issue "Pusser dirk" folder we had was blunt tipped and had a folding spike too. Even the modern sailors clasp knives I have seen carry on the blunt tip tradition. Pretty practical design for it's intended use.

Didn't realize people would go to the effort of faking knives but then again where people are involved I guess it should come as no surprise. You really have to knowledgeable on the small details when you are collecting things. Thanks for the reminder. Bob

We see them trying to fake razors. They even get defensive when questioned. Imaging that?

Originally Posted by rolodave

We see them trying to fake razors. They even get defensive when questioned. Imaging that?

Sure missed that one.

Bob

Even the Russians understand the fantastic utility of a good sheep's foot rope knife. I got this one from the Chief Boatswain on the Russian destroyer Rostoropny back in the early '90's when I was Chief Boatswain's Mate on the USS O'Bannon. He needed some chewing tobacco so I grabbed some at our ship's store. In return for a can of Copenhagen he gave me his deck knife. Seemed like a cool guy .

Nice trade there Buffer.

Bob

Haha, I am the guy giving up the knife for the Copenhagen. Just got off deployment and towards the end people were selling cans for 40 bucks a pop. Lucky for me I bought enough for the whole trip.

That knife is a keeper.

Thanks for the History on that knife, I didn't know about the no point rule!

Entropy, that is quite a nice trade you made there! Nice picture too, I like your Sebenza