An Old English Rope Knife?
Another popular theory knife collectors hold is that the toenail was an “English Rope Knife.” This belief principally stems from a reference in a W R Case Cutlery Company catalog in which the caption under the toenail reads “Old English Rope Knife used on sailing vessels.” While it is commonly agreed that one of the uses of the knife was to cut rope, it seems to have been more than likely in mercantile stores back in the early 1900’s, for example, as opposed to on the open sea.
In Dr. Foy Mitchell’s wonderfully informative article “Speaking of Rope Knives” in The National Knife Magazine May 1995, he convincingly argues Toenails were only used as “point of sale” rope knives and were not used at sea as was the Sailor or Navy Rope Knife. 
He contends, “The main commonality between them (an elephant toenail and Navy Rope Knife) is both host a very wide blade with a thick back that enabled them to be ‘driven’ through a very thick rope using a wood peg such as a fid or belaying pin.” Moreover, although a few do exist, it is extremely rare for a toenail to have a bail (the metal loop used to secure the knife to the carrier with a string or small chain) or drilled hole, as do rope knives.
Furthermore, there no evidence that indicates the knife is of English origin (although there is a toenail that was manufactured in the early 1900’s by an English firm, Lockwood Brothers. See The List).
It is my opinion WR Case simply used this name as a marketing ploy.
Navy Knife Photo Credit: Mike Silvey
March 29th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
I agree that the toenail was not commonly used aboard a vessel, for two reasons.
First the traditional sailor’s knife is a fixed blade carried in a belt sheath. The knife had to be easily taken in hand and since the sailor is often hanging on for dear life with the other hand, opening a folder would be awkward at best.
Second, on older vessels the proper tools for working with large line were always available. For instance, the fid (a tapered pin) is ideal for opening up the lays of line and splicing. Also, striking the spine of a folder that is across a line to cut it is likely to cause it to fold and possibly injure the user.
March 29th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Good insight Clay. Hope to have you come ’round more often and to meet you in Bradford at the ETCC meeting.
March 30th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Isn`t it believed the toenail was developed as a pattern in the late 1890`s, by then the sailing ship was pretty much a thing of the past, as an ocean going vessel.