http://www.elephanttoenails.com/thenews/2008/03/26/an-old-english-rope-knife/ Rantings and Ravings from the world of Elephant Toenail Pocketknives Sat, 19 May 2012 05:25:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 http://www.elephanttoenails.com/thenews/2008/03/26/an-old-english-rope-knife/#comment-101 Roger Sun, 30 Mar 2008 20:52:33 +0000 http://www.elephanttoenails.com/thenews/2008/03/26/an-old-english-rope-knife/#comment-101 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. 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.

]]> http://www.elephanttoenails.com/thenews/2008/03/26/an-old-english-rope-knife/#comment-100 Scott Sat, 29 Mar 2008 18:55:12 +0000 http://www.elephanttoenails.com/thenews/2008/03/26/an-old-english-rope-knife/#comment-100 Good insight Clay. Hope to have you come 'round more often and to meet you in Bradford at the ETCC meeting. Good insight Clay. Hope to have you come ’round more often and to meet you in Bradford at the ETCC meeting.

]]> http://www.elephanttoenails.com/thenews/2008/03/26/an-old-english-rope-knife/#comment-99 Clay Strong Sat, 29 Mar 2008 18:25:17 +0000 http://www.elephanttoenails.com/thenews/2008/03/26/an-old-english-rope-knife/#comment-99 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. 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.

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