Historical information

The rigger's knife is usually more square pointed and thicker than that of a sailmaker. ( C.W. Ashley 1944 Ashley book of Knots p. 19) The rigger usually had a kit of tools that would fit on a belt: a sheath knife, a marlingspike, and a grease horn containing tallow.

Significance

Property of the anonymous donor a former seafarer who also presented us with two hand-crafted examples of knot tying.

Physical description

Knife; a wooden handle in two pieces either side of blade secured by two steel anchor points. The short steel blade is oxidised but the actual cutting edge is worn and honed. The yellow nylon sheath appears to be made from recycled material strongly stitched on two sides.

Inscriptions & markings

Large font black lettering on the inside but indistinguishable.