A BAK with an Italian accent - the INK!

[jerseydevil]

When is a British Army Knife not a British Army Knife?  When it's an Italian Navy Knife!  Ashley sent me this the other day.  From a bunch of research, I've found that this is an Italian Navy issue knife.  IT has no markings on it at all, but I'm confident on that identification.

As you can see, this is a copy of the traditional BAK, with a massive sheepsfoot main blade, a can opener, and a marlin spike, and a flat screwdriver created by the liner extending ahead of the bolsters.







The can opener is the same pattern as BAKs manufactured between 1939-1945, when the same tool with an included bottle opener was produced.  I don't have a BAK in this exact pattern to compare it to, but I do have an all-stainless "Burma" pattern BAK from 1955.



Markings on the true BAK.



The main blade is the same shape, though the can openers are very different.  In terms of build quality, the BAK has the edge, though the INK (Italian Navy Knife  ) is still a well-made knife.  There is a little bit of vertical play in both the blade and can opener, but nothing major, certainly not a deal breaker.  It cleaned up and sharpened up nicely, and just needed some oil to get it fully functional. This is going to be a user, as if there was any doubt!  It's a neat pattern, and a neat piece of history.       Now I want another BAK or three though.........

[toolguy]

Very cool.

[Sparky415]

I’m going to have to get the BAK Box out tomorrow 

This threads going to ruin my nails   

[jerseydevil]

I’m going to have to get the BAK Box out tomorrow 

This threads going to ruin my nails   

my work here is done. We should start a clasp knife thread.....

[Spork, Lord of Lime Jello!]

I bought a 3 pack from SG a few years ago. They appeared unissued and were packed in cosmoline or the equivalent. I use mine quite a lot, but find it a bit heavy in the pocket. I'm going to come up with a belt sheath for it eventually.

The tang on the one I use is lightly etched "CORICAMA"

[jerseydevil]

Very nice! That one in your hand looks perfect.

[Spork, Lord of Lime Jello!]

The other two just haven't been cleaned of the preservative. Apparently CORICAMA made everything from kitchen knives to switchblades.

[SteveC]

This was my Uncles Royal Navy knife. Tang stamp:  Harrison Bros & Howlson

[Sparky415]

I did round these up today JD, There are probably a few more scattered about somewhere



I didn’t break a nail but... 



 

[jerseydevil]

Damn Sparky! I wish I had another one to play with. They're obviously more common on your side of the pond, of course.   I feel your pain, the INK got me on the right index finger last night.....

[cody6268]

I am getting one of the Italian ones with the marlinspike soon, even if I have to pay a couple bucks more for it.  A bunch of surplus stores bought them up here recently and have been selling them since I first saw the marlinspike version in the Sportsman's Guide, but sadly, the day the catalog came in the mail they were out of them online.

  There's just something about a marlinspike on the knife.  And, I often need to undo ropes.   A lot of times, I just get ticked off and cut through the rope.  I lost an auction on a Hibbard and Spencer 1976 British Navy Knife, but I've long wanted one with the black checkered grip at a cheap price.  I honestly prefer the British Navy/Army Knife.   

[Sparky415]

Damn Sparky! I wish I had another one to play with. They're obviously more common on your side of the pond, of course.   I feel your pain, the INK got me on the right index finger last night.....

I did have some help from Neil when he downsized his collection a couple of years ago,
They do show up at carboot sales now and then but people want a lot for them,
Also you have to be careful as a lot of them have broken backsprings that you don’t notice until you get them home 

[jerseydevil]

Damn Sparky! I wish I had another one to play with. They're obviously more common on your side of the pond, of course.   I feel your pain, the INK got me on the right index finger last night.....

I did have some help from Neil when he downsized his collection a couple of years ago,
They do show up at carboot sales now and then but people want a lot for them,
Also you have to be careful as a lot of them have broken backsprings that you don’t notice until you get them home 

Yeah, the US Army issue "demo" knives are the same way.

[Sparky415]

I do have a lot of future projects here 

[jerseydevil]

Most of those are not nearly rusty enough to interest you.....

[Sparky415]

I don’t only do rust you know JD,
I have another one of these to do in the future 

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,28303.msg700941.html#msg700941

[magentus]

I don’t only do rust you know JD,
I have another one of these to do in the future 

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,28303.msg700941.html#msg700941

Nice collection Tony.

I remember buying one at a car boot about 15 years ago for £4.00. I loved it but they must be as heavy as a Swisschamp if not more. I ended up passing it on to an apprentice carpenter I worked with when I bought my 111mm Rucksack.

[Ray S]

I have several military issue sailor's knives as well as civilian issue and so-called,"yachtsman's knives";the difference being a yachtsman's knife has a shackle key(either folding or fixed).
My military ones are Warris;Taylor's Eye Witness(English);Coricama(Italy)and Whittingslowe(Australian) as well as a couple of unknown makers. The civilian issues include Schrade and KA-BAR and the yachtman's knives include a couple of Japanese and a couple of French models.

[Ray S]

A few more:

[Ray S]

Last batch for now:

[jerseydevil]

Very nice!

[Sparky415]

Great collection Ray