Couple of BAKs (BNKs) for you: One old one new

[Huntsman]

I posted these 'British Army Knives' in another thread - But thought you guys might like them too

I certainly do


This one has Sheffield and 1943 tang stamps

And a more recent one - with a Waiter :

[Barry Rowland]

Great idea!

[AzteCypher]

I'd like to see more of them please!

[PitCarver]

I love that Sheffield,

[magentus]

Lovely stuff

[Echotech]

 

Do like a BAK 

[IMR4198]

I remember when those old black knives were sold by mail order from magazines.  Seems like the price was $5.95.  I would have to look that up to make sure.  Very practical knives.  Like the old TL-29s, I just wasn't interested in them at the time.  I used to see boxes of those things as well.  All encrusted with black schmutz.  You couldn't pick one up to look at it without getting your hands covered in it.  Best wishes.  G
 

[nate j]

Here’s mine.

Finish is a little rough (some sharp edges and corners when closed), but overall it’s a solid tool.

It feels heavy in hand, and I was a bit surprised to find that it only weighed 4.4 oz on my scale (about the same as a Vic Deluxe Tinker).

I think the combination of a blade, can opener, and locking marlin spike is a good one; I wish there were more similar options on the market.

The sheepsfoot blade makes some sense considering its nautical intent/origins, but isn’t my first choice for EDC/general utility.

For reasons unknown to me, this version does not have the fixed flat head screwdriver sometimes seen on similar knives.

[PitCarver]

That's another looker, Nate.
While they're not real BAKs I have several that I've picked up over the years to work with paracord.

[nate j]

That's another looker, Nate.
While they're not real BAKs I have several that I've picked up over the years to work with paracord.

[SteveC]

I believe the knives shown would have been British navy knives, The army version didn't have a rigging spike.

Here's my uncles Royal navy knife






BAK would have a can opener.

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Some Navy knives had a can opener as well as the spike

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[nate j]

I believe the knives shown would have been British navy knives, The army version didn't have a rigging spike.

Here's my uncles Royal navy knife

(Image removed from quote.)

(Image removed from quote.)


BAK would have a can opener.

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Some Navy knives had a can opener as well as the spike

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So

Spike = BNK

No Spike = BAK

Makes sense to me.
 

[Huntsman]

@Nate and Steve
Re: The spike - Yes I had heard that too from somewhere.
Also that the flat edged blade (Wharncliffe?) was for cutting thick ropes

Although Nate's knife - with the spike - has BAK printed on it!

[SteveC]

@Nate and Steve
Re: The spike - Yes I had heard that too from somewhere.
Also that the flat edged blade (Wharncliffe?) was for cutting thick ropes

Although Nate's knife - with the spike - has BAK printed on it!

Sheffield has a history of naming things incorrectly if only to boost sales.

[nate j]

Sheffield has a history of naming things incorrectly if only to boost sales.

Well, I wanted the version with the spike.  Didn’t matter to me what they called it.
 

[nate j]

Also that the flat edged blade (Wharncliffe?) was for cutting thick ropes

I’ve heard that too.  Though the blade on the BAK/BNK is kind of short, so I’m not sure how thick of a rope it could really handle.

I’ve also heard other explanations for the prevalence of sheepsfoot blades on sailing knives, and more than one answer may be correct.   Perhaps the most logical (to me) is that one is less likely to cause damage by accidentally stabbing oneself, others, or equipment with the blunt tip (vs. a pointed tip) on a rolling ship.

Of course, if one were deliberately trying to put a hole in something (or someone), the sharp, locking spike would be preferred over the non-locking blade…