KNIFE DEEP DIVE: ADOLA SAILOR'S KNIFE

The Adola Zeemansmes: A typical Dutch knife

In our store in Amsterdam we often get people asking for a traditional Dutch knife. Not many knives are made in the Netherlands, so there is not much to choose from. But if there is one knife in our collection that is typically Dutch, it is the Adola Zeemansmes.

What is a sailor's knife?

Elegant in its functional simplicity, this old school looking fixed blade knife has been around for centuries. Knives of this type were called sailor's knives because they were often used by sailors to cut rope. In the Netherlands, traditionally a great seafaring nation, such a tool was very common.

To make the knife even more functional in marine environments, it comes with a marlin spike/bracket wrench. This tool has a smooth, thin tip that can be wedged between knots to loosen them. It also has a slot in the handle that fits into the screw head of bow shackles, a type of shackle often used for connecting lines on boats. Because they often get stuck due to rust, a bracket wrench is an indispensable tool when working on sailboats.

The marlin spike/shackle key can be stored in a special pocket on the outside of the sheath of the knife.

What is the Adola Zeemans knife made of?

The knife itself has a full-tang construction and has a fully flat-ground stainless steel blade. It has wooden handle caps attached to the tang with brass rivets, the bottom of which is hollow for a lanyard.

What can you use the Adola Zeemans knife for?

Together, these features make the sailor's knife a great all-round camping knife. It's great for preparing food on the campsite, but it's also sturdy enough to cut through a set of wooden tent poles if need be. It's big enough to do some light chopping, but not too heavy to comfortably carry in a backpack. A viable companion for any camping trip!

Where is the Adola Zeemans knife produced?

Although this handy tool is typically Dutch, it is not made in the Netherlands. It is made in Solingen, Germany.
This city is relatively close to the Dutch border, where the materials for steel are lacking in the Netherlands. it has been importing knives from Solingen since the 16th century. Paradoxically, this only adds to it being quintessentially Dutch!

View the Adola here