I have no clue what the spike is for. Has a spot in the sheath to hold it. Goes with the knife.

Maybe steel for touching it up or start a fire with flint????

Marlin spike for knots.

For stabbing the fish through the head to hold it while you fillet it with the knife

Marlinspike. That is really a neat combo!

Moosetrot

Yup, marlinspike. For rope work, splices, knots, etc. Usually paired with a "boat" knife, a simple drop point blade most often.

That's a rigging knife and a marlinspike. They were used together. Both have holes so you can hang them from a lanyard, to prevent you from dropping them on the deck or into the water. Those are cool as heck and likely pretty old.
Keith

Thanks. I was trying to figure out what that spike would be good for when dressing or dragging a dead animal

That is truly a nice set and I agree it is quite old. Looks like the bolster is probably nickel silver.

I really like it.

Moosetrot

I do too. I would snag that set up if I saw it an auction and could get it for a decent price and if I had extra cash, for a not very decent price too.

Keith

It’s a knot fid. Used to open knots or rope for splicing etc.

My Dad was a rigger in the US Navy ... And I have his Spike.

Yep, they got it. I still have a very similar rig from my Navy days.

I would guess its being used to pull front legs down when skinning

By the looks of the construction of that knife I am guessing 1800's.

Moosetrot

I think so too. The sheathe may be newer.

Keith

That's a very cool find ! Wow !

No rust. I'm guessing stainless steel blade and spike. Don't know if they had stainless steel back in the 1800's.

It appears to have marks from a wire wheel on it, possibly to burnish the rust off. Stainless steel was invented in 1913 and likely wasn't commonly used for knives until years later. If it is stainless, it's probably from the twenties or later.

Keith

Does not look like stainless. Would guess some good high carbon that has been taken care of.

Moosetrot