Blade design and usage.

[SalemPoor]

Was going through the Case knife catalog and was trying to pick a knife or two which lead me to wonder if there is a depository of information on the origins and preferred usages of the different folding designs?

 

[sunnyd]

..wonder if there is a depository of information on the origins and preferred usages of the different folding designs?

Uses for specific blade designs are endless! If there is a book or catolog of information listing these, I am not aware of it..

After-Thought: US Patent lists perhaps

 

[Dijos]

www.allaboutpocketknives.com

Darn, that's not it. I'll find it, I hope. There is a site that has the history of patterns (mostly as related to Case), and a ton if misc. info.

No, that is it;
http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/wr_case/patterns_alphabetically/a_c.php

 

[jackknife]

I remember reading an article in Knife World many years ago, that many of the pocket knife patterns were a result of a need on the job. For example the premium stock knife of the 1880's, or stockman as we know it came from the cattle knife of the 1870's. The trapper came from the need of dealing with the smaller pelts of the muskrat and racoon that were popular for coats in the 1890' and early 20th century. In the 1800's a doctor had to shave off and crush medicines, thus some of the odd design points of the doctors knife.

Nessecity is the mother of invention. In the old days a pocket knife was used more on a job than now, and over time I guess it evolved to a form. I can only wonder what a congress was made to deal with.

 

[SalemPoor]

"I can only wonder what a congress was made to deal with."

Cutting taxes?? (insert appropriate smiley thing)

 

[Dijos]

the Congress is oddly one of the most mysterious patterns out there. I have a highly developed conspiracy theory regarding its development. It goes like this:

Penknife (look for Washington penknife) leads to senator. Doubles up into congress (like 2 parts of congress; equal)
YMMV

 

[SalemPoor]

Dijos, your link was a pretty good and is an excellent starting point.

Thanks.

 

[SalemPoor]

Would anyone care to recommend a real classic folder from either Case or Schader(sp) (which there seem to be still quite a few around)?

I tend to like the Congress and Stockmen.

 

[waynorth]

A round bolstered stockman, like a Case 6347 or 6318 makes an excellent pocket knife. They fit the pocket much better than a congress in my opinion. And it's indeed a very classic pattern. You get a good choice of blades as well. But if comfort in the pocket is a PRIORITY, then get a slim 2-blade canoe. Queen makes an exquisite design, in D-2 steel! Also a Queen City in 1095 steel! Or stainless 420HC if you prefer. Hope this gives you some ideas.

 

[SalemPoor]

A round bolstered stockman, like a Case 6347 or 6318 makes an excellent pocket knife. They fit the pocket much better than a congress in my opinion. And it's indeed a very classic pattern. You get a good choice of blades as well. But if comfort in the pocket is a PRIORITY, then get a slim 2-blade canoe. Queen makes an exquisite design, in D-2 steel! Also a Queen City in 1095 steel! Or stainless 420HC if you prefer. Hope this gives you some ideas.

Thank you muchly, I comfort in the pocket isn't as much a priority as satisfying a sense of nostalgia. I do like the stockmen although I have no idea about the benefits of the different blades (before I came here a blade was a blade, you live and you learn).

 

[sunnyd]

.. I do like the stockmen although I have no idea about the benefits of the different blades (before I came here a blade was a blade, you live and you learn).

You will find many benefits of the diverse blade design!.. Forgive me, but where did you come from before you arrived here, and where is here exactly??