Blade Shapes

[eisman]

How is it that, on a forum that can pick the smallest of nits, we persist in allowing "designers" to misname blade shapes? We can have a 1000+ postings on the difference between a Lambsfoot and a Sheepsfoot, but then overlook much more incorrectly named blades. My favorite of the moment is the Wharnecliff, which has a straight cutting edge. Very simple, useful, and an old, traditional, blade shape. The number of knives with what is supposed to be a Wharnecliff blade is truly astounding. On one website I counted over 900. Strangely I only found 4-5 true Wharnecliff blades after an hours search on that same site. Reverse Tanto, Harpoon, Spearpoint, Cleaver; all of those shapes (and more) are being offered up as (and this is my favorite) "modified" Wharnecliff's. It's like saying a Spey blade is a "modified" Lambsfoot. It isn't. No more than a Pen is a "modified" Spearpoint. Or an Electricians blade is a modified Screwdriver.

 

[ferider]

How is it that, on a forum that can pick the smallest of nits, we persist in allowing "designers" to misname blade shapes? We can have a 1000+ postings on the difference between a Lambsfoot and a Sheepsfoot, but then overlook much more incorrectly named blades. My favorite of the moment is the Wharnecliff, which has a straight cutting edge. Very simple, useful, and an old, traditional, blade shape. The number of knives with what is supposed to be a Wharnecliff blade is truly astounding. On one website I counted over 900. Strangely I only found 4-5 true Wharnecliff blades after an hours search on that same site. Reverse Tanto, Harpoon, Spearpoint, Cleaver; all of those shapes (and more) are being offered up as (and this is my favorite) "modified" Wharnecliff's. It's like saying a Spey blade is a "modified" Lambsfoot. It isn't. No t than a Pen is a "modified" Spearpoint. Or an Electricians blade is a modified Screwdriver.

It’s Wharncliffe.

 

[BrotherJim]

How is it that, on a forum that can pick the smallest of nits, we persist in allowing "designers" to misname blade shapes? We can have a 1000+ postings on the difference between a Lambsfoot and a Sheepsfoot, but then overlook much more incorrectly named blades. My favorite of the moment is the Wharnecliff, which has a straight cutting edge. Very simple, useful, and an old, traditional, blade shape. The number of knives with what is supposed to be a Wharnecliff blade is truly astounding. On one website I counted over 900. Strangely I only found 4-5 true Wharnecliff blades after an hours search on that same site. Reverse Tanto, Harpoon, Spearpoint, Cleaver; all of those shapes (and more) are being offered up as (and this is my favorite) "modified" Wharnecliff's. It's like saying a Spey blade is a "modified" Lambsfoot. It isn't. No more than a Pen is a "modified" Spearpoint. Or an Electricians blade is a modified Screwdriver.

Not only have you continually misspelled Wharncliffe as ferider pointed out ... you misspelled Lambfoot and possibly Sheepfoot
It's Lambfoot and Sheepfoot with no "S" ... although Knife Magazine (see pictures and links below) allows that Sheepsfoot may now be an alternative spelling, after being called the wrong name so often and for so long I guess.

There are many knives both historical and more recent that have Real Lamb Foot clearly displayed on the blade yet even folks who own said knives continue to call said knives Lambsfoot.
And when their error is pointed out, they will refuse to either acknowledge their error or correct their misnaming of the blade shape and continue on with wide dissemination of misinformation.
They may as well call GEC's #71 pattern, a Bull's Nose OR a Case Sod Buster, a Sod Busters (plural or possessive) !!! ...

And I'll bet you a Marlin's ( ) Spike that if you continue to call a Wharncliffe, a Wharnecliff ... others will eventually follow, as though you are an expert.

So I voted all of the above ... but also think for some it may be some kind of sad clinical incapability in their nature.

https://www.knifemagazine.com/glossary/lambfoot-blade/

https://www.knifemagazine.com/glossary/sheepfoot-blade/

https://www.knifemagazine.com/glossary/Wharncliffe-blade/

 

[r8shell]

Actually... In Sheffield, it is called a Lambsfoot (at least in spoken language, not always when written)

There are often regional and generational differences when it comes to the terminology of any subject. I also think marketing plays a large part, especially when it comes to maximizing search results for online shopping.

 

[Just Tom.]

I am far from being an expert, but while I agree the Wharncliffe and sheep(s)foot labels are widely misused in the “modern” knife world, I wouldn’t get too hung up on the spellings or definitions of these things. The spellings in particular can be a bit fluid:

 

[Old Hunter]

So two Sheepfoot blades in a Congress knife are not referred to by saying, ‘ this knife comes complete with Sheepfeet?? A flock of Canada Geese aren’t Canadian Geese anymore? There are many language conflictions (yeah, that‘s my word, just invented it, but I’ll put it into public use), I try to be precise but as pointed out there isn’t consensus on many of the terms of usage. I hear them Canadians flying over right now! OH

 

[Just Tom.]

Actually... In Sheffield, it is called a Lambsfoot (at least in spoken language, not always when written)

There are often regional and generational differences when it comes to the terminology of any subject. I also think marketing plays a large part, especially when it comes to maximizing search results for online shopping.

I think there’s a guy around here somewhere who knows something about this topic. He started this thread, in fact:

Guardians of The Lambsfoot!

OK folks, it had to happen - There's a new cult in town!! :eek: :D :thumbsup: This thread is dedicated to the appreciation of this quintessential English pattern, and for those who appreciate its subtle lines, its usefulness, and its history. All Lambsfoot posts and pics are welcome here...

www.bladeforums.com

 

[r8shell]

I think there’s a guy around here somewhere who knows something about this topic. He started this thread, in fact:

Guardians of The Lambsfoot!

OK folks, it had to happen - There's a new cult in town!! :eek: :D :thumbsup: This thread is dedicated to the appreciation of this quintessential English pattern, and for those who appreciate its subtle lines, its usefulness, and its history. All Lambsfoot posts and pics are welcome here...

www.bladeforums.com

Yep, that's where I've gotten all my Lambsfoot information. I hesitated to tag Jack Black into this thread, as it's been hashed out more than once.

 

[Will Power]

Earl of Wharncliffe - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[ferider]

Regarding the mislabeling of blades as Wharncliffe, in particular for non-traditionals:

Some of my favorite knives are Hinderer “Wharncliffe”s. Clearly not what the Earl of Wharncliffe designed. But also, Rick would be able to sell his knives with whatever name he’d given them - so it’s not purely a marketing ploy. And - personally - I don’t like to call it “Reverse Tanto” either, because it’s not. In contrast to a Tanto, the blade grind is completely flat.

So ... the way I look at it, language changes. What’s a “Soda” today, is not what the word Soda originally meant. My 2 cents.

 

[black mamba]

A flock of Canada Geese aren’t Canadian Geese anymore?

There are plenty of Canadians here in SW Florida this time of year, but I haven't seen any "honkers." I voted "All of the above."

As a staunch supporter of sheepfoot I had to learn to appreciate lambsfoot over lamb foot as the proper and well-accepted form. However, my biggest pet peeve on blade shapes is the Wharncliffe, which to me must have a fully rounded spine. All those straight-edged blades with straight spines down to a curved taper I call a sheepcliffe or, depending on the angle of the spine, a modified lambsfoot.

 

[afishhunter]

"All of the above" got my vote.
There's also "They don't know any better".
How many Ramfoot/Ramsfoot blades are being passed off as a Sheepfoot?

 

[Rupestris]

So two Sheepfoot blades in a Congress knife are not referred to by saying, ‘ this knife comes complete with Sheepfeet?? A flock of Canada Geese aren’t Canadian Geese anymore? There are many language conflictions (yeah, that‘s my word, just invented it, but I’ll put it into public use), I try to be precise but as pointed out there isn’t consensus on many of the terms of usage. I hear them Canadians flying over right now! OH

It's Canada Gooses (Sky Carp is also acceptable) and Sheepsfeet.

 

[eisman]

Not only have you continually misspelled Wharncliffe as ferider pointed out ... you misspelled Lambfoot and possibly Sheepfoot
It's Lambfoot and Sheepfoot with no "S" ... although Knife Magazine (see pictures and links below) allows that Sheepsfoot may now be an alternative spelling, after being called the wrong name so often and for so long I guess.

This is exactly the type of detail obsessiveness I listed in my original post. My excuse is simply that Wharnecliff (with an "e") passes my spellcheck. Spey/Spay. Lambsfoot/Lambfoot. The simple fact is it is not the spelling, but the specific shape of the blade that defines it.

This is a Wharncliff:

This is not a Wharncliff:

Both are good knives. Both blades are usable. But they are not the same.

 

[JohnDF]

 

[Signalprick]

Wharncliffe


Sheepsfoot


Knives are fun!!! Don't take it too seriously.

 

[rhino]

So two Sheepfoot blades in a Congress knife are not referred to by saying, ‘ this knife comes complete with Sheepfeet?? A flock of Canada Geese aren’t Canadian Geese anymore? There are many language conflictions (yeah, that‘s my word, just invented it, but I’ll put it into public use), I try to be precise but as pointed out there isn’t consensus on many of the terms of usage. I hear them Canadians flying over right now! OH

Canuckians say, "Gooses." Savages!

 

[rhino]

While we're at it, I think we should muster some end-of-the-year mob outrage over using "clip" when "magazine" is the correct term.

 

[r8shell]

How about the "covers" vs. "scales" debate? We haven't done that one in a while!

 

[waynorth]

I must praise Bernie Levine's attempts at standardizing Cutlery language and terminology in "LGIV"!! He gave it a heck of an effort before the greedy publisher shut him down!!
It's must-read for all who are interested in cutlery!! And it's a great ongoing reference book!!