Clip Point Spine Angle History

[Jackal1]

Sorry for the newbie question. I understand the clip point blade style has been around a long, long time. I was wondering if anyone could share the history with rough dates as to why some clip points have a flat, horizontal, spine parallel to the blade edge while some have a rising spine not parallel to the blade. I understand choice is the spice of life and some folks want to ride their thumb up on a rising spine, but I have seen a rising spine even on knives with double quillions and also on tiny blades so the rising spine can't be just for thumb support.

Thanks for any insight.

Parallel Spine:

Rising Spine:

 

[NJBillK]

I would have liked to help, but I am not sure of exactly what you mean.
By a rising spine do you mean a thumb ramp, like the first photo, or a harpoon tip like the second?

Thumb ramp above
Two Harpoons below

 

[Jackal1]

Thank you, but neither image is fully accurate according to what I am trying to ask. I would post a picture but the website says I am not allowed. That is very frustrating.

 

[marcinek]

Thank you, but neither image is fully accurate according to what I am trying to ask. I would post a picture but the website says I am not allowed. That is very frustrating.

You are allowed to. Upload your pics to an image hosting site. Copy and paste the IMG code into your post.

 

[Jackal1]

Thank you for the help, I added pictures to my original post.

 

[silverds]

I would venture a guess that the main purpose of the rising spine, that you've referenced, was a necessity on some slip joint or two handed opening knives to facilitate exposure of the nail mark or a sufficient amount of blade onto which the users fingers could make purchase. With the prevalence of flippers and assisted openers, there is less need for the rising spine. One could argue that on some blades, its not the spine that is raised but the belly and clip point that are lowered. I think the evolution of the rising spine has become the thumb ramps that we see on spines of many modern blades. I'm sure someone with more knowledge and experience will correct my assumptions on this matter, if I'm wrong.

 

[Bo T]

I think silverds is correct.

 

[Jackal1]

I see your point silverds and it makes a lot of sense. Is the deep belly on your last image for increased slicing capability? When did deep bellied knives become common?

I was watching some historical videos on the history of large fixed blade clip point knives used on the American frontier for fighting and/or bushcraft and almost all the knives through the mid-1800's consisted of straight or concave spines and blades but a couple had rising spines and/or deep bellies. I assume the rising spine, like you stated, probably evolved into the contemporary thumb ramp. What historical purpose is a deep belly on large bushcraft type knives?

Thank you all for your insight.

 

[silverds]

Im not a historian so I can't speak to when, but I think the shape of blades, through all periods were more likely dictated by their intended purpose than any other consideration specific to any period. I think the main purpose of an extended belly would be to add heft, strength or simply, depth to that portion of the blade to facilitate whatever its intended purpose was,

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