Difference between Sheeps Foot and Wharncliffe blade?

[mtangent]

Thanks, Codger.

 

[jon_slider]

Cool. Did you notice the Sloyd blade on the Wharncliffe knife?

Thanks to you teaching me about it previously yes. However, Sloyd is the Swedish name for craft and since the Wharncliffe whittler is not Swedish, I call it by the English name
according to Case's definition http://www.casexx.com/BladeTypes.asp
"Coping or Cut-off Pen Blade - This is used commonly in carpenter's knives to scratch lines in wood or other materials. It is also used for carving and whittling."

Copeing is another word variation, whose origin I have not yet determined , thanks for the vocabulary lessons.

 

[Codger_64]

While Schrade called it a coping blade on their balloon pattern whitler, the whittler when sold by Sears called it a sloyd blade. In fact, I used one exclusively for cutting pencil cove molding when restoring the stained glass borders in the windows of an 1880's house in Little Rock which was built overlooking the train station by an engineer for his family. That blade allowed me to reach into the tight 90 degree corners to adjust the fit of the moldings where they came together for a perfect joint. Sears' reference to Sloyd was the doings of Col. Tom Dunlap, the hardware buyer. I have seen other hardware jobbers use the term as well. So a "crafting blade" fits.

 

[ecks]

Top = Sheepsfoot

Bottom = Wharncliffe

What model SAK with Wharncliffe blade please?

 

[WIL TERRY]

ONE WOULD THINK after reading this that the straight edge that does ALL the work did not matter but that back edge that does NOTHING matters for all the world.

 

[jon_slider]

ONE WOULD THINK after reading this that the straight edge that does ALL the work did not matter but that back edge that does NOTHING matters for all the world.

partly true
There are however a couple of things the back edge does. On a sheepfoot when closed, the blade sits way above the handle, making it pinchable, not so with the wharncliffe. And its that back edge that determines the pointiness of the wharncliffe, which makes it a poor safety knife for a sailor who is not supposed to stab the sails, self, or others when cutting rope. Bottom line is, do you want a very pointy knife, better for whittling maybe, then the wharncliffe is your friend.

fwiw, the OP posted he just bought this hybrid Sheepcliffe, on sale here
http://www.knivesshipfree.com/north...o-bone/northwoods-knives-fremont-calico-bone/

then he posted asking if people use their Ivory handled knives, because he just bought a mammoth ivory Norfolk Whittler (pics from website, hoping he posts his actuals). Gotta love that kind of decision, not either or, the correct answer is and BOTH!

Obviously the OP has very good taste in cutlery.

 

[Codger_64]

The Wharncliffe shape also allows it to reach into tighter spaces like 90 degree coeners, like the copeing/sloyd blade but more so. The tradeoff (all blades have one or more) is a more fragile tip more easily broken if used incorrectly. The Sheepfoot and copeing overcome this to an extent by remaing fuller toward the point.

 

[Andya27]

Being fairly new to owning knives, I'm trying to purchase a wide variety of different handle and blade types.

 

[Peregrin]

Good thread. It's interesting to see folks thoughts on these very useful blades.

 

[Squashfan]

I have to say that I really enjoyed this thread. The warncliffe is my favorite blade style, traditional or no.