I Smell a Rattail!

[waynorth]

As I was "flipping" through my picture documents, I recalled that our up-coming Bladeforums Knife is going to have Rattail bolsters. I for one am looking forward to it!!

Anyway, I thought I'd see what percentage (informally) of my pictures of older knives had this feature. The short answer - not many!!

The word Rattail gets its name from the long, narrow round file that does the work in creating that groovy groove across the bolster! The groove was often used to decorate upscale knives like these:

Or the (middle) Schrade Cut Stag penknife:

But also may have had a functional purpose. Here's one on a not very fancy old Harness Jack, (on the left):

And another pair (two grooves - even more rare) on this working knife, a Blade for trimming Lambs hooves.

Please show us your Rattails! And if you know about their function besides decoration, tell us!!

 

[festerfromnzed]

Charlie....very interesting as usual....would this qualify?..............................FES

 

[Woodrow F Call]

I am waiting for my first rat tail to show up. Nice stuff Charlie and Fes.

 

[waynorth]

Charlie....very interesting as usual....would this qualify?..............................FES

Of course, Fes! Nice example!!
On your knife, I think the groove acts like a guard, to help keep one's fingers off the blade.
It would definitely help, if a person used a "choke-up" grip, IMO. Agree?

 

[akadave2]

Im looking forward to it as well!!!! Why dont we see these more often?

 

[festerfromnzed]

Yes agreed Charlie..my thumb naturally sits in that groove to draw cut....................................FES

 

[kamagong]

I only have a couple of knives with rattail bolsters. As you noted they are on my more upscale pieces.

I have no idea what function, if any, they serve. They're a nice touch and that's good enough for me.

- Christian

 

[Humppa]

Excuse my stupid question... but why is it called a rattail? I (personally) can´t see any comparison to a tail of a rat... but maybe it´s just translation?

 

[2Dead]

Excuse my stupid question... but why is it called a rattail? I (personally) can´t see any comparison to a tail of a rat... but maybe it´s just translation?

I think because they're made with rat tail files?

I checked and I only have 3 myself. Case/Bose Tribal Spears and a 3 7/8" Jack made by Ken Coats.

 

[Old Boy]

Would this version qualify?
What do you call this version of my OTTER No 162, may be "double rat tail"

 

[Gevonovich]

Andi, Charlie explained it in the first post, my friend

 

[puukkoman]

My boss' father's knife, a large sheepsfoot rope knife made in Spain, has a big rattail groove in the bolsters. It definitely makes a nice place to wrap one's index finger, around a corner that would otherwise be a squared-off hot spot.

 

[Humppa]

Thanks fellows!

Now it makes more sense. In the first post there was an explanation of how it was made, not why it´s called a rattail. But thanks to Trand it makes real sense to call a file a rat tail - we call it a roundfile (aka Rundfeile) here in Germany.

Other countries - other terms

 

[Jack Black]

Old Taylor's Sheepsfoot.

 

[Jack Black]

Here's a few British Army clasp knives. The top one, a Wraggs WW2 pattern from 1939 is with Duncan now.







Below, a Joseph Rodgers WW1 pattern.





Below, a Slater Brother WW1 pattern I haven't got round to cleaning up yet.

 

[shrapne1]

"But also may have had a functional purpose. Here's one on a not very fancy old Harness Jack, (on the left)"

so Charlie, aside from a place to put your finger, did you have another idea in mind as for the purpose of the rat tail on that harness Jack, or in general?

 

[eisman]

Let me note that a "Rat-Tail" file is tapered and a "Round" file has parallel sides (it's the same diameter for the whole length). Usually one starts the groove with a Rat-tail (it's easier) and finishes with a Round (to keep the width consistant); it's easier to guage depth with the round file. At least that's the way I was taught to do it.

 

[mike Berkovitch]

I do like rat tail though don't have much with it

Mike

 

[sturzi]

I only have one, it's about time for another one

 

[waynorth]

Why dont we see these more often?
They require an extra, expensive step to accomplish! If cut by hand they are prohibitive! Some cutleries just do not have the expertise.

[but why is it called a rattail?]
Answered nicely by Trand, and the well-trained Eisman!

[Would this version qualify?
What do you call this version of my OTTER No 162, may be "double rat tail"]
Yes Old Boy. You called it correctly