New to Traditionals and have some questions

Dornblaser

Dornblaser

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I am new to traditional knives and I have a few questions:

1. How did the Federal Shield and Oval become a common embellishment?

2. Do names like peanut, Doctor, trapper, etc. mean anything other small for peanut, narrow blade for doctor, (not quite sure for hunters, trappers or skinners)? Any other common terms I should be aware of?

3. Why, historically, is the clip point blade such a common blade on traditional knives?

Thanks,
David
 
Add toothpick and sod buster to terms that I don't know. Toothpicks look like long, thin knives. Sod Busters look like inexpensive hunting knives that are used as utility knives?
 
A lot of the traditional knife names related to who they were used by or look like. For example, the doctor was a pattern for doctor's that often had a pill crusher or some specialty tool for a doctor, a trapper pattern was popular with people that skinned hides, cattle knives and stockman for cowboys that castrated steers and so on. I am sure folks will offer more information on them. Here are couple of links that show the various patterns:

http://www.knifecollector.net/PocketKnifePatterns.html
http://www.knifecollector.net/Case-Knife-Patterns.html
 
never heard of a "fish jack" pattern, but I wish people still made them, that looks pretty neat.
 
A Sod Buster is (was) a person who had little money, and built their house on the plains out of sod (no trees = no lumber...), and the term eventually grew to be applied to any broke laborer (to a certain extent), much like "red-neck," "clod-hopper," and "sh!t-kicker." The sodbuster knife is named as such because it's comparatively simpler and less expensive than its fancier/more pricey relatives, while remaining a strong, reliable tool.
 
A trapper has a clip blade and a spay blade, both on one end. Both blades are useful in skinning what you have trapped.

A muskrat usually has two identical blades, one on each end. Muskrats have dirty pelts that rapidly dull knives. If you’ve trapped a passel of muskrat, skin them with one blade until it gets dull. Then continues skinning with the second blade.

A pen knife is small and shaped to sharpen feathers or—in the old days—reeds into writing implements. (Medieval scribes kept a sharpened blade attached to their portable writing desks for this purpose.)

A doctor’s knife has a clip or spear blade and a spatula blade both pinned at the same end of the grip. The clip blade cut bandages, removed splinters, and did the usual pocket knife chores. The spatula counted pills, scooped powdered medicine out of bottles, and stirred compounds in water, wine, whisky, etc. It also acted as a tongue depressor. “Say Ahhhh…”
In the nineteenth and early twentieth century, rural doctors often compounded their own medicines. So…the handle end opposite the blade pins was shaped as a pestle. It was used for crushing pills, and powdering medicinal roots, seeds, and bark.
 
Dornblaser said:
How is a spay blade used?
Click to expand...

A spey blade was designed for neutering/castrating. Since that doesn't require a sharp point the front of the blade is rounded. Some of the older Case spey blades say "For Flesh Only" on the blade.

Some folks here still use the spey for its original intended use, some others reserve it for rough work and still others retain it for those times they need a very sharp edge for emergencies etc.

And a few rascals around here like it for getting to the bottom of the peanut butter.;)

Its uses are only limited by your imagination.
 
Raymond1000 said:
...snip...In the nineteenth and early twentieth century, rural doctors often compounded their own medicines. So…the handle end opposite the blade pins was shaped as a pestle. It was used for crushing pills, and powdering medicinal roots, seeds, and bark.
Click to expand...

I have a small collection of mortars and pestles, and would really like to own a doctor's knife with a pestle end. Can you clue me in to any current manufacturers who make knives in that style? Or, even better, a set that includes a mortar?
 
Not quite sure that historically a Clip blade would be the most common of blades. It certainly is now, but I suspect that in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Spear would be the most common. Based on old knife catalogues. You may like to take a look at some of the wonderful pictures on the catalogue thread and check images in the Old Knives section as well.
 
dectia said:
I have a small collection of mortars and pestles, and would really like to own a doctor's knife with a pestle end. Can you clue me in to any current manufacturers who make knives in that style? Or, even better, a set that includes a mortar?
Click to expand...

I know Queen does doctor's knives with the spatula and flat end. I had one a few years back and they're nice. About 3.5" closed, IIRC.


-- Nate
 
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I was wondering how wharncliff blades are used today? I know that historically are used to make deep cuts but I am of appropriate modern applications. I read one post where the poster said that it was his most used blade. When I look at them they scream cardboard cutter to me?

- David
 
Dornblaser said:
I was wondering how wharncliff blades are used today? I know that historically are used to make deep cuts but I am of appropriate modern applications. I read one post where the poster said that it was his most used blade. When I look at them they scream cardboard cutter to me?

- David
Click to expand...

I use both the wharncliffe and sheepsfoot for detailed precise cutting, along a straight or curved line. Cardboard, learther, etc,
 
Blues said:
A spey blade was designed for neutering/castrating. Since that doesn't require a sharp point the front of the blade is rounded. Some of the older Case spey blades say "For Flesh Only" on the blade.

Some folks here still use the spey for its original intended use, some others reserve it for rough work and still others retain it for those times they need a very sharp edge for emergencies etc.

And a few rascals around here like it for getting to the bottom of the peanut butter.;)

Its uses are only limited by your imagination.
Click to expand...

Every time I read that, Elliot, I have to go to my happy place. Peanut butter, indeed.

Seriously, though, the wonderful thing about slip joints is that the patterns are so varied that there's something for everyone.

James
 
I also find wharncliffe and sheepsfoot blades good for cutting plastic or rubber tubing. Lets you pull right through the cut without having to adjust to keep the edge fully in contact with the object, even with a small blade.


-- Nate
 
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