Please explain different slipjoint patterns?

A

Aeneas

Joined
Dec 24, 2001
Messages
73
Could someone in the know please explain the various slipjoint patterns (such as stockman, trapper, whittler, etc.) with regard to the following:

1) how many blades?
2) what types of blades?
3) why that configuration, that is, for what use(s)was the pattern designed?

Thank you!
 
I'll start with my favorite: the stockman. The 3 blade stockman is the traditional knife of the cowboy/rancher. Traditionally I think it is usually 4 to 4 1/4" closed but know they come in all sizes, can't remember the size but Case does a mini stockman.
Anyhoos, traditionally it has 3 blades: A clip blade for general cutting,a sheepsfoot for rope, leather straps etc and the spey blade which is akin to a surgeon's scalpel and is used for castrating livestock. some models have FOR FLESH ONLY engraved on the spey.
I think it is this sense of history that is one of the things that draws me to this knife along with the fact that if you have one of these in your pocket you can handle everything.
Anyone kwon a little history/story about the Congress or Sowbelly pattern?
 
If I remember correctly, both were used by trappers. The trapper has two blades mounted on the same side; one clip and one spey of equal lengths. The clip was used for the initial puncturing of the pelt and the spey was used for the rest of the skinning since the blunt tip wouldn't do any damage to the pelt. The muskrat was used for smaller game and has two equal clip blades mounted on opposite ends. Since the game was small enough to skin by pulling with hands it didn't need the spey blade, but there might be many such animals so it needed two sharp blades to start the first cut. If anyone can add to or correct please do.

Frank
 
Anyone of "Levine's Guide to Knives" will provide you with all the info you require. It is as in depth as it gets. In order to get a feel for knives ya still gotta read. I know that in this age of pushbutton info, it is easy to get accustomed to having the information you seek in a blink of an eye. But, to fully appreciate knives, ya gotta read. There ain't no other way. Fun too !!
Greg
 
stockman- named after cattle workers. Three blades, usually a large clip point, small shhepsfoot, and a small spey blade.

Trapper- named after trappers, usually a large california clip (used for skinning), and a large spey blade.

whittler- usually three blades, one large clip, or spear point, one small spear, or clip point, and one small coping blade

half whittler- usually one med sized spear, or clip blade, and one small coping blade.

canoe- one large spear point, and one small spear, or clip point

muskrat- usaully two large california clip points (one on each end), orone on one end.

peanut-usaully two blades, one clip, and one small spear, or one clip point only.

barlow-usaully one large clip, or spear point, or one large clip, or spear point and one small spear, or clip point.

gunstock- usually one large clip or spear point, and one small spear.

jack-usually one large spear, or clip point, and one small spear, sometimes only one large blade.

toenail-usually one large spear, and one small spear.

easy opener-can be any pattern, but usually is a trapper, jack, barlow (has a cutout in handle to grasp the blade easier).
 
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