Preference in Clip Blades

[black mamba]

The more I use a pocket knife for ordinary chores around town, the more I seem to like a good clip blade in 2-1/2 to 3-1/2 inch length. Clips come in all shapes and sizes from stout and wide to slender and pointy.

I have drawn (hopefully not too poorly!) two shapes of clip blade normally found at the extremes of shape-- from stout to pointy. Most clips fall somewhere in between, but for the sake of discussion, I made them more polar.

CHOICE A: the stout clip

CHOICE B: the pointy clip

I tend to prefer the pointy style, myself, because I like the narrow tip and the longer, smoother belly of the blade. It also seems to me that the pointy style is more European, and the stout one more American, but that could just be my perception.

Please discuss your preferences, likes and dislikes, and best uses for each type of clip blade. Thanks for the input.

 

[Modoc ED]

I prefer Choice A. It is better suited for heavy work which I would be more involved with than lighter work that I fee Choice B would be more suited for.

Now that I've covered Choice A and Choice B, for looks, I kinda like a California Clip with it's graceful sweep of the clip.

 

[din]

I like a nice long clip with a very sharp point. if I need something with a sturdier tip I'll use a fixed blade.

 

[mikeymoto]

There was a time not too long ago when I did not appreciate the clip point much. Through use I've come to like it, though less the pointy clip and more of a stout clip, but not to the extreme you've depicted.

 

[Bet That Hurt]

I like the longer clip as well - I can't say it works any better but I certainly prefer the look.

 

[comoha]

I have always preferred clip point blades in fixed and folders. Along with being useful, they just look so cool!
I've really like the long clip on my Menefee Gunstock. I see it being a perfect fillet blade for summer panfish.

 

[scattershot]

I've always preferred the California clip myself, makes a neater package when closed and it's stout enough for the work I do with a pocketknife.

 

[ms3902]

I have always preferred clip point blades in fixed and folders. Along with being useful, they just look so cool!
I've really like the long clip on my Menefee Gunstock. I see it being a perfect fillet blade for summer panfish.

That is by far the best looking Gunstock I have ever seen.:thumbup:

 

[wagglebee]

That is by far the best looking Gunstock I have ever seen.:thumbup:

I'm not even a big fan of gunstocks and I love the way Rick Menefee makes them!

 

[cj65]

I like them both. I have a small texas Jack Case with a pointy clip, and an old barlow Case pre 60s with a stout clip. I really find the belly useful, and will gently lift the butt as I cut, so as not to use only one contact point. It is like in drafting where you spin the pencil as you draw to keep the thickness of line constant as possible. What really makes clips beautiful are the swedges. I think swedges are responsible for my acquisition addiction. "Hi my name is CJ, and I am a knife knut."

 

[kamagong]

Is there a Choice C? My favorite is the long Turkish clip, like the style found on Laguioles. I find it the most aesthetically pleasing.

 

[FLymon]

Clip Point blades are my favorite by a mile, not even close.
I like them pointy, and stout

 

[Gautier]

I can't decide. I like 'em all, it just depends on the knife in question really. Certain blade shapes seem to lend themselves more to certain handle patterns, in my opinion. For small, light work like splinter removal or nipping a pesky string in a tight spot, I prefer a more pointed clip like my Peanut.

For skinning rabbits and such, I tend to go for a little more belly, like the California clip on my trapper. The Turkish clip just oozes elegance to me, like on a nice Sunday go-to-meetin' stockman. The wide, thick, stout clips I like on a medium to large jack, like Case's old teardrops, for doing heavy work.

Woe is me...I am a knife knut.


Gautier

 

[sierra11b]

California clip with a decent enough belly. That gunstock Menefee is what I prefer.

What I do NOT like is when the cutting part of the knife (the lines of the blade itself) have a small s-type curve in them. If I see that then it's an instant turn-off for me as I find sharpening them to be more difficult. I can think of a few makers that do this and all of them have very similar work.

I just snagged this John Howser which is right up my alley too:

 

[JAlexander]

I tend to like the wider, stouter clip blades. As far as I'm concerned, the Lanny's clip is about perfect.

James

 

[comoha]

Clip Point blades are my favorite by a mile, not even close.
I like them pointy, and stout

Am I correct in saying that is a Lanny's Clip? I really like them, a little beefier but still with all the geometries of a true clip point.

Here's a strange version of a clip. Not sure what it's called. I never was too fond of it but I thought I'd share for interest's sake. A 1981 Queen Gunstock. Notice the nail nick on the curve versus on the straight part of the blade.

 

[black mamba]

Thanks for the photo-- this one is nearly perfect in my eyes. Long, slender, pointy and graceful.
It's apparent from comparing the photos in this thread that the length and proportion of the clip to the backbone of the blade makes a very large difference in looks as well. Stout belly needs more of a 50/50 ratio, while the pointy clip looks better longer-- say 65 clip to 35 spine. Just my .02.

 

[Rick]

I definitely prefer 'em slim and pointy, as I tend to use a fine point almost as much as I do the edge. The clip on Ken Coat's toothpick is perfect for me.

 

[TLARbb]

I generally prefer the pointy style myself, it just looks more elegant and is a better splinter picker. The style A above is much like a Copperlock blade and it works pretty good for slicing but not as well for tasks like letter opening, fingernail cleaning, splinter picking or really delicate trimming type things.

I have to say, after carrying the Copperlock a few days, the knife as a whole has grown on me a lot and the blade shape has not been much of a hinderance so far.

It's not a clip, but I find myself liking the long, pointy Wharncliffe style blades more and more. I think A.G. Russell's General Purpose blade on the "one hand knife" is a great compromise shape. But, I digress.....


EJ

Wow! I may have to stay away from these forums. I am really loving the looks of these great custom makers...

 

[tongueriver]

Re: post #12: Flymon, that is the definitive clip blade and the definitive shield. Perfection. Now that I have complimented you on your impeccable taste, please give me your Northfield stag slanted bolster stockman. Thanks!