Same or similar blades

[spyderg]

So there are a couple knives I keep looking at but never actually order. This is because they have a spear and pen combo. I’m having a hard time trying to figure out why this is a popular combination. Is it just to have the pen as a backup? Do some folks have a designated use for each, and what are they?
I usually like to have a straight edge and one with belly, or a tool like a caplifter or awl as my second implement.
Even more confusing to me is two of the exact same blade on a knife? I guess one as a backup or one for dirty jobs and one for food, that’s what I do with my GEC 81(spear for food, clip for everything else).
On my 56 I turned the spear into a clip, and on a little old cheapo I’ve had since I was a kid, I turned the pen into a coping to go with its clip main.
Anyways, help enable another purchase by giving me some good reasons for two similar blades on a knife.

 

[ISKRA]

For me it's more the size than the shape. I like a clip point or spear point main, I mostly cut fruit with it or use it for mushroom picking or whatever. My preffered secondary blade is a pen blade but actually any shape would do. I use it for various tasks, cutting paper, cleaning fingernails, get out a splinter, cut up cardboard boxes - it gives more control. Currently working in a warehouse, I came to apreciate a sheepsfoot blade, otherwise I don't care much for a curved/straight blade combo. Personally I think a well done swell end jack with a spear and pen blade is THE knife. Sadly I yet have to get my hands on one ...

 

[Sam Dean]

On something like a muskrat, where the 2 blades are identical, I heard it was to double the effective cutting edge for longer life in the field. I guess if a trapper was out trapping and skinning muskrats, keeping a sharp edge as long as possible would be pretty darned important? Kinda makes sense anyway...

As far as the spear and pen combo, I agree, definitely not a fan. I'd much prefer a spear and coping blade, or clip and spear, or clip and pen. It's nice to have something straight & pointy, along with something with a good belly, for different tasks.

 

[gaj999]

Sorry, I can't give you any good reasons. If you want help in the other direction ... I just picked up a Carver's Congress from Boker. Four different blade shapes in two sizes. I'm really liking it.

 

[chuko]

Some years ago I found a blade combination that I really liked, but it was larger than I wanted to carry. I ask Jim Dunlap to build it at 3" he made a shadow for me. The secondary sheepsfoot get lots of use. Does all the cutting I need.

 

[Ernie1980]

I like the spear and pen combo, I keep a polished edge on the pen and a courser edge on the spear. This is in my pocket today:

 

[Henry Beige]

That duplication, or at least similarity, is the reason I only have one canoe, a pattern that is otherwise appealing. I would not have a muskrat if not for Rough Rider’s Improved Muskrat, which replaces one of the Turkish clips with a long sheepsfoot. Because of the straight edge, I carry the muskrat a lot, while the canoe sits on the shelf.

 

[WinchesteRalox]

Some years ago I found a blade combination that I really liked, but it was larger than I wanted to carry. I ask Jim Dunlap to build it at 3" he made a shadow for me. The secondary sheepsfoot get lots of use. Does all the cutting I need.

that knife is a Beauty! And don’t you have a back up in red to?

 

[black mamba]

Multiple blades always give multiple utility, but do NOT always give ultimate utility. I'm in firm agreement with Charles and spyderg on having both a bellied and a straight-edged blade. I've done several mods to achieve this in patterns or with cover materials I really liked, and I prefer pointy clips to spears for the main.

Spey to drop point and pen to sheepfoot mods

Spear to clip mod with coping secondary

Big spear blade to Wharncliffe mod

Skinner blade to sheepfoot mod

Big spear to sheepfoot mod

Slimmed down the spear main and modified the clip into a sheepfoot

These mods are not hard to do with a belt sander and a little patience. I go slow and dip the blade in water between passes on the sander to prevent loss of temper. It really adds to the enjoyment of using a knife that you've "made your own."

 

[spyderg]

As mentioned, I’ve modded a couple myself. Sometimes however it just won’t look right to mod based on nick positions and where bellies start. I had wanted to make the pen a coping on my 56 but it wouldn’t look right without a regrind to remove all traces of the curve. I opted for spear into clip instead. I’m looking at the 78’s in particular but not sure if modding will look good enough or if I want to do it. I’ve modded quite a few knives actually but sometimes it’s nice to leave it alone too. Hmmm...
Thanks for the input so far guys.
Big spear to wharncliffe on that S&M looks great.

 

[black mamba]

Big spear to wharncliffe on that S&M looks great.

It should, that's the only one I didn't do myself. Mastersmith Don Hanson III did that one for me.

 

[Planterz]

The pen spear/clip and pen blade combo is one I never got on board with. I get it, I just don't care for it. I'd rather have a straight edge to compliment the curved. Which is why my 2 blade knives always have a coping or sheepsfoot or whatncliffe.

Because of this I've always passed on knives that I often appreciate aesthetically, but wouldn't like in use. The 56 Bird Dog, the 44 gunstock, most barlows, etc.

 

[chuko]

that knife is a Beauty! And don’t you have a back up in red to?

Yes I do. I like the pattern so much I didn't want to be without in case I lose the blue one.

 

[spyderg]

Well the enablers didn’t come out for this one. Seems there’s not too much reason for similar blades. I see SO many GEC and other brand knives with the spear/pen combo, but it seems like a lot of people prefer having different blades. I’m left wondering why they use that combo so often? Oh well probably better off not buying another one right now anyway, lol!

 

[Modoc ED]

I don't care much for the spear blade/pen blade combination. However, I do like a clip blade/pen blade combination knife such as a two blade jack built on a stockman pattern such as this Case 6292.

 

[Hickory n steel]

For me it doesn't make much difference at all, so I'm quite happy with Vic's spear pen combo.
What matters to me is equal sized blade, that's why I'm not a trapper or muscrat guy.
Not against stockman's though so I guess as long as one blade is longer I'm happy.

 

[traumkommode]

FWIW, I prefer a bellied blade and a straight edge, but often pen blades have such a slight belly that, while not straight, if I like the knife enough and can't pull off a coping blade bit because of the nick placement, the knife gets a pass for its effort.