Sheepsfoot Blade

L

LaMess

Joined
Nov 24, 2001
Messages
120
For what uses is the sheepsfoot blade advantageous? I see them on rescue type blades, riggers knives and chip carving knives. What else?

I understand the need for a blade that won't stick somebody when cutting clothing, seat belts etc. What's the advantage of the straight cutting edge? Riggers were said to cut line by holding the knife still and thwacking it but is it just tradition for other uses?

Thanks Y'all
 
It is a definate advantage in chip carving. The point is very rigid for digging into the wood, the straight edge is great for straight cutting. A good whittler knife will offer a straight edged, blunt pointed blade in addition to a sharp point, curved edge blade. That way you can cover most kinds of cuts. I like sheepsfoot blades a lot, I use it more than anything else probably. I very rarely need a point for stabbing with.
 
The sheeps foot blade form is very usefull for all tasks that do not require a point, or a belly; such as piercing and skinning. Other than that, the blade form has a lot of advantages; it is all stright edge, hence very easy to sharpen; works well for straight drawing cuts in leather, paper, fabric where the point of the edge is used, edge down, with a finger on the back of the blade and the blade pulled towards oneself. also works very well for use edge up with a full grip pulling through tough material like leather, vinyl, etc.

If we were not so fixated on every small knife doubling as a weapon, we might recognise the usefullness of more of the traditional blade forms, such as this one, more. You will notice that A.G. Russell's "all-purpose" blade form they use on some of their knives is of the same family, moving towards the Warncliffe pattern, and has more point. Worth looking at.
 
The wharncliff is basically a sheepsfoot with a point. The straight edge of either is best suited to either a pull cut while pushing through some thin material (fabric, leather, roofing paper, etc) and pulling (as has already been mentioned). It is also very good for the kind of cutting that requires a sawing motion like cutting through thick rope, hose, or netting. Probably a reason it is popular with those who work with lots of rope.
 
I just love the sheepfoot blade, good to go for almost anything and before you ask that would include self defense with the right fixed blade sheepfoot.

Boxes, envelopes, rope, paper, stripping insulation, strait lines on almost anything and like it's already been said the best whittler blade on the planet! :D

Not good for cutting a small hole or pounding though a 55 gallon steel drum, but that's about it! :p LOL hehe

James
 
I love the Sheepsfoot blade. It allows you bear down during a heavy cut in rope, leather, etc... It also makes a good scraper. I use it when a pointed knife might cause damage. A large Stockman gives you the best of all worlds:D.
 
Without a doubt the sheepsfoot (and it's cousin the wharncliff) blade is
by far the most useful shape for everyday chores. Seldom is the belly
on a clip or spear needed for most thigs we do. However, a knife blade
needs a belly to be a good knife because in most peoples mind that
is what a knife is supposed to look like.

As a result the purpose behind a sheepsfoot is lost on the general population.
The combination of sheepsfoot and clip is what made the stockman such
a favorite knife with millons of people without them knowing excatly why.
All most knew or cared was it always seemed to right for the job. That is
why a large stockman is my daily carry when I can carry one.
 
As above. I believe there is a spectrum of blade curvature, where the most curve (belly) is for longer, slashing, cuts, while the least curvature is for more detailed, fine cutting. I use a lot of rigging knives, and they are significantly better for precision cutting of rope than knives with more of a belly.

If anyone is interested, I have a short discussion on this (admittedly not intended for knife enthusiasts) on the "knives for knots" section of my knotting page http://www.folsoms.net/knots/

Al Folsom
 
I agree with El Cid ^ My favorite shop knife is a straight edge fixed blade that I made 20 years ago.
 
I have a crkt Gray Ghost with a wharncliffe blade
I love it for EDC. But what I would really like is
a wharncliffe blade with a Titanium frame lock like
crkt's S-2. I would be all set!:D
 
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