Swayback folder...why?

[--J]

Well google didn't help much so here's my Q; I bought a swayback folder from Sheffield while at the lastAtlanta blade show and find myself carrying it fairly often. While at a party last night it was left out on a cheese plate and being an elegant little Wharncliffe, sparked a few questions, one of them being...what's that style called, and, why is it shaped that way. But I couldn't answer the second part. So, could you tell me exactly what was the design used for?
Sorry if this comes off as a stupid question...folders are a weakness in my cutlery knowledge.
Thanks for your time,
--J

 

[dannyp]

This thread is the only one I could find here about the history of the pattern. Not really too much info there except that it is a very old design. It could just simply be that it's a comfortable shape, plus it exposes less of the blade in the closed position. If you look at other knives with wharncliffe or sheepfoot blades, they often stick out from the handle quite a bit when shut.

 

[--J]

Hey Danny thanks for throwing down on that one. With the amount of posts coming through this forum I kind of gave up after a while. Hard to believe all this knowledge hasn't brought forth the reason for it's concept or longevity, but there is an answer somewhere. It's not a great shape for most uses so I think it must have had a reason, like they say, necessity is the mother of invention..people were a lot more practical back then.