The Inconspicuous Spey Blade

[TAH]

Need some recommendations. I want to get the most out of my 301. I use the large clip point for general cutting and the sheepsfoot for everything else, but the spey is feeling rejected.

What good uses have you found for the spey blade that makes it a better choice than the other two blades? If it can be avoided, I really don't want to go around castrating animals, but I will if I have to.

 

[bertl]

I kind of look at the spey blade as the "sacrifice" blade—used for rough jobs. It's a blade I don't worry much about keeping sharp. I smoke a pipe so it gets use as a pipe reamer. In a pinch it can be used as a can opener. Just keep your fingers out of the way for the initial smack to penetrate the lid. I should ask my grandson about this. Right now he's busy calving and it won't be long before it's time to cut calves. Maybe he will use it for its original purpose, but I think more specialized tools are used these days.

Bert

 

[TAH]

Hmmm, I don't smoke a pipe or eat canned goods very often, but thanks for the reply.

 

[eveled]

Turn it into a wharncliffe. Or a clip point.

I suppose if you ever find yourself in a life raft you’ll be glad to have a blade without a point.

 

[sassafrassdogs]

If you don't want to do animals, I know a few humans that need's to have that procedure done...

 

[TAH]

I suppose if you ever find yourself in a life raft you’ll be glad to have a blade without a point.

If I ever find myself in a life raft, hopefully, it will be stocked with survival canned goods and I can use bertl's advice.

 

[afishhunter]

It makes a good budding blade.

sassafrassdogs "Humans" are animals, too. Some of them are dumber than a slug ("Progressive" liberals, and the majority of politicians, for example) and/or meaner than a Grizzly is to a salmon. Many are almost as trustworthy as a rattlesnake.

 

[Old Hunter]

I use the Spey on my carry pocketknife for opening foil seals (under caps) on cans of chemicals such as anti-freeze, lubricants, etc. I use a pen blade the same way - this past Saturday I used one to open the foil seal on a small bottle of Stabil prior to filling a can of gasoline. I do keep one new and clean Buck 303 in the bathroom - I use it for opening the same style seals on medicine bottles. Don't mix the two knives up! Those chemicals will discolor carbon blade steel, but won't bother a Buck with stainless steel. OH

 

[redcanoe]

I have found the Spey blade perfect for whittleing a convex shape such as the bowl of a spoon put the end of the blade down in the center and make curving cuts working your way to the outside edge I used to do this bare handed now I use a cut resistant glove on my left hand go slowly and be careful

 

[Lesknife]

It works good for skinning small game. And carving/ cleaning depressions where you can’t get the long or straight blade into. I probably use the spayblade more than the Sheepsfoot. Push cuts and inverted cuts where the drop point protects and doesn’t damage the clean side.

 

[Hickory n steel]

When I used a Schrade 34OT in attempts to whittle the spey was good for making things like eyes and other dished cuts.
Not that I knew what I was doing or anything, but I could see the usefulness of the various blades.

 

[Old Hunter]

Just found another use, opening fishing lure boxes. OH

 

[Grateful]

I started using the spay blade a couple years ago or so just to see what the heck it was good for. Now I probably use it more than the sheepsfoot blade. It’s a sturdy blade that’s good for general use. Really anything but stabbing.

 

[David Martin]

The sheeps foot is the one I use for castrating and the spey I use to skin small game. The clip I use to slice my summer sausage and apple with. DM

 

[JD Bear]

I've always used mine for cutting on surfaces I wouldn't want my other blades touching. Like if I have to push cut some vacuum hose or paracord on a tabletop or something. Stuff like that. Even scraping if I ever need to. I use it as a utility blade more than anything else....

 

[TAH]

Great responses, everyone! I have a new appreciation for that little guy.

 

[Ace Rimmer]

Good for making a straight cut in leather, clipping an article out of a magazine, etc.

 

[TAH]

Good for making a straight cut in leather...

Interesting. This is one task I do quite often, but always use the sheepsfoot.

 

[David Martin]

That's the one ^ I'd use for cutting leather as well. DM

 

[eveled]

I was thinking the same thing. Maybe he’s confused about the blade shapes? No big deal. Until I joined here I would have called the Spey blade “the goofy roundish one!” I never ever would have guessed it’s real purpose.

This thread has been interesting to me. My Dad always carried a Camillus Boy Scout whittler. I loved that knife and had to have one like it. It was my second ever pocket knife.

He lost his it at some point (30 + years ago) and replaced it with a Buck301. I thought he was stepping backwards because I thought the Spey blade was useless and much preferred the small clip point on the Camillus. At the time I never would have guessed they were both Camillus made.