Wharncliffe , Rams foot , Sheeps foot blades.... ?

TBAUGH7

TBAUGH7

Joined
Dec 26, 2002
Messages
491
I recently got a Northwoods Signal jack and I plan on using this knife . I normally carry a clip or drop point blade. I haven't used it yet but I can't get the feel for this totally flat edge and very fine tip.
How well does this type of blade stand up for everyday use ? Seems like after years of use the tip would round
 
@waynorth said something like (not a direct quote) every sheepfoot becomes a spey.

The tip will probably turn upwards somewhat and create a little curve/belly, but it doesn't really make it less effective at daily tasks.

My GEC TC barlow sheepfoot's tip has turned upwards, but it has taken A LOT of use and A LOT of sharpening.

2cpinoul.jpg
 
TBAUGH7 TBAUGH7
Often you'll find older ones with the tip rounded. I feel that allot of times its because the edge near the tip gets damaged/dull more quickly, and then people just touch up that area and carry on. Also if you use the same motion sharpening as you do with an upswept tip then it leads to more wear. People tend to lift the blade off the stone and drag the tip. With proper care and technique a straight edge can be maintained. It helps to have a stone wide enough to do the entire edge in one motion,without pulling the knife off the stone. I use a straight forward pushing motion like sharpening a wood chisel. Hope I'm clear and this helps:):thumbsup:
 
Whether the tip rounds and how fast and how much it rounds depends on the person sharpening the blade.

When sharpening a knife of this type or any type for that matter, DO NOT finish the sharpening stroke by letting the blade tip slip off the stone/sharpener. Stop the sharpening stroke and lift the tip of the blade off the stone/sharpener. Otherwise, you're just taking steel off the tip of the blade and eventually the tip will become rounded.
 
afishhunter said:
From my experience with the sheepsfoot blade, the tip only rounds if the blade is sharpened wrong.

Some folk swing the handle at the end of the stroke. Why they do, I have no clue.
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Modoc ED said:
Whether the tip rounds and how fast and how much it rounds depends on the person sharpening the blade.

When sharpening a knife of this type or any type for that matter, DO NOT finish the sharpening stroke by letting the blade tip slip off the stone/sharpener. Stop the sharpening stroke and lift the tip of the blade off the stone/sharpener. Otherwise, you're just taking steel off the tip of the blade and eventually the tip will become rounded.
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The tip wears quicker than the rest of the edge, in general, on a straight edged knife. Again, just in general, due to pull cuts.

So you have two options:

1) Sharpen the rest of the edge down more than the tip to keep the edge straight. This wears the blade out quicker and takes more sharpening, but will keep the edge straight.

2) Sharpen the edge evenly, taking the same amount of steel off all along the edge. This will follow the wear of the tip and create a slight upturn.

Although certainly poor sharpening can also ROUND the tip.
 
Thanks for the info. I understand about sharpening it properly . I was just thinking that when cutting or slicing anything on a flat surface the fine tip would be pressed into the board , plate , or other object you're cutting on wearing the tip out.
 
TBAUGH7 said:
Thanks for the info. I understand about sharpening it properly . I was just thinking that when cutting or slicing anything on a flat surface the fine tip would be pressed into the board , plate , or other object you're cutting on wearing the tip out.
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Don't cut on plates(paper plates are OK) or granite or glass or other very hard surfaces if you want your knife to stay sharp. I don't use my pocket knife at the dinner table ...
 
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