Why are Harpoon shaped blades popular currently?

[calm]

I like the shape and could see the lowered area behind the main point on the blade as a good place to rest your thumb when cutting. I could also see a use in them in stabbing, as once the main wide front part of the edge goes through you will not have a lot of friction from the rest, lowered part, of the blade.

They can definitely not be used as harpoons, as they are not designed to hook when pulled out.

Is there a specific reason they are currently popular?
Have they replaced the cleaver shape that used to be popular a few years ago?
Is it because Kizer makes them good and low cost? ( have some on order and have some harpoon based blades, but never gave it a second thought. They just happened to have that shape).

 

[jfk1110]

Because they be S E X Y.....

Recently acquired Persiapoon....... Is what the .maker calls it....

Thread 'Ochs Persiapoon Star 1 of 1' https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/ochs-persiapoon-star-1-of-1.2061384/

Previous owner takes way better pics than i

 

[Synov]

They look cool.

 

[Bigburly912]

Sometimes when cutting up game/mushrooms/ etc. it’s nice to have a spot for your thumb to lead some delicate slices. And gl drew makes an awesome harpoon.

 

[Maximumbob54]

Something new to look at. Like how a while back the "reverse tanto" was all the rage.

 

[abcdef]

Yeah, optics.

 

[Arathol]

Its been popular ever since it was first designed in 1914......

 

[Blues]

Well, you never know when you're gonna run into a whale...


I only have a couple of harpoons, but I think they're cool looking.

 

[Hammer67]

Consider me a "poon fan"...

 

[SharpBits]

I just like they way they look.

 

[jmh33]

I just like the way they look.

Ditto!!
John

 

[Alberta Ed]

Its been popular ever since it was first designed in 1914......

My Marbles Fieldcraft in 52100 from Mike Stewart's era there, a smaller model of the Woodcraft, is one of my favourite knives. Wish a major maker would bring it back into production. I asked Kabar, but they had no plans to do so.

 

[jbmonkey]

other than the crk zaan...I dont really care for them. course I didnt like the cleaver blades either.

 

[calm]

I did not see them being that popular, until recently.
They were around, but were a niche.

 

[XJ-linux]

Same reason the pile facia and character lines on vehicles every few design cycle, and remove them later… People like novelty and uniqueness, until they don’t.

 

[beeinak]

 

[tony281sc2]

Harpoons FTW!

 

[edgelion]

Mini cleavers make me giggle.

I'm not sure I'm a fan of harpoons. The Longhouse is my only example, and it's so subtle. I like it just fine, but it's not the first feature I'll look for on my next knife.

https://flic.kr/p/2r8X7NM

 

[StrangeDaze]

I’ve had a few harpoon style blades but personally think they look funky.
I’m glad some people enjoy them.

 

[Arathol]

Same reason the pile facia and character lines on vehicles every few design cycle, and remove them later… People like novelty and uniqueness, until they don’t.

The design isn't just novelty or anything like that. The knife as designed by George Brooks had a sharpened raised back edge for chopping. A few of the first production Woodcraft knives apparently had this then it was changed to just a swedge.