Why is the clip blade so dominant?

One of my favorite clips, on an S&M 4" stockman. Paired with a sheepfoot makes the best combo for me.

K9stocker_zpsivg3iey0.jpg~original
 
Those are some great-looking clips Don :thumbup: From a purely aesthetic viewpoint, I think a nicely-done clip-point is hard to beat :thumbup:
 
For general utility, the clip point seems the most useful of blades. The upswept tip, and the belly of the blade, provides a cutting surface most others don't. The drop point, spey blade, pen blade and sheepfoot blade also provide great utility as well. This is why the Peanut, Stockman, Pen knife, Texas Jack and Congress patterns are so popular. General utility "rules the roost".

Captain O
 
Here's a pic from the 1946 Camillus catalog. They featured an insane number if clip variations (even the "skinner" is really a clip), in comparison to all of the other blade shapes. A full 1/4 of their blade shapes were clips.

It's clip madness!!!

L7doSDhh.png
 
As a general rule, I don't care for clip point either and have passed on nice knives because of them. However...As mentioned above GEC does a nice job on some clips and I like the Lanny clip style of knives so I guess they aren't all bad!
I really have a problem with the thin clip blades like a Turkish clip because they seem fragile and are also difficult for me to sharpen.
 
I love the looks of a good clip blade with a nice swedge. It just looks so right lol. In actual use I've learned the sheepsfoot is probably my all time favorite blade though and at first I thought it was kind of ugly but now I think a sheepsfoot looks fantastic especially with a swedge & longpull.
 
I think it all chalks up to this... "What can *inter said blade pattern* not do?"

I think when you break it down you'll see that the clip blade will be near the top due to the fact that there is pretty much nothing the clip blade pattern cannot do well. Is it perfect at everything? Absolutely not. However, the clip pattern does almost everything from slicing, to skinning, to stabbing, etc. very well. Most other patterns have some inherent weakness in its design. A clip wont do what a specialized pattern can do to perfection (think pruning), but it can and will still get the job done. Its basically the do it all blade IMO.
 
Notwithstanding my comments above on its aesthetics, personally, I find the clip one of the least versatile blade shapes.
 
Buzzbait said:
Here's a pic from the 1946 Camillus catalog. They featured an insane number if clip variations (even the "skinner" is really a clip), in comparison to all of the other blade shapes. A full 1/4 of their blade shapes were clips.

It's clip madness!!!

L7doSDhh.png
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I think my objection to the clip is when the line coming down to the point is curved inward. In the above diagrams, the "Long Clip" and "Saber Clip" both have that a bit, but the actual "Clip" doesn't seem to (perhaps very subtle).

On some knives that I've seen, the point is actually higher than the back of the blade. I hate that.
 
supergnat said:
On some knives that I've seen, the point is actually higher than the back of the blade. I hate that.
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A trailing point. Can't see I'm a fan either, but I suppose it increases the belly.
 
From what I understand the clip is the the favorite in the US. However, the spear seems to be the pattern of choice in Europe. Not the hunters there that we have here.
 
btmccutcheon said:
From what I understand the clip is the the favorite in the US. However, the spear seems to be the pattern of choice in Europe. Not the hunters there that we have here.
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Yes, could be, but most hunting is with fixed blades in Europe and not many are Spear..Spears and Leaf blades are certainly more common on many folding knives here, but this too is variable. If you look at old catalogues, the Clip type blade seemed to dominate from the end of the c19th not so many Stockman type knives with Spear master for instance. So, it's a kind of custom/habit.

Problem is, I like all blades :thumbup: Some Clips are better than others from an aesthetic standpoint, but then the same is true of Spears. GEC's 85 Spear is particularly alluring, give me a Stabber Jack:D:D

Thanks, Will
 
It's always worth remembering with those old catalogues, that most of the knives produced were getting sent across the Atlantic, and I guess the old cutlers made what they figured they could sell, Bowie knives and wee pocket Bowies ;) :thumbup:
 
I always thought the clip blade was a compromise blade in that while it could do a better job of skinning than a drop and its a better chopper and whittler than a skinner or such. I can't say for sure though and my SAK has a drop while my Buck has a clip.
As far as aesthetics or appearance I never considered a knife as part of a fashion show. I don't think a fish cares what I'm cleaning him with. If I have to use a knife to defend myself against a thug, I don't think the bad guy is going to ask to be stabbed with a more stylish blade. Of Course I could be wrong.
'
 
Why is the clip blade so dominant?
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Because it's awesome! There are many variations, but when done right there's nothing better.

slide13 said:
Bose_1.jpg
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The above knife is nigh perfect IMO. Put it in 3.75" closed package and I'd probably sell a kidney for one.

How can you not love a well-done clip?

- Christian
 
In looking through old knife catalogs from the early 1900's, the clip and spear seem to be pretty evenly divided. Wharncliffe and sheepsfoot blades were very popular as well. Reducing the number of patterns due to costs are to blame, along with changing tastes. Maybe the former has more to do with it than the latter, if the patterns are no longer being made and folks aren't familiar with them, there is little demand.

A well designed spear is my preference. I seem to poke myself in the fingers more often with a clip...attributed to old age I suppose :)
 
I feel sort of naked if I don't have a clip point blade on my knife. I find the fine point very useful in many situations. It can get into smaller spaces for carving or reaming; it is great for cleaning trout or birds; and I find it more aesthetically pleasing.

 
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