What are the advantages to a lambsfoot blade?
- Thread starter Asa Samuel
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safer as it is more difficult to stab yourself with it.
If you are using the straight part of a blade for carving (for example) then you have a uniform edge right to the tip. For a lot of things you also don't need a belly, so the flat is quite handy.
Really it's what you get used to.
If you are using the straight part of a blade for carving (for example) then you have a uniform edge right to the tip. For a lot of things you also don't need a belly, so the flat is quite handy.
Really it's what you get used to.
Ok, what about usefulness compared to something like a mora clipper shape? would the lambsfoot give the blade more strength at the tip? One thing that I could see as a worry is that closer to the tip on a clipper-style knife is that when carving curves into wood then the thinner part of the blade near the tip would be easier whereas the lambsfoot would be very difficult to carve curves. Have I just answered my own question or is there other things to take into account?
My left thumb knuckle would disagree with you there! 
The way that I look at it is that the sheep's foot blade is handy in the workshop for general tasks, cutting flat material against a cutting board, certain whittling tasks, and as an emergency knife for cutting rope. However, for general outdoor use the belly is important and to have a blade without a belly will handicap you more than the straight edge will help.
and more dangerous if you do stab or try to bore with it as the low point means a Folder will close easily and quickly in your Hand because a saftye catch needs a specific reason to carry 
HSE ARE YOU LISTENING 
ATB
Duncan
HSE ARE YOU LISTENING ATB
Duncan
I'm sorry to say this but I find the opposite to be true, if your edge is straight you're cutting with just the tip (up to the thickness of the material plus a little extra due to angle-of-attack). With a bellied blade you use a sheering cut, thereby using more of the cutting edge and so dulling it less (and more generally so you don't have to sharpen just one point on your knife)
I've always liked a straight edge for use 'in hand' as a general purpose blade, maybe not the best for really fine carving (as in removing fag paper thicknesses from the outside of a Kuksa) but really good for what the Sheeps-foot blade was designed for, clean cutting of a tough material (in this case sheep hoof ) under difficult conditions ( as sheep wriggle and you're bent over) all day if you had to.
My Grandfather's pocket knife had two blades (a Stockman type I think), one bellied and one sheepsfoot, he was a keen gardener and used his knife almost every day (mainly for cutting stuff 'in hand' rather then on a board). The sheepsfoot was nearly worn out, the pen-knife nearly untouched (apart from sharp) as he barely used it.
Thats my thoughts,
Oh, and the advantages, its strong all the way to the end and really easy to sharpen (as you don't have any problems with trying to get the right angle on a curve)......and Mr Plod doesn't take such a dim view of them as they look like tools, coz they haven't got a nasty (body-armour piercing) point
Well too each their own, but I have yet to figure how to cut out card, lino, or leather on a cutting board using the belly of a normal knife. The craft and Stanley knives sold for this purpose all have straight edges. Cutting with the tip works against straight edges, and for cutting tight curves.
I always kind of wondered about this myself, as I have never read any explanation of the blade prior to today. However, I have a Case pocket knife that has three blades, one being a lambsfoot, and I have come more and more to rely on that particular blade, yet I couldn't say why.
All I know is that I have really come to like it over time.
All I know is that I have really come to like it over time.
A lamb/sheepfoot blade is really good for cutting cloth or similar by running the blunt curve of the blade along the floor. Apparently this explains their popularity with sailors of old who cut canvas lying on wooden decks.
I carried a lambfoot pattern for years as a general pocket knife, perfectly adequate for cuting string, opening packets, cutting veg etc and not bad for dressing game.
Also quite "sheeple" freindly as they don't generally appear threatening.
In fact, I think I might dig my old one out, sharpen it up and try it again for a couple of weeks.
Dave
I carried a lambfoot pattern for years as a general pocket knife, perfectly adequate for cuting string, opening packets, cutting veg etc and not bad for dressing game.
Also quite "sheeple" freindly as they don't generally appear threatening.
In fact, I think I might dig my old one out, sharpen it up and try it again for a couple of weeks.
Dave
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OK, you're right, for cutting along a rule or following a pattern then the short straight blade of a Stanley is great.
However, to skive leather (reduce its thickness), cut foam or any kind of food prep on a board you do need a bellied blade
Any of you still wondering where the name comes from, did you see The Victorian Farm?
The guys were at one point trimming the sheep's hoofs with one, hence the name
Not sure about the skiving to be honest
This is my skiving knife - no belly on it
A belly does come in really useful for skinning and I like some curve for slicing meat and prepping veg
I do like a sheepsfoot for general chores though. My EDC has one and a clip point bellied blade. I use both but I do find myself using the sheepsfoot more
Red
This is my skiving knife - no belly on it
A belly does come in really useful for skinning and I like some curve for slicing meat and prepping veg
I do like a sheepsfoot for general chores though. My EDC has one and a clip point bellied blade. I use both but I do find myself using the sheepsfoot more
Red
I read somewhere that sheepsfoot blades were popular on sailing ships of old where sailors went barefoot most of the time. If a sheepsfoot blade were dropped, it was much less likely to stab their foot.
As for me, I find the blade shape good for detail carving, and I use one for alot of my leather working.
As for me, I find the blade shape good for detail carving, and I use one for alot of my leather working.
I also understand that there was a prohibition against 'other ranks' carrying pointed blades on RN ships, in case the ship rolled at inopportune moment.
