Kwaks Trading Post

As a seasoned outdoorsman, I remember the thrill of building my first pocket knife collection. There’s nothing quite like holding a perfectly balanced pocket knife in your hand, knowing you’ve chosen the right pocket knife blade with the ideal shape for your needs. Maybe you’ve felt that magnetic pull towards the glass case at the gear shop, dazzled by rows of tantalizing blades. I sure did way back when!

But what makes a drop point different than a spear point anyway? I’m here to decode those perplexing knife terms for you budding collectors. After 30 years of hunting, camping, and putting countless pocket knives through their paces, I’ll walk you through finding the perfect shape. We’ll explore graceful clip points designed to pierce, rugged sheepsfoots for carving wood, and the ever-reliable drop point for versatility.

Don’t let the jargon intimidate you from finding a trusty pocket knife companion for life’s adventures. Rest assured, I’ll impart everything this old outdoorsman knows about pocket knife blades. Before long, words like “Wharncliffe” and “reverse tanto” will roll off your tongue. So let’s get started picking that first memorable pocket knife!

Drop Point Blade

Of all the pocket knife blades I’ve used over the years, the drop point remains one of my favorites for its versatility. Notice how the spine curves downward toward the tip? That’s the signature look of the drop point. It creates a broad belly with plenty of cutting edge while still tapering to a sturdy tip. For you new collectors, this all-purpose shape is a perfect place to start.

The main pros of the excellent drop point include:

• Great multi-purpose blade for most tasks
• Balanced strength and control
• Long cutting edge with strong point

The drop point affords you both slicing power for jobs like dressings game and controlled tip work for tasks like kindling the campfire. Its balance of strength and delicacy helps the drop point stand up to outdoor demands whether you’re traversing the trail or cooking dinner at the campsite.

A few minor limitations to keep in mind:

• Not ideal for piercing
• Point not as delicate as some blades
• Spine runs close to handle

While it may not pierce as efficiently as a clip point, I turn to my trusty drop point for everything from whittling tent pegs to cleaning fish. It’s the unsung workhorse of the pocket knife world.

Sheepsfoot Blade

While knives like the drop point may be jack-of-all-trades, the sheepsfoot is a master of control. Look for a straight cutting edge and an abruptly blunt tip—that’s a sheepsfoot blade. I learned to appreciate the sheepsfoot’s talents on backcountry camping trips when I needed to whittle wood or prep kindling. The flat shape and lack of sharp point creates a very safe blade for delicate work near your hands.

The Sheepsfoot’s strengths:

• Excellent control for close cutting
• Flat cutting edge ideal for whittling
• Safe shape for detail and carving work

Don’t expect to pierce or slice with the blunt sheepsfoot. Its talents lie in shaving wood curls, scoring leather, and chopping herbs without puncturing. For new collectors seeking a knife to practice bushcraft skills like making traps and snares, the sheepsfoot’s precision truly shines. The finger-friendly cutting edge allows you to grip close as you carve. While a bit specialized, the humble sheepsfoot shows how the right pocket knife blade enhances specific tasks.

Some limitations of the sheepsfoot:

• Poor piercing ability
• No sharp point or belly
• Curved edges can catch

Clip Point

The clip point is a hunter’s best friend when you need precision piercing. See the concave cut where the spine meets the tip. That’s the defining clip that gives this blade its name. It creates a fine, sharper point perfect for detailed work and poking holes. I rely on clip points when dressing game, as the narrow tip lets me smoothly pierce hide, and slice neatly.

Benefits of the reliable clip point:

• Excellent piercing capabilities
• Thin controllable tip
• Good for detail work

The clip point certainly won’t stand up to heavy chopping like a drop point. And the tip is more fragile than some shapes. But when control and piercing power are paramount, a quality clip point rarely disappoints. I use this delicate tip to intricately carve wood feathers for trout lures that drive fish wild. And the clipped edge keeps my cuts accurate as I cleanly filet panfish for the frying pan. For new collectors, the clip point is a staple blade to master.

Some drawbacks of the clip point:

• More fragile tipped
• Limited belly space
• Not meant for heavy jobs

Needle Point Blade

The slender needle point creates an instantly recognizable knife silhouette thanks to its sharply tapered tip. As the name suggests, it turns your pocket knife into a compact puncturing tool. I keep a needle point blade in my tackle box to cleanly pierce baitfish through the lip without tearing delicate flesh. The narrow tip also helps me loosen knots in fishing line that my fingers can’t pick apart.

Pros of the needle point:

• Superior piercing ability
• Thin, strong point

Cons to note:

• Weaker tip than some blades
• Very specialized use
• Small cutting edge

While the needle point has limited applications, it excels when you need targeted piercing power in a compact package. Just take care not to stress the tip as it is one of the more fragile pocket knife blades.

Spear Point:

Don’t let its aggressive name fool you – the spear point is elegant in its symmetry. The centered point is sharper than a drop point but far more durable than a needle point. I often use a spear point for detailed woodworking where I need a stronger tip for piercing holes and gentle slicing.

Pros:

• Sharp, strong point
• Good detail blade
• Balanced tip strength

Cons:

• Lacks slicing power
• Less belly than the clip point
• Not as tough as a drop point

In the right hands, the spear point strikes an ideal balance of piercing and precision.

Wharncliffe:

With its straight cutting edge and finger-friendly dull tip, the Wharncliffe is a woodworker’s best friend. I learned to appreciate its gradual curve while carving tent stakes – the flat shape prevents the knife from digging in too deep. It also performs admirably in the kitchen for chopping vegetables when you don’t want to ruin the cutting board!

Pros:

• Excellent control
• Flat cutting edge
• Good for skinning

Cons:

• No piercing ability
• Weak tip
• Small belly

The Wharncliffe truly excels at detail cuts across broad surfaces.

Straight Back:

You’ll recognize the straight back blade by its uncurved spine or straight edge that continues directly to the tip. This sturdy shape lends itself to forceful piercing that truly sinks in, making it a favorite of hunters. I like to keep a straight back in my pack when venturing into the wild.

Pros:

• Excellent piercing
• Very durable point
• Allows power behind tip

Cons:

• Weak at slicing
• Limited cutting edge
• Tip isn’t very nimble

While not very versatile, the straight back is ready to take on tough piercing tasks.

Tanto:

The Japanese Tanto pocket knife blade is an imposing sight with its distinct beveled point. Samurai swordsmiths perfected the Tanto – and for good reason. The angled tip is incredibly durable for piercing through tough materials. I even keep a Tanto fixed blade knife in my survival kit since it’s able to puncture and pry even in harsh conditions.

Pros:

• Very strong point
• Ideal for piercing and prying
• Angled tip adds durability

Cons:

• More specialized use
• Curved edges can catch
• Not ideal for delicate tasks

The Tanto is up to the toughest piercing and prying challenges.

Conclusion – Pocket Knife Blades: How to Choose the Right One For Your Job:

And there you have it – a trusty guide to common pocket knife blades! We’ve explored the versatile drop point, piercing clip point, delicate wharncliffe, and more specialized shapes like the needle point. While I hope this gives you a head start, there’s no teacher like experience. As you grow your knife collection, continue experimenting with different blade types. Discover which styles best suit your needs, whether it’s general use, hunting, survival, or wood carving.

The more time you spend using your pocket knife blades out in the field, the more your preferences will emerge. Pay attention to how easily a shape slices versus punctures and what tasks it tackles best. That’s how you’ll learn the nuances like how a clip point and drop point compare for detail work. And don’t forget to give unconventional designs a try too – from trailing point to upswept blades, the variations are endless!

Folding pocket knives offer the portability to always have a blade at the ready. But a fixed blade’s durability and strength remains hard to beat for demanding jobs. My advice? Carry both! Keep a trusty folder in your pocket and sheath a fixed blade for your pack or belt when adventure calls.

The journey of choosing pocket knives is a lifelong, rewarding one. I hope these blade shape basics help you gain confidence as you select that perfect knife. Here’s to many future fireside tales with your new pocket knife companion! Let the whittling begin!

Finally, if this post has sparked your interest, come pay us a visit at Kawks Trading Post! As a local shop serving the community for over 40 years, we take pride in helping outfit your outdoor adventures. Our glass cases are filled with pocket knife blades of all shapes and sizes just waiting to be tested. Our knowledgeable staff can assist you in finding the perfect knife for your needs.

We also gladly buy used knives in good condition to add to our inventory. From vintage pocket knives to custom fixed blades, we know collectible knives and pay fair, competitive prices. When you’re ready to sell a knife, bring it down or call us for a quote.

And if you enjoyed this guide, be sure to also check out one of our other pocket knife posts and share it with a friend by clicking one of the buttons below.

We hope to see you soon at Kawks Trading Post!