Pocket and pen knives come with a range of blade shapes. You might chose a shape based on how it looks, or depending on the purpose you wish to use your pocket knife for.
We will run through a few of the most popular types of pocket knife blade and their uses.
Lambfoot
A lambfoot blade is arguably the most distinctive. The spine of the blade curves down towards the tip but the cutting edge is straight.
The lambfoot blade is used fo every day tasks such as cutting and detailed woodwork. It can even be used for food prep.
A practical and durable blade, associated with the Sheffield knife making industry.
Clip point
A clip point blade is characterised by its distinct cut-out or “clip” along the spine, creating a concave curve that leads to a sharp, pointed tip. This makes the point more controllable and effective for precision tasks.
The sharp point excels in tasks requiring puncturing or detailed slicing. The thin point, however, can be more fragile compared to other blade types.
Because the clip reduces the spine weight near the tip, it provides improved balance, giving the user more control during detailed tasks.
Spear Point
The spear point blade is a symmetrical blade shape with a long cutting edge that also excels at piercing.
Found below as the second, smaller blade on a twin blade pocket knife.
Barlow
Traditionally, Barlow knives feature a clip point or spear point blade.
The barlow is a design known for its simplicity, durability, and practicality.
The blade length is generally short, around 2.5 to 3 inches, making it compact for easy carrying.
Barlow blades are often made from high-carbon or stainless steel, providing a balance between edge retention and ease of sharpening.
The handle is elongated and reinforced at the bolster for durability. Typically made of nickel or brass, the bolster adds strength to the pivot area and provides a comfortable grip.
Barlow blades are designed for everyday tasks like whittling, carving, and light-duty cutting. Their robust construction and reliable blade make them popular among outdoor enthusiasts and collectors.
Pen knife
Originally, penknives were used for thinning and pointing quills. In fact the word pen derives from the latin penna meaning feather.
A penknife might also be used to sharpen a pencil, prior to the invention of the pencil sharpener.
Pen knives still continue to be used because of thier suitability for fine or delicate work. A penknife generally has one or two pen blades.
