Why the secondary blade?

[Salernoslim]

I've noticed that on a lot of the vintage knives I buy, the secondary blade is quite often worn down much more than the main blade. Anyone else ever notice this and if so have any insight into why that is? Just curious.

[knife7knut]

Just for laughs I pulled out a bunch of old two blade knives I have and of the ten I looked at about half were as you describe.A couple had broken secondary blades.
One reason may be that if the knife were used to do a lot of wood carving the small blade is much easier and safer to use than the master blade.Also they are much thinner than a master blade so it follows that more of the blade would be removed during a regular sharpening. It might also be that the owner was somewhat inexperienced at sharpening and removed too much metal.Knives used by old time carpenters seem to favor using the small blade.Just a few random thoughts.

[Colonel666]

Hi. To grind a secondary blade narrow is usual for electricians. To be able to "poke" with some trades need that. In other cases the whole tip of a main blade can be "squared" off to be used like a chisel or screwdriver. The pocketknife is sometimes the only little "buddy" by your side in a tight jam. Hope this helps!

[Salernoslim]

That makes perfect sense.

[buck16]

I have noticed the use of the secondary blades by old timers and courthouse whittlers since I was a small boy. And of course it got more sharpening. I can only relate to what I have noticed here in the South.

[Salernoslim]

I have a couple where the master is almost completely full and the secondary is a nub. Always gives me that old "if this thing could talk" feeling.

[Dragunski]

From my own carrying experience, I think you want to save that big blade for when you really need it. For almost all day-to-day tasks, the pen blade does just fine, especially with leather, rope, whittling, almost any non-hunting use.

Since that blade gets used more, it also needs sharpening more, and thus gets more wear.

I've also seen those old whittler guys using the small blades. When you're doing delicate stuff, it's just easier to handle.

[buck16]

Well there ya go Drag. You better expressed what I was trying to say. I can recall my dad and other ole timers when in delicate negotiations (dog trade, mule trade, etc.) reaching down to the ground for a small stick to whittle with that secondary blade while maintaining their "trading face".

[Dragunski]

I haven't seen a lot of whittling. I think it's a dying art. And I've never seen a "Whittler" using a whittler knife, with the two tiny blades. Usually it's a jack or a stockman. Down South, I saw a few with old congress or "tobacco" knives, usually two bladed.

But they almost always use the small blade on their knives.