All About Pocket Knives

Is there any thing better (other than a cheap box cutter) that just destroys cardboard like a good carbon steel sheepsfoot? I think I use it more than any other blade especially at work. Our policy is no cardboard goes into the dumpster unless its broken down first. Now is the time to discuss with the boss why we all need old case stockmans (in chestnut bone of course) so we can do our part and help save on dumpster fees!

I use a sheepsfoot on a stockman or cattle knife more than any other blade, whether for cardboard or anything else. It's very useful.

I agree. The sheepsfoot blade is the blade I use more than any other. Most of the old stockman knives you see from around here will have more blade loss on the sheepsfoot blade than any other.

I cut a lot of cardboard strips for corners on desk skids. Yep, the sheepsfoot gets the most work. I use the main for inch thick bins though.
I don’t know what I’d do without my work knife. I used to just use the flat backed razor blades that we have provided. Now I’m having a bit of trouble with my right hand pinch grip. The knife is a lifesaver! It’s useful for the coworkers too - see my sig below!

Nothing shreds cardboard better than a good sheepsfoot blade.

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Mike

The right tool for the right job, my dad used to say. A box cutter is still the best tool for the job of cutting cardboard boxes. A pocket knife will do for sure, but a commercial quality box cutter can't be beat and it is a lot more comfortable in the hand especially if you have a lot of cardboard to cut.

Very interesting thread. When i was a kid i used to spend a lot of time at sheep and cattle sales with my cousin who was a stock and station agent [Auctioneer ]. All the old farmers had a particular type of knife in sheaths on there belts, they just called them working knives. I asked them why they all had these type of knives and they all said because of the straight edge, which kept an edge was easier to sharpen and was tough enough for any task. I found out later that these knives were Sheepsfoot/Lambsfoot.

I pretty much use the sheepsfoot for everything. Clip point is for big jobs, while the spey is mostly used to peel oranges. Sheepsfoot handles most of it. That's why I love the lambsfoot, sheepsfoot, and Wharncliffe blades as well--and I have many knives with one blade that is of those patterns.

Utility knives are great for jobs when you're cutting a lot of stuff--yet my main complaint is that a roughly 1" blade on a 4" knife is kinda a waste of space. I guess that's why I like a hawkbill in a hard steel--they're really the knife to have for cutting heavy materials like rope, conveyor belt, and cardboard.

I really need to get my Queen Railsplitter in D2 professionally sharpened. It never was that sharp to begin with (bought about 2 years before the company went under), and then I chipped the sheepsfoot (I was carving a hammer handle, then struck the hammer head; which was apparently even harder than D2--I thought most hand tools were made from D2 to start with?). Now, in D2, it shouldn't dull easily at all.

This Stanley Utility Knife is my favorite. Very comfortable in the hand and quick blade change. The blade is sort of a sheepfoot blade profile.

I agree the classic stanley boxcutter is the most efficient .....and some of the newer razor knives are kinda cool. Hell, I just saw a $140 razor knife somewhere for sale. (that is another thread for discussion for sure)
A classic pocketknife though has style, grace and often a provenance in its history that I just cant seem to replace with a boxcutter.

Well I got to go to the tool box or drawer for the box cutter or reach in my pocket, now what do you think I'm gonna use.

XX Case XX wrote:Nothing shreds cardboard better than a good sheepsfoot blade.

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Mike

Ditto!!!

Sheepsfoot- undoubtedly the best blade to cut cardboard!

Bob

bighomer wrote:Well I got to go to the tool box or drawer for the box cutter or reach in my pocket, now what do you think I'm gonna use.

I agree! .