How to Learn about Pocket Knife Patterns
Pocket knives are tools made in all conceivable shapes and sizes dictated by the job they are designed to perform. Variations of standard patterns number into the hundreds, but folding knifes can be placed into basic groups for purposes of recognition and discussion. Knowing these patterns is vital to participation in the exciting hobby of knife collecting.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately challenging
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Whittling Knives
- Metal Polish
- 14-function Pocketknives
- Swiss Army Knives
- Seaman's Knives
- Pocket Knives
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1
Study one of many reference guides available on pocket-knife collecting. Authors will refer to the knives by patterns and will include pictures and descriptions.
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2
Attend knife shows and exhibitions where cutlery is displayed or sold. You will be astounded by the variations, but equally amazed by the similarities between different pocket knife styles and patterns.
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3
Visit with dealers or collectors and ask them to explain the difference between jack knives, pen knives and multi-blade knives.
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4
Know that a "jack knife" is the simplest form of folding knife. The standard jack knife has a blade or blades hinged only on one end; a double-end jack knife is heavier and the blades open on both ends.
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5
Be aware that a "pen knife" is a small, light-weight, double-ended knife with two or three blades that are hinged at both ends. A "quill knife," a small pen knife for trimming writing quills, has blades like a tiny jack knife opening only at one end.
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6
Understand that the "multi-blade pocket knife," commonly called a "Swiss Army knife," has existed for over 100 years and was once referred to as a "sportsman's knife." These knives can have from three to 100 or more blades.
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7
Learn to recognize variations of these standard patterns that are discribed by their shape - sleeveboard, equal-end, jumbo, sunfish, congress, canoe, dogs-leg or fish-tail, swell-centered or gunstock to name a few.
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8
Appreciate that pocket knife styles are influenced by what they are designed to do and are referred to as pruning knives, electrician's and janitor's knives, melon testers, maize knives or cotton samplers, or budding and grafting knives for example.
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9
Be aware that a "whittler" is a very popular and common three-bladed pen knife with two backsprings. The large blade bears on both springs and the two small blades open on the opposite end, each bearing on a single spring.
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10
Realize that multi-blade knives have implements that are not really blades at all, but are screwdrivers, bottle or can openers, pliers or wrenches, cork-screws or leather punches.
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Tips & Warnings
Knife patterns are confusing, especially at first, and the only way to learn about them is to spend time handling knives and referring to a reference guide.
Stockman knives, crooked jacks, farmer's jacks, folding hunters, coke-bottle, sailors or rope knives, timber scribers and physician and veterinary knives, corn knives, smokers knives and Boy Scout knives are but a few additional examples.
