When do you reach for a Sheepsfoot?

[Scott J.]

Just curious, what tasks do you encounter where you think to yourself "I'm going to grab my Sheepsfoot for this"
For me the only time I use the small Sheepsfoot on my Stockman knives is if I need to shave, shape or whittle some wood.
Now I own this beautiful 86 Angus and think it looks great with that big Sheepsfoot blade and it will get used, but the main draw for me was aesthetics, it's just an awesome looking knife.
So if you have something like the Angus and a Trapper in your pocket when are you choosing the Sheepsfoot over the clip, spey or drop?

 

[JohnDF]

Opening feed bags, Amazon packages, cardboard, cutting steaks, slicing food, you name it... it's pretty versatile... even trimming a sheep's feet from what i can tell.

 

[huntnfishin]

I used one to cut some window screen the other day. Draw cuts mostly.

 

[jsdistin]

For sure anything you would grab a razor blade, box cutter or x-acto knife for.

 

[TheChunk91]

It’s the #1 blade for most things.

 

[Scott J.]

I appreciate the answers so far. For most things I'm usually opening a clip point, I'm going to have to resist that and see if I'm better off with the sheepsfoot for some of these.

 

[Hickory n steel]

For sure anything you would grab a razor blade, box cutter or x-acto knife for.

Yep that's pretty much it for me.
Mostly for me it's actually a coping blade and not a sheeps foot, but they're functionally the same thing.

 

[SVTFreak]

Opening things. Boxes, clamshells, etc. That sharp, strong point does it easy without cutting too deep.

 

[Blues]

It's my favorite do-it-all utility blade...and easy to maintain.

 

[cudgee]

As all stated above. They were historically made as working knives for many industries, have a look at electricians knives, sailors knives and horticultural/pruning knives all the same shape as a sheepsfoot in some way. They were called working/farmers knives when i was a kid, a long time ago. So in answer to your question, any job you need a hard working sturdy blade, and there is no better blade for cutting up cardboard boxes. And you have a ripper with your new Angus Jack so enjoy it and use my friend, it is well built solid knife.

 

[sf fanatic]

For me it is almost always a lambfoot or sheepfoot. For me they are the right tool for most of my daily cutting needs. Which includes slicing, chopping and straight line cuts. When properly sharpened they cut through boxes etc.. like a laser.

 

[TheChunk91]

I’ll also add that my dad’s favorite and most used blade is the sheepsfoot on his small schrade stockman. He’s not a knife nut, but he brags on that sheepsfoot blade.

 

[CyberRacer]

My preferred blade shape for:
a) Opening packages
b) Widening out that damned pin hole in the lid on my morning coffee

 

[Just Tom.]

Marking and scoring things. Cutting flat sheets of whatever material along a straight edge. On a stockman, it’s what I use the most. I wish more 2-blade knives used a sheepsfoot or Wharncliffe as a secondary instead of a pen blade.

 

[Old Hunter]

Drywall, cut the paper down the 4’ width, snap with your knee, then put the cut piece at a 90 degree angle and cut the back paper - nice clean cut. Then there is all the other stuff mentioned above. For me the most useful blade on a pocketknife. My Grandad was an electrician much of his adult life, I watched him many a time hold a piece of ROMEX cable and his wire skinning knife (Sheepfoot blade) in his right hand and pull the wire with his left hand, skinning the ROMEX cover off as he pulled it. OH

 

[Modoc ED]

If ya only had one knife with one blade on ya and that blade was a Sheepsfoot blade you'd be set for almost any cutting task that might come up.

 

[Hyesouljah]

I enjoy using my 93 for apples tbh. Now that I think about it, actually all of my traditionals get used for apples I guess I need to leave my main carry at home more often and pocket a traditional

 

[knarfeng]

Just curious, what tasks do you encounter where you think to yourself "I'm going to grab my Sheepsfoot for this"

Any time I need to start a cut in the middle of a surface I want a sheepsfoot blade. Clam shell packaging, boxes, lots of things. The advantage to a sheepsfoot is that you can push as hard as you can on the point, and all you are doing is forcing the blade to stay open. It literally cannot close on your hand because you are forcing it to stay open. So, anytime you need to push with the point to pierce or start a cut, a sheepsfoot is perfect for the job.

 

[Sacto]

A sheepsfoot is my favorite blade. It seems to work best for my general uses. They’re great for anything you need to pierce to cut - boxes, feed bags, pallet wrap, etc, and they also work fine cutting up fruit. Throw it in your pocket and I think you’ll see just how versatile it is.

 

[jmarston]

Preferred for most day to day tasks and chores. Does well at pretty much everything besides dressing game. I like California clips on a slip joint for that.