Great video Tobias! I appreciate the time and effort that you put into educating the knife community. It is a big part of what makes this such a fun hobby.
When my uncle returned from Korea in his F-86F we met him in Delaware before he headed to his next stop in Germany. I sat in the cockpit with eyes on his survival-cockpit cutting knife. I have looked over many, both period originals and copies but can't quite settle on his. Maybe I never will.
What a great tutorial, & I love your funny suggestion to boost the price of a knife by $5 if the buyer wants to quibble about precision terminology in an area where terms are a bit fluid. I learned something again from you today, & every day of life should educate us at least a little in my opinion.
I think the Turkish clip term comes from the long clip reminding people of the Yatagan style, which also varies a lot. When I used to buy knives in the UK years back, any curved clip on a fixed blade was always called a Bowie clip even though many Victorian Sheffield made bowies had no clip, straight clips, long clips or even a double edge. The two Andujars are nice, I have one of their folding Bowies, an excellent camping knife.
Well you can call it a Spanish clip, or you can call it a California clip, or you can call it a Turkish clip, but you doesn't have to call it Johnson. Great video, Tobias. I learn so much about traditional knives watching your channel!
Didn't know that about false edge. Double edged/false edge may be illegal in some states because they may be classed as a dagger. even though we know they are not. Though I have double bit axes and hooked and not so hooked carving knives with two edges. Thanks
I like your opinions on what a clip point is. Getting in a heated discussion over what kind it is; is funny. Something that that might be interesting to know about bayonets. According to the Geneva Convention bayonets are not to have cutting edges. They are stabbing weapons; this seems strange however, while serving in the Marine Corps you better not be caught with a sharpened bayonet. Whatever the rules of the Geneva Convention state; I know from being trained to use them. The point works for slashing, and stabbing. Sharpened edges are more difficult to pull out and get stuck; that was discovered by Marines fighting in the Pacific and likely is why no bayonets had sharp edges thru history. A bayonet is a bayonet and a dagger is a dagger sharpened or not sharpened. A clip point is a clip point not matter what else you want to call it. Swedged blades and false edges might look the same but using your finger to find out is a bad idea regardless. My brother-in-law found out when he decided to inspect the knife I cut my wedding cake with. It was my Randall model 14 Attack knife with a cute ribbon tied on it. He left a good blood trail to the men’s room a blind man could follow. I didn’t know the correct term for a false edge until now; thank you for the definition and bringing back a fond memory.
Great video. Is it like the sheep foot / wharccliff kind of whatever the maker calls it or whatever someone is willing to pay for it to be called what they want? It is kind of funny to me that there are not hard and fast rules regarding the definition of blade shapes and spine styles. Would it be possible for you to do a video on what is filework and what was milled. Seems people really prefer to call it filework. Is there a way to determine whether it was milled or filed? Enjoyed the video as always and really liked the history lesson.
I usually use the term "California clip." In addition to the names that you have given, I've also seen it called a "Western clip." It really doesn't matter that much to me since "a rose by any other name would smell as sweet."
I love it when some knife pedant posts a comment to pull me up for using an, apparently, wrong term - eg webs vs liners, covers vs scales, drop point vs skinner. Life’s too short to worry!
The last one you could even call a Persian clip point, but I won't argue you for five bucks hahaha. Very nice video Tobias, it cleared a lot for me specially on the clip points. I wonder why a lot of clip point folders have a satin blade finish and fixed clip points have a mirror finish, any thoughts on that? Thank you for the entertaining video.
I call the Russ-Lock a Woodpecker because the original design has the profile of Woody Woodpecker. I also have a Queen made Toothpick that was called a Woodpecker. So I wouldn't doubt that the large toothpick has had that name at one time.
I would say that because there really isn't a traditional Turkish blade that has a clip of any kind, it much more likely originated from France's Laguiole, and modified with a bowie style curved clip in California.
The laguiole isn’t that old and was said to have been influenced by knives out of Northern Spain. These knives supposedly evolved from the Moorish influence in Spain. However, the blade shape was also common in Italy. This is why I feel it is more important for knife guys to know that one blade style may go by a variety of names. None are necessarily wrong.
Mine is to answer the why but the what. The style is commonly referred to as a California Clip by both makers and and by users. You are not required to use the term. Feel free to call it a Turkish or Spanish Clip. As I said, I think it is more important to know that similar style clip blades have multiple names. For me it isn't a point worth arguing.
Let me also add I can see how people in Europe and non USA nations would see the term “California Clip” somewhat idiotic, especially for a blade that is older than California.
Great video Tobias! I appreciate the time and effort that you put into educating the knife community. It is a big part of what makes this such a fun hobby.
When my uncle returned from Korea in his F-86F we met him in Delaware before he headed to his next stop in Germany. I sat in the cockpit with eyes on his survival-cockpit cutting knife. I have looked over many, both period originals and copies but can't quite settle on his. Maybe I never will.
Thanks for the education . Always informative knife videos Tobias . I learn something new from most of your knife chats .
False edge. That makes sense.
I have several knives with a false edge. That’s where I like to put serrations, if I want serrations.
Thanks to clearing that up buddy! Also thanks for the great visual examples you showed. Take care amigo!
Thank you for the clarification.
Thanks for the clarification and for another chance to view part of your collection.
What a great tutorial, & I love your funny suggestion to boost the price of a knife by $5 if the buyer wants to quibble about precision terminology in an area where terms are a bit fluid. I learned something again from you today, & every day of life should educate us at least a little in my opinion.
Thanks for another great video!
I think the Turkish clip term comes from the long clip reminding people of the Yatagan style, which also varies a lot.
When I used to buy knives in the UK years back, any curved clip on a fixed blade was always called a Bowie clip even though many Victorian Sheffield made bowies had no clip, straight clips, long clips or even a double edge.
The two Andujars are nice, I have one of their folding Bowies, an excellent camping knife.
Another really informative video, thanks Tobias ! (KB Wales UK)
Well you can call it a Spanish clip, or you can call it a California clip, or you can call it a Turkish clip, but you doesn't have to call it Johnson.
Great video, Tobias. I learn so much about traditional knives watching your channel!
Informative video! Checked the collection afterwards. No California clips yet for me I guess. Thanks!
This has been a subject of debate for a while, thanks for sorting it out and I'll be passing on your videos to prove myself correct!
Great explanation mate really enjoyed. Atb paddy
Didn't know that about false edge. Double edged/false edge may be illegal in some states because they may be classed as a dagger. even though we know they are not. Though I have double bit axes and hooked and not so hooked carving knives with two edges. Thanks
I like your opinions on what a clip point is. Getting in a heated discussion over what kind it is; is funny. Something that that might be interesting to know about bayonets. According to the Geneva Convention bayonets are not to have cutting edges. They are stabbing weapons; this seems strange however, while serving in the Marine Corps you better not be caught with a sharpened bayonet. Whatever the rules of the Geneva Convention state; I know from being trained to use them. The point works for slashing, and stabbing. Sharpened edges are more difficult to pull out and get stuck; that was discovered by Marines fighting in the Pacific and likely is why no bayonets had sharp edges thru history. A bayonet is a bayonet and a dagger is a dagger sharpened or not sharpened. A clip point is a clip point not matter what else you want to call it. Swedged blades and false edges might look the same but using your finger to find out is a bad idea regardless. My brother-in-law found out when he decided to inspect the knife I cut my wedding cake with. It was my Randall model 14 Attack knife with a cute ribbon tied on it. He left a good blood trail to the men’s room a blind man could follow. I didn’t know the correct term for a false edge until now; thank you for the definition and bringing back a fond memory.
Great video. Is it like the sheep foot / wharccliff kind of whatever the maker calls it or whatever someone is willing to pay for it to be called what they want? It is kind of funny to me that there are not hard and fast rules regarding the definition of blade shapes and spine styles.
Would it be possible for you to do a video on what is filework and what was milled. Seems people really prefer to call it filework. Is there a way to determine whether it was milled or filed?
Enjoyed the video as always and really liked the history lesson.
Nice video 🦉
I usually use the term "California clip." In addition to the names that you have given, I've also seen it called a "Western clip." It really doesn't matter that much to me since "a rose by any other name would smell as sweet."
I love it when some knife pedant posts a comment to pull me up for using an, apparently, wrong term - eg webs vs liners, covers vs scales, drop point vs skinner. Life’s too short to worry!
I’m working on a covers vs. scales rant even as I type!
The last one you could even call a Persian clip point, but I won't argue you for five bucks hahaha. Very nice video Tobias, it cleared a lot for me specially on the clip points. I wonder why a lot of clip point folders have a satin blade finish and fixed clip points have a mirror finish, any thoughts on that? Thank you for the entertaining video.
12:41 I’ve heard it called a woodpecker. Or is that just what they call that particular type of knife?
I call the Russ-Lock a Woodpecker because the original design has the profile of Woody Woodpecker. I also have a Queen made Toothpick that was called a Woodpecker. So I wouldn't doubt that the large toothpick has had that name at one time.
I would say that because there really isn't a traditional Turkish blade that has a clip of any kind, it much more likely originated from France's Laguiole, and modified with a bowie style curved clip in California.
The laguiole isn’t that old and was said to have been influenced by knives out of Northern Spain. These knives supposedly evolved from the Moorish influence in Spain. However, the blade shape was also common in Italy.
This is why I feel it is more important for knife guys to know that one blade style may go by a variety of names. None are necessarily wrong.
Confused, you will be🤪
So many generations of knives of this style built before California existed! What's the excuse of calling the knives Californian clip?
Mine is to answer the why but the what. The style is commonly referred to as a California Clip by both makers and and by users. You are not required to use the term. Feel free to call it a Turkish or Spanish Clip. As I said, I think it is more important to know that similar style clip blades have multiple names. For me it isn't a point worth arguing.
Let me also add I can see how people in Europe and non USA nations would see the term
“California Clip” somewhat idiotic, especially for a blade that is older than California.