Drop Point vs Clip Point: Strength and Durability issues ?

[SpyderEdgeForever]

Hey all, how are you friends? Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Happy New Year, and Happy Holidays to you all.

I have a question in regards to the relative strengths and durabilities of clip point knife blades vs drop point knife blades. Based on your personal experiences and your knowledge of metallurgy and blade geometry, is there any truth to the claim that someone made, that drop point blades (in this category I also include the Leaf-Shaped blades of Spyderco and other knife makers, both custom and factory) in general (taking into account various differences in steel composition and blade thicknesses) are more durable and less prone to breakage in high-stress applications and over time, than clip point and "Bowie" type knife and sword blades, or is that not necessarily true? What are your thoughts on this? One of the claims made is that a drop-point blade, if produced correctly, will stand up to cutting chores and bushcrafting use far better than clip-point and Bowie-shaped blades. In the Drop Point category I am including Spear Points.

Thank you!

[JRinFL]

More material generally means more strength, so drop points and spear points should be stronger over clip points. Of course, it matters a lot in how each is designed and ground.

[Ankerson]

Hey all, how are you friends? Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Happy New Year, and Happy Holidays to you all.

I have a question in regards to the relative strengths and durabilities of clip point knife blades vs drop point knife blades. Based on your personal experiences and your knowledge of metallurgy and blade geometry, is there any truth to the claim that someone made, that drop point blades (in this category I also include the Leaf-Shaped blades of Spyderco and other knife makers, both custom and factory) in general (taking into account various differences in steel composition and blade thicknesses) are more durable and less prone to breakage in high-stress applications and over time, than clip point and "Bowie" type knife and sword blades, or is that not necessarily true? What are your thoughts on this? One of the claims made is that a drop-point blade, if produced correctly, will stand up to cutting chores and bushcrafting use far better than clip-point and Bowie-shaped blades. In the Drop Point category I am including Spear Points.

Thank you!

There are a ton of variables.

In general, all things being equal between a clip and a drop point the drop point should be stronger.

However the real answer is it depends. One could be talking about something like a Randall Model 14 Attack for a clip point you know. I would put that knife against just about anything, anywhere personally. Or a Winkler Belt knife for that matter, I have one and I would doubt one could break it.

Have to take the knives in question and compare really.

Bottom like here is buy what you like the best, try both styles and see what works for you.

[Doc Dan]

It depends greatly on how they are made. For example, I have a Cold Steel clip point that there is no way anyone is going to break it. There are even videos of people trying to do just that. It is robust all the way to the tip. I have some Spyderco drop points and leaf blades I'd never do the things to that can be done with that knife. However, often times clip points are thin and pointy and the drop points are a little beefier. You just have to pick the knife for the job.

Merry Christmas, SEF, and Happy New Year!