I was wondering what are the advantages/disadvantages a hollow ground blade vs. a flat ground blade?
FTK
Flat vs. Hollow Grides
Generally I find that hollow ground is very good for shallow cuts, mainly because the area directly behind the edge is very thin.
The disadvantage is that the blade then gets wider very quickly, which means it isn't quite as good for deeper cuts.
Full flat ground is better for deep cuts as the blade gets wider at a constant rate.
Personally I prefer a full flat grind, but I do hear that it is a bit more expensive to produce than hollow grinds.
Walk softly, carry a big stick.
The disadvantage is that the blade then gets wider very quickly, which means it isn't quite as good for deeper cuts.
Full flat ground is better for deep cuts as the blade gets wider at a constant rate.
Personally I prefer a full flat grind, but I do hear that it is a bit more expensive to produce than hollow grinds.
Walk softly, carry a big stick.
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vampyrewolf
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I bought my first flat grind <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> last year. It was the first of 4.
Flat allows for deeper cuts(ie cardboard), while Hollow forces shallow cuts due to the thickness.
Another thing I like about Flat, is that for food prep, it's easier to load up the side with chopped food to transport to the pan.
*Our greatest triumph comes not from NOT falling down, but from getting back up every time.*
Flat allows for deeper cuts(ie cardboard), while Hollow forces shallow cuts due to the thickness.
Another thing I like about Flat, is that for food prep, it's easier to load up the side with chopped food to transport to the pan.
*Our greatest triumph comes not from NOT falling down, but from getting back up every time.*
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Sword and Shield
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Flat will typically slice better than hollow, as hollow has a nasty habit of bogging down in a cut.
Now, a full convex ground <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> would be something! <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> Can't use the 204 to sharpen it, unless you make the grind flat, but there are ways.
Never underestimate the impossible.
Now, a full convex ground <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> would be something! <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> Can't use the 204 to sharpen it, unless you make the grind flat, but there are ways.
Never underestimate the impossible.
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sc_rebel1957
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i own an endura i guess it is a hollow grind as you guys have been explaining but it has the spyder edge so i think you get the best of both worlds because like you said at the front it is thin slices real nice but the spyder edge at the back cuts like crazy. espically heavy cuts like cardbord and rope ect.... what do you think????ken
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Joe Talmadge
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Full flat grinds don't come without their disadvantages. Most important is that if you use the knife a lot, you'll have to sharpen a lot, too. With a full flat grind, the blade thickens linearly. After a while, you end up with a thick blade that's more difficult to sharpen, and you spend a lot of time grinding in relief to keep the edge thin. That's why I like to grind in plenty of relief each time I sharpen -- to make sure that next time, it stays easy.
Hollow grinds stay thinner way further up the blade. You can sharpen 'em forever and it stays easy, seems like. And for shallow cutting, there's less metal above the edge so it penetrates deeper.
BTW, I favor full flat grinds.
Joe
Hollow grinds stay thinner way further up the blade. You can sharpen 'em forever and it stays easy, seems like. And for shallow cutting, there's less metal above the edge so it penetrates deeper.
BTW, I favor full flat grinds.
Joe
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vampyrewolf
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I ran my Delica FRN(ATS-55, Hollow) for 3yrs, sharpening at 40degrees... after 2yrs I had to put the 30inclusive on it to thin it out.
Gave it to my friend this summer(right after I got my 3 from Linda), and you can't tell there's any wear on the edge until you hold it to another Delica... and even then it's only noticable if you look really close.
*Our greatest triumph comes not from NOT falling down, but from getting back up every time.*
Gave it to my friend this summer(right after I got my 3 from Linda), and you can't tell there's any wear on the edge until you hold it to another Delica... and even then it's only noticable if you look really close.
*Our greatest triumph comes not from NOT falling down, but from getting back up every time.*
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Knife Knut
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One thing that I like about flat grinds is the distal taper they can produce.
The full flat is more expensive to produce, although the endura and Delica are switching to flat saber grinds instead of hollow saber grinds in order to gain the increased strength of a flat grind. Price Point is a high priority in those two popular models, and an increasing percentage of Spyderco blades are full flat ground, thus filling that niche. Also, the saber grind provides a bit of eye candy (which the full flat ground lacks) that the general public has come to expect, and therefore prefer, because of the historical overuse of hollow grinds by many manufacturers. Thus the transition to the flat saber grind in the Endura and Delica.
Knife Knut on a shoestring budget.
The full flat is more expensive to produce, although the endura and Delica are switching to flat saber grinds instead of hollow saber grinds in order to gain the increased strength of a flat grind. Price Point is a high priority in those two popular models, and an increasing percentage of Spyderco blades are full flat ground, thus filling that niche. Also, the saber grind provides a bit of eye candy (which the full flat ground lacks) that the general public has come to expect, and therefore prefer, because of the historical overuse of hollow grinds by many manufacturers. Thus the transition to the flat saber grind in the Endura and Delica.
Knife Knut on a shoestring budget.
I have to agree that there are advanages to both as Yog & Joe mentioned.
We changed the Endura and Delica from hollow to flat saber to get a little more strength at the tip. I know it's hard to believe, but many seem to "Pry" with these two "do it all" models, and a stronger tip would serve those customers better.
I have noticed a trend over the years. The more one gets into and learns about knives, the more one "leans" from the original attraction of "sexy" grind lines to the full flat (edge to spine).
Ed Schempp taught me about another way of grinding flat for efficiency. We haven't used it is a model yet. I think I'd like to wait until I can do a design with Ed Schempp on a FB "Camp knife".
sal
We changed the Endura and Delica from hollow to flat saber to get a little more strength at the tip. I know it's hard to believe, but many seem to "Pry" with these two "do it all" models, and a stronger tip would serve those customers better.
I have noticed a trend over the years. The more one gets into and learns about knives, the more one "leans" from the original attraction of "sexy" grind lines to the full flat (edge to spine).
Ed Schempp taught me about another way of grinding flat for efficiency. We haven't used it is a model yet. I think I'd like to wait until I can do a design with Ed Schempp on a FB "Camp knife".
sal
Thanks for popping by Sal.
I don't suppose I could talk you into reintroducing the PE Lrg Calypso amd the PE Calypso Jnr Lwt while your here <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
Serrated versions you can get, but PE, not for love nor money. With all the stocks disappearing so fast it doesn't look like they were so un popular after all <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
Walk softly, carry a big stick.
I don't suppose I could talk you into reintroducing the PE Lrg Calypso amd the PE Calypso Jnr Lwt while your here <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
Serrated versions you can get, but PE, not for love nor money. With all the stocks disappearing so fast it doesn't look like they were so un popular after all <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
Walk softly, carry a big stick.