Optimum blade shape ; What's your's?

[AllenETreat]

To : ALL -

This is for the benefit of newcomers,

as, the subject matter has probably been

beaten like a dead horse with a stick.

What's YOUR optimum blade shape? I'm

quite un-original & concur with

"hawkbill" on the theory of curved blade=

good <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> Of late, it's been the SE Merlin

for me. I'm NOT sorry if it scares the

sheep, 'cause down here We got Us a

pack of hungry wolves! The EnduraHawk,

having served it's purpose is now off to

a distant shore <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> So, gang, what say

the augerers?


-AET

[delicrazy]

honsestly with all i know of blades i know next to nothing about blade shapes. to embarrased to ask. but i know that i really like sheepsfoot. (tend to be clumsy) could someone maybe explain the differnce between drop point, clip point and such?

[vampyrewolf]

The clip point works for me, but I put a slight tanto on my tips. Just for an extra bit of variety in use without giving up my needle sharp tip.

My Word, My Honour, is my Life.

[AllenETreat]

delicrazy - again I field the question!

clip point is like you see on a Buck

110 or Bowie knife. If you look at the

Native, that's a drop point. Hawkbill

is like on the Merlin, Harpy or

linoleum knife. Reverse "S" can be the

Civilian, Matriarch, MeerKat &

Cricket<img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> The new KiWi is what's

usually refered to as a "Wharncliffe".

Good idea : Get a <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> catalog. It shows

most of these. I still have not drawn

a conclusion on the Shabaria -or- Toad

( and NEITHER has A.G. Russell!<img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>)

Oops! Then there is the dagger shape

of the now discontiued C56 Tim Zowada<img src="sad.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

I guess that's all.

-AET

[Sword and Shield]

I like a long clip, like is common on a Lrg. stockman.

Regarding blade shapes, there's also the:
Spey/Spay- That odd little blade on a Trapper or Stockman, intended for castrating animals.
Spear- Commonly seen on a Scout knife, like a severe drop point.
Pen- A thinner, pointy spear blade. Never stands alone, always with a clip/spear master blade.
Skinner- A blade shape with little/no drop, a straight back with a curved edge. (Case Sodbuster, ex.)

Never underestimate the impossible.

[sam the man..]

drop point. <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0><img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0><img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

Sam

have scars will travel..

[Ted]

Drop-point, like a Sebenza or Fallkniven F1
Spyderco doesn't really make a knife with that shape. The pro-grip get's close, the Native is a bit to much spear-point shape to me. I like the looks of the ATR however!

Ted

[Alan2112]

The FB-02! RKBA!

[voxnaes]

Hi Allen,
I´m with Ted on this one...But lately I have been kind of faling in love with the shepfoot for my own designs...
Vox.
BTW, I don´t think you look like an old dog face...<img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

[Jeffrey]

A.T.R. blade shape hits it for me, but drop-point blades are fine too.

Jeffrey

[JMC]

Hello!!!

I'm still somewhat undecided myself. I really like the length of say the Delica blade but I'm not crazy about the pointyness of the blade. I just purchaced the Navigator and I kind of like the blade shape (Its still too new to be sure). Is the native the only spydie with a bigger but not over 3" drop point?

Knives are one of mans oldest tools..........not just weapons!!!!!

[Jeffrey]

I'm not sure if it's bigger, but what about the C71 Salsa

Jeffrey

[Ted]

I should have said:

Spyderco doesn't really make a <b>folding</b> knife with that shape.

The FB-02 blade has a good shape, but ... uuhmm ... the handle ... probably good ergonomics but ?ugly? (sorry...)

Ted

[Roshi]

For all around use I prefer a recurve slightly dropped point. My ideal would be a cross between the BM 710 and MT Amphibian.

As a second blade I find a hawkbill to be great.

[java]

I prefer a drop-point for overall hard use and a clip or trailing clip on my Bowies. I do use a sheepfoot for safety reasons during EMS work though.

<font color="BLUE"><b>"A hole-less knife is a soul-less knife is a whole less knife" -Javanese proverb</b></font>

[fredswartz]

Hard to decide at this point (no pun intended) but as long as the blade has a hole in it I'm happy.

[Clay Kesting]

I know I've said this elsewhere, but my absolute favourite blade shape is the Wharncliffe. I have found it to be the most suitable shape for everyday tasks in an urban environment. The long straight edge is perfect for peeling fruit or opening mail and the fine point is easily accessed for detail work. A little belly as in the original Centofantes is OK too.

Delicacrazy, have a look at A.G.Russell's <a href="http://www.agrussell.com/faq/index.html">Knife Encyclopedia</a> for everything you need to know about blade shapes. Also worth a look is Joe Talmadge's <a href="http://www.bladeforums.com/features/faq ... tml">Blade Geometry FAQ</a> at BladeForums.

Clay

Life's too short to waste on instant coffee.

[delicrazy]

thanx clay and allen! that means that i like clip points. love my buck 110

[dialex]

That's a tough but very interesting topic. Speaking for myself, the Delica is my love, a very versatile knife. Yet I think the wharncliffe blade could be very useful for regular cutting chores.
Also a clip point knife performs great when it comes to skinning or cutting. Also in a knifefight.
As about the Tanto, I think it can be one of the most efficient blades, if it's made properly (curved blade and correct angle of the tip).
There's also a blade shape that wasn't mentioned here, and I couldn't find it at any Spyderco knives. A recurved blade, much broad at the tip than at the handles (a la Emerson commander, or the kukri knives). I think it's one of the best cutting shapes for outdoor.
Can't speak for hawkbills as I never handled one so far, but they are not very appealing to me. Maybe after I'll try one of those I'll change my impression.
Congratulations to Allen for picking this interesting subject.

[fredswartz]

Allen: I know that you have a preference for "hawkbill" type blades. I still can't see using them for anything except self defense or rope cutting but the design and sharpness of the Civilian (which is the only one that I own) make it a knife that I love to have nearby if for no other reason than that it can still be owned by a Civilian. One of my favorite knives especially considering how I got it.