Are curved blade useful for general use?

[mendelb]

Hi,

I've had my eye on some big folding knives with curved blades.

The Ontario Retribution to be specific.

I'm interested because I like the design Are these useful blades though?

My knives are more likely to be used for cooking, cutting cardboard, whittling, maybe some yard work, rather than fending off barbarian hordes.

Are curved blades dedicated fighting blades or can they be all-round workers?

 

[OrdnanceBubbaUSMC]

Sure, anything from the straight edges of wharcliffes and tantos all the way to the curved way back trailing-point persian style can be good for utility. Hawkbill/karambit is where you have trouble with certain things. I've used a CS Vaquero Voyager for the things you mentioned, a similar shape of the Retribution but with more exaggerated curves, and it works great. Nice, long piece of straight edge is better for some things to keep the most pressure and contact - but other times a long belly can be very nice, like cutting something flat on a table.

 

[marcinek]

If you are looking at the Retribution, what you are talking about is a "recurve" blade. The S shaped thing.

They have some advantages to a recurve, like draw cutting (imagine pulling it though a carrot on a cutting board), but then it doesn't work well if you are chopping on a cutting board (not much of the blade comes in contact with the cutting substrate (the board).

Whittling I cant see doing with a recurve. And they are awkward to sharpen.

So I wouldn't consider them "all arounders." Cool looking, though!

 

[razorsdescent]

If you are looking at the Retribution, what you are talking about is a "recurve" blade. The S shaped thing.

They have some advantages to a recurve, like draw cutting (imagine pulling it though a carrot on a cutting board), but then it doesn't work well if you are chopping on a cutting board (not much of the blade comes in contact with the cutting substrate (the board).

Whittling I cant see doing with a recurve. And they are awkward to sharpen.

So I wouldn't consider them "all arounders." Cool looking, though!

The thing about recurve blades is that they have a larger blade surface area in the same length blade, it can cut some things more effectively.

Some reading on recurved blades: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/607206-What-s-the-deal-with-recurve-blades

 

[marcinek]

The thing about recurve blades is that they have a larger blade surface area in the same length blade, it can cut some things more effectively.

Precisely...some things. In some situations. Which makes them poor "all around workers," which is what mendelb is asking about.

 

[Dah-Dee]

I waaaaaant the Retribution, looooove it. :hypnotysed:

I have the XM-1, which is an absolute tank (looks to be on sale, btw, through BF sponsor in the dealer section of the forums), ready to add its bigger, less-refined sibling. Rawr!

Edit: Never underestimate the importance of fighting off barbarian hordes! :emot-yarr:

 

[res1cue]

It's all about your personal preference. A lot of people here like curves. Some even like recurves like Marcinek was talking about.

I personally like minimal bellies, but its all personal preference.

 

[Scrazy]

For general usage, any blade shape would be fine. As long as its got a sharp edge, it can cut through boxes well enough.

 

[marcinek]

For general usage, any blade shape would be fine. As long as its got a sharp edge, it can cut through boxes well enough.

To me, "general use" means more than cutting boxes. And also, to me, blade shapes matter.

But that's just me!

 

[Tony8179]

I like recurves. Many of the folders I own are recurves. I don't find them difficult to use for everyday tasks or general cutting. I also don't find them hard to sharpen. There is a big difference between recurves though. There are some knives where the recurve is very pronounced (Kershaw Spec Bump) and there are some that aren't as pronounced (RJ Martin Overkill). I find that recurves are better suited for everyday tasks and general cutting over something like an American Tanto or Wharncliffe. I like to have a bit of belly to my blades. I'm not a real big fan of straight edges like the Tanto or Wharncliffe, unless they are being used for certain tasks like scraping with the tip of the tanto or using the fine tip of the Wharncliffe.

To each their own.

 

[bluejayburly]

I think one of the best compromise in recurves is the Kershaw Speed Bump/Spec Bump (like Tony mentioned above). The tip has a straight edge (almost warncliffe) for chopping veggies or whatever, and it allows you to use it at an angle to keep your fingers from touching the cutting board, so you can make full felt contact with the board to get a clean cut.

The tip has a narrow angle which seems decent for piercing/thrusting.

Plus you have some rounded belly right around the middle of the blade for push cutting and the smallish hawkbill recurve near the frame for pull cuts.

With all these characteristics you need to skilled at wielding such a knife so you can constantly use the part of the blade you intend to.

I think the recurve is very versatile. Everybody has their preference, and it boils down to the individuals purpose for the knife.

I think the only way to make the Speed/Spec Bump or a recurve better is to have a flat ground tip and hollow ground hawkbill, like the Kershaw Offset.