Are hollow grind blades weak?

[allenC]

Much of the "hollow vs flat" discussion is totally academic considering the size of the knife you're talking about.
With a folder the size of the Native, I don't think that it would matter, strength-wise, whether it is hollow-ground or flat-ground.

If you compare similar size knives, you might come away with interesting opinions.
For example:
When I compare the Native (hollow-ground) to the Calypso Jr (flat-ground), I get the impression that the Native is stronger.

YMMV,
Allen.

 

[LikeHike]

Thanks guys. What I get out of all this is that any strength concerns with a hollow grind are probably not an issue for typical usage but for certain types of activity - chopping, prying.... - it could be a liability. As far as cutting goes the hollow grind can be an asset. It seems that if you may really need to depend on the knife in uncertain conditions - particularly survival situations - it might be better to have a flat or convex grind.
Would you go along with this summary???

 

[Cliff Stamp]

Generally stock thickness is more of an issue because the hollow grind removes steel where it doesn't significantly contribute much to the overall strength anyway. The biggest factor for survival knives is the inability to handle edge impacts or twisting. This can be an issue for small knives as well if you are rough with them in cutting.

-Cliff