Steave,
There are a wide variety of blade shapes. Some of the popular ones include the following:
Tanto:
The Americanized chisel pointed tanto was popularized by Cold Steel during the early 80s. The point treatement leaves plenty of metal around the blade tip providing for a very strong point. Unfortunately, the heavy tip interferes with point penetration (wider crosssection to move through your medium) and the abroupt point angle reduces the length of your useful cutting edge.
Traditional tantos have a rounded front edge much like a samarai sword.
Bowie:
The most famous of the US patterns, it is based on earlier European designs dating well back to the dawn of the iron age. Features usually include a large heavy blade with a light penetrating point. Point penetration is most often accomplished by incorporating a clip point with a sharpened false edge. But, there are endless examples of Bowie knives with other variations of blade designs.
The clip point bowie is a good general utility/fighting knife. The long upswept cutting edge provides plenty of surface for skinning and general cutting efficiency, while the narrow point aids in the performance of finer cutting chores. On some models the sharpened false edge could be used to to deliver a devastating back stroke.
Use care when selecting a bowie. This pattern was popularized through one of the earliest recorded uses of mass media hype. No one is quite sure what Jim Bowie's famous knife looked like and many impractical designs were marketed as Bowie's knife.
Drop points, Spear points, and Trailing point:
Terms are used to indicate whether the point is below, at, or above the center line of the blade. Preference and utilty depends on the user's skills and technique. Generally, the lower the point the greater the strength and control that can be applied, and the shorter the useful cutting edge.
Recurved Blades:
These feature a pronounces "S" shaped cutting surface. Some common examples would include the traditional Turkish Yatagan swords, and the many 19th century European Bayonets patterned after them.
One of the oldest running debates on the use and designs of swords is whether the sword should ultimately be used to cut or thrust. The recurved blade is a compromise which provides plenty of cutting surface while bringing the point back to the centerline for an effective thrust.
The design is advantageous in that it provide a greater length of cutting edge for a given blade length. However, the "S" shape and countinous curve makes it harder to sharpen and ackward to use for some cutting tasks.
Kukri:
A recurved blade with a genesis going back to the bronze age kopis. These knives feature a curved blade sharpened along the inside curve. The range of motion required to use this knife is very natural and instinctive. The knife is simply held in the hand as the elbow is extended. This provides a very powerful chopping stroke along the inside curve, while bringing the point down with equally an significant penetrating force. Drawbacks are as above.
Warncliff:
Named after Lord Warncliff, this blade features a straight single edge with no real point. The back of the blade simply curves down to meet the flat edge line. The pattern was popular for naval use as it was considered safer to provide crews with knives lacking a penerating point. But, the pattern offers other advantages such as ease of sharpening, strength, and the ability to bring very significant pressure to bear on the cutting edge.
Billhook, Pruning blades and kin:
These are sickle shaped blades used much like a claw. The point is held 90 degrees down from the centerline of the blade, and the inside edge is continous and sharpened. Downward pressure is concentrated at the point which penetrates and is then drawn towards the user to effect a cut. Examples include the common carpet knife. A good choice for cutting tough material.
There are many more popular blade shapes, and some of these shapes are usually identified by different terms depending on size, thickness, and other characteristics.
Each represents a compromise and each offers some specific advantages and limitations.
Have fun.
N2S
[This message has been edited by not2sharp (edited 09-19-2000).]
