Blade Shape - Buck vs Sypderco

[pahl]

I really like the shape of the blade on this buck 170u.

It cuts cardboard boxs just great and it also cuts rubber hose good (dishwasher drain hose, washer drain hose, washer fill hose, water pump hose, etc....)

I like the tip of the knife for getting cuts started. Such as poking the tip into a rubber hose to start the cut.

If I'm cutting a cardboard box that has a wood crate on the bottom of it just the tip of the knife does the cutting for me.

If I'm cutting the top of a box off then I end up using the back part of the blade.

I was using a Spyderco Navigator VG-10 as my EDC till I got this buck a few days ago.

For what I use a EDC knife for I have to say I like the way the Buck cuts better then the I do the Navigator.

I think alot of the differance is in the shape of the blade.



What is the shape of this buck blade called?

Does anyone else make a folder with this shape blade?

Thanks,
pahl


BTW: I also like the handle better then the spyderco navigator handle

 

[Mongrel]

But I guess you would call that a 'modified drop point'. A rather pointy one though, very dagger-like. (I'm willing to stand corrected on that however .)

That is a Buck Lightning isn't it? Buck calls it a drop point on their website, so I guess it is a drop point.

I would agree that it is a more practical design than the Spyderco Navigator blade shape.

edited to change 'Odyssey' to 'Lightning'-DUH!

 

[RH]

I would say the Buck Lightning has a drop point.

 

[PWork]

I would call it either a spear point or leaf shape.
If it works, does it really matter.

Paul

 

[Joe Talmadge]

Heh, we do need an official name for these shapes. I tend to call the Spyderco a leaf shape, or (stretching things a bit) a modified Wharncliffe. I call the Buck a modified Wharncliffe.

The fact that the tip drop starts so early on (right next to the handle) keeps me from calling it a drop-point, though it obviously does drop, and I can't criticize anyone for calling it a drop-point or modified drop-point, either.

Here's the description that will probably give the most accurate picture in the minds of knife knuts for both knives: "sort-of like the delica's shape". Ya, that's it, it's delickish.

Joe

 

[frank k]

I would say both are saber ground drop points. The buck is just has more of a point.

 

[martin j]

I would call it "wharncliff with slight belly", significant feature of the drop pt (at least it should be ) is robust belly for skinning, caping, etc, otherwise there is no serious need for the "drop' in dropt pt. These blades give some belly for slicing but they are optimal for slicing/ draw cutting, not push cutting or delicate skiinning type chore.
If you like this blade design you should see AG Russell's One-Handed folder, it is very versatile shape.
Pax 9/11-
Martin

 

[Daniel Koster]

There are some fancies that I don't think I'll ever understand...

 

[Joe Talmadge]

Originally posted by martin j
I would call it "wharncliff with slight belly", significant feature of the drop pt (at least it should be ) is robust belly for skinning, caping, etc, otherwise there is no serious need for the "drop' in dropt pt. These blades give some belly for slicing but they are optimal for slicing/ draw cutting, not push cutting or delicate skiinning type chore.
If you like this blade design you should see AG Russell's One-Handed folder, it is very versatile shape.
Pax 9/11-
Martin

Ya, I buy that reasoning. While technically the point does drop, when you say the words "drop point", there's no way a blade that looks like that above will pop into your head. "modified wharncliffe", "wharncliffe with slight belly", and "leaf shape" all bring forth a more-accurate visual, IMO.

A bunch of years ago I was definitely a clip-point and drop-point bigot. Someone started a string about how useful the wharncliffe is, but I was sceptical then. Now, I find myself thinking that the modified wharncliffe or whatever you want to call it is the best all-around shape for a folder going, at least for me.



Joe

 

[martin j]

Originally posted by Joe Talmadge
A bunch of years ago I was definitely a clip-point and drop-point bigot. Someone started a string about how useful the wharncliffe is, but I was sceptical then. Now, I find myself thinking that the modified wharncliffe or whatever you want to call it is the best all-around shape for a folder going, at least for me.

I still personally like drop pt because it is very useful for scraping pipes and wiring, which I do fairly often. But otherwise I also like "mod. Wharncliffe" which isn't actually so new concept according to my friend. Interesting, he pointed out how most companies (maybe most users too?) today define blade style by how it looks "on top" along the spine. He said (correctly I blieve) the blade should be defined by the edge "on the bottom", everything else about the knife is just supposed to hold that edge in space and allow for stabilizing or leveraging it- if you catch light on the edge, squint until you can only see the edge, and what you see is the essence of the knife. My friend says today's "modified wharncliff" in this respect is similar to the edge on the "California clip point" or "Turkish clip pts" etc., on older traditional slipjoints which are excellent for slicing and utility! Spyderco most consistently pushes or adheres to this "edge philosophy" I think.
Martin