blade shape - preference vs function

joe90

joe90

Joined
Aug 17, 2001
Messages
346
I have recently been 'reviewing' the cache of sharpies (folders and fixed) that I have accumulated and have noticed that I have had
a tendency to "mod" some of them so that the blade shape is more drop and/or clip point than either straight
or spear (or any of the other shapes tbh) I guess that may just be a preference I have.
But that started me thinking... is this "preference" based on function - since a lot of them could be considered outdoor/camp/bushcraft. I won't go into the scandi/ffg profiling item here. Or is it simply that manufacturers recognize and/or proliferate a particular design pattern in cycles over time?
Then I was thinking about manufacturing - ie does a straight edge have less processing time than say a drop point? - and at what cost (blade stamping vs machining) and would that potentially matter from the pov of strength/function... or is it purely cosmetic (ie what the appeal is: shiny, rough, rounded, aggressive, etc)
I can't say that I have made any significant headway on this ... other than to recognize that I still like drop/clip-point shapes, but was wondering what other people here may think on this.
 
My preference depends soley on the given task . My heavy blades ie. chopping blades I dont really look at a prticular point shape as much as overall blade shape . I like a broader tip distal taper weight fprward design . My pocket knives I like a drop point and for bushcraft belt knife I prefer a spear point like the Woodlore or Ontario blackbird style tips with a strong tip .
 
My preference is for clip points, but for edc it doesn't really make a difference clip drop or spear .
Now where the difference really shows is with a nice sheep's foot.
What I absolutely cannot stand are those stupid ass modified sheep's foot blades that have some curve and belly to them, a sheep's foot needs to be perfectly straight with a parallel inline handle so it only requires a slight angle to use the tip for controlled pull cuts. These new modified sheep's foots ( ZT ) don't do this.
 
I used to think clip points were the bomb. Now, I rarely even consider one.

I seem to reach for a drop point more than anything else but I admit, my head will turn for a nice looking wharnie or sheep's foot.

I would love to find a modified wharnie with a just a little curve to it. Sorry, Hickory but I can't help it. To me, that is one sexy looking blade.
 
There is a reason why clip point and its variants are most popular. Given the same length, clicp point has more effective cutting edge than others like wharncliffe. Also, clip point is more center aligned to the handle, thus making it more powetful in stabbing than wharncliffe.
 
My preference has always leaned toward tanto and spear shapes, the latter due mostly to a fascination with daggers and boot knives when I was a kid. Not much has changed in that regard, but I do recognize the benefits of a drop point for most of my workplace and outdoor needs.
 
sharp_edge said:
There is a reason why clip point and its variants are most popular....
Click to expand...

I have been of the understanding that drop point and it's variants are the most popular. They certainly have a stronger point than a clip or wharnie. At least, that has been my experience.

Maybe someone should do a poll.
 
I tend to prefer these



and these



Cuts what I want to cut and the handle shape is preferable to me over the slab sided knives that are popular.

Two of my most favorite knives are no where near this blade shape (the Ritter Grip and the Gayle Bradley) but I like those for the superior edge geometry specifically thin behind the edge . . . and the great steel performance of the M390 and M4 respectively.

I'm not sure I fully "got" your question(s) but there yah go.

PS: I like that spear shape in spite of it being easier to manufacture.
PPS : I modded the Ti Lite to get the thin blade in that shape. And very much wanted that handle shape.
 
Clip point bowie or drop point spear is my thing these days. Pure utility that can fight.
 
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