Blade Thickness for EDC Folders?

Blade grind and blade height has a lot to do with it.

I was reminded of this by the Spyderco Swayback.
The Swayback is 0.14” but there is some kind of magic in the hollow grind; it slices phenomenally well for it’s height and thickness.

The Southard with a thickness of 0.16” and a not-too-tall blade should slice like a boiled potato. It too has a hollow grind, less aggressive than the Swayback, and manages to do ok (though I wouldn’t place it in a “slicey” category).

The PM2 which is 0.14” and flat ground still manages to slice well for its thickness because the blade is tall and it’s ground thinner towards the tip.

That said, Spyderco’s UKPK at 0.09” with a relatively tall flat grind is a slicy little beast! The Chaparral crowd at 0.08” must definitely know slicey!

So what does it all mean to me? When I see a knife is 0.12” I expect it to be a relatively good slicer. 0.10” or less I expect it to be excellent. Thicker knives can still slice really well depending on blade geometry.

ETA Thread needs pics! :)

My UKPK is on a road trip with my son ATM.



 
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I find that my most used EDC need actually benefits from a thicker stock. Stripping cable. The stock actually wedges the insulation apart, where as a razor blade or thinner stock get's stuck in the material. I still find need for thinner stock. Summer shorts carry etc. But mine range from 0.09" to 0.26". My sweet spot is 0.19".
 
kylemiller said:
I find that my most used EDC need actually benefits from a thicker stock. Stripping cable. The stock actually wedges the insulation apart, where as a razor blade or thinner stock get's stuck in the material. I still find need for thinner stock. Summer shorts carry etc. But mine range from 0.09" to 0.26". My sweet spot is 0.19".
Click to expand...

I forgot the obvious caveat that different people have different EDC needs. Part of my initial exclusions were aimed at cases where the wedging action of a knife can be important. Now I'm curious as to the different EDC tasks where people benefit from wedging.

The overwhelming majority of my EDC knife use is slicing. I'm par for the course with opening packages, trimming threads, etc. The hardest thing I do with my folders get is cutting up the weekly cardboard. The grossest thing I do with my folders is carving out a splinter or shaving off an occasional foot callous. (Yes, I keep them clean and oiled.) So thin and slicey wins the race for me.

I'll break out the calipers and share a few of my favorites when I get the chance.
 
My traditional multi-blade's are about 1/16 inch on average, with a couple at perhaps 1/8 inch or so.
The thickest is a Buck 110/(pre and post 2004 manufacture) Schrade 7OT or 6OT.

I've never needed thicker in my pocket knife.

A couple of my fixed blades might be a little thicker, but all are well under 3/16 inch.
My Cold Steel machetes are (allegedly) 2mm.
I don't/didn't baton, nor do/did I attempt to fell trees using my knife. When I need/needed a "chopper", I use/used an axe or hatchet. :)
 
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:) It all depends on what you want or need your EDC to accomplish .

Super thin and slicey is fine if that's what you need the most .

But you will sacrifice strength and toughness for hard use .

I personally don't need super thin outside of the kitchen or surgery .

I want my EDC to be able to survive some fairly extreme abuse , if necessary in an emergency . :cool::thumbsup::thumbsup:

Your desires may differ , but you can't have everything in one knife .

Not at any price I want to pay . :(
 
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