Blade thickness to blade length

B

Bulldozier

Joined
Feb 22, 2014
Messages
4
Greetings all,
I am a new knifemaker. I have a question about length to thickness. Is 3/16 too thick for a three inch blade with a 7.5 inch overall length? Is there a rule of thumb to follow during design. Thanks for any advice!!!
 
No, I don't believe 3/16" is too thick for a three inch blade. Although, intended application would dictate just how thick you may want to make your knife. A rugged small utility blade should be a bit thicker sectioned than a nice slicer.
 
Thanks Bobby, I was just about to cut out a drop point and a mini Bowie similar to Fallkiven knives I saw in the last copy of Blade magazine. I can only suspect that they are utility type knives.
 
Think more in terms of blade height, not length. A 3/16" blade that's only 3/4" tall won't be a very good cutter... a full flat grind on a 1.5" blade will cut very well.
 
Now this is just my opinion, but I think 3/16" is too thick for a 3" blade, but I suppose it really just depends on how you're going to use it. I have a Cold Steel Pendelton Hunter. It is 3/16" thick, and the blade is 3" long OAL is just over 8", and the blade is 1.0625" tall. Similiar measurements to your knife. It works very well, but it is deeply hollow ground. If this were flat ground.....I wouldn't have even considered it for what I use it for.....gutting/skinning deer. I tend to view knives as tools to slice with and not press them into service doing chores that other tools do better, so that's why I would recommend 1/8" stock or less for the size of knife you mentioned. But, hey, there is certainly nothing wrong with what you have in mind. It will be a very tough knife for sure!
 
I am no knife maker, just a buyer and user. I personally like the meat of a 3/16" blade long or short. Plenty of companies are making these Busse (and Kin), Tops, Cold Steel to name a few.
 
As James stated the height of the blade is the important factor. Over the years I have used 1/8" and 5/32" for most of my 3 1/2" to 5" hunters so 3/16" should work fine as long as the blade is say, 1 1/4" or taller.

Post a picture of your blade so we can see it if you can?
 
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