Chisel grind on a clip or False edge...opinions!

R

RobertHankins

Joined
Jun 10, 2001
Messages
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Lately I have seen a blade or two with a chisel grind on the clip or false edge.

Now don't be SHY:D

What is your opinion on this?
 
My thoughts,

I believe that many a bowie in the days of yore had chisel ground clips. There is one famous style, so famous that I have forgotten the name, that in fact is only found this way. I'll dig out the magazines and try to find a name for you.

As far as aesthetics go, most people aren't really going to care. If you want symmetry, then you'd better not go with a chisel, though. One thing I HATE about many double ground clips that I have seen is the point where the clip ends. If you get a "mini plunge cut", i think it looks liek crap and it looks to me like it could interfere somewhat with a hard stab. If you gently ease out of the clip, then it looks cool. A chisel ground clip with only one side of a deep plunge might be o.k. though.

I think, though, the decision is very important for what the knife is. I don't think there is much point in spending lots of time getting a super ergonomical handle that looks just perfect, with a 1500 grit hand finish, decorated guard, and so on, and then do a chisel clip. It may look like you are just skimping out. Why put all that work in, just so you can cut corners at the clip. Then again, that bowie style I was mentioning (Searles? I dunno) looks just fine, and they fetch high prices.

To sum things up, I'd say that a chisel clip would be more than fine on a "combat grade" bowie. But if you are going to dress things up a bit, spend some extra time makign sure a chisel clip fits in with the rest of the knife (the "total package" theory at work here.)
 
Actually I don't like the look of a Chisel grind (Just my personal preference) but! When you start looking at a Combo Fighter/combat blade it makes more sense.
It is the sharpest/strongest edge you can get with that small of a bevel area and will actually cut something. Granted it doesn't look that cool but IMHO I would rather have sharp and strong on this type blade. Convex looks the coolest on the clip but lacks real cutting ability.

Don't take offence by that I also agree that the plunge lines on most Clips or false edges detract from the overall look. This is relatively easy to fix for an experienced maker. You can make it a nice sweeping plunge cut with just some extra time at the grinder. This can be done even on a Chisel grind, I will find out tomorrow as I build two more of my prototype's :rolleyes:

It may look kinda funky with the hollow grind I have decided to use on these blades.

Best thing about doing a prototype is if it doesn't look right you just get out your $2000 eraser (Read belt grinder) and erase it! Or toss it and start on the next New and improved version.
 
As long as your doing prototypes, why not?
Actually, the idea sounds good to me, but I'm a visual type person and need to see it to fully assimilate the concept.
Toss up a pic and let the gang see and say yea or nay to it.


All the Best,
Mike U.


BTW, your $2000.00 eraser gave me a Helluva belly laugh! Thanks!
 
I like the chisel grind clip on the right blade. I looks really nice on some of those small personal tacticals that I have been seeing lately. The more traditional clip point is still my preference on most knives though. I think the chisel grind clip would look pretty darn good on that tanto point you are are planning on making.
 
RH:

Sounds like the right blade for the clip, though as Misque said we'll see what it looks like in steel!

Something like a Fisk bowie demands a symmetrical clip. The kind of knife I see a chisel clip on is something like a Newt Livesay HKR. Micarta, good carbon steel, coated, a blade meant to be used hard and look like it. I can't wait to see prototypes!
 
As with anything else, it looks good, if well done.
And... it is like getting 2 knives in one! One side has a swedge and the other is full flat ground.
Beknives made a bowie for me. I had a hand in designing it and I was influenced by Samuel Bell. He did the false edge/swedge on the 'private' side of his blades. Bruce and I decided that in my case it would look better on the 'public' side of the knife, since there was a lot less ornamentation on my blade.

So in a nutshell...go for it! Especially if the design is more on the traditional side.

And for those of you who are not yet S&T of seeing my Ebony & Ivory Bowie...it's here (to save a little bandwith):
http://www.homestead.com/beknivessite2/album8.html

OH and thanx to Mr Fisk for the "private & public" terminology :D
 
Here I go soundin' like a dumb-a$$, but can you explain the "public" and "private" side thing to me? I have heard this, but didn't know what it meant at the time.
Thanks, Mongo
 
Mongo: the private side is the side that faces you, the public side is the side that faces out. So if you are a righy, the left side of the blade is the private side, as it faces you but me standing to your right would see the right side (the outside), not the left.

Of course, this depends a lot on HOW you use them. On Japanese swords, the outside is actually the left side, because the swords are thrust through a belt upside down on the left.

Regardless, the public side is the side facing "out" or the side that people see. The private side is the side you see while cutting.
 
Well I tried the Chisel grind on the clip today:footinmou

Hmmm...just not sure it will work.
It did come out sharp as heck, but with using a convexed Tanto point just didn't look right.

I am going to try a couple more mods along these lines.

Maybe radical Hollow grind done with a 1" wheel on the false edge or possibly a 2" section of flat grind on the spine with notches for pseudo saw teeth. Not pointy ones but something like Strider uses. I have handled them in person they will CUT and they are strong.

The trick will be to make the lines of the knife flow without it looking hacked up with all kinds of weird angular grinds.

More to come!
 
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