Clip vs. Spear Point

[neilioli]

Hello -

I know this question has been asked about a million times all over the internet and in these forums - but I'm looking for a specific answer to a specific question that I haven't found an answer for.

I've owned a Gerber Folding Sheath Knife (the Bear Grylls knife) for ~ two years now, it has served me very well. I usually use it in and around camp for basic camp-like stuff - like making fuzz sticks, cutting line, whittling (when I get bored) and sometimes for self defense (I once killed a Timber Rattlesnake that was in my tent at the 2013 National Boy Scout Jamboree, as well as several Brown Recluse spiders that ventured inside my mosquito net at a different camp.) Alas, the lifespan of my Gerber is coming to a close - the blade is slightly chipped, the finish is wearing off and the ass-end of the blade is rusty and scratched.

When I got that knife I was around thirteen years of age so I hadn't put much thought into the purchase and was very lucky that I almost randomly chose such a great knife.

But that knife is now retired so I'm looking for a new one - I really don't want a fixed blade, as many Scout camps don't allow fixed blades - I did some research, and found that the Cold Steel Recon 1 is pretty much the greatest thing since sliced bread - I read reviews on Amazon, nothing below 4/5 stars and I've actually used a Recon 1 before (very briefly, at a visit to a knife shop owned by a relative's friend) and I have to admit it looked and felt like a great knife.

So I've chosen a Recon 1 as my replacement knife - but then I got stuck on the blade style. I know I don't want a half-serrated edge (interferes with cutting and makes sharpening annoying for me) and I don't want a tanto-style blade because I don't get into knife fights and I'm not a samurai, either. However, two options remain - the clip and spear points. I'm no knife expert, and I have no idea what the difference is. Just aesthetics? No idea.

So the question is what is the functional difference between the clip and spear point in a survival/camp knife? My knives usually take a good and hard beating whenever I take them to camp, so is there any difference in durability? Any difference in how they sharpen (because I'm like Forrest Gump when it comes to sharpening my knives)?

If the difference is just aesthetic, I'll be going with the spear point - however, I doubt that's the only difference, otherwise Cold Steel probably wouldn't be offering both options.

Thanks,

- Neilioli

 

[NeilB]

Too many variables to say for certain without looking at the knives in question, but a broad brush approach is that a clip point has a center of gravity slightly farther back than the same blade with a spear point. That's really it in a nutshell, though some will claim more belly or cutting length per unit length of blade or something, but really, it's about the CG.

Also, style. Some people prefer one of the other based on aesthetic merits. I have several deeply held beliefs on this subject, but I'll refrain from sharing.

 

[pinnah]

I don't have time to dig out pictures but here are some suggestions. Roughly, you can think of where the tip is from spine to edge. This list is not exhaustive. There are many others and some disagreement on the terms. All of this is according to my opinions. Others may differ.

CLIP POINT - Useful for deboning meat. Tip reaches into joints nicely but is frail and can be easily broken off. The hooked tip can also pierce entrails when cleaning fish and game. Classic examples are the Buck 110 or Buck 119.

DROP POINT - Offers a balance between durability while still having a small tip for detailed cuts. Some prefer it for skinning game. Buck 500 is an example.

SPEAR POINT - Very durable tip. Can be used for drilling. Capable of making scoring cuts. Common on utility knives for this reason. Favored by some for "bushcraft" knives.

WHARNCLIFF/SPEY - Point is next to cutting edge. Capable of making scoring cuts. Common on whittling knives.


I like the drop point for EDC and woods use. YMMV.

 

[amg137]

I've heard some people claim that spear points are better for bushcraft, for drilling out little divots in logs. I don't think you'd actually see much difference in practice. They should be basically identical for sharpening, since the cutting edge is nearly the same for both. Pick the one you like more aesthetically and you'll be fine.

 

[neilioli]

I've heard some people claim that spear points are better for bushcraft, for drilling out little divots in logs. I don't think you'd actually see much difference in practice. They should be basically identical for sharpening, since the cutting edge is nearly the same for both. Pick the one you like more aesthetically and you'll be fine.

That was the exact answer I was looking for, thank you.

 

[brownshoe]

The recon 1 spear point looks like a dropped point with a little "spear", or a spearpoint with a little "drop." If I were you, I'd go for the one that you like the best. Personally, I find clip points sexier and believe the pointier tip and longer curve to the "belly" to be more useful in the camp kitchen. However, the spear point is less threatening looking if that is a concern.

 

[pinnah]

I've heard some people claim that spear points are better for bushcraft, for drilling out little divots in logs. I don't think you'd actually see much difference in practice. They should be basically identical for sharpening, since the cutting edge is nearly the same for both. Pick the one you like more aesthetically and you'll be fine.

That was the exact answer I was looking for, thank you.

I think the usual discussion relative to bushcraft is spear point vs drop point, not spear point vs clip point.

Drop point (top) Clip Point (bottom)
Buck 110 and Opinel #10 by Pinnah, on Flickr

Small clip point...
Schrade-Walden H-15 by Pinnah, on Flickr

...converted to drop point (and much more useful, imo)
Schrade H-15 Modified by Pinnah, on Flickr

Spear point (top) and drop point (bottom)
Schrade 51OT & 5OT by Pinnah, on Flickr

 

[cards94]

Clip point over Spear for me. I don't like the way the spearpoint looks.

 

[bdmicarta]

what is the functional difference between the clip and spear point in a survival/camp knife

A few general things- a clip point can have a keener point, a spear point depending on the grind along the spine might have more meat there if you have to baton with the blade, and might have a stronger point.

I have some spear points that are very pointed though so a lot of this depends on the specific grind.

 

[AreBeeBee]

Clip point over Spear for me. I don't like the way the spearpoint looks.

No arguing with esthetics. But spear points are often on camper-pattern knives, where the fat end of the blade is not at all bad for spreading PB on bread, and similar tasks.

 

[Quiet]

I would say that drop points are my favorite for almost any task.

 

[The cow]

Realistically, there isn't much difference until you start really using the blade heavily. I don't have any experience with Spear points beyond my ESEE Zancudo which is a loaner blade to begin with. Me personally, I prefer a wharncliff or a drop point. I'm pretty new to wharncliff but find it unmatched in light duty camp tasks (ones that call for 3in or less blades)

 

[AntDog]

If you're going to use it for woods stuff, I'd go drop point. Clip points look sexier to me though... That's what I carry, and I cut plenty of stuff in the woods. It's not supposed to work but it does.

 

[EChoil]

I go clip or drop point for bush and outdoor.

 

[Redmasta]

Spear points are great on the camp site for punching holes in beer cans when shotgunning them. After a few 6-packs you can then strap the spear point to a stick and go out in search of a wild boar or grizzly to go toe to toe with. Make sure to bring a camera!

Seriously it doesn't matter, each will cut and do the job.

 

[marchone]

Zombie thread.

It's been said 90% of all professional restaurant food prep knife work can be done with a 4-inch parer and a 10-inch chef's knife. It's no accident most all are drop points.

I use these every day. The 95mm F3 has been surprisingly utilitarian. Stout enough to bone a pork shoulder or cut up a chicken, yet thin enough to dice an onion. Wustof 4582, 155mm French butcher's knife and a Shirogorov F3.

I have this Enzo Trapper 95 on its way. It will replace my F3 for home use where the F3 will stay in my pocket.

 

[19-3ben]

I've owned a Gerber Folding Sheath Knife (the Bear Grylls knife) for ~ two years now,

When I got that knife I was around thirteen years of age

Ok so you're about 15yrs old now. Have your parents been taken into consideration? Do they feel one might be more appropriate for you than another?

I did some research, and found that the Cold Steel Recon 1 is pretty much the greatest thing since sliced bread -

I have one and I agree that it's a great knife. I don't know that it's the one that I'd pick for camping purposes, but there's no arguing the quality and durability for someone who is going to be hard on a folder. Certainly not a bad choice at all.

As for clip vs. spear, I pick spear and drop points 9/10 times. For outdoor purposes I like the beefier tip for reasons mentioned above.

 

[marcinek]

Zombie thread.

It's been said 90% of all professional restaurant food prep knife work can be done with a 4-inch parer and a 10-inch chef's knife. It's no accident most all are drop points.

I use these every day. The 95mm F3 has been surprisingly utilitarian. Stout enough to bone a pork shoulder or cut up a chicken, yet thin enough to dice an onion. Wustof 4582, 155mm French butcher's knife and a Shirogorov F3.

I have this Enzo Trapper 95 on its way. It will replace my F3 for home use where the F3 will stay in my pocket.

Lemme get this straight.

You zombied a thread where the OP was looking for "what is the functional difference between the clip and spear point in a survival/camp knife?" to talk about what you use to bone a pork shoulder or cut up a chicken.

And like 19-3ben , I'd go drop, then spear for bushcraft/outdoorsy.

 

[craytab]

Ok so you're about 15yrs old now. Have your parents been taken into consideration? Do they feel one might be more appropriate for you than another?



I have one and I agree that it's a great knife. I don't know that it's the one that I'd pick for camping purposes, but there's no arguing the quality and durability for someone who is going to be hard on a folder. Certainly not a bad choice at all.

As for clip vs. spear, I pick spear and drop points 9/10 times. For outdoor purposes I like the beefier tip for reasons mentioned above.

Ah, but your math is off as this is a necro thread! Kid is probably 19 by now as it's been 4 years since the op.

I preferred the aesthetics of the recon 1 spear point, really more of a mix between a drop and spear point. The clip on that version was a bit more drastic than I like. Sold the two I had as I found because of the triad lock, the cutting edge ended up being farther away from my hand than what I considered useful for actual folding knife tasks.

 

[marcinek]

Ok so you're about 15yrs old now.

19.