Double edged for utility?

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peter469

Joined
Jan 26, 2006
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Do double edged knives have any advantages over single edged ones for utility use? If you have any photos of double edges utility users, please post them.
 
imo they don't really have any advantages. its nice to have a swedge that's not completely sharpened though.
 
what utility purpose would a double edged blade serve? not much in my opinion. actually, i think i would prefer not to have a double edged blade for utility purposes.
 
the only thing I can think of is if you want more edge or have one serrated and the other PE, but if you were cutting very "viscous" material you wouldnt be able to use your thumb for added leverage
 
They have lot's of utility as long as the job pertains to cutting out someones liver...
I think the intent of any double edged blade is pretty much designed for killing without any consideration for general use.
These 4 never leave the house as they are not allowed to be carried in CA.
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The advantage they have is obviously that you can change your cutting direction without changing your grip angle.
 
The only more utilitarian double-edged designs that are coming to mind at the moment are chute knives and the more specialized designs like those used for kayaking/rafting or diving.
 
The only real time I would ever consider using a double edged knife for utility is if it were like certain Microtech OTFs where one side is plain, and the other side is serrated. Otherwise I don't really see a point, since there's serious disadvantages. Most obviously you can't put pressure on the spine, plus DE blades are much more obtusely ground compared to single edge blades of the same thickness (making them poorer cutters).
 
GMAHN said:
The advantage they have is obviously that you can change your cutting direction without changing your grip angle.
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This. Several of my machetes have a partial back edge and it allows for rapid cuts in both directions to quickly clear vegetation. In the case of the Cold Steel Counter Tac, which has a flattened triangular cross section and chisel-ground edges it also keeps the knife from being right-hand dominant, meaning you can approach a cut from as shallow an angle as you choose in either direction without running into the limitations normally inherent to chisel grinds. I hope to get my hands on a Mora sticking knife (double edged) for use as a garden knife, allowing me to cut forward in typical fashion, or back towards myself like a paring knife.

They are a specialized blade type, but they DO have utilitarian roles.
 
We use these on the work site -
Knife_Case.jpg


Plain edge on one side, serrated on the other. When my wife wants a knife to abuse, I give her one of these.

Andy
 
Andrew Colglazier said:
We use these on the work site -
Knife_Case.jpg


Plain edge on one side, serrated on the other. When my wife wants a knife to abuse, I give her one of these.

Andy
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This is the reason I like my SOG Mini-Pentagon (older Japan version, where the serrations go almost all the way to the very tip). It's convenient to have both edges on the same blade, and it's a fixed blade not a folder, so there's essentially two different knives in one.

In the outdoors, I kinda like a medium-to-large size double-edge blade, so I can have one edge profiled very thin for slicing, and the other edge more obtuse for chopping. Again, two knives in one.

A disadvantage, on the other hand, is that you lose the ability to use the spine of your blade for anything (fire steels, batons, etc.).
 
No one has yet to mention looks as an advantage. I tend to prefer good looking knives and double edged ones are usually very nice to look at :)

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puukkoman said:
This is the reason I like my SOG Mini-Pentagon (older Japan version, where the serrations go almost all the way to the very tip). It's convenient to have both edges on the same blade, and it's a fixed blade not a folder, so there's essentially two different knives in one.

In the outdoors, I kinda like a medium-to-large size double-edge blade, so I can have one edge profiled very thin for slicing, and the other edge more obtuse for chopping. Again, two knives in one.

A disadvantage, on the other hand, is that you lose the ability to use the spine of your blade for anything (fire steels, batons, etc.).
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You can baton a double edge. It just chews up the baton, but those are typically disposable anyhow.
 
There is also a legality issue in some jurisdictions if it is concealed, whereas often you might be okay with a more benign blade. I have specifically seen some laws that mentioned any double edge knife as being unlawful if concealed. I realize this is debatable but until it's changed it is what it is...
 
My loving bride presented me witha Microtech Ultratech DE OTF auto knife last summer. Apparently it drags it's S35VN blade edge on the top edge internally, as it seems to be getting more dull with no cutting experience. Consider that, the legality of 'OTF' auto knife function and the DE design around central Alabama, and you understand why I won't be buying another DE auto knife. Not very 'utility' to me! It looks nice in my display case...

Stainz
 
I always thought a SOG Pentagon would be a good utility blade, but I wouldn't buy one because of the laws against double-edged blades.
 
Supposedly, Indian trade daggers were kept with one edge finely honed while the other had more of a working edge. The user could choose blade edge sharpness based on the task at hand.
 
CWL said:
Supposedly, Indian trade daggers were kept with one edge finely honed while the other had more of a working edge. The user could choose blade edge sharpness based on the task at hand.
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Similar to keeping a double bit axe with one fine felling edge and a "grubbing edge" for chopping wood with bad knots or around roots.
 
The only double edged knives I have are dive knives. Never had a use for one, otherwise.

Plus, they are illegal here anyway. Hopefully, the local constabulary won't go rooting around in my scuba gear bag anytime soon.
 
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