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Double edged?
- Thread starter BRASMAN
- Start date
- Joined
- Mar 18, 2005
- Messages
- 2,753
Pos. is you have two edges if one dulles out you have another to fall back on.
Neg. They are not very well suited for utility work. I also find it hard to do detailed work with a double edge.
John
Neg. They are not very well suited for utility work. I also find it hard to do detailed work with a double edge.
John
Positives. two cutting edges allow the user to cut both ways. This can speed up the work in deboning and butchering meat.
One edge to work hard, and take abuse, the other can be 'saved' for finer cutting.
A double edge is like having two knives on one blade.
Cons: More dangerous than a single edge. You cannot push down on the spine of the blade with your hand, as there is no spine, but a sharp edge.
In some instances the strength of the blade is not as strong as a single edge with a thicker spine.
One edge to work hard, and take abuse, the other can be 'saved' for finer cutting.
A double edge is like having two knives on one blade.
Cons: More dangerous than a single edge. You cannot push down on the spine of the blade with your hand, as there is no spine, but a sharp edge.
In some instances the strength of the blade is not as strong as a single edge with a thicker spine.
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2004
- Messages
- 1,526
I agree with the other poster's assessments about the pros and cons of a double-edged knife. In my mind, a good compromise situation would be a knife that has the first 2" of the top sharpened, leaving room for at least a thumb on the blade's spine.
In terms of legality, even this type of knife would be classified as a double-edged knife. Each state has its own laws pertaining to the carrying of such objects. Here in New Mexico, I'm fairly certain that we can carry such knives openly; concealed carry is illegal. Check your own state (and sometimes, city) laws regarding this.
In terms of legality, even this type of knife would be classified as a double-edged knife. Each state has its own laws pertaining to the carrying of such objects. Here in New Mexico, I'm fairly certain that we can carry such knives openly; concealed carry is illegal. Check your own state (and sometimes, city) laws regarding this.
- Joined
- Jul 30, 2006
- Messages
- 44,122
negative:
limited friendliness of appearance for the LEO or the blade challenged.
limited utility for much of anything except poking holes. (which is why the LEO will not be happy if he finds you with one.)
limited legality (lawmakers don't much care for things that only poke holes, either.)
positive:
Mall ninjas think they look cool with one.
limited friendliness of appearance for the LEO or the blade challenged.
limited utility for much of anything except poking holes. (which is why the LEO will not be happy if he finds you with one.)
limited legality (lawmakers don't much care for things that only poke holes, either.)
positive:
Mall ninjas think they look cool with one.
I like double edged blades a great deal, for certain uses. Polkowski makes many superb ones, primarily for "tactical" purposes. There are techniques you can do with two edges that you can't do with one, but not everyone agrees how essential they are. I have a Wally Hayes waki with a double edge that is not only great for double edge techniques, it's beautiful. A double edged hamon done right is gorgeous. Really gorgeous.
I also think double edges can be extremely useful for a kayak/canoe knife, especially with one edge serrated and the other not serrated. Neil Blackwood made a custom stellite double edged kayak knife like that for me that is fantastic, and similar ones in less expensive materials are very popular production models to lash to pfds. There are also quite a few utility knives with double edges, but usually not full length top edge for obvious reasons already pointed out above: it's hard to press on the top edge if it's sharp, and if it extends too far back there is a risk of cutting yourself accidently. Also, especially in wakis and swords, it's possible to cut yourself on drawing and on using some single edge techniques, which you might do reflexively. Also, I haven't find many folders secure enough for a double edge, although I have a partially double edge framelock Maxx that is excellent, but it couldn't be sharpenned too far back since the sharp edge would be exposed when folded. An Elishewitz phantom would be great double edged, though. Mine isn't. There were a few good folding fighters that had a top serrated edge, used more for trapping and grabbing than cutting, and of course, lots of "survival" knives have top sharpened areas as wire cutters etc. Simonich made some beauties, but that's a little different than a full edge.
No legal problems with a double edge per se in Canada, but it does increase the risk of it being regarded as a weapon unless it's obviously a "survival" or outdoor knife.
I also think double edges can be extremely useful for a kayak/canoe knife, especially with one edge serrated and the other not serrated. Neil Blackwood made a custom stellite double edged kayak knife like that for me that is fantastic, and similar ones in less expensive materials are very popular production models to lash to pfds. There are also quite a few utility knives with double edges, but usually not full length top edge for obvious reasons already pointed out above: it's hard to press on the top edge if it's sharp, and if it extends too far back there is a risk of cutting yourself accidently. Also, especially in wakis and swords, it's possible to cut yourself on drawing and on using some single edge techniques, which you might do reflexively. Also, I haven't find many folders secure enough for a double edge, although I have a partially double edge framelock Maxx that is excellent, but it couldn't be sharpenned too far back since the sharp edge would be exposed when folded. An Elishewitz phantom would be great double edged, though. Mine isn't. There were a few good folding fighters that had a top serrated edge, used more for trapping and grabbing than cutting, and of course, lots of "survival" knives have top sharpened areas as wire cutters etc. Simonich made some beauties, but that's a little different than a full edge.
No legal problems with a double edge per se in Canada, but it does increase the risk of it being regarded as a weapon unless it's obviously a "survival" or outdoor knife.
though imho they do offer some advantages esp on dagger style knives the fact that they are illegal so many places (where i live TX for 1) pretty much outweighs the pros for me, not that i dont have several of them and if i could i would carry my MT makora edc FWIW.
I think that HJK has the best summary of the use of a double edged knife outside of a re-enacting environment. If I were into white water boating of any type or into general woods hiking, I can see carrying such a blade with one edge plain and the other serrated. Gerber used to make a very nice little knife of that type with a sheath that held the skeletonized hilt in by a spring clip. It was sold as a kayaker/canoer knife to be clipped to a life vest and that was very clearly its purpose.
Thanks for the replys. What I was wondering wasabout hiking, survival and boating ECT. In my area I am not allowed to carry something like that concealed anyway. The idea about using one side as chopping and the other as a good cutter is what I was wondering about and I also like the idea about one side being serrated. Any way thanks for the replys. 
Double edged knives don't lend themselves well to chopping as "batoning" the blade would be near impossible without ruining the second edge.
Most double edged knives tend to be spear point in design, with the exception of a bowie with a sharpened false edge on the clip point. Spear point blades generally don't have a lot of belly which is useful for skinning game. The second edge doesn't allow one to place a thumb on the top of the blade to provide for better control, such as in skinning game, or for other detailed work.
There is always the increased risk of accidental self injury due to the second edge.
And unfortunately, as mentioned already, they are illegal to own in many, many jurisdictions.
Most double edged knives tend to be spear point in design, with the exception of a bowie with a sharpened false edge on the clip point. Spear point blades generally don't have a lot of belly which is useful for skinning game. The second edge doesn't allow one to place a thumb on the top of the blade to provide for better control, such as in skinning game, or for other detailed work.
There is always the increased risk of accidental self injury due to the second edge.
And unfortunately, as mentioned already, they are illegal to own in many, many jurisdictions.