Favorite blade shape?

J

Johnny_Z

Joined
Jun 11, 2004
Messages
201
I won't use the term, "best" so what is your favorite blade shape? Drop point? Spear? Tanto? Hawkbill? Other? Why? For arguement's sake I'm thinking of a typical EDC type blade, not a camp knife or other such thing. The type of blade that is best over all for most everyday tasks.
 
Without a doubt the Wharncliff is my favorite shape for a knife blade. You can use that shape to pick splinters out of fingers, carve walking stick faces, field dress a squirrel or rabbit or cut out old caulking from a window you are replacing. I think it does it all. I've carried one for years.

Close seconds would be a lambs foot and sheepsfoot blade shape.
 
I like a long taper spear point for general use. Like on the Al Mar knives and the no 8 Opinel spear point.
 
For EDC and general use, I can't think of anything better than spear or drop point.
 
Somehow I ended up with 4 recurved knives, a tanto, and a wharncliffe (all small folders/one fixed blade)

I guess recurve is my favorite. Slight recurve that is. My Camillus EDC is a bit on the extreme side compared to my BMs. I EDC a tanto because of silly length laws.


Edited with examples:

Recurves:
Benchmade 220 - "Gotham Swedged Clip Point" Snody designed.
Benchmade 806D2 - Sort of reminds me of a khukri? actually 'recurve' is pretty debatable here.
Benchmade 41MC balisong - recurved spear point. neato.
Camillus EDC in 154cm - just a standard recurve

My tanto is a Benchmade 722S, The wharncliffe is the Benchmade 3100

(deep breath)
Benchmade.
 
My favorite blade shape is the recurve, it does really well for me as a general utility blade. Coming in second, at pretty close really, would be a drop point type of blade.

I haven't tried a wharencliff yet, but I do have one on order so I will see how I like it. Seems like it would also work out well for most utility stuff.
 
I also like spear points - they just look nice. Two of my EDCs (the Gunting and Jeff Hall - see sig line) are spears, and I finally got around to ordering a Native.
 
I prefer the drop or spear point for EDC/utility. The Warncliffe is right behind. Tanto - I like the look, but haven't found it to be very practical for my uses.
 
Slightly recurved clip point. Very versatile and (with a sharpened swedge) IMO the best shape for SD.
 
Recurve or Wharncliffe. Most of my folders aren't big enough to need a Tanto point.
 
Drop point or spear point: either shape is versatile, and can be built with good tip strength.
 
I like stabby blades, spearpoints and modified tantos (where the point is more to the center of the blade). Wharncliffe, sheepsfoot, etc blades do nothing for me.
 
I really like a Wharnecliffe that tapers to a nice point. I like them for all the reasons that STR pointed out in his post.


Without a doubt the Wharncliff is my favorite shape for a knife blade. You can use that shape to pick splinters out of fingers, carve walking stick faces, field dress a squirrel or rabbit or cut out old caulking from a window you are replacing. I think it does it all. I've carried one for years.
Click to expand...

I think that sums it up rather nicely.
 
My favorites are moderately recurved clip-points. They combine the best characteristics of several different geometries into one extremely versatile blade. You get a narrow point for penetration, lots of belly for slicing, and an inward curve to pull through fibrous materials efficiently.

--Bob Q
 
Lots of interesting responses and reasons. I suppose I should have said this to begin with, but what are some examples of said favorites?
 
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