Fixed blade preference questions

[David Mary]

Greetings friends. Been thinking about some random stuff, and now I have a few questions for you about your preferences for fixed blades:

1. What kind of knife would you NOT want a swedge on?

2. Those who dislike carbon fiber because it is slick, would you consider trying it if it had a grip feature, such as a lateral groove, or texture in the handle?

3. Fixed blade sheath eyelets eventually wear, would you rather receive them brand new with brass eyelets, so they will have a uniform and relatively unchanging look, or still prefer to start with black, and let them wear naturally over time?

Thanks!

 

[adluginb]

No swedge on kitchen knives for me and I don’t like them on a blade I would possible baton with. Otherwise, swedge on.

Possibly yes on carbon fiber, if it’s textured.

Brass…

 

[Steven65]

Greetings friends. Been thinking about some random stuff, and now I have a few questions for you about your preferences for fixed blades:

1. What kind of knife would you NOT want a swedge on?

I think any kind of camp/bushcraft knife needs a flat spine if you want to use a fire steel or baton with it.

2. Those who dislike carbon fiber because it is slick, would you consider trying it if it had a grip feature, such as a lateral groove, or texture in the handle?

I'm not a huge fan of texturing especially CF. If I was going to want that I would probably go with G10

3. Fixed blade sheath eyelets eventually wear, would you rather receive them brand new with brass eyelets, so they will have a uniform and relatively unchanging look, or still prefer to start with black, and let them wear naturally over time?

Thanks!

I'd probably go black and let them patina.

 

[tltt]

1) On kitchen knives, you could maybe get away with a very light swedge like some of the early factories did, otherwise, leave them off. The biggest thing with swedges is finding the right length for the design. It's one of those "I'll know it when I see it" type deals. Short swedges can be tricky visually, and too long they interfere with function.

2) Perhaps, but it would have to be a lot of texturing.

3) Wouldn't mind if they were aged brass, otherwise black.

 

[DocJD]

Just for my uses and IMO , all parts of a knife should ideally focus on function / purpose .

A swedge should be sharp enough to be of some actual use ; or, just be left off, if it will interfere with the need to baton or rest a guiding finger etc .

Handles should be ergonomic / provide a good grip under wide circumstances . If you can do that with CF , then OK !

Brass or whatever works .

 

[1911bphil]

In my opinion, the only blade shapes that should have a swedge are bowie and bayonet.
Carbon fiber with texture is fine.
Brass eyelets are good either all black or plain.

 

[shinyedges]

I don't mind unsharpened swedges on almost anything. Caveat being it doesn't take away from tip durability, as that is something I look for.

Love carbon fiber, texture would be good.


Meh on eyelets, don't much care either way but I like brass in general.

 

[beeinak]

I prefer no swedge on outdoor/field knives that I might baton/pry or scrape with.

I prefer swedges for knives I want to be fast handling, lighter, or for easier penetration.

I have not cared for any carbon fiber, and love Micarta and Suretouch ( and looking forward to Grip-tec), so I am pretty closed-minded about carbon fiber.

I would certainly be open to brass eyelets on most sheaths. I think it would look really nice for many- especially if the knife handle had brass or copper pins or lanyard tube.

 

[The True North]

1. A large survival knife.

2. Yes. Something like machined texturing would improve the feel massively.

3. Strong preference for uncoated brass.

 

[SharpBits]

1) Swedge all the things!*
2) Microtexturing, center groove, sculpting are all good.
3) No strong preference. Holster screws and posts might be better?

*within reason, of course.

 

[cbach8tw]

No swedge in kitchen knives.

I don’t think carbon fiber would be less slick even with texture, but I would have to see how that would look first to completely make up my mind.

Black and let patina and show some honest wear.

 

[DMG]

Greetings friends. Been thinking about some random stuff, and now I have a few questions for you about your preferences for fixed blades:

1. What kind of knife would you NOT want a swedge on?

2. Those who dislike carbon fiber because it is slick, would you consider trying it if it had a grip feature, such as a lateral groove, or texture in the handle?

3. Fixed blade sheath eyelets eventually wear, would you rather receive them brand new with brass eyelets, so they will have a uniform and relatively unchanging look, or still prefer to start with black, and let them wear naturally over time?

Thanks!

I don’t see a need for a swedge on any knife. I think it is jut a stylistic move to make it look like a dagger. And it may interfere with batoning or striking a ferro rod.
CF is a little slick but handle design can make up for it. I use a GB2 all day at work.
I am fine with either type of eyelet. Durability and cost matter more.

 

[Cementite]

I don’t see a need for a swedge on any knife. I think it is jut a stylistic move to make it look like a dagger. And it may interfere with batoning or striking a ferro rod.

+1

I view swedges kind of like rear spoilers (or hood scoops) on clapped-out, coffee-canned Corollas, t!ts on a boar, or, extraneous, commas. When in doubt leave it out!

Also, here in Virginia, I believe "double edged" knives are verboten for carry. I know a swedge isn't truly a "double edge," but -- God forbid -- if I ever had to use a knife for SD, I wouldn't want to have to get into a Grand Jury or civil suit debate with an ambitious prosecutor or ambulance chaser over whether a swedge constituted a double-edge or not...

 

[scotto9]

1. Swedge doesn’t do anything for me but if it is serving a purpose, then I’m all in.
2. I used to love CF everything, but I never experienced it as a knife handle. That said, I would prefer it textured, but wouldn’t that both look not as cool and just smooth out with use anyway?
3. I love any sort of good patina but I like brass also. That one is tough.

Are you trying to decide what to make next? Share photos once it’s in-hand!

 

[jux t]

Greetings friends. Been thinking about some random stuff, and now I have a few questions for you about your preferences for fixed blades:

1. What kind of knife would you NOT want a swedge on?

2. Those who dislike carbon fiber because it is slick, would you consider trying it if it had a grip feature, such as a lateral groove, or texture in the handle?

3. Fixed blade sheath eyelets eventually wear, would you rather receive them brand new with brass eyelets, so they will have a uniform and relatively unchanging look, or still prefer to start with black, and let them wear naturally over time?

Thanks!

1. I would not want a swedge on a knife I whittle with.

2. I dislike slick carbon fiber, but would try it with some grooves.

3. I’d still prefer to start with black eyelets.

 

[ferider]

1. I like an unsharpened swedge on a knife unless I plan to baton with it; no sharpened swedges at all, here
2. Don't mind CF, but texture helps. My favorite texture is on Hinderer's CF
3. Don't mind either way. Black has the benefit that it's easier to add eyelets for me, though

 

[David Mary]

I don’t think carbon fiber would be less slick even with texture, but I would have to see how that would look first to completely make up my mind.

The material won’t get any less slick. What happens is the maker can add pinch points, indexing points and extra purchase.

Think of a knurled barbell. It is still iron, and still slippery, but the knurling adds friction by creating additional points of contact that will functionally add grip, allowing a sweaty handed lifted to pick up a few hundred pounds attached to said bar.

Or a coke bottle style handle on a knife. You can have a slippery material like G10 or carbon fiber, but when the contours fit your hand like a glove the extra purchase makes it stay in your hand better than if it were a simple flat handled knife of the same material.

2. I used to love CF everything, but I never experienced it as a knife handle. That said, I would prefer it textured, but wouldn’t that both look not as cool and just smooth out with use anyway?

Not sure why that would “look not as cool”. As for smoothing out, your skin is probably not abrasive enough to wear carbon fiber.

 

[ferider]

This is what Rick calls textured, it’s pretty neat:

The “Monkey Edge” pattern works well, too:

That being said, it’s nasty stuff to work with, watch your health, David !

 

[JJ_Colt45]

I like a well done swedge if it lightens and or helps balance a knife. I have no practical use for a sharpened swedge or double edged blade.

I despise cf in any form as a handle ... not only can it be slick, it just never held up for my uses.

I don't have a big preference on sheath eyelets as they will all scuff, scratch, and develope their unique patina and wear with carry.

 

[David Mary]

it’s nasty stuff to work with, watch your health, David !

Thank you my friend. Respirator for all grinding and sanding operations since even before I did this for a living.