Another nice hybrid, Gerry. Looks like a well-crafted camp knife / bowie / hunter combo.
Can that false top edge be sharpened? Actually, what are pro's and con's of sharpening the top edge? (Not looking for a debate - I've always wondered why many of these types of designs have a false edge on the top.)
The following is from "The Blade Geometry FAQ", by Joe Talmadge
at KnifeArt.com,
http://www.knifeart.com/bladgeomfaqb.html
"IV. Blade Shapes, and What They're Good For
- The Clip Point
A great all-around format and one of the most popular, it's used on everything from the famous Buck 110 folder, to the Randall #1 fighter, to most bowies. The format has a concave or straight cut-out at the tip (the "clip"). This makes the point sharper, and also lowers it for more control. Clip point blades usually also provide plenty of belly.
The tip is controllable and sharp, and the belly provides good slicing/slashing, and so this format is popular on formats from utility knives to camp knives to fighters to hunting knives."
Later, he adds: ""The Marine Corps' kabar combat/utility knife is a classic. It's a clip point design, with a false edge that is sometimes sharpened. This makes the point very sharp, and easy to control in thrusts. As with most clip points, there is a nice belly for slicing. This makes it suitable for fighting and utility uses."
So, the answer to your first question is, yes, the false top edge can be sharpened. The primary advantage in doing this has everything to do with ease of penetration when employed as a fighting knife to stab, and secondarily in being able to use the back slash with effect. The disadvantages that might be listed have to do with possibly weakening the inherently strong point, inabiliby to employ the knife as a hunter without inadvertently cutting into the vitals during gutting (for example), and possible cutting yourself when employing the knife as a fighter in certain holds.
I will explain this last one a little more so that there is no confusion. Prior to deployment to Iraq we went through Close Quarter Combat (CQC) training. The instructors taught us how to add strength and penetration to slashing cuts by placing the off hand on the spine of the blade and applying pressure to the slash. The result is the holding hand is slashing while the off hand is pushing. You would not do this with a double-edged dagger. If the false edge of a clip point is sharpened you run the risk of your off hand sliding along the blade and getting cut during this technique.
I hope this helps.
John T. "Jack" Jeffery
Quang Tri and Da Nang, Vietnam (1971)
Ramadi, Iraq (2005-2006)
"A man without a knife is a man without a life!"
