Functionally speaking, what's the purpose of a recurve blade?

The can be more aggressive, when compared to a similar straight edge. A cutlass or samuri sword has an advantage over a straight sword, for slicing purposes.
 
As far as I can tell, on smaller blades, recurves mainly serve to make blades more difficult to sharpen, and make them look more aggressive.
On big choppers, a recurve shifts the weight forward, giving more chopping power.
 
I would also add that, in chopping, in addition to shifting the weight of the blade forward, I think the recurve (like any curve) concentrates the contact point of the blade to a smaller surface area, thereby concentrating the force of the cut. Then, as the cut proceeds, the curve functions to provide more of a slicing angle than a straight edge would.
 
I have a couple of recurve folders, and the primary purpose or advantage I have seen is that the blade designs increases the efficiency and lowers the force needed to make a draw cut. The material being cut basically runs into the forward slope of blade; and it acts like an exaggerated belly. It also moves the center of mass further forward, making draw cuts that much easier.

That's what I've noticed, I'm certainly not an expert on blade geometry and the like.
 
I have a few recurves....Kershaws and ZTs. A recurve will go thru a thin surface, a gallon milk bottle, Much easier than a straight blade with a belly. The shape of the blade is

designed for better penetration. A sharp recurve(3.5" -4.0") will cut rope easier than a sharp straight balde.
 
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on the couple knives i own with a heavy recurve, they also have an outward belly. as the material slides down the edge, the recurve takes it in and then up the belly. i find it helps duller knives cut rope better than a dull straight edge
 
It packs more edge length in the same length of blade. And as others have said a draw cut will pull the "hump" at the front of the blade back into the material that you are cutting, that combined with with the natural slicing advantages of a curved edge will make a recurve more aggressive in a draw cut. This effect is most notable on materials like rope.
 
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