GEC's FFG vs. Case's Hollow Ground

AFAustin

AFAustin

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Jun 8, 2004
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Given the popularity of GEC and Case around here, I've been surprised to not see much discussion of one of their biggest differences: GEC favors flat ground blades, while Case usually employs a hollow grind.

I would appreciate any thoughts/opinions on the pros and cons of each.

Thanks,

Andrew
 
This is how I see it:

Hollow grind (full): Lighter weight (especially in bigger blades), thinner behind the edge (better slicing), and easier to sharpen (thin stock behind the edge means less metal to remove).

Flat grind: Blade is usually thicker overall than an equivalent hollow grind, which makes it stronger, more so on very large blades. Thicker steel behind the edge can add some strength & support to the edge also. A flat grind's thicker blade is more receptive to a convexed edge, which also adds some strength behind the edge.

On pocket knives, most of the strength advantages/disadvantages are probably moot, as most pocketknives won't be used hard enough to make a difference. I'd suspect most of the mainstream manufacturers have chosen hollow grinds (Buck, Case in particular) because of the two points previously mentioned: good slicing, and easier for the novice to sharpen to a decent working edge using relatively simple tools.
 
Thank you, gentlemen, for your comments. David, your analysis as to the marketing reasons for the hollow grinds makes sense .

Andrew
 
I have no experience with case so I cannot comment on their grind. With gec the flat grind really shines because the stock isn't very thick but many models have a fairly broad blades. Being larger, the flat grind tapers over a large distance and gets very thin. This makes them very good slicers in my experience.
 
AFAustin said:
Thank you, gentlemen, for your comments. David, your analysis as to the marketing reasons for the hollow grinds makes sense .

Andrew
Click to expand...

I think Buck Knives has even admitted to changing the grind on their 110/112 models and fixed blades over the years, because the older models, though still technically hollow-ground, used to be much thicker near the edge. Combine that with the 440C steel they used to use on those blades (which was considered to be more difficult to sharpen back then), and you had a knife that a lot of people had trouble re-sharpening. I have an old '2-dot' 112 in 440C that I bought a very long time ago, and just stashed it away because I couldn't put a decent edge on it until just a few years ago, when I finally was able to do it right. I'm real glad I held on to that one, it's one of my favorites now. ;)
 
I've never really cared, unless I get a choice. Sabre and FFG are my favorites, but when buying a knife, I dont take my time to check.
 
From my experience and admittedly limited sharpening skills, I can get all of my Case knives sharper than my two GECs.
 
Hey Andrew,

I think Popedandy's reply is the most practical. On traditionals the difference isn't going to be huge. Either one is going to be very easy to sharpen, especially if you are still using a mini belt sander.

To me, grind types matter more on larger knives. I do like thin grinds but let's take a case and a GEC. My case bose dogleg is hollow ground and my gec 85 is flat ground. They are both easy to sharpen and both slice well. I could give nitty gritty differences but for the most part they are interchangeable.

To me, the more important thing to look into is the size of the wheel used for the hollow grind and the blade thickness. If we took this discussion to big thick choppers with super wide and thick blades I think there would be more to talk about :)

A hollow ground knife with a convex edge is a scary little knife to use ;)

Kevin
 
Hi guys!

Well, I never made any bad expiriences with GEC´s FFG or Case´s Hollow Grind. Bot are nice to work with.

I just sharpen on water- and oilstones (and leather strope, for sure). Anyhow I don´t trust in those belt sanders or belt grinders. Sometime I use a sharpmaker.

What I have realized; the FFG is as good to sharpen as the Hollow Grind. But the FFG gets a better edge. For sure, it depends all on the antle that is used during sharping - but that the technical part and not part of the grind.

As David already said - every grind has its pros and cons.

I like them both ...

Kind regards
Andi
 
Andi,

As your friend, and after using a kalamazoo 1sm for about 5 years now, I wanted to say, if you know what you are doing you can trust a belt grinder. Really, its the grinder (the operator) that you have to trust.

:)

Kevin

Sidenote : I only use arkansas stones and hand strops on traditionals.
 
Hi Kevin...

Well, thanks for the kind words. I think, I gonna give them a watch, when I visit the big hardware store next time. (Maybe I get one - and when I have it, I gonna try it out on my wife´s kitchen knives :p ;) ) I never worked with something like that. Maybe it just need practice... But now were going OT... :)

Kind regards
Andi
 
Yes we are going off topic :)

My apologies. I know Andrew likes to talk sharp :)

Hope I didn't throw it off.
 
Guys, I appreciate your comments. And I don't mind any OT observations a bit---it's all good.

Yep, I'm still trying to improve myself as a sharpener, and I do still use and enjoy my WorkSharp.

I have mainly GECs but recently got another Case, and am interested in how sharpening of the differing grinds will go.

Cheers,

Andrew
 
Andrew,

In my experience, sharpening a hollow ground knife with a belt sander is much easier to execute a very even width bevel. A flat ground or convex ground knife takes a lot more skill and control.

Best regards,

Kevin
 
richstag said:
(...)A hollow ground knife with a convex edge is a scary little knife to use ;)

Kevin
Click to expand...

That aptly describes my old 2-dot Buck 112, albeit this one is a rather thick hollow grind, by today's standards. All the better, with the convex. This is a cardboard-eating machine. :)
 
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I would say that in the past few years Case is consistently mediocre (regular production, not collaboration knives) and that GEC is more variable because it is a much younger company and is going through regular changes and improvements. Some of the GEC knives have mediocre grinds and some are quite impressive. If you look at Case over their many years, instead of just the past few years, the grinds are also variable. Regarding the type of grind, rather than the execution, both have their advantages and disadvantages but work well on pocket knives.
 
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