greco thickness

[generallobster]

I was considering the Companion but have not handled a Greco and I'm worried the 1/4in thickness and short saber grind of his knives will make them more railroad spike than cutting tool. Does anyone have a Greco, and can you comment on its cutting performance.

 

[shootist16]

I have several Grecos. Dont let the thickness scare you off. They cut very well. The smaller ones aren't as thick though. If you want thinner stock check out the cub companion.

 

[Jeff Clark]

There is no magic out there. Nothing you can do to an edge will make up for a thick blade and a short saber grind if you are cutting through stiff, tough material. If you chop with a heavy blade like a bowie you can sometimes split the material you are going through efficiently if it is somewhat hard and moderately tough or if it is thin you can break through it.

If you are cutting through softer or more complient material like meat or hide the edge can compensate for the rest of the blade geometry, but even a good edge doesn't allow surgical cutting precision with a thick blade. The best compromise is to hollow grind the blade if you need to do subtle tasks like whittling.

I've got one of the small Greco's made from 3/16-inch stock. I thinned the edge considerably with my belt sander. It makes a reasonable small hunting knife. I called and asked the Greco's if they could make me one from 1/8-inch stock and they said they couldn't. That shows you where I'm coming from.

 

[mikemck]

The only problem I have had with the 1/4" thickness was trying to cut thin slices of ham. Otherwise, my Companion slices everything else I have tried without problem...copier paper, thick corrugated cardboard, thin cardboard, wire, coax, all of it with no problems.

The companion is the first carbon steel blade I have owned, and I am amazed at how sharp I can easily get it, which of course helps with the slicing and cutting.

 

[jayharley]

I have a Cub Companion and it is 3/16" not 1/4". I have read were the newer versions are 3/16".

 

[AntDog]

The companion is an awesome blade - 1/4" thick or not. Mine cuts anything I want it to. I haven't had any problems cutting anything with it, but I wouldn't skin a deer with it either. Like mike said - you can get them SUPER sharp with very little effort. I get mine shaving sharp really quick. I know some place is selling them for $50!!!! You can't go wrong at that price!

 

[Samurai6]

I had a Cub Companion, approximately 3/16 stock, I think. It was a railroad spike by my standards. I like a .015"-.02" edge thickness and the Cub had an edge so thick it could barely be forced through 1/2" sisal rope, so thick reprofiling looked impossible. Loved the design, but the cutting edge was a zero on a scale of 1-5.