Hogue Deka: which blade shape?

jstn

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Jun 27, 2012
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Once the Deka is released in MagnaCut I’m getting one. I really like wharncliffes, but I’m unsure about the compound grind on this one. Anyone had both the drop point and wharny versions and have suggestions? I’m leaning toward the drop point right now but could easily be convinced otherwise.
 
The warn is funky to me for a carry knife. The deka are a little thin for my tastes so I've msg'd them about doing a thicker blade they said they are looking into doing it. I told them .14 is the magic number, I won't hold my breath.
 
The warn is funky to me for a carry knife. The deka are a little thin for my tastes so I've msg'd them about doing a thicker blade they said they are looking into doing it. I told them .14 is the magic number, I won't hold my breath.

I agree on the "not a Wharncliffe" compound shape. I had one of them for a while but ended up selling it. I just didn't see the value versus either a real Wharncliffe or a Tanto.

I'm on the opposite end for blade thickness. I don't see the value in thicker blades for EDC folders. What purpose does it serve? What tasks suited to EDC folders, especially folders of this size, benefit from a thicker blade? Especially when passing through material, a thinner blade has advantages.
 
Clip point for me, although I haven't had the Wharncliffe version as I don't really care for that blade style in general.

I just got my polymer Deka in MagnaCut today, and the scales are honestly a bit too squishy for my tastes towards the butt of the handle where there's no liner. Doesn't feel as solid as the G10 version, but will be a great host for Ti scales if someone will start making them.

PXL-20220601-010246764.jpg


I definitely count myself in the thin blade club, a thicker blade would kill the Deka for me, especially in MC.
 
I agree on the "not a Wharncliffe" compound shape. I had one of them for a while but ended up selling it. I just didn't see the value versus either a real Wharncliffe or a Tanto.

I'm on the opposite end for blade thickness. I don't see the value in thicker blades for EDC folders. What purpose does it serve? What tasks suited to EDC folders, especially folders of this size, benefit from a thicker blade? Especially when passing through material, a thinner blade has advantages.
I prefer a thicker blade, I've never had a problem cutting anything during daily use with my BM adamas mini and it's about .14 and my Dpx had no issues and it was .19, after having had a few thinner blades over the years I actually see no reason not to have a thicker blade I think they will hold up better in the long run.
To each his own though.
 
The warn is funky to me for a carry knife. The deka are a little thin for my tastes so I've msg'd them about doing a thicker blade they said they are looking into doing it. I told them .14 is the magic number, I won't hold my breath.

I have a drop point Deka. Very nice knife.

Agree on the Wharncliffe. I like them on traditional knives, because normally there is a second blade to do other cutting, but although they are extremely useful for a good many types of cutting chores, there are some things they don't do all that well, so I don't care for it on a single blade knife.

The blade does seem a bit thin. Might be because of the rest of the design. I have a fair number of traditional blades of similar length and thickness. They don't seem thin. But this one just does. It may be that I'm just used to seeing thicker blades on modern knives.
 
I prefer a thicker blade, I've never had a problem cutting anything during daily use with my BM adamas mini and it's about .14 and my Dpx had no issues and it was .19, after having had a few thinner blades over the years I actually see no reason not to have a thicker blade I think they will hold up better in the long run.
To each his own though.

I've had all sorts of knives over the years, thick and thin. I haven't noticed thicker blades "holding up better in the long run". It's worth remembering that we are talking about folders here, not large fixed blades for bushcrafting or batoning. The kinds of activities where the strength difference between between an average 0.125" and a thick 0.19" will actually matter are just not appropriate jobs for folding knives in the first place. One might "feel sturdier" but that's about it.

Going much thinner than an eighth of an inch, the Spyderco Delica is in the same ballpark as the Deka. It has been a popular knife for something like thirty years. How many long-term blade issues do we see with those?

Thinner blades feel better and have an easier time moving through materials such as cardboard. Thicker blades mean pulling a thicker wedge through the cut. The next time you have a big box to cut down, start with your Dpx and switch to the Deka, a Delica, or even a Rat 2 mid-task. Assuming both are starting sharp, you'll notice the difference.
 
I've had all sorts of knives over the years, thick and thin. I haven't noticed thicker blades "holding up better in the long run". It's worth remembering that we are talking about folders here, not large fixed blades for bushcrafting or batoning. The kinds of activities where the strength difference between between an average 0.125" and a thick 0.19" will actually matter are just not appropriate jobs for folding knives in the first place. One might "feel sturdier" but that's about it.

Going much thinner than an eighth of an inch, the Spyderco Delica is in the same ballpark as the Deka. It has been a popular knife for something like thirty years. How many long-term blade issues do we see with those?

Thinner blades feel better and have an easier time moving through materials such as cardboard. Thicker blades mean pulling a thicker wedge through the cut. The next time you have a big box to cut down, start with your Dpx and switch to the Deka, a Delica, or even a Rat 2 mid-task. Assuming both are starting sharp, you'll notice the difference.
Used to work as a stocker at a grocery store, my thick blades never had a problem. They supplied a razor but those wore out too quickly so I started using my Dpx and never looked back. I understand the idea of thinner but just won't have it. I do collect some wimpy blades but not to carry.
 
Thanks gentlemen. Drop point it is. If anyone has one in MagnaCut you want to sell, holler at me!
 
The warn is funky to me for a carry knife. The deka are a little thin for my tastes so I've msg'd them about doing a thicker blade they said they are looking into doing it. I told them .14 is the magic number, I won't hold my breath.
The thinness is part of the appeal for me. I have plenty of thicker knives, and I like them for certain uses, but a thin, light knife like the Deka will have its place. I’m especially interested since it’s Magnacut. It should be tough enough to support a thin edge. I have some very thin custom Magnacut that is phenomenal. Let’s hope Hogue’s heat treat is good.
 
I've had all sorts of knives over the years, thick and thin. I haven't noticed thicker blades "holding up better in the long run". It's worth remembering that we are talking about folders here, not large fixed blades for bushcrafting or batoning. The kinds of activities where the strength difference between between an average 0.125" and a thick 0.19" will actually matter are just not appropriate jobs for folding knives in the first place. One might "feel sturdier" but that's about it.

Going much thinner than an eighth of an inch, the Spyderco Delica is in the same ballpark as the Deka. It has been a popular knife for something like thirty years. How many long-term blade issues do we see with those?

Thinner blades feel better and have an easier time moving through materials such as cardboard. Thicker blades mean pulling a thicker wedge through the cut. The next time you have a big box to cut down, start with your Dpx and switch to the Deka, a Delica, or even a Rat 2 mid-task. Assuming both are starting sharp, you'll notice the difference.

Perhaps you could just let him like what he likes without continuing to give a lecture on thick versus thin? 🤷‍♂️
 
I wouldn’t get a wharnie one, the clip point blade is too nice looking. I just got this today. It reminds me of a nice benchmade from back in the day, although the poly handle does feel cheap.
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I can’t understand why they chose that material for the Magnacut version over G10.
 
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