How thick should it be?

Dr Rez said:
Well technically both, but each contribute to being tough in different ways. As mentioned a thicker apex is going to significantly increase impact resistance for example, while a thicker stock would increase the blades ability to withstand snapping or bending when using it for those dirty (probably non knife) jobs many of us love to do.
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There are so many variables related to toughness, that without stated specifications, there could be arguments (discussions) all day between people who really agree on the same things.

This thread is about stock thickness and therefore generally a thicker stock is going to be tougher than thinner for sure. However, it does not mean that the thinner stock is not tough in its own right.

I can see how things are getting somewhat heated, but I think you all have the same conclusion, just discussing (arguing-ish) semantics. :)
 
Some folks say that 1095 isn't that tough. However, from my pragmatic experience, many of my .25" 1095 blades have been some of the most stupidly tough blades I've used...and many of 'em even cut quite well. Are they comparable to a Chef's knife or great for fileting fish? No. However, I can go straight from splitting a 6" log, to cutting meat and veggies for the campfire, to quartering quesadillas.

That being posted, and assuming I'm using a well heat-treated knife from a reputable Manufacturer/Maker, I love me a blade that uses quarter-inch blade stock. Overkill? Maybe. But, it sure is nice to know you have enough fixie if you get impatient or horsey with it.


Just my humble opinion. Your mileage may vary.
 
Sharp & Fiery said:
There are so many variables related to toughness, that without stated specifications, there could be arguments (discussions) all day between people who really agree on the same things.

This thread is about stock thickness and therefore generally a thicker stock is going to be tougher than thinner for sure. However, it does not mean that the thinner stock is not tough in its own right.

I can see how things are getting somewhat heated, but I think you all have the same conclusion, just discussing (arguing-ish) semantics. :)
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These discussions are ultimately good.
But, I'm holding by everything I said.

It's funny because I Love tough steels, but............
Toughness isn't everything.

Yes, I agree if we increased the thickness it would probably be tougher.

So would changing the blade material to copper. Is it Now better?
Nope. Not for knife use.


I'll rock the boat more........
I Will concede that if we increased the blade's HEIGHT, it would be stronger, and in a more useful way.

Kinda like how I-beams are strong. Ya don't need a solid beams.



Pertaining to thickness, I've had blades from a popular manufacturer (here) that was So thick relative to It's height, the edge angle was very obtuse (T_T model) 😬
The performance suffered A lot. The blade was my biggest disappointment I've experienced.

When chopping at anything other than a direct perpendicular strike, the blade would dangerously glance off the target. The thick cheeks of steel behind the edge.
I had to sell it, it was Awful.

Geometry is extremely important, surprisingly....haha
 
Crag the Brewer said:
These discussions are ultimately good.
But, I'm holding by everything I said.

It's funny because I Love tough steels, but............
Toughness isn't everything.

Yes, I agree if we increased the thickness it would probably be tougher.

So would changing the blade material to copper. Is it Now better?
Nope. Not for knife use.


I'll rock the boat more........
I Will concede that if we increased the blade's HEIGHT, it would be stronger, and in a more useful way.

Kinda like how I-beams are strong. Ya don't need a solid beams.



Pertaining to thickness, I've had blades from a popular manufacturer (here) that was So thick relative to It's height, the edge angle was very obtuse (T_T model) 😬
The performance suffered A lot. The blade was my biggest disappointment I've experienced.

When chopping at anything other than a direct perpendicular strike, the blade would dangerously glance off the target. The thick cheeks of steel behind the edge.
I had to sell it, it was Awful.

Geometry is extremely important, surprisingly....haha
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Most definitely. Like I said, without specifics, it’s just semantics. I’m not interested in a “knife measuring contest,” as they rarely prove anything. 😂🤣

Discussions are good, but this particular one I am out on. :)

I love knives, they all perform different tasks in different ways. :) It’s all up to the user to decide if it works for them. :)
 
My thinnest knife >= 4” blade is a folder, it’s a Spyderco, 0.118" even thin for that brand. I’d say 0.093" is too thin unless the knife is dedicated to the kitchen.

I have a 5” 0.172" Magnacut Kwaiken that I consider a bit fragile, _plenty_ of cutting performance ….
 
There are so many Makers claiming "some of the toughest blades in the World", that I think this post won't throw any certain someone under the bus...


I have a few knives where the edge is convexed like a bowling ball. Many of them are quite expensive. Sure, you can pound 'em thru armored cars and railroad spikes, but some of 'em can't cut a section of 550 cord.

For me, it's neat to say that I own them (*for the sake of saying that I own them), but many of them aren't much use to me. If the "toughness" trumps their cutting ability, I don't really see much use for 'em. (*Afterall, they are "knives")
 
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David Mary said:
Just lamenting that people can drop "Christ" in front of a sentence like it's just some random word in GKD (or society), and nobody cares. But if someone says that word in it's right context like "Christ is the savior, whose name is holy and worthy of praise" they can be sure to elicit the ire of someone.
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Yeah that is fair.

People are far more forgiving of a person with faults than they are of a person with false virtue. (Saying virtue not doing virtue in this case)

Does softness equal toughness by the way?
 
Alone said:
What I do take issue with is when their beliefs permeate Every. Single. Aspect. of their daily lives.
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Some people call that consistency. And I consider it a worthy goal.
 
Writing and reading comments to communicate opinions lacks so much compared to having actual conversations with inflection and ability to see expressions.

David is one of the most humble knifemakers I have ever communicated with.
 
David Mary said:
I mean that is no different from me saying: "Nope, keep religious words out of your mouth"
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Words have multiple meanings bud. Just because you won't use a term like "Christ that's a nice knife" or similar doesnt mean I can't.

To me it means nothing aside from a common saying people use in daily conversation.
 
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