Is it really necessary?

MrKnifekid

MrKnifekid

Joined
Aug 1, 2011
Messages
1,185
Is that small choil thing on Becker Knives really necessary? In my short, short experience with Becker knives, I have found that it tends to snag on things. It also puts your finger even further away from the cutting edge. Here is my question: What is it supposed to be used for, and why is it there? Here is a pick of it on my BK-2. It is also on most of the other Beckers.

Here is some pics of it on my BK-2.
(sorry for crappy phone pics)
100_4208.jpg


100_4209.jpg


100_4210.jpg


Edit: and the awesome Ka-Bar 1211 does not have that, so it does not snag on things:
100_4211.jpg

100_4212.jpg


and a pic I took a while back, but never got around to posting it to the photo thread:
100_4161.jpg
 
Last edited:
lots of blades have that, my understanding is that its there so when you sharpen your knife, the handle/ricasso? whatever area does not hit your stone
 
I thought it was a sight for an M1 Abrams.
 
Yeah, don't throw the knife, even if you've had too much brew following your turkey dinner. That little notch does seem to snag on things. It makes the sharpening process a tad easier. Does it need to be there? I doubt it. Some folk like the look of such things. Keep in mind: certain people are better with cutlery than others. Having your tarsals somewhat removed from the edge might be a prudent thing.
 
Yeh it gives you space to drag the edge across the stone. If it wasn't there that spot would be hard to sharpen easily with the rest of the blade.
 
It makes the edge easier to sharpen, take the CRKT Pike's Peak for example, doesn't have one, and 1/3 of the cutting edge is almost unground because of it. You could always square the edges off for a firesteel, or grind it away, or sharpen it into a singular serration.
 
clich said:
Yeh it gives you space to drag the edge across the stone. If it wasn't there that spot would be hard to sharpen easily with the rest of the blade.
Click to expand...

Well, on my Ka-Bar 1211 (Same thing as the original F/U knife, but with Kraton G handle) it doesn't have that, and I find that easier to sharpen than the Beckers.

thanks for the reply dude.
 
Yeah, but you are a knife knut, so you know how to sharpen. The general public needs all the help they can get.
 
thatotherguy said:
Yeah, but you are a knife knut, so you know how to sharpen. The general public needs all the help they can get.
Click to expand...

that is correct, IdahoGuy's vids of Mr. Jerry Fisk on the benchstone really helped me. I can now sharpen to a razor edge on a pre-oiled benchstone.

thanks for the post.
 
That choil is there, from what I understand, to remove the stress point where the thin edge of the blade meets the thicker edge of the tang. They flex differently, obviously, and that means that that particular spot is more likely to cause chipping and breaking in the blade. Removing that in a circular pattern gives the blade more strength. That's why you'll find it in most blades.
 
crimsonfalcon07 said:
That choil is there, from what I understand, to remove the stress point where the thin edge of the blade meets the thicker edge of the tang. They flex differently, obviously, and that means that that particular spot is more likely to cause chipping and breaking in the blade. Removing that in a circular pattern gives the blade more strength. That's why you'll find it in most blades.
Click to expand...

that sounds like a very edumacated reason. sounds like you gradiated the 6th grade.:D
 
Yep, we be edumacated. Picked that one up in some of the studying I've done to help me improve my knifemaking skills. Also, we had this discussion over in the HI subforum. A khuk has the same feature, but it tends to be a bit more stylized. That was the reason that made the most scientific sense to me, and it's proven true in the limited testing I've done.
 
Sharpening notch, very handy. Makes it easier to get that last little bit sharp.
 
crimsonfalcon07 said:
Yep, we be edumacated. Picked that one up in some of the studying I've done to help me improve my knifemaking skills. Also, we had this discussion over in the HI subforum. A khuk has the same feature, but it tends to be a bit more stylized. That was the reason that made the most scientific sense to me, and it's proven true in the limited testing I've done.
Click to expand...
I was told that the cutout in khuks were for letting the blood/sap leave the blade, and to honor Shiva, this makes a LOT more sense.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top