Knives with holes

Ookpik

Ookpik

Joined
Dec 18, 2002
Messages
1,301
I’m talking about a thumbhole in the blade, like Spyderco. If you look at a cross section of the blade in this area, there isn’t much metal. Some knives are worse than others. Is this a weak spot? Has anyone ever had a blade break off at the opening hole? A knife shouldn’t be used for prying. Under hard or tactical use there can still be a lot of side force on a blade. Do I worry too much or is this a valid concern? Thanks guys.
 
I would think that it would be the liners that pry off at the pivot point before the blade snaps at the hole area.
 
It is a weak spot and there have been a handful of reports of blades breaking at this point under rather abusive situations.

Every device, every part has a weak point. The old saying, "A chain is only as strong as its weakest link," is very true. And every chain has a weakest link.

Let's say that you need to lift an object weighing 1000lbs. Let's say that the weakest link in your chain is good for 5000lbs. Should you get a new chain? Your exising chain has a weak link in in. No. The 5000lbs link will still plenty strong to lift 1000lbs.

Two questions now come up: is the hole in the blade the weak point in the knife? And, if so, is the knife still strong enough for the intended purposes?

In most cases, the hole is not the weakest point in the knife. And, in most cases, the knife is still strong enough for reasonable use of a folding knife.
 
Thanks for the information and links. I could have done a search, but by starting a thread I get the newest information and a summery. Now I can sleep at night. :)
 
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