Losing my mind with everyone thinking they need thick blades for everything

Fred Sanford

Fred Sanford

Gold Member
Joined
Sep 3, 2006
Messages
3,135
What in the heck is happening to people these days? Is everyone being brainwashed into thinking that you need thick bladed "hard use" knives? What the heck is even hard use? Who knows.....it's gotta be some marketing term.

Here's a hint people. You do not need 4mm thick blade stock or even 3.5mm thick stock to cut things. I think most people would be surprised at what a 2mm thick blade will cut. It will cut the crap out of just about anything you need and then some. Thinner blades slice WAAAY better too. I wish I had a dollar for every time I have heard someone say that the Paramilitary's tip is fragile. It's not fragile. It's pretty thick compared to a swiss army knife or an older slipjoint, yet people used the latter for a hundred years without breaking tips and having a problem. Heck even the ESEE Izula (though I love it) has a thick blade. It could be 2/3 the thickness and still do wonderfully.

The Spyderco Centofante 4 doesn't even have a fragile tip and it is a 2mm thick blade.

I can't think of any reason that makes sense that I would need to have a folding knife that has 3.5mm or 4mm blade. Can anyone tell me what a 3.5mm or 4mm thick blade can do better than a 2mm thick blade other than bind up in what you are cutting?
 
My favorite was the guy who said the Benchmade 710 had a fragile tip. I have a Centofante 4 and love it.

EDIT: Come over to the traditional side. We have thin blades.
 
thats what the hole market is going for nowadays. look at the dire wares. on the other hand we got folding prybars now and no complaints about broken tips :p
 
My cutting task are very limited. I've owned a good mixture of different knives. Now I'm geared toward sak. I will use these much more with the different tool functions. Using the right tool for the right job us the best thing I can do.
Bk9 or a kukri for the chopping. Mora's for the carving and playing. Sak for the light work inside or out, and for work.

But I'm one of those guys who had to just try certain knives. I needed to experience them first hand. It takes time to find what works for me. But I'm getting closer. I can't get it wrong and I'll never get it done, just enjoying the ride.:D
 
Your life must be amazing if what other people spend their money on somehow makes you lose your mind. Wow.
 
An edc knife to me is like a watch. It's a discussion piece in addition to a cutting tool. I carry way more knife than I need, but then again it makes me happy.
 
For pure cutting performance, thin is in. However, most of my cutting tasks only make use of the bare edge of the blade. I rarely pass the entire blade of my folders through something I'm cutting because I'm typically opening packages, cutting plastic wrap, taking off zip ties or cutting through string or twine. For most of that I doubt I would notice a difference between a 2mm thick blade or an 8mm thick blade as long as both had a sharp edge. Now for outdoors knives I somewhat agree with you. I prefer light, thin slicers as I don't really batton much and the thin slicers just bite into wood with so much greater ease.
 
I prefer thin.

My kitchen knives are extremely thin, thinner the better.

However 1 knife I like the thickness, is my kukri.
 
My personal solution to the dilemma of stout blade stock vs cuttin ability is that I carry both. One thicker blade and one thinner blade. Thicker blade is nice and stout with a reinforced point, and the thinner blade is usually a sheepsfoot or Wharncliffe. One for light or precise cutting (tape, cardboard, thin plastic, cuticles, styrofoam, etc) and the other for harder tasks (zip ties, thick plastic, anything that might involve force being applied at an odd angle, cans, cables, etc)

My whole system involves having the least redundancy and the most functionality possible. I usually carry two knives, but that's because they have very different applications and both occur regularly enough that I feel unprepared with just one (although I'm sure either could more or less manage to do the others' job - just with a lot more effort/damage)
 
I'm annoyed by the thick blade trend too. Not because I care what anyone else spends their money on, but because manufacturers make what sells. Thick blades are popular so that's what they come out with.

I don't pry with my folders so I would be happy to see a lot more around 2mm thickness.
If I had the skill mine would all be ground thinner.

I'm hoping its a pendulum effect and we see popular folders swing back toward being as thin as reasonably possible.
 
I see your point and agree for the most part. I have never understood why a hunter has to have a 70# bow or a 300 Win Mag to harvest a whitetail. Then pull out a knife that looks like a small sword to field dress it. But, they do! I may not understand or agree, but, I accept it. I can take a small thin blade that is sharp and do anything I could ever possibly need and do it safer. But, as long as there are people there will be opinions. And, by the way the 300 is one of my favorite 30 cals, it's just a bit much for deer, in my (here we go) opinion! :)
Mike
 
And the funny thing is everyone still seems to say "no prying"... then what is the purpose of the 4mm blade stock and stout, reinforced tips?
 
Settle down, no one will ever make you buy one :p

Don't care for them myself, but it sure doesn't bother me that some do.
 
Different strokes, Dave. Don't let it bother you.

Just remember variety is the spice of life. Bladeforums would be pretty boring if we all carried the same thing.
 
I like and have both, they all have their uses. :)

Buy what you like and enjoy.
 
In my opinion and with all due respect...
95% of knives on the market are more than anyone really NEEDS. I think it's like any other material possession, you buy whatever you desire with your hard earned money. Does anyone need a 60 inch flat screen when 40 inches would do? Does a $100 watch tell different time than a $20 watch?

I doubt anyone here will argue that they NEED an overbuilt tank knife. Aside from pure enjoyment and desire, no need to justify owning one to anyone but yourself.

Again, just my opinion.
 
Quiet said:
Your life must be amazing if what other people spend their money on somehow makes you lose your mind. Wow.
Click to expand...

'Twas a figure of speech bud. I'm not actually losing my mind. I enjoy discussing things. It's why I'm here. :)
 
I find that exactly 3.175mm is absolutely the perfect thickness for sharpening pencils.

 
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