Modern knife spines/Stocks

[JokersFaceLifter]

I have been thinking about this for a while, and i have a problem with how thick some of the spines/stocks on todays knives are --- Example ESEE and TOPS
Thoughts/comments?
(MODS if there's a thread already of this sort i apologize)

 

[Ruari]

I was thinking about this the other day, I like a thicker blade in general, unless I need a thin blade for filleting, fine cutting etc. I have just been admiring the 6mm wide SOG SEAL 2000 blade...

 

[Henry Beige]

Search on “sharpened pry bar” and see how often this subject comes up. For a while, really thick blades were a thing. Now the trend appears to be back toward thinner blades. I only have a couple of blades with spines as thick as 6mm. One is the Condor 14” Golok. It works really well, but most other choppers I have seen are thinner, with blades under 5mm thick.

My other blade with a 6mm spine is the Anza Dune Slayer. The only reason it is that thick is the thickness of the file it was carved from. It makes the knife really heavy, and in my opinion detracts from its cutting ability. The similar, but smaller, Dune Field is more like 5mm, still thick enough to count as a pry bar, but much lighter and a better cutter.

Although I happen to like these knives, as a general proposition I don’t see a reason for a blade to be this thick.

 

[Shorttime]

I likes me some sharpened prybar. I have the feeling that it's the bevel grind that causes the problem.

I did used to be the "quarter inch is too flimsy!" guy, and with a convex zero bevel, 0.25" stock would work fine. But the bevels they put on production knives? Not so much.

These days, my everyday knives are... whatever the blade thickness on an Alox is, and two others that are right around eighth of an inch at the spine.

 

[brownshoe]

To me rounded spines are a sign of quality, e.g. Sebenza.

 

[Black Oak Bladeworks]

I think the thicker knife designs where heavily influenced by the tactical/survival knives. Partly do to the idea that if a survival knife couldn't baton it wasn't capable of fulfilling your needs. I think that is kind of going away to some extent, and knives are starting to thin down a bit. But that could just be my perception and mostly just watching the makers I like.

Just because a knife is thick doesn't mean it can't cut well either. It depends heavily on the grind angle, a .25 thick knife with a steep grind will do just fine for most tasks in my experience. Although I prefer thinner.

 

[The Aflac Duck]

Thin is in.

 

[Danke42]

Thicc knives save lives.

 

[JokersFaceLifter]

Thin is in.

just to have a couple just in case i may, but i think L.T. Wright's Genesis in AEB-L is as thick as i want it, as a knife anyway, maybe a little bit thicker, not ESEE 4 or BOB thick, if i need to chop, i have a Granfors for that, axes will out-perform any knife in that arena

 

[JokersFaceLifter]

I think the thicker knife designs where heavily influenced by the tactical/survival knives. Partly do to the idea that if a survival knife couldn't baton it wasn't capable of fulfilling your needs. I think that is kind of going away to some extent, and knives are starting to thin down a bit. But that could just be my perception and mostly just watching the makers I like.

Just because a knife is thick doesn't mean it can't cut well either. It depends heavily on the grind angle, a .25 thick knife with a steep grind will do just fine for most tasks in my experience. Although I prefer thinner.

a combination of finesse and grace will aid in cutting, so it may be skill level and choice of knife, but i understand your point, i think which is why everyone went hog wild over the Becker, my gripe is that i find the knife i like, but its either two thick, or in the "wrong" steel, for me anyway, and furthermore, thinner stocks or spines don't necessarily mean weaker, i have yet to see a thinner spine/stock knife break because it was "too thin"

 

[JokersFaceLifter]

To me rounded spines are a sign of quality, e.g. Sebenza.

not a fan of sharp spines myself, i sanded the few of mine that came sharp cause i don't care to strike ferro rods with them

 

[Sonnydaze]

I have just been admiring the 6mm wide SOG SEAL 2000 blade...

That's almost 1/4" of steel...reminds me of BUSSE knives...
BTW, not all Busses are thick blades; I had/have some that are just fine.
I have no such interest, myself, in such a chunk of steel, as I firmly believe that
the most important aspect of any knife-blade is GEOMETRY.

In contrast, I just purchased a TRM ATOM...spine thickness of 0.090"...and love it. Nick Shabazz reco's it big-time, and its earlier, smaller brother, the Neutron, was his knife-of-the-year some time back...
I don't hack down thick oaks with it, but it will handle any casual daily tasks with aplomb..
p.s. We all have our own opinions, and I don't seek to change that of anyone else...

 

[bflying]

I’m not sure I’ve ever seen anything too thick. But then I’m only attracted to slender builds. Like my girlfriend, all my knives are very slim spined.

So..... obviously I don't have such a problem. But I have seen some real fatties out there. Some people and their knives, hey?

Now back to my slender darlings.

 

[Sonnydaze]

To me rounded spines are a sign of quality, e.g. Sebenza.

My idea also...to me...a Sebenza is a sign of highest quality...

 

[justjed]

For fixed blades, most of my stock is 3/16", but I have some thicker. .280" for the SOG S1, 1/4" on several others. But my EDC is .130" of S35VN, and it's about perfect for me. I don't have any monster folders, and no real opinion.

 

[Black Oak Bladeworks]

a combination of finesse and grace will aid in cutting, so it may be skill level and choice of knife, but i understand your point, i think which is why everyone went hog wild over the Becker, my gripe is that i find the knife i like, but its either two thick, or in the "wrong" steel, for me anyway, and furthermore, thinner stocks or spines don't necessarily mean weaker, i have yet to see a thinner spine/stock knife break because it was "too thin"

I agree. Personally I usually use 1/8-5/32 stock for most of my cutting knives. I find that is about right for most of my tasks if you use it correctly. I have bent 2 thinner blades from battoning just to see what they could take. They won't bend under normal use that is for sure. I prefer 1/4 when ever I get into larger survival knives which I do use for some chopping. It will depend heavily on your personal preference and how you use your blades though.