Question about convexing an edge.

[blade_collector]

I have always carried mid price range knives and have recently started putting more thought and requirements on the knives I buy, so bear with me if these questions seem stupid. What is a convex edge? What is a flat grind?( my Izula apparently has this grind) I have 50+ knives and have one that is a pretty expensive hand-made edc, but have never paid any attention to the grind. this is nagging at me because I could probably make some of my harder knives easy to sharpen and glide thru cuts better, is this correct.

Any pics to illustrate the differences would be great!!!

BTW: I have been checking this part of the forum daily and have really enjoyed all of the pics of knives and landscape. Keep up the good work guys.

 

[KuRUpTD]

Hope this is helpful.

 

[blade_collector]

Thats perfect! Thanks alot. Which is the most preferred and why?

 

[Raining]

Depends on what you plan on doing. No one grind is perfect for everything, but each has it's uses.

Some examples off the top of my head (not inclusive):
flat - kitchen/slicing
hollow - straight razor/shaving
convex - axes/chopping
scandi - wood/carving

 

[Raining]

Ack double post.

 

[TheGame]

Flat Grinds are also great for batoning through wood, at least in my experience. They act as a wedge between the log and easily split through them.

 

[stingray4540]

I think Scandi, and Convex are the most popular grinds among this forum. But flat is probably the most popular all around, as many large production companies use this grind.

Personally, Scandi is my favorite.

 

[Horn Dog]

All flat grinds and hollow grinds are easy for machines to do. Old knives, before modern mass production, were hand convexed using a feathering technique on a stone or grinding wheel. Modern convex edges are done on a slack belt grinder or by hand using a pad and sandpaper or a strop and polishing compound. The convex edge is stronger than the others and cuts quite well, as any Bark River knife owner can tell you. But they all will cut. Most Scandi and saber grinds are flat or hollow. Fallkniven uses convex grinds. They are done by hand, which costs more.

 

[udtjim]

You can see from the picture why the convex edge is a stronger edge, it is not as apt to roll over like a thinner edge. IMO.

 

[ZombaiO]

I love full flat and hollow grinds
Great cutters and easy to sharpen.
Scandi for carving wood and convex for chopping.

 

[siguy]

check out these links:
http://www.kosterknives.com/convexedge.htm
http://www.barkriverknives.com/convex.htm
http://www.knivesshipfree.com/p4/Sharpening-Videos/pages.html

 

[richard j]

if you really want to get the most out of your knives check out the paper wheels. i work up a convex edge on a belt sander and finish them off with a paper wheel. you can read more on the paper wheels here http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=578787 feel free to contact me if you have any questions. here is a video of how sharp i get my knives http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=51941310

 

[kamagong]

I like to put convex edges on my knives as I find them easier to maintain and keep sharp. Here's a few pics of my Spyderco Military, which has a flat grind but a convex edge.