Recurves; like them? hate them?

What is your opinion on recurved blades?

  • Total voters
    165
danbot

danbot

Joined
Oct 31, 2009
Messages
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I like recurved edges on a knife. I don't mind sharpening them and I like the sweet spot it gives the blade for cutting.
I think it would be interesting to see the split of opinions among the members here.

So, what do you say? recurves; yay or nay? And why?
 
No poll? So disappointed...;)

I can take 'em or leave 'em but I do like the way they gather soft materials when cutting.
 
I only like recurves when I'm skinning larger game, like deer. Squirrels and rabbit, I can just use a straight edge.
 
Hate is a strong word but it seems that many recurves have a more obtuse tip than other profiles. I'm also no sharpening whiz so I like the simpler stuff.

That said there are a lot of really well executed recurves out there and I can see how the profile would excel in certain tasks.
 
Unless it’s a Kukri I hate them. Actually hate might not be a strong enough word for how I feel about recurved blades.
 
I really like them, but not deep ones and not "nightmare grinds". The Benchmade 710 is the perfect amount of recurve in my eyes. I don't have trouble sharpening them and love the way they cut, and stay in the cut (less slipping off the tip!). I recently picked up a Spyderco Rubicon 2 and have been carrying it and loving it. Another blade with not too deep of a recurve :)

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kniferbro said:
I really like them, but not deep ones and not "nightmare grinds". The Benchmade 710 is the perfect amount of recurve in my eyes. I don't have trouble sharpening them and love the way they cut, and stay in the cut (less slipping off the tip!). I recently picked up a Spyderco Rubicon 2 and have been carrying it and loving it. Another blade with not too deep of a recurve :)
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This, I like recurves that aren't crazy deep. A knife with a mild recurve feels like it has belly for days when you're cutting with it.
 
I don't have any knives with a recurve, so I can't say if I like them or not. I prefer the look of a more traditional blade shape. That said, I'll try to keep an open mind and maybe one day I will try one. For now, I am in the camp of "don't really care".
 
I like recurves just fine. No problems sharpening them and they cut like crazy. That said, I don’t have a lot of blades with them.
 
danbot said:
What do you hate most about them?
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They remind me of old kitchen knives that have been sharpened badly. Leaving a worn spot an inch in front of the ricasso.

A blade can have a big belly and be straight from the ricasso to the apex of the belly. I see no advantage to the recurved area.
 
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I'm a big fan of Ken Onion knives so I must like them. ;)

I just like the look/shape of them. I don't use any of them, so any problems associated w/sharpening them is irrelevant to me.
 
I love em, until I hate em. They cut like stink, look as cool as sin, but I have to use the sides of my stones (thin) if I want to get an even edge on em when sharpening. Which is fine, but lapping the side of your stone is kind of weird.
 
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