Rivet

[kastles]

Why is there a rivet near the top of some blades likes bowies? For looks or actually useful?

kastles

 

[Rat Finkenstein]

What rivet? got an example?

 

[kastles]

OK I was tired yesterday. Rivet is the wrong word but I cannot think of a right one.
I'm talking about the dip running the length of the blade. Heres a link to a pic from google:

http://www.knives.oceanbluemall.com/themes/layout-1-left/images/croc.jpg

 

[Tripton]

You mean the blood groove?


There is debate about it.

Most say that it is purely for looks on a knife sized blade.

 

[cutter17]

That is a blood groove that helps to control blood splatter if you are in a covert deanimation situation. Actually it is a blood groove. Suppose to make it easier to withdraw the blade if you happen to stab something.

 

[Tripton]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuller_(weapon)

 

[Rat Finkenstein]

it is called a fuller.

It lightens the blade.

 

[cheekser]

EDIT: OOPS, looks like two guys beat me to the punch....yeah "Fuller."

 

[kastles]

Thanks. I'm putting together a bowie and figured if nothing else it would shed some steel, and it looks good IMHO.

 

[lukus]

The original reason was probably to lighten the blade a bit. It would move the center of gravity towards the handle and be quicker handling without lessening the strength of the blade. It would also save a little valuable steel when it was being forged.

That, and it just so happens to provide a damn fine way for the blood to drain from whatever you just stabbed.