spyderco tuff, what is the groove on the blade for?

[sogflash]

what is the groove on the blade for?

 

[Violentgrip]

Blood. Just kidding, but I seem to remember it being referred to as a "blood groove".

 

[yoko]

weight reduction \visual?

 

[sogflash]

is the weight of a small knife so important that you want a groove in your blade?

my very honest opinion is that the groove makes the knife look like something mantis could have designed.

 

[HardTripper]

That whole knife is butt ugly imo

 

[legato1]

It seems like a display of machining prowess to me. It looks impressive and demonstrates new production capabilities perhaps? Although Im not entirely sure about its function or my theory.

 

[Sal Glesser]

It's called a fuller. Reduces weight without reducing functional strength.

sal

 

[sogflash]

It's called a fuller. Reduces weight without reducing functional strength.

sal

but is it that important? is that what knife users want? do you know the exact weight that has been removed?

 

[jill jackson]

I ordered one today, considering just how tough even lighter weight Spydercos are, this thing has to be pretty damn good!

 

[yoko]

It's called a fuller. Reduces weight without reducing functional strength.

sal

Yay I was right for once lol

 

[Sal Glesser]

Hi Sogflash,

but is it that important? ?

From a metalurgy point of view, the fuller will theoretically add strength because of the hardened curve. From a marketing point of view, it is easily identified. From a manufacturing point of view, it demonstrates skill and shows we're not cutting corners. For large gloved hands it permits easy two handed opening, or easier one hande opening when needed.

is that what knife users want? ?

There were those that said of us in 1981; knife users don't want one hand opening knives, they make the knives "look" ugly. Knife users don't want or need clips, they make the knife "look" funny. Knife users don't want serrations, bread knives belong in the kitchen.

Often knives users don't know what they want until "it" becomes available, then they might want it. Time will tell.

do you know the exact weight that has been removed?

On a heavy knife that we're trying to make lighter, any weight is important.

And your objection to the fuller?

Hi Jill, Looking forward to your sharing thoughts.

sal

 

[stabman]

It makes a handy groove for two hand opening.

Buck had what they called "Positive deployment texturing" on the 882 SBTG Police Knife. The idea is that when adrenaline hits, fine motor skills fly out the window, and a two hand opening may be required.

This is quite true, as I found out once.

The "Positive deployment texturing", however, had a nail file feel to it...it actually made a decent nail file when out and about.
It also impaired cutting performance when deep cutting was needed.

The fuller or whatever fulfills the same function while not impairing cutting performance.:thumbup:

 

[sogflash]

From a metalurgy point of view, the fuller will theoretically add strength because of the hardened curve.

I don't want to criticize everything, but does that extra strength mean much?

For large gloved hands it permits easy two handed opening, or easier one hande opening when needed.

sal

well that makes good sense. then it's actually a practical part of the knife for some people.


the weight of knives isn't an issue for me. I don't mind "heavy" knives.

 

[jill jackson]

Hi Jill, Looking forward to your sharing thoughts.

sal

Hi Sal, that I will certainly do along with a couple of pictures of course. I only have one Taiwan manufactured Spyderco and it's very nice. Really looking forwards to this one, it should be arriving Wednesday.

 

[stabman]

I don't want to criticize everything, but does that extra strength mean much?

It doesn't add strength.
It retains most of the strength while giving a slight weight reduction.
If that groove were not there, it would be stronger yet.

 

[jill jackson]

In this day of fakes, I'd say it's a good move.

 

[stabman]

In this day of fakes, I'd say it's a good move.

They can likely fake it too. Cannot stop the scammers.
But it makes the blade look different from the rest of the crop of drop point, heavy bladed folders, which is a nice thing.

 

[The Deacon]

It doesn't add strength.
It retains most of the strength while giving a slight weight reduction.
If that groove were not there, it would be stronger yet.

Wrong X 3 is still wrong.

 

[stabman]

Wrong X 3 is still wrong.

Not wrong.
I've discussed this with mechanical engineers, and they agree.
So, who's wrong? Common sense and engineers, or you?

 

[stabman]

Here's something to read:

A fuller is a rounded or beveled groove or slot in the flat side of a blade (e.g. a sword, knife, or bayonet). A fuller is often used to lighten the blade, much in the way that an I-beam shape allows a given amount of strength to be achieved with less material. Longer knives or bayonets intended as offensive weapons may employ fullers (also incorrectly known as 'blood grooves') to lighten the blade while maintaining its strength. When combined with proper distal tapers, heat treatment and blade tempering, a fullered blade can be 20% to 35% lighter than a non-fullered blade without any sacrifice of strength or blade integrity. This effect lessens as the blade is reduced in length. Short bladed knives may employ fullers simply for their aesthetic effect.