Strength of blades with holes

S

SpyGuy

Joined
Nov 15, 2001
Messages
5
It seems that the hole would significantly reduce the strenth of the blade, particularly on Spyderco knives that have a very large hole (and thus, very little spine).

I know that knife blades should not be used as pry bars, etc. But I'm interested in a knife for backpacking/survival applications. Therefore, it has to be strong and reliable.

Does anyone have experience with knife blades breaking?
 
Ask Cliff Stamp he's the expert for breaking knives here on the forums. You might also do a search for his posts in the testing forum
 
I've never heard of anyone breaking a Spyderco blade at the hole, ever. The weak point on a folder is the lock and pivot area, and I believe that area will always give out before the blade does, even if the blade has a big Spyderco hole.

Joe
 
I agree with Joe here.

If you want a good, strong knife for backpacking/survival applications, I think the general thought is that you should go with a fixed blade anyway. There is no folder out there that can out perform a fixed blade in terms of strength. The Spydie fixed blades don't have the hole either:p
 
If you are thinking of a folder, and want a strong platform, check out the Spyderco models with Compression Lock.

Like the Temperance Jr.

And I own both Spyderco Morans, and they are really great.

As to the hole, for the weight, the hole actually strengthens the knife, in the same way that a fuller strengthens the blade.
 
Spyderco Knives do not break at the hole.
Not a knock against you, but all those people that need a folder thats extermely heavy duty for survival.......exactly what are you doing with it? Take a fixed blade and a cheap folding saw, and save the folder for delicate work, food prep, making traps etc. A multi tool or swiss army knife may also fit into the plan. You should not plan to split wood with your spyderco folder or chop your way to freedom.
 
If you have any serious concerns about true blade toughness, perhaps something other then stainless.
For every application there is a steel and a blade.
High carbon-selectively heat treated, there is nothing more reliable.
 
I've only seen two reports of Spyderco blades breaking at a place other than directly behind the point. One was a Military that broke at the hole, but the other was a Moran fixed blade that snapped in half, so go figure. :) It's not unreasonable to question whether or not the hole makes a blade weaker, but the proof is in the pudding: the hole's been in use for 20 years and we just don't see people complain about broken blades.
 
Yes the hole makes the blade weaker, and significantly so, however the hole is usually placed where the blade is at its strongest (thickest). I have broken Spydercos by torquing high up on the handle. They will snap at the viced point and not through the hole. The critical part of that was "torquing high up on the handle", this was done to insure that the handle, which is usually a weakpoint, is removed from the equation. If you torque from the latter end of the handle, you will probably just pop the knife apart with little damage to the blade on thick sabre ground folders. So in short, only really be concerned with holes in regards to strength if they are near the tip.

-Cliff
 
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