Thinly ground, ~5" fixed blade without going custom?

Misanthropia

Misanthropia

Joined
Jul 10, 2011
Messages
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Ever get that hankering for a knife you know you don't really need, but for some reason just want because you think (however farfetched) there might be a situation where you will need it?

Well I find myself there right now with a midsize, approximately 5" bladed fixed blade. Cutting performance is extremely important to me, I would prefer something with a relatively robust stock (but 3/16" and under) that is ground to a thin edge so that it can actually perform size appropriate tasks (I'm not expecting to chop with it). My potential uses would be for fishing and general woodsbumming, where my Trailmaster is a little inappropriate. I'm aware of the Spyderco Southfork, but I think the S90V and the strong distal taper would make it less capable in the outdoors.

Ideally, I would like to avoid customs because of my lack of knowledge of the market. Plus, I'm not a fan of things that look handmade - call me crazy, but I like robotic precision.

I don't really have a budget in mind, or many other requirements besides the high cutting performance. So far, the Fallkniven S1 has my eye, but the 0.20" stock makes me think even with a zero convex grind it still wouldn't cut very well.

Thanks in advance guys!
 
Misanthropia said:
Ever get that hankering for a knife you know you don't really need, but for some reason just want because you think (however farfetched) there might be a situation where you will need it?

Well I find myself there right now with a midsize, approximately 5" bladed fixed blade. Cutting performance is extremely important to me, I would prefer something with a relatively robust stock (but 3/16" and under) that is ground to a thin edge so that it can actually perform size appropriate tasks (I'm not expecting to chop with it). My potential uses would be for fishing and general woodsbumming, where my Trailmaster is a little inappropriate. I'm aware of the Spyderco Southfork, but I think the S90V and the strong distal taper would make it less capable in the outdoors.

Ideally, I would like to avoid customs because of my lack of knowledge of the market. Plus, I'm not a fan of things that look handmade - call me crazy, but I like robotic precision.

I don't really have a budget in mind, or many other requirements besides the high cutting performance. So far, the Fallkniven S1 has my eye, but the 0.20" stock makes me think even with a zero convex grind it still wouldn't cut very well.

Thanks in advance guys!
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The production Spyderco South Fork doesn't have a distal taper.

Here is a photo comparing the custom to the production (Bottom)

DSC_34761.JPG


Review here:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...rmance-Review-and-Testing?highlight=southfork
 
Misanthropia said:
Ideally, I would like to avoid customs because of my lack of knowledge of the market. Plus, I'm not a fan of things that look handmade - call me crazy, but I like robotic precision.
Click to expand...

handmade needn't look like a kid made it. Look for clean grinds and proper finishing. You'll get ergonomic precision. :D

But on topic, I think a 5/32" 5" fixed blade with a high flat grind (minimizing distal taper by not going FFG) is a *fantastic* configuration, and quite strong. The taller the blade, the better the cutting performance (more acute primary grind) *through* things, as long as you don't mind tall.
 
I think it's funny how many companies are pushing out thick slabs of steel with a ground edge and so few are pushing out thinly ground slicers. I can't think of one thinly ground production knife except for maybe the southfork, and that's only relatively thin. I wish there was an actual selection with some kind of disclaimer attached so the companies wouldn't be scared of the blades breaking and the subsequent warranty claims.
 
bodog said:
I think it's funny how many companies are pushing out thick slabs of steel with a ground edge and so few are pushing out thinly ground slicers. I can't think of one thinly ground production knife except for maybe the southfork, and that's only relatively thin. I wish there was an actual selection with some kind of disclaimer attached so the companies wouldn't be scared of the blades breaking and the subsequent warranty claims.
Click to expand...

It's typically thin enough with a .120" spine thickness and .020" edge thickness while still being robust enough to be used as a general use hunting knife.

The 1/4" thick knives are still the rage though, what's selling.
 
wackafew said:
Svord
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I like Svord but most of their designs don't appeal too strongly too me, but I do love how they use thinner stock and high convex grinds.

Ankerson said:
The production Spyderco South Fork doesn't have a distal taper.

Here is a photo comparing the custom to the production (Bottom)

DSC_34761.JPG


Review here:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...rmance-Review-and-Testing?highlight=southfork
Click to expand...

The Southfork is definitely looking like a more attractive option now. I was a bit worried that the S90V steel wouldn't be particularly tough, at least in terms of impact strength.

daizee said:
handmade needn't look like a kid made it. Look for clean grinds and proper finishing. You'll get ergonomic precision. :D

But on topic, I think a 5/32" 5" fixed blade with a high flat grind (minimizing distal taper by not going FFG) is a *fantastic* configuration, and quite strong. The taller the blade, the better the cutting performance (more acute primary grind) *through* things, as long as you don't mind tall.
Click to expand...

There definitely are makers out their with laser clean grinds, whose knives I would love to have. If I had more patience and could find a specific maker or design I love (I haven't investigated them much), I would go for it.

bodog said:
I think it's funny how many companies are pushing out thick slabs of steel with a ground edge and so few are pushing out thinly ground slicers. I can't think of one thinly ground production knife except for maybe the southfork, and that's only relatively thin. I wish there was an actual selection with some kind of disclaimer attached so the companies wouldn't be scared of the blades breaking and the subsequent warranty claims.
Click to expand...

Right? I've entirely bypassed all of the Bussekin for this reason, the readily available models are all way too thick behind the edge. I would much prefer a less inclusive warranty as a tradeoff for high cutting performance.
 
Misanthropia said:
The Southfork is definitely looking like a more attractive option now. I was a bit worried that the S90V steel wouldn't be particularly tough, at least in terms of impact strength.
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Impact strength doesn't matter unless it's a chopper, S90V is a tool steel so it will handle what you would need it for with no problem. :)
 
There's a video out there of a guy batoning his spyderco southfork. Seemed to hold up fine. He was hitting out toward the tip, too.
 
If you're not dead set on full tang knives, the Mora 2000 and the Ka Bar USN Mk.1 are great for cutting and not for Rambo posing.
 
Why 3/16 thick? Just cuz the weight is nice? Not judging, seriously asking. I like my thick knives because of that confidence in feel but if you're not prying or chopping it's really unnecessary. I have a ~4.25" by 3/32 thick bladed knife from David Farmer that is the meanest slicer I've ever had. It's not a chopper or a prybar but it's plenty strong for what I need this type of knife for. The knife with sheath is about the same weight as a Spydie millie and yet this guy out cuts it by a mile. Stronger knife too. I guess I don't really have a recommendation other than to keep an open mind to thinner stock. Inserting pic...because every thread needs pics. :D

 
I have close to zero skill and easily stripped and thinned out a BK-15 with excellent results. They are stupid cheap right now as well (disco'd).

2me3hfs.jpg
 
I know you said no customs, but you might want to check out Big Chris' stuff on the knife makers for sale sub forum. I was checking out his stuff in person today and it looks pretty damn nice. He grinds really thin and uses some high end steels.
 
Jim's right. New knife customers desiring Loppers and choppers are influencing the market now. I can hardly wait until the pendulum swings the other way. Toward more common sense. DM
 
The BK-15 is a sweetie. Yep, Big Chris makes slicers. Lots. Uses fancy steel too. But I'm not sure his style is 'robotic' enough for the OP.
 
Boats said:
If you're not dead set on full tang knives, the Mora 2000 and the Ka Bar USN Mk.1 are great for cutting and not for Rambo posing.
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I agree with mk1 I use mine mainly for yard work it has yet to not perform.
I hear good things about the Ontario bush crafter, the only negative I hear is the handles can be a little roughly finished.
 
I know you said no customs but . . . if it were me I would go with an NWA Sierra Scout. I have several and they would fit your criteria perfectly. The thing with customs is even used they retain most of their value and in my opinion have a better heat treat.

 
David Martin said:
Jim's right. New knife customers desiring Loppers and choppers are influencing the market now. I can hardly wait until the pendulum swings the other way. Toward more common sense. DM
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I agree with DM,on thick knives swaying the market, and hope thin becomes back in imho.
Tapatalk posted be for I was done typing. This knife I use for everything its thin cheap and hasn't let me down yet. It's the 7" old hickory butcher knife. (soon to be made a 5") it out performs my mk1 hands down.
 
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