Vest pocket bowie, flat grind of hollow grind

[Hengelo_77]

The title says it all.
I want to make this small bowie with an app. 4 3/4" blade out of 3/16" stainless steel (niolox)
It is supposed to be a tool with an unsharpened swedge, not a weapon.
So shoud I flat grind it or hollow grind it? I have an 11,5" wheel.

 

[tim37a]

If you are starting with 3/16" SS, and you are calling it a tool, it sounds like you plan to do some fairly rough work. That being the case, I would flat grind it. Hollow grinding, to me, seems more for slicy blades. Just my opinion.

 

[Richard338]

Your call. Should be nice either way. I'd probably go flat because that's an easier grind for me.

 

[Crag the Brewer]

With This profile.... Id go hollow grind.

Idk why, but I think I'd make the clip long and straight, if I wanted a flat ground edge. (Which would look great too)

Since you have the clip curved, the edge "should" be too with a hollow.

 

[Bill DeShivs]

Hollow.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I'd go hollow. Your 300mm wheel will do a 25mm (1") high hollow grind in 4.75mm (3/16") steel.

Here is a great hollow grind calculator:

https://dcknives.com/public/grind_angle_concave.php

 

[Stuart Davenport Knives]

Hollow.

 

[Nate Webb]

3/16" stock with relatively shallow bevels, I'd do hollow grind every time.

 

[Joshua Fisher]

My preference is hollow, you can make a hollow grind “tougher” by just not grinding as thin, I’ve made machetes with hollow grinds and take them down to .030-.040” behind the edge then put a convex edge bevel. Gives a good balance between toughness and bite from the hollow. For that size blade I’d go thinner probably around .020” for hard use