What is the notch at the plunge for?

Belstain

Belstain

Joined
Sep 17, 1999
Messages
320
Why do some makers put a notch at the bottom of the plunge? I just don't get it.

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I'm a Schizophrenic and so am I
 
Most men started doing it as a break in the cutting edge, so that when you sharpen the blade, you'll have a stopping point....so you won't damage your stone.

Many guys do it now, just because it adds another dimension to the knife.

Most times I won't put it on a knife that's ordered to be used as a skinner...because the little choil will just be a spot to get caught up on.

Or so I think....
wink.gif

Nick

[This message has been edited by NickWheeler (edited 02-13-2001).]
 
Nick, that's a good thought, thanks. I'm working on a field knife design for a guy at work and every drawing has had one in it. Not any more!

Oh, let me add this edit. I put them in because it gives a nice clean place for the edge to stop. Just allows better definition between the edge and the knife. Just my 2c!

Dave

[This message has been edited by ddavelarsen (edited 02-13-2001).]
 
I do it for the same reason that Dave and Nick do, to provide a stopping point when sharpening.

Nick here is another way of handling a skinner configuration without the little notch.
View


It makes a nice clean blade this way.

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george
www.tichbourneknives.com
sales@tichbourneknives.com




[This message has been edited by george tichbourne (edited 02-13-2001).]
 
It is there to prevent the stone (or belt) from wearing away the area where the plunge and edge meet.

If you have ever sharpened a blade that doesn't have this notch then you will know what I mean.

You won't see too many factory blades, if any, with this feature.

C Wilkins
 
I'm interested to hear people say this is a "plus". I've done it on my knives because I can't make a good, neat plunge cut. The notch just forward of the guard substitutes as a neat way to end the cutting edge. By the way, I expect that the gradual reduction in blade thickness produces a stronger overall knife than an abrupt plunge.
 
Lots of people think that's there to hide uneveness in the plunge, but if it is it fails miserably. When I use that on my non-tactical knives, I actually use it as a line for matching the sides on the plunge, which I usually center in the notch.

It does create a bit of a stress riser. That's why I omit it from tacticals, which can experience lateral stress in use. I've never had a blade break there, but in testing I have had them break on other filework like serrations and thumbrest grooves.

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Jerry Hossom
www.hossom.com
The New Tom & Jerry Show
 
Hey George...

Holy Crap....

Is that ever nice...

Love the blade shape,, and that choil looks perfect on there..

As far as I'm concerned,, Alot of knives could use a Choil,, and the majority of the knives I buy All have Choils onboard...

The notch refered to in my opinion isn't a choil,,but rather a Spanish Notch.. Corect me if I'm wrong..

Beautiful Blade anyway you look at it George..

ttyle

Eric...



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On/Scene Tactical
Leading The Way In Quality Synthetic Sheathing
 
I think the little notch is there to catch on everything you can imagine while cutting with that portion of the blade. I almost never put one on my blades.
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Absolutely Rob! if you do much hunting you will find that little notch is just a pain! Making a well defind starting point for the blade edge may seem a little comprimized but the cutting edge is easier and more practical to use.
 
I always thought it allowed you to get more use from your blade through repeated sharpening. It seems that if the plunge is present you can't grind it down and the edge will become scalloped, where as if you have a "hanging" edge then you can maintain the original profile of the edge (or pretty close). Never heard of that historical explaination with the grinding stones, but it makes sense.

Jeff Jenness
 
I've noticed that on knives of thick stock without one makes it tough to get a cutting edge all the way to the choil because otherwise the angle between the ground part and the choil is too steep, making it a possible stress-riser. I put it on all my knives because I think it looks cool. Real deep, eh?!
smile.gif


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Steve Agocs, D.C.
http://www.geocities.com/Chiro75/frames.html


agocs_s@hotmail.com
 
Very Very nice George. Glad to hear about the grindstone reasonimg behind the notch.
I read somewhere that in Bowies and fighting knives the notch allowed you to catch the opponets blade and rip it from his grasp. Thus making it easier to stick him with yours.
Take Care
TJ Smith
 
The original Spanish notches were much deeper and had a narrow opening like the small ornamental Spanish notch on this one.
View


The blade would have been sharpened the entire length, right to the choil and the Spanish notch would have been twice as large as this one.

The Cape buffalo on the first knife is one of my own scrims. They are a lot of fun to do but take at least a full weekend each so I don't do more than a couple each year.

Terry it just takes time and practice.

George Tichbourne
www.tichbourneknives.com

[This message has been edited by george tichbourne (edited 02-14-2001).]

[This message has been edited by george tichbourne (edited 02-14-2001).]

[This message has been edited by george tichbourne (edited 02-14-2001).]
 
Those are some beautiful knives George. Mine don't look that good yet; but you can believe I'm going to keep working at it. Your pix just gave me more inspiration. Great work.
J.
 
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