What is your favorite type of grind?

P

Phillip Jones

Joined
Oct 4, 1999
Messages
551
What is your favorite type of grind and why?

flat
hollow
chisel
convex(Moran or appleseed)

Be sure to tell why.


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If a man can keep alert and imaginative, an error is a possibility, a chance at something new; to him, wandering and wondering are a part of the same process. He is most mistaken, most in error, whenever he quits exploring.

William Least Heat Moon
 
I agree with Lynn. To me flat grinds offer more utility and general use than the other grinds that I own.
 
I prefer a flat grind also. It appears to offer the least resistance when making a deep cut.

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Dale Richmond
AKTI Number A000949

[This message has been edited by Dalerich (edited 03 November 1999).]
 
Personally, I like the flat grind best as I feel and have read, that it is the best combination of a thin edge and strong blade profile.

Although a well executed hollow grind(ala Sebenza) is supposed to perform just as well.
YMMV

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The greatest thought that has ever entered my mind is that one day I will have to stand before a Holy God and give an account of my life.
*Daniel Webster

Rev 20:12

 
For general use, I like a full flat grind. There are definitely cases where a hollow grind done well works better than a flat grind though. Look at the Sebenza for an example of a hollow grind done well.

Joe
 
I agree with the flat grinders. I flat grind all my hatchets. I hollow grind my knives though. If I want to chop something down, I get the right tool.....a hatchet. Take care and remember, everyone's opinion is worth something. Michael

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"Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!"
 
For general use cutters, big iron, and such I like a flat grind. For beaters, sharp pry bars, and anything I might have to abuse (Kar-Bar), I want a sabre grind. Please note though, that a sabre grind should not go any closer to the edge than 1/2 the width, 1/4 to 1/3 is more like it. That way there is enough length to the primary bevel to still have a reasonably good slicer by the time the secondary (edge) bevel is applied.

See the Ka-Bar, Ontario SP-6, and Marine Raider to see how NOT to do it. Please no flames, I love my SP-6 (favorite hiking blade) and Kar-Bar (favorite tdy blade). After power grinding and buffing the edges, all will slice 1" rolls of paper quite easily, even the Raider! -Brian
 
Full height flat grind.
It's a great slicer, IMO, and it's more aesthetically appealing to me. Plus, it's the way I grind my projects but sometimes I go the convex grind route.

The convex grind is also a winner. It's got more beef behind the edge so you can chop with it and the edge is so sharp it is almost frightening. This edge config. can make an even mediocre steel perform fairly well IMO.
It's big drawback is people who don't have access to a belt grinder have a hard time sharpening the convex edge.
I like both grinds equally but the convex grind is the better of the two and IMO is possibly the best overall performer of all grinds.

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The individualist without strategy who takes opponents lightly will inevitably become the captive of others.




[This message has been edited by misque (edited 03 November 1999).]
 
Flat grinds that start near the spine and hollow grinds. I seldon need a knife to do a job in which either is not strong enough. Although I've broken some tips, if I'm concerned about a hollow grind blade being damaged, its time to get an appropriate tool from the tool box.

IMHO Too many small knives (under 5") have blades that are TOO thick. Its so much easier to sharpen a thinner blade with the right edge geometry. That extra steel does nothing for a daily carry knife than to make it heavier in the pocket.

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"But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip; and he that hath no sword let him sell his garment and buy one." --Jesus Christ (Luke 22:36) See John 3:15- 18


 
For most uses I prefer a full flat grind. Shallow hollow grinds are OK for some tasks. Moran edges are really nice but hard to reproduce with the average sharpening equipment (unless you happen to have a belt grinder in your backpack). I grudgingly accept that some chisel grinds are good (RJ Martin, Jimmy Fikes) but most are just awful.


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Paul Davidson

Them:"What's that clipped to your pocket, a beeper?"
Me:"Uuh....yeah, something like that."


 
I am going to go against the grain and come right out in favor of the flat grind despite the heat I am bound to take on the subject. To add further flame, I would also say that a good high, hollow grind can be extremely effective. As an example I would site a little know knife called the Sebenza made by a real up and comer whose name escapes me at the moment.

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James Segura
San Francisco, CA


 
Thanks guys.

Looks like a lot of us favor flat grinds.
I also am partial to a well ground chisel edge. If done properly, they are some of the sharpest edges around. And they are so easy to resharpen.

Once again, Thanks for the input.

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If a man can keep alert and imaginative, an error is a possibility, a chance at something new; to him, wandering and wondering are a part of the same process. He is most mistaken, most in error, whenever he quits exploring.

William Least Heat Moon
 
Man, I'm gonna stand out like a turd in a punch bowl in this topic but.....
I like hollow grinds. I only make hollow ground knives. I can't see how, a hunting knife that has a full hollow grind using an 8-10" contact wheel is going to perform any differently than a flat ground blade. You're talking about a hollow of only .020 of an inch!
There, I said it!!
By the way, I like flat ground blades too,
Neil


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Dr. Lathe,

Don't feel bad, a well done hollow grind cuts extremely good. That is great for a skinner.

Kit Carson and George Herron do some of the best hollow grinds I've seen. If it works for them it has to perform well.

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If a man can keep alert and imaginative, an error is a possibility, a chance at something new; to him, wandering and wondering are a part of the same process. He is most mistaken, most in error, whenever he quits exploring.

William Least Heat Moon
 
A high hollow grind on tool steels such as D2 has been most useful for me. A thinner blade cuts so much better. Some may argue that too thin may compromise strength but with D2 at 61 RcH it is indeed hard enough to make up for less thickness. To quote Bob Dozier, a knife is made for cutting- not to be used as a prybar. Exceptions are a big survival blade, but that' s another topic.

L8r,
Nakano
 
Hollow....Flat...............................................Chisel

In that particular order.

David
 
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