What makes a clip point a clip point ?

C_Becker

C_Becker

Joined
Oct 7, 2012
Messages
1,300
Hey folks,
I'm a little confused about this - I always though a clip point was a blade where the area towards the tip is concave (think Buck 110)
But for example the ESEE "clip point" knives look very different from that, more of a straight line from spine to tip. Same with the Ontario RD9, for example.
Are those still clip points or what would you call them :confused:
 
I am interested in people's thought on this as well. I was always thinking like you, blade shape like a 110 or similar.
 
Can't say with any authority where it came from, but I always think of it like this:

Take a knife with a straight spine all the way to the point, then "clip" the point with a giant nail clipper.

Either a concave or straight "clip" will work in a similar way (the clip is a slightly simpler geometry to grind, though in my experience the 'bowie' clip isn't actually that much more difficult.)
 
LOL, looked at a picture of the ESEE knives...


Looks like they're trying to accomplish the same functionality as a "sharpened clip/swedge" but with a drop-point profile already in place. I'm sure it makes sense for the way they do things, looks like they don't really have a separate version for most knives but basically are letting people know certain models can be modified if there's a demand.
 
Personally, I think it's become pretty academic at this point (forgive the pun). I've seen knives that the manufacturer defines as a modified drop point that I would consider a clip point and vice versa and the line between some traditional tanto style blades and a humble straightback blade is pretty blurry as well.
 
I thought a clip point was when somewhere along the spine an obtuse angle is formed and leads toward the center to the tip, thus "clipping" the part of the blade that would be there if the spine was straight all the way up.
 
Lets go with what AG Russell says.

Clip point: "A blade on which the back line breaks and slants downward to produce a finer and more useful point."

I think its the "breaks" that is key. If the drop is smooth...you got a drop point. If the transition is abrupt or "broken" , you got a clip.
 
a clip point is when the top edge of the knife goes down like a drop point, then cures back up again before getting to the point.
 
ericvar101 said:
a clip point is when the top edge of the knife goes down like a drop point, then cures back up again before getting to the point.
Click to expand...

I dunno...I'd argue that if the top edge "breaks," then goes down in a straight line...you got a clip point.
 
marcinek said:
Lets go with what AG Russell says.

Clip point: "A blade on which the back line breaks and slants downward to produce a finer and more useful point."

I think its the "breaks" that is key. If the drop is smooth...you got a drop point. If the transition is abrupt or "broken" , you got a clip.
Click to expand...

That's probably the most succinct and useful definition I've heard. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
 
Abrupt change in the top edge of spine where it curves downward and inward (concave) until it comes to a point meeting the blade edge. This creates a more "pointy" tip.

Drop point would be similar except the downward curve is convex. This means there is more metal behind the tip and is not as "pointy". A swedge can help to remove some of this extra metal to give a more usable tip.
 
marcinek said:
Lets go with what AG Russell says.

Clip point: "A blade on which the back line breaks and slants downward to produce a finer and more useful point."

I think its the "breaks" that is key. If the drop is smooth...you got a drop point. If the transition is abrupt or "broken" , you got a clip.
Click to expand...

Bingo... Leave it to Mr. Russell to come up with such a great definition. :thumbup:
 
drichardson67 said:
So what's the difference between a clip point and a spear point?
Click to expand...

Well, since the spine of a spear point doesn't typically break...it is not a clip point. A better question is "what's the difference between a spear point and a drop point?"
 
It's a clipped point where you clip out some of the knife to make a pointier tip.

A dropped point just means the point is lower than the spine.

These have been all my knives.



 
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