What's the purpose of a hole in the blade

L

Lamina

Joined
Jun 28, 2013
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For example all Rockstead knives have a hole in the blade (see next picture). What's the purpose?

2e5a200fe4b011db1ecbe892aee3843b22ac3399.jpg


Thanks.
 
So water drains out of the miniature fuller.

The real question, why does the knife have a miniature fuller? :o
 
I think on Rocksteads the hole is to hold the blade during their fancy sharpening process and probably for machining while they're making the blade as well.
 
If you're specifically talking about Rockstead, they have the hole there as their trademark fro their knives, thus why it is always on every knife they make. I believe that it was originally used in construction of the knives when they were sharpening the blades by hand, but now I believe they use a different method to hold the knife, and the hole is still there because it has become synonymous with Rocktead.

Same can be said of some other knife makers/manufacturers. There is largely no need to have a hole in a blde unless it is for opening, or used as a drain in the fuller like Bob W mentioned, but most knives also don't really need a hole in the fuller anyway.

Todd Begg has also become famous for having holes in his blades, described as a "fluted" blade. He uses different sizes of holes, which gives a very good look aesthetically, but really isn't going to serve any major purpose if we're honest about it. No one can deny it makes one mean looking blade though ;)



This one is mine. The machining in the blade will give you a great deal of respect for how precise the work is on the knife, and being able to do something like this on the blade is also a kind of sign of talent or skill as well. It's much easier to see than the other things that make this knife amazing to the average person.
 
How about the Condor machetes? I've heard the hole is there so they can be hung on a nail, but I've never seen anyone do that, most people just hang it by the lanyard or leave it in the sheath.
 
Not a fan of holes in the blade. They provide a place for crud to get trapped during use. I like being able to clean a blade by just wiping it off. I don't want to have to dig crud out of holes and use a q-tip to perform a decent cleaning.

I don't like jimping for the same reason. And that's why I grind it off.
 
Some might argue its for weight reduction for ease of carry...

Different holes serve different functions.
 
No one's made mention, but that is an awesome looking knife, didn't know they also made fixed blades as well, thanks for sharing that.
G2
 
Legend has it, that on a windy day the hole will whistle traditional Japanese songs.

I think it's just for aerodynamic efficiency for fighting ninjas;)
 
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The Skookum Bush Tool is available with a hole in the blade, it's purpose is to be able to use the knife as a shear by using the hole and a nail or something similar as a pivot. It works as described.
 
I read somewhere that it's used to mount the blade in position during part of the grinding process. Pretty neat overall.
 
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