Which Blade Tip Style Do You Prefer?

[Mistwalker]

Everyone has their own style of knife use. We live in different terrains and environments and we have specific tasks we keep in mind as our primary tasks when choosing a knife. We have blade shapes that we prefer for those tasks and then adapt those tip types to other uses as best as we can. Historically I was more into clip points than any other because of earlier lessons, and I adapted my uses to them. Lately I find myself favoring a slightly dropped point without a lot of belly for an all around tool because it still gives me good penetration, offers good tip strength for boring and gouging, and the flat spine gives me comfort in pinch grips and when using the thumb of "the other" hand when doing detailed tip work. The shallow belly still gives me a working curve for skinning and food prep yet doesn't interfere with penetration.

If you were to choose one blade type for your best all around use in the field what is your preferred tip type, and why?

 

[Samael]

I own many of each (except for the tanto). Can't say that I have a preference. Each has its place.

 

[Moosez45]

I've always liked a drop. I like a strong tip, and I find the profile pleasing to look at.

Moose

 

[6shooter]

Drop point for me. Functional, allows for a nice tip and still decent belly, and I generally like the aesthetics over any other type.

 

[crackerjax]

Spear point for me like a chris reeve shadow or a randall 14 saw teeth no saw teeth grind

 

[dttomcat]

Well, it depends on the application but if I had to chose only one I think it would be the drop point.

 

[Samael]

Actually, lately it seems I've been buying a lot of big-bellied, non-drop-point skinners (three out of my last four). Still can't say I have a favorite, though.

 

[ForestRoamer]

As long as it's sharp it's ok by me.

 

[ohski]

Drop point for me. Functional, allows for a nice tip and still decent belly, and I generally like the aesthetics over any other type.

Yep... +1

Ski

 

[PayetteRucker]

It completely depends what I'm doing. For a skinner, a slight drop point would be best, allowing for the most belly but a pronounced point for puncturing the hide. For a bushcrafter, most people prefer a centered point, so a well applied spear, constant drop or clip point are all effective. So far the best combination of point and belly I've found is on the Cold Steel Finn Bear. Considering having one made custom with the same blade profile and handle design, in better materials with a true scandi grind. It really all depends.

 

[mutinousdoug]

For stabbing I prefer the spear but the Drop is better for skinning. My pocket carry knife is a clip or a Warncliff with a pen, so neither of those. This is a pretty tough quiz.

 

[hiwa]

I voted DP. I particularly like the Esee profiles. Even on my other blades , I find it the most versatile. Clip points are my next favorite ( Bowie styles like the BK 7 , etc.)

 

[Big Mike]

I really like a straight spine, or just a slight drop.




Big Mike

 

[tknife]

Spear or drop point seem most useful to me.

 

[Jeff H]

POINTY!
I like a spearpoint or at least a drop point. I particularly like the hump back of some models and I like a relatively slender and "thin" blade, getting up to 1/8" with a flat grind but can go thicker if enought steel is removed as a side-affect to the type of grind. I live where deciduous hardwoods prevail and skinning squirrels and rabbit requires a mere nick, so anything works for that. I have not run a trap line in decades, so not a lot of skinning chores. A continuous curve on the edge seems to work best for me as well, but not a deep belly, even just a slight curve seems better tha a straight section of edge for me. I like a fine edge with a thin and "aerodynamic" transition from edge to flats. Full height convex is great if executed properly but many I have had weren't really convexed at all until the very edge, making them quite obtuse.

My personal all-time favorite knife first:

 

[nate1714]

I have always liked spear point. They just look sleek and dont seem to take much away in terms of strength.

 

[Carolina River Rat]

Seems I'm in accordance with most of the other folks here. I prefer the drop point for the reasons 6shooter stated.

 

[mtnfolk mike]

i prefer a good old fashioned drop point...:thumbup:

 

[1066vik]

spear and/or drop point.

 

[Cpl Punishment]

Drop point, followed very closely by a spear point.