Why so many cleaver folders with obstructed edges?

H

Halador

Joined
Jul 6, 2013
Messages
144
Hey all! So I carry a Kershaw Bracket most days while at work and was looking for another cleaver to rotate with it.
After looking around for several days I've realized that hardly any of the knives with a cleaver design can actually be used with their edges flat on a surface. Almost all of them are obstructed by a flipper tab, or ricasso, or even the handle itself.
Considering that this style of cutting is pretty inherent to the design, why are so many folding cleavers neglecting this?
Honestly I can't think of any examples that actually allow full edge contact.
 
You can if you chop something close to the edge of the countertop heh.

I would guess a big part of the problem is that if you increase the distance between the spine and cutting edge, you run into the problem of fitting that deep blade into the handle. Otherwise, you run into a folding knife that is 5" long and 4" wide. That will be awkward fitting in a pocket. I consider the blade shape a fad more than anything.
 
I second the Kizer Sheepdog.

It comes in a variety of steels, three sizes, and has all sorts of handle materials and versions.

Everything from 10V to CPM-4V to full titanium…
 
gazz98 said:
You can if you chop something close to the edge of the countertop heh.

I would guess a big part of the problem is that if you increase the distance between the spine and cutting edge, you run into the problem of fitting that deep blade into the handle. Otherwise, you run into a folding knife that is 5" long and 4" wide. That will be awkward fitting in a pocket. I consider the blade shape a fad more than anything.
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That's not a bad point actually. I think the Megatherium is a good example of that.
 
Maybe a Svord Peasant?, It is not so thin behind the edge, and it is hard to believe a friction folder with a simple plastic handle (there are versions with wood and metal handles, but I do not have experience with them) can be considered as a "beater", but this is quite a sturdy knife, I think.

Because I enjoy to use my folders for cooking task, here how I approach the clearance obstacle.
https://flic.kr/p/2nhkR2h
 
Yeah, I've lambasted those knives in the past too. The cleaver style knives aren't for me anyway, although I won't discount their utility in certain applications. But so many, especially the instagram custom types, use flipper tabs that almost completely preclude and negate their use as cleavers. Again, still not entirely useless, but what's the point (not a pun)? It's like putting street tires and donk wheels on a lifted SUV. Something with a specific purpose altered to no longer serve that purpose. I don't get it.
 
Exactly! Even the sheepdog,which might be the best engineered example, still has a choil area which will get in the way eventually. One of the top penefits of a cleaver is blade lifespan and that is almost moot if you end up with a spot that can't be sharpened down.
 
vinprom said:
Maybe a Svord Peasant?, It is not so thin behind the edge, and it is hard to believe a friction folder with a simple plastic handle (there are versions with wood and metal handles, but I do not have experience with them) can be considered as a "beater", but this is quite a sturdy knife, I think.

Because I enjoy to use my folders for cooking task, here how I approach the clearance obstacle.
https://flic.kr/p/2nhkR2h
Click to expand...
I've had a peasant on my list for a long time but having a lock and a blunt tip is kind of neccessary because of the environment in which I work. Otherwise I don't know that I'd be looking at cleaver folders at all. Not having a point can be a pain sometimes.
 
I don't think I've ever had a folder with a true cleaver style blade before, they're not quite my thing, but this got me thinking on the issue of not being able to use the whole blade flat against a countertop. This is something that my mind has wandered too quite a few times myself. Out of my current collection, the one that does this task the closest would be this Twosun. I can't recall the model number, I've always thought of it as the Twosun Spydiechef haha. It's not quite a cleaver blade shape, and the whole edge does not contact the cutting media at the same time, but for the task at hand it excels very well. It's 14c28n so it's a nice tough and easy to sharpen steel, both desireable for said task in my opinion.

onBhJF8.jpg
 
Problem solved?

www.instagram.com

RichMade Knives on Instagram: "Customer order almost finished. This is a Large Ratchet in 154CM steel. knifecollection #knifecommunity #blade #usnstagram #knivesdaily #bestknivesofig #knifefanatics #customknives #richmadeknives #usngathering #blade

177 likes, 3 comments - richmadeknives on January 12, 2022: "Customer order almost finished. This is a Large Ratchet in 154CM steel. knifecollection #knifecommunity #blade #usnstagram #knivesdaily #bestknivesofig #knifefanatics #customknives #richmadeknives #usngathering #bladeshowwest...
www.instagram.com www.instagram.com
 
Twosun seems like such a solid value. I'll have to look through their collection a little more. More like a western chef knife for sure!

cnm123 said:
Problem solved?

www.instagram.com

RichMade Knives on Instagram: "Customer order almost finished. This is a Large Ratchet in 154CM steel. knifecollection #knifecommunity #blade #usnstagram #knivesdaily #bestknivesofig #knifefanatics #customknives #richmadeknives #usngathering #blade

177 likes, 3 comments - richmadeknives on January 12, 2022: "Customer order almost finished. This is a Large Ratchet in 154CM steel. knifecollection #knifecommunity #blade #usnstagram #knivesdaily #bestknivesofig #knifefanatics #customknives #richmadeknives #usngathering #bladeshowwest...
www.instagram.com www.instagram.com
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Are you suggesting I use that work of ART? It certainly has the reach.
 
Halador said:
I've had a peasant on my list for a long time but having a lock and a blunt tip is kind of neccessary because of the environment in which I work. Otherwise I don't know that I'd be looking at cleaver folders at all. Not having a point can be a pain sometimes.
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Can you sneak a wharncliffe in?

Otherwise I don't mind my gerber cleaver. It is pretty good for a cheapie.


No flipper.
 
I'd been eyeing the FlatIron but all of the mixed reviews have kind of put me off. Sounds like their QC is a bit iffy. You've had good experience with it?
 
Halador said:
I'd been eyeing the FlatIron but all of the mixed reviews have kind of put me off. Sounds like their QC is a bit iffy. You've had good experience with it?
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Yeah. Mine is fine.

Look. It is a mass produced Gerber and I assume you get duds. And if you used it like a cleaver and chopped with it. I can't imagine it would fare very well.

But used like a sheepsfoot. It works fine. It opens blister packets like a pro. Cuts cardboard, sharpens pencils. Basically does all those utility tasks well enough.

It is heavier and bulkier than it needs to be for those tasks. But makes up for it in whimsy.

So it works fine as an edc. Just maybe not for a super serious camping trip or something.

A lot of the guys in my area use gerbers because they are the most readily available decent one handed folders. And they don't know any better. And they don't have an issue with them.

I think knives in general are kind of over engendered for what we generally need them to do. That we can generally take a few risks.
 
You make a good point. Most of history did work with trappers and sodbusters, so I suppose anything more advanced should be appreciated for what it is.

I did just come across the Kizer October which looks very promising in design and material! And even smaller than the bracket which should make things easier without spooking my coworkers.
 
Halador said:
Twosun seems like such a solid value. I'll have to look through their collection a little more. More like a western chef knife for sure!


Are you suggesting I use that work of ART? It certainly has the reach.
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They make some great knives for a great value. I really like them. It might be kind of selfish but I don't spread the word to quickly because I'm worried that the prices will go up higher before I can get all the models I want 😂
 
I rec the Yojumbo/Yojimbo 2 or any blade reground in the style like the Yurco Enduras or the Janudras or Jandelicas.
No issues like this... Pointier than a cleaver...
 
LimpCroissant said:
They make some great knives for a great value. I really like them. It might be kind of selfish but I don't spread the word to quickly because I'm worried that the prices will go up higher before I can get all the models I want 😂
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I do the same thing, I don't post about/pictures of certain knives before I have my fill. I'm afraid they will get bought up, ha.
 
Hashishiin said:
I do the same thing, I don't post about/pictures of certain knives before I have my fill. I'm afraid they will get bought up, ha.
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Haha yea I hear yea. I always feel kind of bad when I think like that because I think certain knives and brands should get more love and business but then I'll see the prices going up and think... 🤐
 
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