GA "Redneck" asks about knives...

[ShaulWolf]

I'm curious... is there any notable advantage of a clip-point vs drop-point vs tanto-point on a blade? I've asked before but no one really gives me a strait answer. I know clip- and drop-points have plenty of belly and are great for utility, but I don't know much about tanto-points aside from they can be extremely strong. Despite their strength, general utility and fighting with them looks like it'd be awkward.

Anyone able to shed more light?

[Sal1000us]

Shaul, nice article couldn't resist not posting it as it is huge, but here it comes:

Among the most popular kinds of blade shapes, a drop point shaped blade is the most versatile of them all. In this design, the dull edge of the knife blade goes straight for about half the length towards the tip starting from the knife handle. Then the edge slopes gently downwards like the hood design of a well designed sports car. At the meeting point of the edges, the sharpened edge curves upward and meets the back edge of the blade, forming a point which will be slightly higher than the center of the blade's width. This drop is the reason for the name 'Drop point'. This kind of lowered tip results in a strong tip and provides good control of the knife during use. This type pf blade is generally good for all kind of cutting activities and is mainly useful for slicing.

Clip point is the other most common blade shape used. In a traditional clip point knife the back or dull edge of the knife starts straight from the handle to about one third or one fourth of the blade length. Then it proceeds down straight to the knife's point, which is generally placed clearly below the middle point of the blade's width. In such deep clip designs, the blade's portion that is clipped often has a concave shape, as if someone has taken a bite out of the blade. In such cases the design leaves the tip narrow and comparatively weaker. As a result the clip point knife tip cannot be abused and it is not as usable compared to drop point design for survival situations. Recent designs of clip point blades come up with relative short and straight clip in a robust blade which ends up similar to a drop point design.

Spear point blade shapes are called thus because in this design the top and the lower portions of the blade curve to meet at an exact midpoint. Both edges are normally sharpened, but sometimes you get a design with a false edge on the back or the spine. The edges of this knife blade taper equally although they can have different profiles for the spine and the edge. This kind of design can be normally stronger than a deep designed clip point knife, but these are not as versatile drop point knives. Smaller designs are also called a pen spear. This is because they are mostly used in pen knives or pocket knives as an all-purpose blade.

A Tanto blade is a knife blade shape inspired by traditional Japanese design. The sharp point of this blade is in the same line as the thick back of the blade, allowing it to have a very strong point. The blade is thus strong though in some designs the front edge might meet the bottom edge at an angle or a curve. They also have reinforced point making them good for heavy duty stabbing cuts, piercing through hard materials or for prying. Many different designs of tanto blades are nowadays available. The front edge might meet the bottom edge at an obtuse angle or a curve. Further some designs have the point clipped and some don't.

Other common blade shapes like skinners, trailing point, straight point, spey, hawkbill blades are available which have distinct blade shapes and are good for different applications. Thus there are a lot of very good choices for someone looking for blade shapes and to pick the one that is best suited for his or her needs. The main thing to consider while selecting blade shapes is to be careful to avoid blades with a point that is comparatively thin and therefore relatively weak. Further the versatility and comfort to use in different situations is also another important point to keep in mind while selecting blades.

Knife blade shapes influence the selection and the usage of knives. They are instrumental in adding strength to the knife and to ensure that the knife is particularly useful for a specific application over long periods of time.

Drop point, clip point, Tanto and spear knives are the most popular and versatile kind of knife blade shapes available and are the most used as they can cover a wide range of applications and uses. There are also many other blade shapes that are specific to particular areas of use and as they are designed keeping the specific needs of the application, they are well suited for those.

Sheepsfoot knives get their name from their shape that resembles the hoof of a sheep's foot. This has a distinctive flat, straight-line cutting edge and a round endpoint. The top of the blade curves abruptly downwards to meet the tip. The design virtually leaves no sharp point at the tip. These knives generally have little or virtually no belly. Sheepsfoot blades are mainly used for slicing applications. They are especially good in giving you a clean cut mainly on a flat cutting surface.

A Spey model of the blade was originally developed to neuter farm animals. It has a rather blunt point that avoids poking through the surface by accident. The spey is well suited for farm activities like skinning and in cases where sweeping knife strokes are required. A double-edged spey has two edges meeting at a sharp point. This is mainly used in daggers, bayonets and can cut in both directions.

The hawkbill or hook blade is of a distinct shape similar to sharply curved hook. It has a concave curved edge with the sharp cutting edge located inside the curve. It also has a tip that is sharp and can be used for cutting. This kind of design allows it to cut tough materials. This is mainly used in applications like the carpet knives or scoring blades. They are also used as slashing blades in tactical knives.

A wharncliffe blade is very similar to sheep's foot but tapers more lightly. This blade has a straight edge and a spine that tapers to the tip. This kind of blade is very good for scoring and other slicing applications.

A coping blade has a narrow blade. This has a sharp, angular point compared to the curved tapering of a sheepsfoot blade. These kinds of blades are normally used for cutting in tight spots or to cut curved patterns. These are similar to coping saw, except that they have sharp edges instead of teeth.

A dagger or a double-edged knife has a blade that is sharp on both edges and leads to a sharpened point at the dip. This point is normally aligned with the spine in the middle of the blade. The spine runs the full length of the blade and gives it good strength. This kind of blade is generally used in self-defense knives.

A Scimitar is a type of curved blade. It is similar to the hook blade, but in this blade the sharpened edge is on the outside curve of the blade or the convex side. This kind of blade also comes with a needle sharp point that allows it to be used for precise tasks in tight spaces.

A trailing point knife blade has a curve that curves slightly up. Thus this blade has a point higher than the spine and is typically the best knife for slicing applications. This design keeps the point up and out of the way of whatever is being cut.

An ulu (also called intuit woman's knife) is a knife shaped like a sharpened half circle. The blade has edge on all sides with no point. The handle is present in the middle and this kind of knife is extremely good for scrapping and chopping. This is also used in leather industries to scrape down leather and to make precise cuts to form nice circular shapes. This is one of the strongest knife shapes available.

[inexpensivebeer]

Spyderco knives may be ugly but they are extremely functional (to me the Griptilian is ugly as well, but I admit it's great for the money). Spyderco knives with their choils in the handle seem to fit my hand perfectly. This comes from now owning a few dozen of them. The Enduras and Delicas are still reasonably priced knives, no matter how uch they've raised their prices on "designer" knives. If anything find a good knife shop with a wide selection and see what works best for you (fit, finish, and quality) and support local businesses in the process. In the case of my local knife shop I end up saving money than ordering online b/c of my loyalty.

[Judge Faust]

Re: GA "Redneck" asks about knives...

So I have a Kershaw Vapor (straight blade) that goes everywhere with me. I can't even tell you how often I find a use for it during my day. I love it dearly and am definitely not looking to replace it, but it's lonely. My second child needs a brother (or brothers).

O.C.G.A. § 16-11-126
Carrying a concealed weapon

(a) A person commits the offense of carrying a concealed weapon when such person knowingly has or carries about his or her person, unless in an open manner and fully exposed to view, any bludgeon, knuckles whether made from metal, thermoplastic, wood, or other similar material, firearm, knife designed for the purpose of offense and defense, or any other dangerous or deadly weapon or instrument of like character outside of his or her home or place of business, except as permitted under this Code section.

(b) Upon conviction of the offense of carrying a concealed weapon, a person shall be punished as follows:

(1) For the first offense, he or she shall be guilty of a misdemeanor; and

(2) For the second offense, and for any subsequent offense, he or she shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be imprisoned for not less than two years and not more than five years.



Tread carefully, my friend. This is such a stupid thing to get a criminal record over...

[Starcadia]

Come on, man. No need to intrude on their hobbies.

[Xobeloot]

My new knife arrived today. Love it!.

Judge Faust... I carry my knife everywhere and anywhere. A folding knife attached to the inside of your pocket via a pocket clip is not considered concealed. It is also not considered a weapon unless used in that manor.

Now If I beat the snot out of somebody on the street and got arrested while having it clipped in my pocket, I'm sure they would use it as an additional charge, but not just for having it.

When I smoked cigarettes, If I were at a bar and had to bum a cig that was too light for my tastes, I would flick open my Benchmade and cut half the filter off on the bar.

One of the bar's I go to, the bartender carry's a 10"+ fixed blade in a leather sheath right on his belt behind the bar.

Anyways, thanks for your concern.

[cocsp2002]

Stopped by my local BM dealer today...I'm probably going to have to find a bigger dealer, he didn't have a ton of selection.

On the upside, I held a green griptilian today, and while the combo blade doesn't do it for me, it's mechanism was SO buttery smooth and fast opening, I compared it with a 9550 auto, and to be honest, I couldn't tell the difference in the speed they deploy. Working in a very humid, salty environment, I think less mechanisms to gunk up or corrode is smarter. I'll wait on my auto so I'm not forced to carry it to work.

[Xobeloot]

Yeah man, the AXIS locking mechanism is top notch. That is one of the things that has had me using BM for so long.

[Condor]

Re: GA "Redneck" asks about knives...

So I have a Kershaw Vapor (straight blade) that goes everywhere with me. I can't even tell you how often I find a use for it during my day. I love it dearly and am definitely not looking to replace it, but it's lonely. My second child needs a brother (or brothers).

O.C.G.A. § 16-11-126
Carrying a concealed weapon

(a) A person commits the offense of carrying a concealed weapon when such person knowingly has or carries about his or her person, unless in an open manner and fully exposed to view, any bludgeon, knuckles whether made from metal, thermoplastic, wood, or other similar material, firearm, knife designed for the purpose of offense and defense, or any other dangerous or deadly weapon or instrument of like character outside of his or her home or place of business, except as permitted under this Code section.

(b) Upon conviction of the offense of carrying a concealed weapon, a person shall be punished as follows:

(1) For the first offense, he or she shall be guilty of a misdemeanor; and

(2) For the second offense, and for any subsequent offense, he or she shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be imprisoned for not less than two years and not more than five years.



Tread carefully, my friend. This is such a stupid thing to get a criminal record over...

Don't worry about it. He didnt read far enough on inlawfind.com or LexisNexis. Carrying a knife isnt a crime.

[cocsp2002]

In GA I can carry an unregistered handgun everywhere except if I'm drinking, at a political event or in a school of church as long as the grip is visible, so I'm not really worried about a knife.

[Xobeloot]

And on that note, lets get back onto the topic of knives and our enjoyment of them before I have to post my ass in this thread too :lol: