The shape of a knife blade determines how well that blade will perform specific tasks. It’s a world of tradeoffs: Piercing ability, tip strength, slicing efficiency, and how much abuse a blade can take are all factors in deciding which knife blade profile is best for the task at hand. There’s far more than looks involved when it comes to the shape of things that cut. Here’s all you need to know about 11 different style of blades to help you find the right knife for the task at hand.
1) Straight Back Blade
A burly straight-back knife will stand up to the tough tasks of buchcrafting. Courtesy of Weldon Owen
Characteristics
A straight spine with an upward curving edge that rises to the spine to form a semi-sharp point.
Best For
Bushcrafting Kitchen tasksLearning sharpening techniques
Pros
Very strongEasily batoned through woodEasy to apply force to spine with fingers or palm
Cons
Not ideal for piercing tasksNot enough belly for skinning
2) Drop Point Blade
The do-it-all quality of a drop-point blade makes it perfect for everyday carry. Courtesy of Weldon Owen
Characteristics
A favorite of hunters, the drop point features a slight downward curve to the spine to form a lowered, or “dropped,” point.
Best For
Field dressing SkinningEveryday carry (EDC)
Pros
Strong point retains a bit of belly for skinningBest for gutting animals, as the point angles away from organs
Cons
With a tip less sharp than those of other profiles, it’s not a great piercing blade
3) Trailing Point
The long belly on a trailing-point blade lengthens the cutting surface. Courtesy of Weldon Owen
Characteristics
This blade’s spine curves upward, and a trailing point provides a long, curved edge for slicing.
Best For
Skinning and caping animals Filleting fish
Pros
Very sharp pointLots of bellyDesign gives lightweight knives additional length to the cutting edge
Cons
Weak pointDifficult to get in and out of a sheath
4) Clip Point
Clip points excel and skinning game animals. Courtesy of Weldon Owen
Characteristics
The classic Bowie knife profile. A straight spine drops in a slight angle or concave curve to meet the tip, as if the spine were clipped off.
Best For
Skinning and caping animalsFilleting fish
Pros
Very controllable sharp pointDecent bellyExcels at piercing
Cons
If the clip begins too far from the tip, the point of the blade can be weak
5) Spear Point
Spear-point knives have two cutting edges. Courtesy of Weldon Owen
Characteristics
A symmetrical profile with a spine that forms the centerline of the blade. Can be sharpened on one or both sides.
Best For
PiercingThrustingThrowing
Pros
Very sharp tipCan have a double cutting surface
Cons
Not useful for non-fighting tasks
6) Spey Point
The spey point was designed to castrate farm animals. Courtesy of Weldon Owen
Characteristics
A defined, sudden downward curve to the spine that meets a curving, upswept edge. Commonly found on trapper-style pocketknives.
Best For
Traditionally used for castrating farm animals.
Pros
Easily sharpenedSafe to use when a sharp point isn’t needed
Cons
That lack of a sharp point limits piercing abilityOften a short blade
7) Leaf
Knives with leaf blades are common for self-defense. Courtesy of Weldon Owen
Characteristics
This hybrid between a drop point and a spear point features a less aggressive downward slope to the spine with a more acute point.
Best For
Fine cutting that requires a sharp pointEDCSelf-defense
Pro
Easy to carry, as most leaf point blades are short
Cons
Thin point can be weaker than that of other grinds
8) Sheepsfoot
Sheepsfoot blades are easy to sharpen. Courtesy of Weldon Owen
Characteristics
A straight spine curves downward to meet a completely straight edge, with no sharp piercing tip.
Best For
Rescue workUse on inflatable boatsTrimming hooves of small livestock
Pros
Blunt tip can be very thick and strongVery controllable edgeEasy to sharpen
Cons
With no sharp tip, not useful for piercing tasks
9) Wharncliffe
A sheepsfoot blade as a razor-sharp point. Courtesy of Weldon Owen
Characteristics
Similar to a sheepsfoot, with a downward curve or angle to the spine that starts closer to the handle of the knife.
Best For
Rescue workSelf-defenseUtility tasks
Pros
Sharp piercing tipStrong, robust blade often built with thick blade stock
Cons
No belly for skinning tasks
10) Hawkbill
This knife model makes it easy to see how the hawkbill blade got it’s name. Courtesy of Weldon Owen
Characteristics
Shaped like a claw or talon—or a hawk’s bill—the hawkbill profile has a sharply concave spine and cutting edge that meet at a downward point.
Best For
Utility work, such as cutting carpet and linoleumSelf-defense
Pros
Cutting webbing, heavy cordage and linesSharp, inwardly curved tip is great for making long cuts
Cons
No piercing abilityLittle utility for hunting and fishing
11) Tanto
Tanto blades are solid for EDC. Courtesy of Weldon Owen
Characteristics
Thick, with a straight edge that takes a sudden upward, uncurved angle near the blade tip to meet the spine at a straight or slightly convex angle.
Best For
Self-defenseEDCGeneral utility tasks
Pros
Extremely strong and sharp tipRobust blade
Con
Tricky to sharpenNo belly for skinning
This article was adapted from Field & Stream’s Total Camping Manual.
The post How to Pick the Best Blade Style for Your Next Knife appeared first on Field & Stream.