Each knife can be designed in different ways-not only in terms of materials or shape, but also in terms of the blade grinding itself. It is the grinding geometry that determines how the knife will cut, how long it will stay sharp, and what it is best suited for.
In the knife business, there are several main types of grinding:
- Flat seam - Popular and versatile, it is well suited for everyday use, providing good cutting properties and easy sharpening.
- Convex grinding (convex grind) - very powerful, ideal for jobs that require a lot of stamina (for example, in survival or Bushcraft).
- Scandinavian grinding (scandi grind) - typical of Scandinavian knives, great for woodwork, easy to sharpen even in the field.
- Hollow grinding - relatively rare, but unique in its cutting properties.
If this article appeared on your blog, you could insert illustrations or diagrams that show differences in the grinding geometry – this makes it much easier for the reader to understand the topic.
My choice is a concave cut
Although each of the above grinds has its own advantages, in my opinion the most suitable for hunting knives is concave grinding. It was this cut that was the hallmark of the legendary knife master Boba Lovelessa, who developed the iconic hunting knife Drop Point Hunter.
Features that make a concave cut unique:
- Excellent cutting properties - thanks to the thin cutting edge, the knife with such grinding works perfectly when working with leather and meat.
- Easy sharpening - because of the geometry, sharpening is relatively simple and allows you to quickly return the knife to perfect sharpness.
- Endurance - concave grinding requires the use of thicker steel at the top of the blade, which allows the knife to maintain greater load strength.
- Longevity - the knife can be sharpened for many years, while maintaining the same sharpening angle. Over time, the knife becomes narrower, but its cutting properties and geometry remain virtually unchanged.
Sanding for demanding craftsmen
It is worth noting that concave cutting is one of the most difficult to make. This requires a lot of experience, a steady hand, and maximum focus on your work. An error in controlling the blade during sanding can negate hours of work with the knife.
However, the end result is worth it-the concave-ground knife is an extremely precise, sharp and reliable tool. That's why specializes in this technique and I consider it a hallmark of my knives.
Why not the most popular, but the best for me
Despite the fact that concave cutting is not one of the most popular solutions, for me it is the best choice. My knives are not about mass production or compromises, but about a combination of functionality, durability and cutting perfection.
This is a philosophy that I inherited from the master hacksaws-and that I will implement in every subsequent project.