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Everything You Need To Know About Fixed Blade Knife Edge Grinds

Views: 220     Author: svegaoutdoor     Publish Time: 2025-08-11      Origin: Site

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What Is a Knife Edge Grind?

Common Types of Fixed Blade Knife Edge Grinds

>> 1. Flat Grind (Full Flat Grind)

>>> Description

>>> Characteristics

>>> Uses

>>> Pros and Cons

>> 2. Convex Grind (Moran Grind)

>>> Description

>>> Characteristics

>>> Uses

>>> Pros and Cons

>> 3. Sabre Grind

>>> Description

>>> Characteristics

>>> Uses

>>> Pros and Cons

>> 4. Scandi Grind (Scandinavian Grind)

>>> Description

>>> Characteristics

>>> Uses

>>> Pros and Cons

>> 5. Hollow Grind

>>> Description

>>> Characteristics

>>> Uses

>>> Pros and Cons

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Fixed Blade Grind

>> Blade Strength vs. Sharpness

>> Ease of Sharpening

>> Intended Use

>> Steel Type and Thickness

Maintaining Fixed Blade Edge Grinds

>> Sharpening Techniques

>> Edge Angles

>> Regular Maintenance

Summary Table of Fixed Blade Edge Grinds

Frequently Asked Questions

When it comes to fixed blade knives, the edge grind—the way the blade is shaped and tapered near the cutting edge—is a critical factor that influences the knife's performance, sharpness, durability, and ease of maintenance. Understanding the different types of edge grinds allows you to select the right fixed blade for your specific needs, whether for outdoor survival, hunting, bushcraft, culinary tasks, or tactical applications. This article will comprehensively explain the most common fixed blade knife edge grinds, their characteristics, pros and cons, and suitable uses.

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What Is a Knife Edge Grind?

A knife edge grind refers to the cross-sectional shape of the blade near its cutting edge after it has been ground or shaped. It determines how the blade tapers from the thicker spine down to a thin, sharp edge. This geometry affects how the knife cuts, how strong the edge is, and how easy the blade is to sharpen.

Edge grinds can be broadly categorized by how material is removed along the blade's face and how steep or convex the taper is toward the edge. Different grinding techniques result in distinctive blade profiles and cut performance.

Common Types of Fixed Blade Knife Edge Grinds

1. Flat Grind (Full Flat Grind)

Description

A flat grind features a straight, flat bevel that tapers uniformly from just below the spine of the blade to the cutting edge, forming a symmetrical "V" shape (also called a full flat grind or FFG when the bevel extends fully to the spine).

Characteristics

- Balanced sharpness and strength.

- Produces a very thin, keen edge good for slicing.

- The blade thickens steadily behind the edge, providing good structural support.

- Easier to sharpen compared to convex grinds.

Uses

- Ideal for general-purpose fixed blades.

- Popular in kitchen knives, hunting knives, and many bushcraft knives.

- Great for chopping, slicing, woodworking, and everyday tasks.

Pros and Cons

- Pros: Versatile, sharp, easy to maintain.

- Cons: Edge durability may be less than convex or sabre grinds under heavy chopping.

2. Convex Grind (Moran Grind)

Description

The convex grind features a blade profile that curves outward between the spine and the edge, forming a rounded bevel instead of flat or concave bevels. The blade has the maximum amount of steel behind the edge.

Characteristics

- Very durable and strong edge due to thick steel support.

- The edge itself is slightly rounded, offering resistance to chipping.

- More difficult to sharpen due to the continuous curve.

- Excellent for heavy-duty work.

Uses

- Suited for chopping tools like machetes and axes.

- Preferred in outdoor fixed blades for durability.

- Good for users who need a hard-wearing edge for high-impact cutting.

Pros and Cons

- Pros: Extremely tough and durable, good for batoning and heavy tasks.

- Cons: Sharpening requires more skill and time, edge is less razor-thin.

3. Sabre Grind

Description

The sabre grind starts about halfway down the blade with a flat bevel that runs straight to the edge. The upper half of the blade remains flat and unground, giving it a strong backbone.

Characteristics

- Strong edge with a thick bevel.

- Easier to sharpen than convex grinds.

- Edge geometry increases blade robustness.

- Usually leaves more steel behind the edge for strength.

Uses

- Very popular in tactical and military knives.

- Useful for survival knives and heavy-duty cutting.

- Good for slicing and chopping where edge retention and strength matter.

Pros and Cons

- Pros: Durable edge, easy to sharpen.

- Cons: Less slicing finesse compared to flat or hollow grinds.

4. Scandi Grind (Scandinavian Grind)

Description

The Scandi grind features a single wide bevel that tapers straight to the edge without a secondary bevel. Usually, the blade's upper half remains flat and unground until the bevel starts abruptly partway down.

Characteristics

- Produces a razor-sharp and thin edge.

- No secondary bevel means sharpening is straightforward.

- Edge is relatively fragile and can chip if misused.

- Excellent for precise woodworking and whittling.

Uses

- Popular in bushcraft knives designed for wood carving.

- Favored by Scandinavian knife makers.

- Less suitable for food prep or slicing due to fragility.

Pros and Cons

- Pros: Sharp, easy to sharpen.

- Cons: Edge less durable, not ideal for heavy chopping.

5. Hollow Grind

Description

A hollow grind features a concave bevel that curves inward, thinning the blade as it approaches the edge. The edge is very thin and sharp but supported by less steel behind it.

Characteristics

- Very sharp and ideal for slicing.

- Edge can be fragile and prone to dulling quickly.

- Sharpening requires creating a new edge bevel periodically.

- Not as robust as flat or convex grinds.

Uses

- Favored in straight razors and some kitchen knives.

- Good for fine slicing tasks.

Pros and Cons

- Pros: Razor-sharp edge.

- Cons: Less durable, requires frequent maintenance.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Fixed Blade Grind

Blade Strength vs. Sharpness

Typically, sharper edges are thinner and hence more fragile, while thicker edges have more durability but less slicing finesse. Convex and sabre grinds lean toward durability; flat and hollow grinds offer greater sharpness.

Ease of Sharpening

Flat and sabre grinds are generally easier to sharpen by hand. Convex grinds require more skill or specialized equipment.

Intended Use

- For heavy chopping or batonning: Convex and sabre grinds excel.

- For fine slicing and general-purpose use: Flat or hollow grinds.

- For woodworking and bushcraft carving: Scandi grind shines.

Steel Type and Thickness

The blade steel's hardness and flexibility affect which grind works best. Thicker steels do well with sabre or convex grinds, while thinner, harder steels benefit from flat or hollow grinds.

***

Maintaining Fixed Blade Edge Grinds

Sharpening Techniques

- Use stones or guided sharpening systems that accommodate the angle and shape of your particular grind.

- Flat and sabre grinds can be sharpened on flat stones or guided sharpeners.

- Convex edges might require stropping or specialized grinding.

- Scandi grinds require sharpening the single bevel flatly without secondary bevel.

Edge Angles

Typical fixed blade edge angles range from 15 to 25 degrees per side, affecting sharpness and durability. Tactical and survival knives trend toward higher angles for toughness, kitchen or precision knives toward lower angles for sharpness.

Regular Maintenance

Frequent honing or stropping prolongs edge sharpness. Avoid prolonged chopping on hard materials with fragile grinds like hollow or Scandi to prevent chipping.

Summary Table of Fixed Blade Edge Grinds

Grind Type Edge Profile Strength Sharpness Ease of Sharpening Best Use Case
Flat (Full Flat) Straight flat bevel Moderate High Easy Versatile/general use
Convex Rounded (convex) Very high Moderate Moderate to hard Heavy chopping, survival
Sabre Flat bevel mid blade High Moderate Easy Tactical, heavy use
Scandi Single wide bevel Moderate to low Very high Very easy Woodworking, bushcraft
Hollow Concave thin bevel Low Very high Moderate Precision slicing

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Which grind is best for a survival fixed blade knife?

A1: A convex or sabre grind is best as they offer strong, durable edges suitable for heavy-duty chopping and batoning.

Q2: Is a flat grind good for general camping knives?

A2: Yes, flat grinds provide a good balance of sharpness and strength, making them versatile for a variety of camping tasks.

Q3: Can I sharpen a convex grind at home?

A3: Convex edges can be sharpened at home but may require specialized tools or techniques like stropping with a leather strop to maintain the rounded edge.

Q4: Why is the Scandi grind popular in bushcraft knives?

A4: The Scandi grind's simplicity and ease of sharpening make it ideal for woodworking and controlled cuts common in bushcraft.

Q5: Are hollow grinds durable enough for outdoor fixed blade use?

A5: Hollow grinds are less durable and more prone to chipping, so they are not generally recommended for outdoor survival fixed blades.

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[1] https://cutscrafts.com/types-of-knife-blade-grinds/

[2] https://patents.google.com/patent/CN209868129U/en

[3] https://www.bladehq.com/blog/knife-grinds-guide

[4] https://patents.google.com/patent/CN102481676B/zh

[5] https://www.osograndeknives.com/catalog/blade-grinds.html

[6] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjrsWwqK1eg

[7] https://agrussell.com/knife-articles/blade-grinds

[8] https://patents.google.com/patent/CN101970174A/zh

[9] https://www.knafs.com/pages/blade-grinds

[10] https://patents.google.com/patent/CN112638601A/zh

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