Knife Grinds 101 – What You Need to Know

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I f you are not a knife connoisseur, you probably think that the only important parts of a knife are the blade and the handle. However, the knife grind is just as important, this often overlooked part changing the dynamic of the blade and having a major impact on the knife’s usability. If you are not documented in regards to knife grinds, you have come to the right place as in the following we will list and discuss everything there is to know about them.

Hollow Grind

What defines the hollow grind is the fact that it’s concave. This means that the sides of the blade curve inward up to the point where they meet. Despite the fact that the curved sides produce a very sharp edge, the grind of a hollow knife isn’t very durable. Thus, it dulls quickly, meaning that you have to waste time sharpening it more often than you would like.

High Flat Grind

The high flat grind is characterized by the fact that before tapering toward the edge, it leaves a small portion of the blade at the same thickness as the spine. The bevel begins quite close to the spine, thus offering a unique sensation when handling this knife grind.

V-Grind

The V-grind, also known as the Scandinavian grind, is another flat type that begins tapering when it’s close to the edge. Thus, a generous part of the blade is left at the same thickness as the spine, which is preferable when handling a survival knife as it will be easier for you to sharpen the blade when you are out on the field.

Full Flat Grind

The full flat grind is the most basic type. The edge is extremely sharp on these knives as the grind begins to taper to the edge from the spine evenly regardless of the spine. However, while there is the added benefit of sharpness, the knife loses its durability. It is undesirable for heavy-duty tasks as it isn’t capable of performing without there being the chance for the blade to break.

Convex Grind

As opposed to the hollow model that curves inward, the convex grind features a rounded curve that comes to a point. It is one of the most durable options to go with. Furthermore, it holds an edge well, being ideal for tasks like chopping and dicing. Unfortunately, its nature makes it tough to sharpen, so you should consider a specialized edge for the knife to make your life easier.

Compound Bevel Grind

It is definitely the most confusing type of grind out there, the reasoning to its complicated nature being the fact that it adds a secondary bevel to the pre-existing grind. It’s common in modern knives and cutlery due to its functionality, delivering benefits that make it a worthy choice to go with, like improving the cutting ability of the knife. Additionally, it is superior in durability, being less prone to chipping.

Chisel Grind

It is completely flat on one side, more precisely from the spine to the edge, and it features a single bevel on the other side, the bevel starting approximately at the middle of the blade. From that point on is where it starts to taper toward the edge in a straight line, the degree varying depending on the specific model.

Asymmetrical Grind

It features two different grind styles on the same blade, which makes it popular in survival knives, and it’s one of the hardest types of grinds to settle on as each type of combination comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, you need to be careful when it comes to the combination that you choose to ensure that the knife will serve its purpose properly. This does indeed require a hefty amount of research on your part, but if you’re willing to do it, you will end up with the perfect knife for any survival situation that you might get into.