Concave/Convex

T

Trenton55

Joined
Dec 14, 2009
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This has probably been asked a hundred times on this forum so I apologize in advance (couldn't find another thread on topic). So, what are the advantages, or disadvantages, with a concave blade as opposed to convex?
 
Not positive what your asking.

Convex deals with the sharpened edge of the blade, while concave deals with the primary grind. So you can have a concave blade with a convex grind.

Are you asking about a V grind vs. convex?
 
Apparently I didn't know how the terms applied. So it all has to do the way the blade is sharpened?
 
this might help im exactally sure what you mean though.


Grinds1.gif
 
As theamazingdrew pointed out "Grid" refers to the shape of the blade if you where to cut the blade in half and look at the end. When people refer to Convex or V sharpening they are just talking about the cutting edge or just the part that gets sharpened.

Just looked this up and I should have stated Primary grind as the edge is referred to as the secondary grind
 
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That explains it! With that said, what would be a better grind for a survival/backpacking knife?
 
Trenton55 said:
That explains it! With that said, what would be a better grind for a survival/backpacking knife?
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That all depends on personal preference. Personally I like flat grinds because that's what I know how to sharpen, but I just picked up a Bark River Fox River and am starting to get why so many people like the convex. But I still like the flat grind, its kinda my safety zone if you will.

There are a lot of people around here that have taken the RC4 and convexed it and love how it performs maybe one of them can drop in and advice how they differ and which one is better.
 
I would say that the most popular are the convex, the standard V grind and the scandi grind.

In corrilation to the above chart, the scandi would best equate to the flat and the standard V would be the taper.

All three are good for a general woods knife and mostly it comes down to personal preference.

I go with the V grind for the most part but I sharpen by hand so my edges are kind of in between a V and a convex.

I tried out some scandi blades and some pure convex and didn't really care for them mostly because I just can't get them properly sharp. Been sharpening V grinds my whole life and it's kind of hard to change old habits.
 
Trenton55 said:
That explains it! With that said, what would be a better grind for a survival/backpacking knife?
Click to expand...

Whichever you can sharpen yourself to good results would be the best to go with, especially if you can sharpen out in the field. I have a DMT Aligner system that I am getting good results with and I intend to take that camping so I can sharpen at night - for me a V grind is easier than convex.

I seriously doubt that a well sharpened V grind compared to a well sharpened convex grind would have any significant difference in cutting ability. Either grind would be capable of splitting hairs if sharpened well enough.
 
I prefer convex grind as I find that it is the easiest to sharpen and I find it functions the best. Good for cutting with good toughness in the edge. I like scandi as well but I find if the edge takes damage it is hard to sharpen it out. Personally I have never had luck with sharpening stones. I could get a knife usable, but not shaving sharp as I like it. If I can't shave I am not happy with the edge:P

I really like convex because I can maintain a razor edge with just stropping. I only need to pull out the sandpaper when I get some real damage from hard woods or hitting rock etc.
 
Thalestin said:
I prefer convex grind as I find that it is the easiest to sharpen and I find it functions the best.
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That would have to be a good enough reason to go with a convex grind surely? Just as someone that finds it easiest to sharpen a V grind and get to shaving sharp would be well advised to go with the V grind.

Some say convex is inferior to V - I doubt it.
Some say V is inferior to convex - I doubt it.

Go with whatever you find works best for you.
 
Gadgetaholic said:
That would have to be a good enough reason to go with a convex grind surely? Just as someone that finds it easiest to sharpen a V grind and get to shaving sharp would be well advised to go with the V grind.

Some say convex is inferior to V - I doubt it.
Some say V is inferior to convex - I doubt it.

Go with whatever you find works best for you.
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It's very much personal preference. Most non knife people could use identical knives with each kind of grind and never know the difference.

Most of the difference is in how they're cared for.
 
Eventually, the secondary grind on any knife that gets run across a stone and /or stropped regularly will eventually & naturally develop a convex edge over time. I'll generally replace the factory edge with a convex on my knives. As has been said, it is all personal preference.
 
Recon1 said:
Eventually, the secondary grind on any knife that gets run across a stone and /or stropped regularly will eventually & naturally develop a convex edge over time. I'll generally replace the factory edge with a convex on my knives. As has been said, it is all personal preference.
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How do you do this? Do you just start resharpening with a course grit to reshape the edge?

Jay
 
Convex or Scandi for me. I Use my Spyderco 204 for most my sharpening. But I finish everything off with a Good leather strop I really belivie it makes any good edge last longer.
As for opinions Hollow ground has very limited applications out side the Meat industry It is to frail for anything bar slicing.
Carl
 
warrigal said:
Convex or Scandi for me. I Use my Spyderco 204 for most my sharpening. But I finish everything off with a Good leather strop I really belivie it makes any good edge last longer.
As for opinions Hollow ground has very limited applications out side the Meat industry It is to frail for anything bar slicing.
Carl
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I like hollow grind on folders. Folders are just slicers for me. No real heavy duty work for my folders. Thats what my fixed blades are for:)
 
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