Single vs. Compound Bevels?

R

raythebigfoot

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Sep 12, 2007
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Ok, got a question for all you pro knifemakers out there. As a new maker I am trying to figure out if I should put single or compound bevels on the blades I am making. I have looked at thousands of knives and it seems like most knifemakers use compound bevels, but then again some stick with just one straight single bevel. Personally I own both and have always found it easier to get a single beveled knife sharper. But I know that putting that little compound bevel on the cutting edge must give it more holding power or something otherwise knifemakers wouldn't take the time to do it. So my question is this. What are the pros and cons of each, and are there general rules about what kind of cutting edges are the best for certain knives (hunters vs. tactical vs. everday use blades). I am thinking about selling some of my knives soon and feel like I need to know what potential buyers would be wanting for the cutting edge a knife. If anyone could help me out that would be great!! Thanks!!
 
Ray: You are talking about the edge, not the grind, right?
My advice to you is to TEST your knives and find out what YOU think works best for the designs you make, the steel you use, and your HT.
 
Ray, a single bevel can get very sharp, it is how straight razors are ground. However they are more prone to damage because it gets very thin at the edge. Also to sharpen a single bevel you have to drag the entire width of the blade against the stone which will cause a lot of scratches. With a secondary bevel the edge is stronger and you only put a small amount of the blade in contact with the stone when sharpening thus keeping it free of scratches.
 
I think it is all up to you and what you are trying to achieve. Are you trying to make a knife that is somewhat sharp or that will scare the hairs off your arms before the blade even touches it?

If you make it zero ground either chisel or double grind, Louis is correct and that if you put no seconardy bevel on and the average person trying to sharpen it will have to drag the entire bevel on the stone causing alot of ugliness to the blade. Most people don't have buffers and stuff like that to touch up their blades with.

If you put a seconardy edge on it, it could be just as sharp as a zero ground, however have a bit more drag due to the extra point(s) of drag, but you shouldn't notice it by much. I find that 30' degrees total or less will make one hell of a cutter. Obviously you can make more angle and still have a great cutter, but I wouldn't go with too much angle unless again, you're wanting something sharp and not scary sharp!
 
A blade ground with a single bevel will allow for the greatest degree of sharpness all things considered. A hollow grind, on the same blade, can be sharper still. The bevel angle, with a hollow grind, is steeper than the flat grind with no secondary angle making for the possibility of a sharper edge.
Another advantage of no secondary angle is the ease of applying the actual edge after all the finish grind has been completed. You are just sharpening the edge and not creating one, like is done when grinding a second bevel.
There is more work in executing a good flat grind up to the point of sharpening.

Good luck, just do it well, Fred:thumbup:
 
I see your point about having to scrape your whole blade against the stone. I have always just used a buffer to sharpen up my knives, but I could see the problem of not having a compound bevel if all you had was stones to sharpen the knife. Makes sense!! Thanks guys!! Anymore comments would still be appreciated and I would love to here peoples personal preferences on the matter!
 
Or just make it one bevel and have them send it back to you for sharpening (as needed) within reason of course!
 
Personaly I prefere the convex edge with no secondary edge. I find it's stronger than a zero edge and cuts better than a secondary edge. Unfortunatly it'll develope a secondary edge with sharpening unless someone realy knows how to work the edge on a stone.
 
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