Why Do Knife Blades Have This Notch?

[harris2]

I don't know what it is called, but I have always wondered why knife blades have the notch that the arrow points to in the picture below. The picture is terrible - I just wanted something to show the notch. Seems to be no consistency in it's shape or size, it is huge on some blades like the Rift.

http://images.nikonians.org/galleries/data/18840/medium/Blade_Notch.jpg

 

[Evan8523]

Its a relief cut so the edge bevel isn't all funky. See how the blade thickens behind the notch? The edge bevel would be really thick there if the notch wasn't present. It also serves to make sharpening easier. It keeps you from hitting the flat metal by the handle.

 

[RevDevil]

It's called a sharpening choil, it facilitates sharpening of the knife without deforming the ricasso/heel/kick.

 

[Fred Sanford]

I wish Spyderco had this. I like these.


(Side note: I just wanted to say that I forgot this was in the BM subforum which is why I posted the statement above.) :foot:

 

[harris2]

Ah, that makes sense. The mystery has been solved. Thanks guys.

 

[olfeller]

Thank you for asking the question!
I've wanted to know as well!

 

[Stays Sharp]

I wish Spyderco had this. I like these.

With Spyderco's, if you really want, you can easily add them in yourself. It's easier to put one in than to remove one

 

[Omega Leather Works]

I use to be a fan of those (some call them a Spanish notch), but after having knives where the edge runs into the ricasso, I'm not convinced that they are necessary.

The choil is considered a mark of quality in traditional knives like slipjoints. Often, on custom knives, they are seen as a way to cover a mistake.

 

[the-swexan]

i myself like them, keeps me from tearing up the edges of my expencive japanese stones

 

[Fred Sanford]

With Spyderco's, if you really want, you can easily add them in yourself. It's easier to put one in than to remove one

I do actually. I use the corner of one of my 701 profile stones to make them.