Blade width

[bdjansen]

What are your guys' thoughts on knife blade width and how a knife handles/cuts? Does it make a difference? What width blade do you like if you think it does make a difference?

I'm referring to width as from the distance from the cutting edge of the blade to the other side. NOT the thickness of the blade. But you can discuss the impact the thickness of the blade has too. Or if it matters more or less. Just trying to make sure everyone knows what I'm talking about.

 

[Gordon]

Well unless for a specialized use , I prefer about 1" stock on blades 3-4.5" in length for general cutting use. From 5-9" then 1.5" wide stock works well, with the bigger Bowies using wider stock with 2" wide stock about optimum. Worked for me!

 

[rcmodel]

Yes, it makes a huge difference.

Look at a fish fillet knife, or butchers boning knife for examples of narrow blades that cut with very little friction from the blade dragging in the meat.

Wider general use blades drag more, but are easier to control the direction of the cut. A typical hunting knife or skinner blade is a good example of that.

Really wide blades make better choppers, as the increased width adds strength and weight to the chop. A butchers meat cleaver or a machete is an extreme example.

I guess the answer to your question is a question.
What are you going to cut?

rc

 

[bdjansen]

Yes, it makes a huge difference.

Look at a fish fillet knife, or butchers boning knife for examples of narrow blades that cut with very little friction from the blade dragging in the meat.

Wider general use blades drag more, but are easier to control the direction of the cut. A typical hunting knife or skinner blade is a good example of that.

Really wide blades make better choppers, as the increased width adds strength and weight to the chop. A butchers meat cleaver or a machete is an extreme example.

I guess the answer to your question is a question.
What are you going to cut?

I guess for me, I'd like a 3" blade that handles like a pairing knife or an Opinel, but I'd like it to open with one hand.

 

[JTW Jr.]

For a knife to cut well , all of it comes into play , how wide the blade is vs how thick the steel is vs how high the grinds go up the blade.

give me high grinds on a thin blade for cutting...

a 1" wide x 1/4" thick blade is a wedge , where a 1" wide by 1/8 thick blade will cut just fine...

blade geometry matters

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Kershaw Leek

I guess for me, I'd like a 3" blade that handles like a pairing knife or an Opinel, but I'd like it to open with one hand.

That sounds like a description of the Kershaw Leek.

Most of mine have metal handles and are frame lock, although I do have one or two that are black FRN (nylon) plastic handled with liner lock.

Three-inch blade, assisted open, light and thin blade, and narrow enough to do vegetables and fruit.

Oh, and seriously pointy. That long, tapered point gives you a good inch and a half of reasonably narrow blade for those little fiddly jobs.

All of mine are "shavin' sharp" from the box, and required no touch-up to be immeditately useful.

If you wear slacks, get the one with the metal handle. The smooth surface won't tear up the fabric of your trousers when you use the pocket clip.

The knife is light enough that you could remove the clip and just drop it in your pocket.


Right now I'm carrying a Kershaw Pack Rat (Sandvik steel, orange G10 handles) in my pocket. It also has a three-inch blade. I have removed the pocket clip. It's thin enough and light enough that it's no bother having it ride down in the pocket.

(A larger picture of this knife in orange can be seen here.)

It is also assisted open, although not quite as smooth and quick as the Leek.

The blade is heavier and a little thicker than the Leek's blade, and is not nearly as pointy or tapered. It's a good general-use knife and I find it comfortable in the kitchen, but using it to cut up apples requires a slightly different method than I would use with the Leek.


From your description, I would suggest the Leek would probably be closer to meeting your requirements.

 

[bdjansen]

That sounds like a description of the Kershaw Leek.

Great recommendation! I bought a Leek today and it was exactly what I was looking for.

I tried the G10 handle too but liked the stainless better. Before I went, I was thinking I was more interested in the G10 version just from looking online, but in person I preferred the stainless handle.

Thanks!