Why To Consider A Chisel Ground Edge

You will find a number of different ways manufacturers use to create knife blades in the modern world. However, one of the simplest, most cost effective is called a chisel ground edge. What is it? Will you find this type of edge on a Bowie knife? Understanding this manufacturing process is important, and will help you find the perfect knife for you. A chisel ground edge has many different benefits, but it does have some drawbacks.

A Bowie knife with a chisel ground edge has a simple, one-sided edge that has a steep bevel. This edge is used on many bladed tools and weapons, including everything from cheap kitchen knives to Samurai swords. The edge can be remarkably sharp, but is also very brittle compared to others, which is oftentimes a reason that it is unsuitable for certain applications. For soft cutting, however, this is one of the best blade grinds available. It's also one of the best for knives that are intended for survival or hunting purposes.

Most chisel point Bowie knives are ground to a 45-degree angle on one side and are flat on the other. Where hand-sharpening is concerned, this is the easiest type of blade to maintain. In fact, this grind is used on kitchen knives a great deal for this reason. The knife need only be sharpened on the one side, the excess metal is removed from the other and it's very difficult to do any damage to the bevel.

Bowie knives with this type of blade will have some distinctive cutting characteristics. They'll tend to pull away from the side to which they're handed, for starters. These edges can be incredibly sharp, but they are more brittle. This grind is often used where knives need to be precise but not remarkably durable, such as in the case of the aforementioned kitchen knives. This grind can work for a Bowie, provided its limitations are kept in mind.

A Bowie knife with this grind is easy to sharpen in the field. In fact, with in the space of a few strokes along a sharpening stone, these blades can be largely restored to good edges, even if they've been heavily worn. Remember the fragility of the edge, however. This edge will give great cutting results in soft tissue, but it will dull very quickly if it is used for rugged purposes, such as cutting through bone or wood.