Pocket Knife Blade Grinds & Edges: Your Guide

Key Takeaways

• A blade's grind refers to the shape of the main body of the blade from a cross-sectional view, which determines its ease of slicing, edge retention, and strength.
• A blade’s edge is the angle of the tip of the blade, which determines its sharpness, durability, and ease of maintenance.
• The most common types of pocket knife blade grinds are flat and hollow.
• The most common different knife edges are plain and partially serrated.

When picking out the perfect pocket knife, you’ll need to consider a number of blade-related factors, such as blade material, finish and/or coating, ease of maintenance, corrosion resistance, and the blade’s grind and edge.

What Is a Blade’s Grind?

Knife blade grinds refer to the cross-sectional shape of the blade’s main body. In other words, it’s the shape you would see if you viewed the blade from the tip to the handle. The blade’s grind determines its strength, edge retention (ability to stay sharp), and how easily it can slice through things.

What Is a Blade’s Edge?

The edge refers to the tip of the blade’s angle where the two sides meet and come to a sharp point. To put it simply, it’s the sharp part that cuts. The blade’s edge determines how sharp and durable it is, as well as how easy or difficult it is to maintain.

While there are many different types of knife blades, here’s a look at the most common knife blade edges and grinds.

Knife Blade Grinds

The most widespread grinds used for pocket knife blades are flat and hollow.

Flat Grind

The flat grind is the most common and straightforward blade design. On both sides of the body of the blade, the blade is ground flat from the spine to the edges. From a cross-sectional (end-on) perspective, a flat grind forms a triangle shape with a straight, symmetrical taper.

This versatile, well-rounded grind is very popular for everyday carry knives as it offers excellent slicing capabilities and an overall adaptable performance. Unless otherwise specified, it’s safe to assume that most folding knives use the classic flat grind.

Hollow Grind

Unlike the flat grind, which is, well, flat, the hollow grind is concave on both sides of the blade’s body. The blade’s surface is “hollowed” out by applying both sides to a grinding wheel. 

Hollow knife blade grinds produce a thicker spine that increases the blade’s strength, and it allows for a razor-thin edge that slices cleanly. Hollow grinds are popular for fishing knives and hunting knives that are used to make precise cuts, such as filleting fish or field dressing. 

Knife Blade Edges

Although there are different knife edges out there, the most common are plain and partially serrated.

Plain/Straight Edge

A plain or straight edge is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the basic, no-frills edge found on most pocket knife blades. From the blade’s heel to its tip, the edge is sharpened symmetrically on both sides, allowing for smooth, fluid slicing.

This multipurpose knife blade grind is highly versatile and will meet the needs of most users. It’s easy to sharpen and maintain, and allows for precise cutting.

Partially Serrated Edge

Partially serrated blades have a section with “teeth” similar to a saw on the bottom half of the blade and a section above it with a straight, plain edge for slicing. 

The serrations are useful for sawing through tough and fibrous materials like rope, hide, and wood. However, some users find that the teeth obstruct clean, fine detail work. On the other hand, many users appreciate the added sawing functionality.

Find & Customize Your Ideal Pocket Knife

If you’re seeking specific knife blade grinds or edges, feel free to contact us. We’ll be happy to recommend pocket knives that have your preferred blade type and configuration. 

The vast majority of pocket knife blades have a flat grind and plain edge, but there are plenty of other options if you’re in the market for different knife edges or grinds. 

Here at Palmetto Wood Shop, we carry top-quality pocket knives from trusted names like Buck Knives, Bear & Son, Kershaw, Smith & Wesson, Victorinox Swiss Army, and Case. Best of all, these knives can be personalized with laser engraving! Place your order today.