9 Different Blade Styles and How They are Used

Working with outdoor knives for camping, hunting, and fishing activities exposes you to the different types of knives in the market. These knives vary from each other especially when it comes to the blade style. Different blades come with a distinct shape that makes them effective for specific applications.

Bladesmiths work to provide a variety of options to effectively cater to the needs that may arise. When it comes to using cool pocket knives and other outdoor knife options, you should consider the type of blade you are investing in. Here are a few blade styles available in the market and how they are used in an application.

Clip Point Blade

Clip point blades are quite common in the market and are used by a lot of people when going for fishing and camping trips. The knives that feature the clip point blade are designed to offer you great service to ensure that get the best result. The unsharpened side of the blade starts straight from the handle and stops halfway.

At this point, it appears to form a cut-out shape that is either curved or straight depending on the brand you are working with. This cut out is popularly known as the clip which in turn gives the knives the name clip point blades. The clip point blade is greatly preferred by people for its efficiency and precision.

It is the best option when undertaking precision tasks that require clean cuts. This is mainly because of the sharp tip and the fact that the clip is lowered compared to other knife options. With this, the knife can easily stub through and make a clean and controlled cut and also be withdrawn fast and with ease. Some people go a step further to improve the efficiency of their blades by sharpening the clip to increase the blade’s efficiency. This is not a necessary step but it comes in handy especially when you need to work with fast and precise cuts.

Trailing point Blade

The trailing point blade is designed to be a perfect choice when it comes to slicing and skinning. The blade is designed with great precision to ensure ease of use and controlled motions when being used. The trailing point blade features a back edge that curves upwards and gives a great surface area to the belly.

As the blade starts at the handle, it curves outward slightly and continues upward in a curved shape to the tip of the blade. This blade style offers great sharper options when it comes to working with thin and finely sliced products.

Additionally, they are perfect for performing delicate and small work that may arise when in the outdoors. Given that this knife is used for fine delicate cuts, it should not be used on tough products. This is mainly because the trailing point blade is quite weak and lightweight which allows it to be perfect for slicing and skinning.

Drop Point Blade

The drop point blade is a great all-purpose option to consider when investing in a knife. This blade is designed to feature adequated strength that allows it to be used in different applications. The most popular knives using this particular blade style are hunting knives that are designed to be accurate and precise when in use.

However, other knives also use this blade style given that it also works perfectly for slicing. When it comes to the build of this blade, it features a straight back edge that runs from the handle to the tip in a slight curve.

This curve creates a lowered point that in turn adds more control and strength to the blade tip. The sharpened part of the blade starts with a slight curve from the handle and continues into a convex spine that curves to the tip. The drop point blade is a great option to consider working with.

Tanto Point Blade

When it comes to investing in a knife that will give you the best service in terms of strength, the Tanto point blade is the perfect option. This blade features amazing attributes that contribute to its strength and functions in an application. The blade features a high point with a flat grind that leads to a strong tip.

The unsharpened part of the knife meets the sharpened part at an angle. This shape gives it great strength to stab through hard materials with ease. It is important to note that the sharpened side of this knife doesn’t feature a belly which means it is not a great option for slicing. This blade offers great comfort knowing that you can pierce through the toughest of materials with ease.

Sheep to Blade

This blade style starts with a straight edge on the unsharpened side that runs from the handle and stops at a certain point. At this point, the blade then curves down to meet the tip of the blade. The sharpened side runs on a straight edge from the handle to the tip of the blade. This blade comes in handy when slicing and can also be used as a rescue tool. It was originally designed to trim the hooves of sheep which is why it is named after them. When it comes to choosing a high-quality blade option that you can keep with you, this is a great option. You can use it to slice but also use it in other survival applications.

Needle Point Blade

The needle-point blade features two sharp edges that come from the handle of the knife in a straight line and end in a sharp-pointed tip. Knives that feature this blade type are considered perfect for stabbing and fighting.

They are mostly used as defensive weapons and might be illegal to carry in some states. Compared to other types of knives that feature this shape, the needle-point is weaker due to its narrow shape. It is however a great choice of a knife to consider as a weapon. Be sure to consider the laws of the state you are in to avoid being caught on the wrong side of the law.

Spear Point Blade

Spear-point blade is quite similar to the needle-point blade with the difference coming in at the strength of the blade. The spear point blade is stronger compared to the needle-point blade and is perfect for stabbing and thrusting. When working with spear point blades, you’ll find that there are 2 distinct features.

On one hand, you’ll find a knife that features 2 sharp edges while on the other, you’ll have one that comes with one sharp and the other edge unsharpened. The knives that feature this type of blade include throwing knives and daggers. Just like the needle-point blades, the spear point blades are illegal in most areas so stay vigilant with this.

Reverse Tanto Point Blade

The reverse tanto blade is quite similar to the tanto blade we discussed earlier. It works well when it comes to piercing tough materials compared to other knife options. The difference between the two comes in when we look at the build of this blade.

The sharpened side of the blade starts with a slight curve from the handle and flows into a straight edge with a slight curve ending at the tip. The unsharpened side on the other hand starts with a straight edge from the handle and flows to the tip making a slight straight curve. The unsharpened and sharpened sides meet at the tip making a triangle-like shape. This shape contributes greatly to its strengths and allows it to be used on tough materials.

Hawkbill Blade

With the hawkbill blade, the sharpened and unsharpened edge form a curve down in the same direction. This results in a downward-facing point with the tip in that direction. The shape of this blade forms a talon-like shape which is why some people also refer to it as the talon. This blade is a great option especially when it comes to working with all things pruning.

It is shaped just right to help you efficiently take care of the task with ease. This blade can also be used in other applications to ensure that you maximize its potential. You can use it to cut wires, paper, carpets, and strings among others. Additionally, it can also be used to skin your catch when in the outdoors. It is a great option and offers amazing efficiency.

Conclusion

When looking to buy an outdoor knife, you need to consider the fact that they come in different blade styles. This will give you the best opportunity to work with something that caters to your exact needs. These blades are best suited for different activities making it essential to get a clearer look at the blade-style you invest in. Take your time to go through the different options and the best way they can cater to your needs. Once you have that in check, you can then visit our website and check out the different knife options we offer.