Knives, there are a ton of different ways they can be
created and adorned. From the type of metal used to what choice of handle, blade
guard (if there is one), finish, patterning, etc. Though, before all of those
details, when a knifemaker sits down to conceptualize the blade they want to
create the blade shape is one of the first things decided upon. There are many
different blade shapes as well as differing variations on traditional designs. Let’s
take a look at 3 common blade shapes and what they offer.
1 – Clip Point Blade

The clip point might be the most common blade shape in the
world today. Hard to tell, but it’s close! It can be found everywhere and to
non-enthusiast eyes its simply the shape of how a knife looks to your average
person. This blade shape is found on many pocket knives and fixed blades—bowie knives
prominently feature clip points.
This blade shape is notably good at piercing things and using its fine point to do so. The shape of the knife allows for a great deal of control over the point—however, don’t mistake it for a knife suitable for thrusting. The clip point does not sport a very durable point, rather the shape of the blade offers a great deal of cutting edge on the knife. The curve towards the clip point makes it a very natural slicing knife. Because it can slice well and pick at things easily, it lends itself to the survival and hunting genre of knives quite well.
2 – Drop Point Blade

Another popular choice in hunting knives, the drop point is a blade shape that features an unsharpened back edge which runs straight from the handle and then drops in a convex manner into the point. Drop points are good for many of the same reasons that clip points are, however many would agree there is less control over the point than a clip point blade. However, what it lacks in control it gains in more durability via a thicker tip and thus better suited to tasks that behoove outdoorsmen such as cutting meat. Since the blade drops below the line of the spine, there is a markedly lower chance of accidental punctures.
3 – Spear Point Shape
A spear point is a symmetrically shaped blade the sports a sharp edge on both sides of the knife. Unlike the prior two shapes that featured a dull side, the spear point—as indicative by its name, is a thrusting knife that has two sharp sides. Because of the highly symmetrical design, the point of the knife travels right along the center of the blade, which means that impact stress is properly distributed throughout the body of the knife upon penetration.
As such, many notable knife types used in personal defense
or in the case of the dagger, assassination, feature spear points.
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