To Chisel or not to Chisel

[Dr. Snubnose]

It's funny....7 years ago I would turn my nose up when I saw a Chisel Grind on a knife...(Thinking: Somebody getting ripped off, Maker couldn't bother doing the other side, what a cheapster...never gonna be able to cut straight.....etc etc etc. Today I can't get enough of them. My appreciation for the Chisel Grind has come about only in the last four years when I began collecting Kiridashis in all sizes and shapes. Most are Chisel grind in my collection. First off I had to admit that there is not another knife in my collection that I can get as sharp as my Chisel grind knives and dashis. To use a Chisel grind knives requires the user to sorta feel the edge with his knife, eyes, body and mind. I'll use the analogy of using a Chisel grind is like driving a stick shift as opposed to a automatic automobile. Using a Chisel grind I seem to be just a tad more in control when manipulating the knife and making cuts...and I have become very fond of the grind. Who else here likes Chisel grinds.....would you like to see Chisel grind Spydercos?, why do you like the chisel grind and what have been your experiences, the same goes for those people who hate the Chisel grind (I was one of you)...lets here from you as well......Thought it might make for some interesting conversation.....what says you!.....Doc

[.357 mag]

I can take them or leave them. For some kitchen duty's the grid might be nice. I think they are easier to sharpen than V grinds and they do take a nasty edge.

[Donut]

A week or two ago I was looking at my Lil Matriarch and thinking about the chisel grind on it. (It is serrated.) I came to the conclusion that I should find out if Spyderco ever did a model with a chisel ground plain edge and that I'd like to try one.

[Clip]

Only one I had was a CRKT Kiss. Bought it for the novelty. Didn't like the knife so I didn't like the grind. If you're willing to part with a dashi, I'll let you know

I've been looking for a piece of D2 to make one, but it's low on the priority list right now.

[chuck_roxas45]

I have been using chisel grind bolos for a long time doc. A sharp chisel cuts just as well as any sharp edge.

[Blerv]

I would love to see a Spyderco run done with a chisel just to experience it relative to the rest of the fleet.

[The Deacon]

No desire for a true chisel ground Spyderco, but wouldn't mind seeing one with a full flat ground blade and a chisel ground edge.

[Pockets]

Which side of the blade are chisel grinds normally done on? The same side as serrations?

[Stuart Ackerman]

A chisel ground Hawkbill of some sort would be damn fine splendid...

[J32A2]

The only chisel ground blade I have is a CR Sikayo, and it does its job well!
I had a Emerson P-Sark w/ chisel grind. Don't have it any more.

[GCG199]

I have not been able to get into chisel grinds at all.

I was given a cheap S & W chisel-ground tanto at work, which I use for scrapping labels off of steel tubes.

[Dr. Snubnose]

Chisel Grinds can be done on the left side or right and it even can be a double bevel and still be Chisel grind....Doc

[chuck_roxas45]

Chisel Grinds can be done on the left side or right and it even can be a double bevel and still be Chisel grind....Doc

You know doc, what I'd really like is to have a knife with a chisel grind on both sides.

[Minibear453]

Always wanted to try one, since they're supposed to be better than a V edge because of the thinner angle, but never really found a knife to try with.

[JD Spydo]

Doc this is extremely interesting that you brought up this subject of chisel grind knives. One of the coolest fixed blades I ever owned that wasn't a Spyderco was a popular blade from the 90s made by the Timberline company. Many of you are familiar with Timberline because at one time they did a collaboration with Spyderco on a folder they did together.

Well anyway during the 90s Timberline had 2 great chisel grind tactical fixed blades. They had a big one called the Specwar and a smaller one called the Aviator. The Specwar if my memory is correct was made with 440C steel with a titanium nitride coating>> while the smaller aviator was made with a bead blasted ATS-34. Both blades had really nice sheaths and both came sharp as a razor.

The Specwar and Aviator both were really cool looking designs and still both of them are 2 of my all time favorite chisel grind knives. Both of them had spines so unbelievably thick that you could have used either blade for a prybar and got away with it. Both of them had tanto type points.

I've been told that if you know how to sharpen a chisel grind that you can get them very sharp. I agree with Zackerty because I would also love to have a chisel grind Hawkbill. I would also love to have a chisel grind full Spyderedge blade too. Chisel grinds are great but highly misunderstood designs.

And why hasn't Spyderco considered a chisel grind blade>> either a folder of a fixed blade which is what I would prefer. I would also like to see one beadblasted as well. They truly are a nice design.

[SolidState]

I got a beautiful kiridashi from Michael and Gabe Bell from Dragonfly forge at the last OKCA. It is a wonderful carving knife.

[jackknifeh]

I would only want a chisel grind for tasks where I had to cut something perfectly flush with something else. Sometimes it's difficult to get a "V" edge real close to something else. Sometimes it's easy. I like wire cutters (dykes) with chisel grind cutting edges with the "outside" of the jaws are flat for cutting things like cable ties off even with the female end. Sometimes the cable tie cut off is sharp and can damage the insulation on other wires. Especially on autos where vibration will occurr. Cutting them flush eliminates this problem. That's when a chisel grind knife edge would be nice. I can't think of any other reason to have one.

Jack

[DeathBySnooSnoo]

I can't say that I am a big fan. But I have been tempted by a few customs that were chisel ground. As long as I can get the maker to do it up lefty style.

[v8r]

I can't say that I am a big fan. But I have been tempted by a few customs that were chisel ground. As long as I can get the maker to do it up lefty style.

I think that for a Chisel grind to work well it would have to be hand specific. I have no proof of this, but it seems to make logical sense to me.

I am currently building 2 knives that I have ground a chisel grind on. Both are 5160 steel. Both have home made micarta scales. One is a Wharnecliff style and the other is built to resemble a sraight razor. I am attempting to sand them down to a zero bevel. I hope they work well due to them being the first knives I have ever made.

[The Deacon]

I can't say that I am a big fan. But I have been tempted by a few customs that were chisel ground. As long as I can get the maker to do it up lefty style.

Funny thing is that, just like Spyderco's serrations, a lot of makers do chisel grinds "for show", rather than "for go", so they're actually ground correctly for left handed users.