What Is A High-Relief Bowie Knife Blade?
High-relief blades are one of the more popular edge geometries for Bowie knives. They are made using a consistent angle from spine to tip. They are similar to a flat grind, but their angle reaches all the way across the blade instead of just from the beginning of the bevel to the edge. They have a very distinctive look and are favored by some collectors. They’re also of great practical value and many outdoor enthusiasts swear by them.
Because Bowie knives are oftentimes used for taxing work, the high-relief blade is sometimes a good choice. This blade is very easy to sharpen. The angle is consistent so, to achieve the proper orientation of blade and stone, one can use a reference point anywhere along the blade. This makes them good choices for blades that are likely to be sharpened in the field, when you don’t’ have all your best sharpening tools with you to bring to the job.
The high-relief blade does have its disadvantages. The edge tends to be a bit brittle, though it is very sharp. It is also directly linked to the rest of the blade, unlike Bowie knives with a double beveled edge. Conceivably, the edge of a double bevel grind could be broken off the blade without taking much blade metal with it. On a flat grind, there is no separation between the blade and the edge. This is not, however, a compromised edge in any way. It’s very good for certain applications.
A high-relief blade is handy on Bowie knives that are used for gutting or skinning due to its consistent drag. Instead of pulling to one side or down into the cut, a high-relief blade will tend to keep its depth and to pull equally in both directions. This makes it good for precise work, though it is not capable of getting as sharp as other grinds, such as hollow grinds, in most cases.
As an example, chisel edges and double ground edges are oftentimes used on cheap kitchen knives. On hunting knives, they’re equally prevalent. On chopping tools, however, a convex grind is usually used. Depending upon what you’re doing, you may need a different knife. However, you’ll likely find that high-relief blades provide excellent results for most applications. Their ease of maintenance and durability has made them favorites for as long as there have been knives!
Blake is a business consultant for an online bowie knife store featuring bowie knives for sale.
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