Blade Steel Thickness Design

[scolby]

I am curious about how people feel about blade steel thickness for given blade designs. Also if Sal is about, how decisions are made on thickness of steel used for each model.



This topic came up because today I received a Commemorative Worker in the mail. I opened the box with my current office carry knife, which is a William Henry Lancet. I noticed that the blade on the Lancet and the blade on the Worker have nearly identical blade lengths and blade belly. Comparing the two from the top, I notice that the Worker blade is almost twice the thickness of the WH blade (apoprox. 1/8" for the Worker vs. just over 1/16" for the Lancet).



Using them side by side, it seems that for this blade size, the Lancet is just about the right thickness and that the Worker blade could very definitely thinner without losing too much in performance. One of the reasons that I carry the Lancet is that it is very light at 27 grams. The Worker feels about double that. Reducing the blade thickness would lighten the knife and make it more attractive as an office EDC.



So is the blade thickness decided by economy of using similar thickness for all the knives produced? Decided by prototype? Has Spyderco looked into blades that are only 2.0 mm thick? And, do you like the blades the thickness they are, or do they seem too thick.



By the way, I love the blade thickness on the Chinook because it is such a good match to the overall design.



"Chance favors the prepared mind" - Louis Pasteur

[sal]

Hi Scolby. Interesting question.

In the case of cololaboration designs, we use the thickness that the collaborator requests. We might make an exception and influence the collaborator if we feel that strength might be compromised (We increased the Chinook thickness due to stength requirements) or weight too much (We [Tim Wegner & Spyderco] reduced the thicknesss of the oroginal Wegner blade design to reduce weight).

In the case of in house designs, those are generally selected for each design depending on the strength requirements.

On a small knife (Cricket) or a gentleman's folder (Centofante), we'll use a thinner blade. For something that might see hard work or possible tactical need, we opt for thicker blades.

For designs over 3" in blade length I usually prefer 3mm. For blades designed for hard use or MBC, I like 4mm. In house designs more than likely won't go over 4mm.

The Worker was originally made with a 3mm thickness blade back in 1981. We maintained the thickness for the entire 20 year run of the model. If I were to design a "Worker 2002", I would more than likely start with a blank page. The original "Worker" in concept had many new features (for 1981). Many of those features have 20 years more refinement and this refinement would more than likely create design changes.

Hope that helps.

sal

[Carlos]

I think that the Salsa is the "Worker 2002."

[Clay Kesting]

I think this is a very interesting thread and I'm sorry I haven't got around to posting to it before.

My attitude towards blade thickness has changed dramatically over the past few years. My first Spydie was a Wegner Jr which I chose specifically for its blade which was relatively thick (3mm) and it carried its width almost to the point. However, since then, I've come to appreciate the cutting efficiency of thin flat ground blades with a distal taper, like the Calypso Jr. My current favourite EDC is my aluminium Centofante Jr (I think I mentioned that elsewhere <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>) which has a blade that's about 2.5mm at the spine and is flat ground. This knife cuts better than any knife I own with the possible exception of the Chinese Folder. Although the latter's blade is 3mm thick, it is so wide that it still has excellent edge geometry and is a superb &quot;slicer and dicer.&quot; All my users are now flat ground from the Military down to my little CF Dragonfly with it's wonderfully thin 2.4mm thick blade. I'm hoping the Perrin fixed blade will be relatively thin as that will make it more suitable for the sort of tasks I need a camp knife for.

Clay

"The trouble is that you think you have time."

[Knife Knut]

I am suprised no one has mentioned the G-10 Police yet. It starts out From 3.0 mm halfway through the hole and has full length distal taper made possible by the delicate intersection of flat grinds and descending spine.

Knife Knut on a shoestring budget.

[Knife Knut]

What features would a Worker 2003 Have?

Knife Knut on a shoestring budget. RKBA

[vampyrewolf]

hmmm...

S30V blade, 3&quot;, full flat grind, distal taper, 3mm thickness, millie-sized hole, compression lock, dual liners, either g-10 or linen micarta...

think the para-millie comes close to that doesn't it?

And shepherds we shall be, for thee my lord for thee. Power hath decended forth from thy hand so our feet may swiftly carry out thy command. And we shall flow a river forth to thee and teaming with souls shall it ever be. In Nomine Patris, Et Filii, Et Spiritus Sancti.