saber grind or full height grind

Which type of grind would make a better survival knife, the saber or full height? Does a full height make splitting wood easier? I was thinking the CG SOD was full height but Renee just returned an email telling me the different types of grinds of the CG and LE SOD's. If the full height would be better, I've gotta change my order quick! Thanks for the help!

I am sure either one would serve you well. Some may prefer one over the other but it really is a matter of personal preference.

The saber grind is typically stronger because there is more full thickness steel on the saber. The flat generally is a tad lighter and bites a little deeper because the thickness profile is more gradual. I generally like the sabers because they leave more meat in the middle of the blade when I turn them into full convex.

From a wood splitting perspective....the saber grind is probably a tad better because it transitions from thin to thick faster. Same concept as a splitting maul.

What Ban said... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />


I actually like the full height on the DFLE as opposed to the Saber on the DFCG, however on the SOD the saber may actually have a little advantage as a camp blade. Hard to say until we gett'em.

You know the old saying though... when in doubt... Just get both! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I would say the LE would definitely have an edge (hahha) over the CG for wood splitting, but thats just speculation and opinion.

It's satin finish may allow it to slide down the wood grain easier (sometimes crinkle coats bind up. especially when new)
Also, sometimes full height flat grinds (imo) split better because th more gradual angle slides down the wood easier, however sometimes wider angles are better and split the wood apart easier. (especially wood that breaks apart easier/ wood that is in shorter pieces)
thats just my opinion though.

It's really all a matter of personnel preference really and I'm not sure that anyone can say which is better.
I think the saber will be more tough though, but the full flat may be a better performer... (again, just my opinion) but which is "better" is up to you really.
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Doh! You had to go and say that LOL! Thank you for the opinions on the grinds. When it comes to knives and grinds, I'm clueless as to what I would like. I've only used a cane knife a lot while growing up here in Hawaii which has nothing in the way of different grind types. I guess I'll ride out the CG and see how it goes.

I would pick full height grind if cost is the same. Saber is probably stronger but I like the way full height grind looks. Too bad they always cost more...

From looking at the pictures of the CG SOD, it looks like a 3/4 height saber grind.
Kinda hard to tell though.
Anyone think that the difference between the flat grind and a 3/4 saber grind
will make much difference when it comes to performance?

It'll make about 1/4 difference... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I tend to prefer as sharp and thin an edge as possible for a given blade thickness, and a full flat or full convex grind will have a narrower angle and thus a sharper edge. But a saber grind will be stronger, leaving more blade at full spine thickness. I find the full flat grind of the DFLE cuts better and results in a lighter blade than the DF CG, so natually I ordered the SOD LE. It all depends on ones personal priorities.

I typically prefer the full-height because they're lighter and faster. However, as a survival knife as opposed to a fighter, saber is probably a little stronger. Full height will be somewhat lighter to carry and a better slicer, saber will be a bit better if you need to chop and/or pry. You make the call.

A few weeks ago I got a message from Renee saying that the grind height on the combat grade SOD is the same as the CGDF. With that in mind, it is still a fairly high saber grind. To me, an all purpose camp/survival knife should have a high saber grind because of the added strength. For the SOD, a high saber grind may also make it a better chopper due to the more blade heavy weight distribution. Anyway, that's my opinion. If I could, I would just get both, but due to financial restrictions, I only ordered the tan SOD.

It's best that in survival you won't be wasting energy chopping down trees and splitting them. Rather cutting small dead saplings and gathering thin branches for fires, shelters, etc.

In this case, I would go with a Full Height. Better cutting ability, as everyone here has stated, and you can still baton with it. The RTAK being a thin full height flat grind knife is ideal. However, it's not the toughest be all survival tool. So a DFLE would fit the bill the best. Maybe as SOD LE, but hey the DFLE is pretty darn light.

I carry a 3/4 ground Ratweiler because I also have a saw that can quickly cut down large diameter fallen trees. Hence, a little quicker in batoning might save me a bit of energy. Usually one to two hits on a log about 1-2.5 ft long with a 4-5 inch diameter.

It actually can make a difference on the grind of the knife. With a full height flat, almost the entire width of the blade is in contact with the wood. You will actually get increased friction and it actually is harder to baton. With a lower grind, less of the blade in contact with the split of the wood. Hence less friction. Also the higher angle of the secondary bevel pushes the wood farther apart in a shorter stroke.

Think of cutting jelly with a sabre ground knife and a full height flat.

Wait, that just contradicted what I said... oh well... I guess it all depends on user preference. See which you one suits you the best. We really can't tell how your gonna feel batoning with a full height and sabre ground knife.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/doh.gif" alt="" />

Hahaha!

I guess they call it "Combat grade" for more than just the coated blade. Thanks for the insight <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

call me stupid but wast is the diff between the two

Saber grind goes around 3/4 of the way up the blade and a full height grind goes all the way to the spine. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

oh ok so a full height grind is the same thing as a full flat grind

Yep. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I usually call it a full flat grind too. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Either one works though I guess... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Darnit, I was really hoping the tan SoD I ordered would be full flat. I was holding out hope that the appearance of the grind line not reaching the top was simply due to the coating.

Considering the width of the SOD, it shouldn't matter all that much to most people though in overall performance. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I have to admit Bruce, I've wanted a CT for quite some time, so that's part of the reason I'm so excited about the SOD. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

I look forward to both the CG and the LE and I have little doubt that I'll love both! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

I guess your right Bruce, I'm sure the opportunity and appropriate timing will arise someday... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

There's actually several Swamp Rats that I'd love to have someday, but the Ratweiler and Camp Tramp are at the top of that list. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I always kick myself in the butt when I think about may of the swamp rat knives. I should have purchased them when you could've purchased any knife at any time. I guess I took it for granted that it would always be that way.

so which one is what? the cg is saber grind? which knife would be heavier the cg or le?

You're correct. The CG has the saber grind and the LE has the full flat grind. The CG will be heavier than the LE because the grind angle of the CG is slightly more obtuse, and the CG blade has more full thickness than the LE. I hope that makes sense!

The LE tapers (narrows) from the spine of the knife, whereas the CG tapers from somewhere between the spine and the edge, leaving more meat in the middle making it heavier even though they're both a quarter inch stock.

sharp, sometimes a shallower angle will split easier though.
sure their will be less of the blade touching the wood with the cg, but the coating will add a lot of friction, and sometimes wood will not split until the very end, in which case the steeper angle just makes it harder to drive through.

thats what I have found.
but every wood splits differently.

oh btw: how much more lateral strength could you need! 1/4" thick sr77 isn't breaking anytime soon!
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

EMF,

True. We have found that the RTAK batons surprisingly well due to what you just said. However, we have found that on the same wood, the Ratweiler will require fewer hits of similar force.

On lateral strength, It's not so much the blade itself, it's the tip. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Thicker knives generally have thicker and stronger tips.

yes, batoning is very complicated actually.
at least I've found.

thats true about the tip too.
never thought about that.