The hollow grind knives are made by creating a concave and hollowed-out shape on the bevel of the blade’s edge. However, Knife utensils are commonly curved using this method to achieve compact and versatile styles.
The hollowing process involves the use of certain grind wheels on the knife blades. They are therefore more durable, flexible, and sharable. In this article, we’ll explain this grinding technique and some major knife types made from the Hollow-grind method.
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What is Hollow Grind Process?
A hollow grinding process involves removing material from the blade’s edge with a grinding wheel. It forms the cutting edge of the blade, and usually takes up one-third to one-half of its thickness.
Just like the Hollow-Edge knives, The curved shape of the hollow grind creates a thin edge that can easily cut through materials with minimal resistance. Moreover, Hollow grinding is commonly used in the production of knives, scissors, and other cutting tools where a sharp, efficient edge is desired.
4 Best Hollow Grind Knives:
This knife is well-known for its verstaile features and functions. Therefore, these knives are used for multiple indoor and outdoor activities. Thus, here are the 4 basic hollow knives made from the grinding method.
1. Full Hollow Grind
This type of hollow grind is characterized by a deep, curved concave grind that extends from the spine to the edge of the blade. The pros of a full hollow grind are that it creates a very sharp and efficient cutting edge, and it provides a lot of control for precision cutting.
The biggest disadvantages of these knives are that they create a thin edge that can be delicate and prone to chipping and they can take longer to sharpen due to the deep concavity of the grind with the help of a Hollow grind chisel.
2. Half Hollow Grind
Hollow grinds have a grind that extends from the spine to the midpoint. The benefits of a half-hollow grind are that it provides a balance between sharpness and durability, and it can be sharpened more easily than a full-hollow grind.
The downsides are that it may not be as efficient at cutting as a full hollow grind, and it may not provide as much control for precision cutting. However, these knives are still one of the best options for multi-tasks in this field.
3. Scandi Grind
Hollow grinds are characterized by a single bevel that runs from the spine to the edge of the blade. The pros of a Scandi grind are that it creates a very strong and durable edge that is ideal for heavy-duty cutting, and it is easy to sharpen.
The cons are that it may not be as sharp or efficient at cutting as a full or half-hollow grind, and it may not provide as much control for precision cutting. Their grips and handles are also quite bad and not recommended to be used at a professional level.
4. Convex Grind
This type of hollow grind is characterized by a convex curve that runs from the spine to the edge of the blade. Convex grinds create a very strong and durable edge, which is ideal for heavy-duty cutting, as well as an excellent control for precision cutting.
Compared to a full or half-hollow grind, it may be difficult to sharpen and not as efficient at cutting. But, for kitchen purposes, these special grind knives are said to be the best choice on this list.
How to Hollow Grind a knife by Hand?
Hollow grinding a knife by hand is a skill that requires practice and patience, but here are the basic steps. You can also find the same steps on the Hollow grind website with free and limited customer service.
- A vise or clamp should be used to secure the blade.
- Use a coarse-grit abrasive stone or sandpaper to grind the bevel into the blade, starting at the spine and working toward the edge.
- Use a finer-grit abrasive to refine the grind and remove any scratches or marks.
- Ensure that you maintain a consistent angle and depth on the other side of the blade as well.
- Use a honing stone or leather strop to sharpen the blade to a razor edge.
Hollow Ground Knife Sharpener & techniques by Hand:
A hollow ground knife sharpener is a tool specifically designed to sharpen knives with a hollow grind. It typically consists of a set of abrasive wheels or belts that are shaped to match the curve of the hollow grind, allowing for a precise and efficient sharpening process.
Some hollow ground knife sharpeners are electric, while others are manual and require hand cranking. They can be a good investment for those who own knives with a hollow grind and want to maintain their sharpness and efficiency over time.
Hollow Grind vs Flat Grind:
A hollow grind is a concave grind that creates a thin, sharp edge on the blade. It is achieved by grinding a bevel on both sides of the blade, creating a thin, flat section in the middle. This type of grind is typically used for straight razors, hunting knives, and other blades that require a very sharp edge.
Hollow grinds are known for their slicing ability and are easy to sharpen. While a flat grind is a straight, single bevel running from the spine of the blade to the edge, a straight grind involves two bevels. This type of grind is more robust and durable than a hollow grind, making it ideal for heavier tasks like chopping and hacking.
Flat grinds can be found on kitchen knives, survival knives, and many other types of blades. Ultimately, the choice between a hollow grind and a flat grind will depend on the intended use of the knife.
If you need a blade that can slice through food or skin easily, a hollow grind may be the way to go. But if you need a blade that can handle heavy-duty tasks, a flat grind may be a better choice.
Hollow Ground knife vs Regular Knife:
Hollow ground knives provide a thin and sharp cutting edge thanks to their concave bevels on both sides. As well as, this type of grind is often used in straight razors, fillet knives, and other blades. The reason is, they require a very sharp edge for slicing and precision cutting.
A regular knife can have a variety of blade grinds, including flat, convex, and chisel grinds. These types of grinds result in different blade shapes and cutting properties. However, they generally do not produce as thin and sharp of an edge as a hollow grind.
The choice between a hollow ground knife and a regular knife will depend on the intended use of the knife. If you need a knife for slicing and precision cutting, a hollow ground knife may be a better choice.
But if you need a knife for heavier tasks like chopping and hacking. Then a regular knife with a more robust blade grind may be more suitable. Thus, the Blade HQ & Knife center is said to be the main place to purchase these knives.
Frequently Asked Questions:
In terms of durability, flat-over-hollow grinds are slightly less durable than scandi or flat grinds. There is a small amount of material behind the edge due to the hollowing out of the edge.
Using and sharpening your knife will make the bevel stronger as you increase the rail width.
One of the sharpest knives available is hollow-ground. A razor-sharp edge is achieved by curved bevels that curve inward.
A dull edge requires more cutting force, which makes it more prone to damage and dulling. The edge dulls with greater cutting force. Kitchens often force dull knives into foods and into cutting boards.
Final Verdict:
In this article, we have concluded the best hollow grind knives along with their detailed pros and cons. Thus, we have explained all these benefits for the users to get the perfect-quality output results.
So, make sure to read all their alternatives and comparisons that we have explained in the upper headings. It would help you greatly in learning the features and functions of these special knives made from unique grinding techniques.