When discussing knife performance, it’s common for EDC enthusiasts to obsess over blade steel (or even heat treatment)—after all, different steels offer various benefits, such as edge retention, corrosion resistance, and toughness. However, blade geometry—meaning, the shape, thickness, and grind of the blade—often plays a more important role in how a knife performs in real-world tasks. Here is why blade geometry should be considered the primary factor when choosing a knife, with steel taking a secondary role.
Cutting Performance
Blade geometry directly affects how a knife cuts. A well-designed edge geometry, such as a thin, finely honed bevel, will cut through materials effortlessly, regardless of the specific steel used. A thick, obtuse edge, on the other hand, will create more drag and make cutting harder. Even a high-end steel won’t compensate for poor geometry. In short, the sharper and more refined the edge geometry, the better the knife will perform in everyday cutting tasks.
Task-Specific Design
Different cutting tasks demand specific geometries. For example, a flat grind is ideal for fine, precise slicing, while a thicker convex or hollow grind is better suited for chopping or heavy-duty tasks. Blade geometry allows for optimization based on the intended use of the knife. Whether you need a blade for skinning, carving, or even food prep, the geometry will dictate how well the knife adapts to the task at hand. Steel plays a supporting role, but geometry is what makes the knife versatile and efficient.
Ease of Maintenance
Another crucial factor is how easy it is to maintain an edge. Blades with a finer, thinner geometry are easier to sharpen, and a proper grind allows the edge to stay sharp for longer, even with less premium steel. Conversely, a thick edge, especially one made of harder steel, can be much more difficult to sharpen and maintain. Geometry, therefore, influences the knife’s overall longevity and user-friendliness, regardless of the steel type.
Strength and Durability
While steel contributes to a blade’s toughness, geometry determines how well it handles stress. A knife with a well-designed taper, sufficient thickness behind the edge, and a thoughtful grind will stand up to heavy use and resist damage like chipping or bending. This is crucial, as a knife with great steel but poor geometry is more likely to fail under tough conditions.
Here is a clip from YouTube, with an interview by Zac in the Wild along with the famous creator of Magnacut steel, Larrin Thomas. He admits that he works hard at his science, trying to perfect the best combination of heat treat and steel characteristics, and at the end of the day blade and edge bevel geometry matters the most. The below video is also an amazing reference in understanding some of the best knife steels in each general category.
Blade Steels Come and Go
Sandvik 14C28N (staff favorite)
VG10 (Japanese) & 10Cr15CoMoV (Chinese VG-10 equivalent)
Stay tuned, because this post is just a brief example of the type of content you will find in our upcoming Knife Education series of articles. Thanks again for stopping by, and we hope you have a great rest of your day!