subject: Is It Best To Get A Bowie Knife With A Drop Point Blade? [print this page] Determining what style of Bowie knife suits you best can take some time. There are numerous styles from which to choose, the popularity of the knife has spawned change after change, modification after modification. One of those that you will find most commonly is a drop point blade. What is this blade design and what does it offer? Would it be better to choose a knife with a clip point, or perhaps a spear point? Actually, a drop point does offer some significant benefits.
A drop point is similar in design to a clip point, with a few differences. On a clip point, the spine of the blade drops down well before the point, giving it its distinctive clipped appearance. On a drop point Bowie knife, the spine continues almost all the way to the point. This offers a number of advantages to users. For instance, because the spine (the thicker part of the blade) extends farther, the blade is stronger. It can handle heavier tasks than can thinner blades.
Another advantage of a Bowie knife with a drop point blade is the fact that the entire blade can be used for cutting, rather than just the area near the point. This offers greater stability for those wielding the blade, as well as better, cleaner cuts and less chance of the blade slipping, potentially causing issues. Of course, any blade design will have some tradeoffs and the drop point is no different. The most significant tradeoff you will find with this design is that the blade's stabbing power is reduced in exchange for greater cutting ability.
Is a drop point Bowie knife right for your needs, though? Will you be able to benefit from this design? Drop points are used heavily in the realm of hunting, so if you will be taking your Bowie into the field while hunting, you will certainly find significant advantages here. However, these knives are also beneficial in many other areas. Of course, the true worth of a blade will be measured by your usage.
You need to determine if this type of blade is right for your needs. If you anticipate needing to use your Bowie knife with stabbing motions, then a drop point is probably not the best option. You might consider a spear point or a clip point knife. However, the fact remains that drop point designs are some of the most versatile options in the world.
