Most knives have a tip that can pierce or stab. Anyone who has studied edged weapons in combat will make note that most deaths occur from a stab as opposed to a slash. For chores that require cutting as opposed to stabbing, we’ve seen various profiles such as Wharncliffe and sheepsfoot blades, yet there are a few other profiles where the front of the blade is squared off and never really comes to a point. Cleavers and straight razors are two types that immediately come to mind, and at this point we’ve been very careful not to use the term knife.
That changes with this lineup. Each of these knives lacks a point or a tip, yet they were designed to be carried every day for users who might depend more on a keen blade for slicing, shaving, chopping without a pointed tip that may cause unnecessary damage while performing these tasks.
The design itself might be centuries old but the resurgence in these types of blades goes back about 20 years with custom knifemaker Jon Graham, who revived the concept with his Razel series of tactical knives. So if you have a need for slicing, dicing, shaving or chopping without the need for a stabby point, this lineup may have something to suit your needs.
Like most specialized blades, they’re not for everyone but in many cases, this design is for someone looking for a blade a bit more task oriented. Just because they’re pointless in construction doesn’t mean that they’re pointless in execution.
OAL: 4.48 inches
Blade Length: 1.6 inches
Blade Material: CPM S30V
Weight: 1.6 ounces
MSRP: $160
URL: www.benchmade.com
411: Benchmade has released a few versions of this particular knife and all of them perform several functions. It’s a friction folder with more of a sheepsfoot profile to the blade. The Aller Fumee has various tools, including a pry tip/screwdriver and bottle opener. The pocket clip is designed to be a money clip, and the handle has a hole that can be used for a lanyard or a key ring. Most importantly is the hole in the handle that allows it to function as a cigar cutter.
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OAL: 5.5 inches
Blade Length: 2.5 inches
Blade Material: Nitro V
Weight: 3.75 ounces
MSRP: $425
URL: www.grahamknives.com
411: Jonathan Graham was the maker who popularized this style of blade over 15 years ago with his Razel design. Since then, we’ve seen them as large fixed blades, folding knives, and even Karambit types. This one is a small fixed blade that rides in the pocket with a heavy-duty leather sheath. The bottom edge meets with the front edge to provide a nice point.
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OAL: 5.75 inches
Blade Length: 2.875 inches
Blade Material: 7Cr17MoV
Weight: 6 ounces
MSRP: $36
URL: www.gerbergear.com
411: The Gerber Tri-Tip is essentially a pocket-sized cleaver. Rather than just having the profile, this one has that weighted feel that a traditional kitchen cleaver has with a bias toward the front. If you’ve ever used a cleaver or Chinese hatchet in a kitchen for any length of time, you’ll know that feel and Gerber captured it in this mini rendition.
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OAL: 6 inches
Blade Length: 1.77 inches
Blade Material: 440C
Weight: 4.2 ounces
MSRP: $95
URL: www.bokerusa.com
411: This knife can function as a pry bar, scraping tool, and chisel and has a guthook for cutting seatbelts in a rescue situation. It’s a perfect knife to stash in a range or bug-out bag or keep in the glovebox because of its price and versatility.
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OAL: 7.5 inches
Blade Length: 3.13 inches
Blade Material: 1095
Weight: 3.9 ounces
MSRP: $60
URL: www.topsknives.com
411: We used the Tac Raze 2 for a wet shave, and it was perfect. As an EDC carry knife, the leather sheath can be worn horizontally and vertically. The only limitations on this one as a chopper or slicer falls on the strength of the friction folder in your hands. Also, 1095 might be a workhorse of a steel, but for things like wet shaving or food prep you’ll need to maintain the blade more than you would a stainless steel one.
Pros:
+ The blade steel is 1095 — great for sharpness, toughness, and edge retention.
+ The knife truly evokes the elements of a classic straight razor in a more tactical design.
+ The blade is extremely sharp.
Cons:
While the knife has a nice finger choil and textured jimping at the top of the blade, it’s hard to take advantage of these on a friction folder.
It’s a friction folder and relies on hand strength to lock the blade in the open position.
OAL: 7.75 inches
Blade Length: 3.25 inches
Blade Material: 8Cr13MoV
Weight: 5.8 ounces
MSRP: $75
URL: www.crkt.com
411: CRKT turned to Philip Booth for this design. The Ripsnort looks like a straight razor, but feels like a cleaver. This makes for a nice EDC knife with more of a gentleman’s folder look. It may not sound alarm bells if you work in an office and a coworker needs a knife and you produce this from your pocket. However, this knife could benefit from texturing and maybe a more versatile clip for tip-up or tip-down and right- or left-handed placement.
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OAL: 8.375 inches
Blade Length: 3.5 inches
Blade Material: D2
Weight: 5.35 ounces
MSRP: $60
URL: www.gerbergear.com
411: The Gerber Flat Iron Cleaver has been around for a while, but this version has a number of upgrades, including a Micarta handle, stainless steel frame lock, and a D2 steel blade. These characteristics make it a better work knife or EDC type as opposed to one primarily for food prep like the Tri-Tip. D2 is a great steel, but not as corrosion resistant as a stainless steel blade.
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Wow, no Spyderco?