Blade Styles

Kershaw blades come in a variety of different shapes, ready for a wide range of tasks.

American Tanto

Angles upward to meet the spine. The angled edge can be straight or curved. The American tanto offers a strong, durable tip while the straight edge makes it ideal for push cuts.

Cleaver

A high-utility style defined by a slightly curved belly and downturned tip. Ideal for slicing and chopping tasks.

Clip Point

The tip of the clip point is lower than its spine. The top part of the blade has been “clipped” off so that the blade goes straight from spine to tip. The clip point can also have a concave curve to the tip. Clip points are great for everyday carrying, but are also favored for hunting knives.

Drop Point

The blade’s point drops down below the blade’s spine. Usually has good “belly,” a curved cutting edge. It is one of today’s most widespread blade shapes because it’s a great all-purpose blade.

Hawkbill

A hawkbill blade is hook-like with a concave belly. It offers ease in cutting ropes, fabrics, and even trimming shrubbery.

Recurve

Instead of having a fully convex belly, a recurve blade will also have a gentle concave curve along part of the cutting edge. This gives the edge something of an “S” shape. The recurve blade provides good belly for slicing and a concave curve for easy draw or pull cuts.

Reverse Tanto

Instead of the edge angling up to meet the spine, a reverse tanto’s tip angles down to meet the edge. Like the American tanto, the reverse tanto offers a strong tip for piercing and, generally, a straight edge, ideal for good slicing.

Sheepsfoot

A sheepsfoot blade is similar to the Wharncliffe, but it has a steeper slope from spine to edge and a less-pointy tip. They are often favored by emergency responders due to the relative safety of the rounded tip. The straight edge works well for slicing push cuts and general-purpose cutting.

Spear Point

In a spear-point blade, the top and bottom of the blade are symmetrical, and the tip is in line with the center of the blade. It may have one or both edges sharpened. It offers tactical style as well as excellent piercing.

Trailing Point

A trailing-point blade has a tip that ends above the spine of the knife. Many trailing point knives also have a deep belly curve for superior slicing, including skinning and hunting use.

Wharncliffe

A Wharncliffe blade has a completely straight cutting edge. The spine of the blade gradually slopes down to meet the edge, forming a tip. The straight edge makes a great blade for slicing push cuts, for wood carving, general cutting, and utility work.