KnifeCritic.

Knife grind types: read the cross-section.

Flat, hollow, convex, Scandi and saber describe blade geometry rather than steel quality. Check the primary grind and the small edge bevel separately.

By KnifeCritic editorial

What is a knife grind?

A grind describes how the sides of a blade become thinner toward the edge. It is a cross-section description, while a blade-shape name describes the outline. Spyderco separates blade grinds from its edge-grind and blade-shape references. Keep those terms separate when comparing specifications.

What is a knife grindFLATSECTION
What is a knife grind. Schematic; not product dimensions. Source.

How do flat, hollow, convex, Scandi and saber grinds differ?

Flat grinds have straight bevel faces, hollow grinds curve inward, and convex grinds curve outward. Scandi and saber names also describe where the bevel begins and how it reaches the edge. The table below describes geometry from the linked maker references; it does not rank cutting performance.

Flat grindFLATSECTION
Flat grind. Schematic; not product dimensions. Source.
Hollow grindHOLLOWSECTION
Hollow grind. Schematic; not product dimensions. Source.
Convex grindCONVEXSECTION
Convex grind. Schematic; not product dimensions. Source.
Scandi grindSCANDISECTION
Scandi grind. Schematic; not product dimensions. Source.
Saber grindSABERSECTION
Saber grind. Schematic; not product dimensions. Source.
Maker-described blade geometry; no comparative cutting result
GrindCross-section descriptionWhat to confirm
Full flatStraight faces extend from the spine toward the edgeThe final edge can still have a separate bevel
HollowThe main faces curve inwardDo not infer final edge thickness from the name
ConvexThe faces curve outward toward the edgeAsk the maker how to maintain this exact edge
ScandiBroad flat bevels toward the edgeA microbevel may be present; Scandi Zero is a separate term
SaberBevel starts partway down the bladeThe upper portion retains the blade stock thickness

Is grind angle the same as edge angle?

The angle of the main blade faces need not be the angle at the cutting edge. A small final bevel can have a different angle from the broad bevel above it. Morakniv explicitly distinguishes its Scandi with a microbevel from Scandi Zero without that final bevel. Do not enter a main-grind angle into an edge-angle lookup without checking which surface the maker means.

Is grind angle the same as edge angleMAIN GRINDFINAL BEVELDISTINCT SURFACES; CHECK THE MAKER
Is grind angle the same as edge angle. Schematic; not product dimensions. Source.

Does a Scandi grind always have no microbevel?

No: maker terminology includes both Scandi edges with a microbevel and Scandi Zero edges without one. Morakniv describes those as separate constructions. The word alone does not establish the final edge angle. Read the exact model’s instructions before changing or removing an existing bevel.

Which grind should I choose?

A grind label helps describe the blade, but it cannot establish a universal choice for every task. Finished thickness, edge angle, steel treatment and intended use still need their own evidence. Use the geometry table to ask the maker a more precise question. This reference makes no measured slicing or durability comparison.

Sources and scope

These references document materials and construction rather than a measured result for a finished knife. Open the original source to check its definitions and limits.