Why My Knives DO NOT Have 90° Spines

[@Vikingwerk]

People underestimate how dangerous a square corner on steel can be. My Dad cut the back of his thumb to the bone on a square-filed edge recently. I’ve seen a lot of ‘bushcraft experts’ arguing for a sharp square spine, which is really one slip from a bad injury, from the ‘safe’ side of the knife. Your argument for the round spine is a good one. I liked someone else’s comment here about leaving maybe an inch or so square at the tip, where you won’t be gripping it.

[@jimbusmaximus4624]

As a machinist, I agree. Cuts happen every day from handling edges right off the mill. Some knife edges are actually only a few degrees away from 90.

[@debluetailfly]

Nice of you to state your opinion and reasons without telling the other guy he is all wrong. There is room for differing opinions. We all have to learn what works best for us.

[@Rooster0529]

I knew where you were going with this when I read the title. I have gotten blisters from using my knife for carving and have filed a few back edges to round. I thought I was weird for doing it😉.

[@KuskBushcraft]

It certainly makes a big difference! Thanks for watching!

[@BlackSheep69-v9c]

I’ve been using rounded off spines for years for that exact same reason! Great video!

[@davidjacobs828]

File a portion of the knife spine rounded ... leave a portion of it with 90 degree corners ... best of both worlds . 🙂👍 Win win .

[@RealBoiJare]

On my Mora companion I thought ahead about this and only made a 90 degree spine on about half the blade, further away from the handle where my thumb rests. This way it’s comfortable with full function

[@Mr371312]

Cut myself through nitrile gloves pushing down and slipping, knife had 2 burrs on spine. Never knew round ones were a thing

[@dustywoolverton7463]

I agree, personally I am on both sides of this metaphorical fence, my larger knife has a flat spine (it's my chopper, not carver) my smaller knife is rounded for that comfort when I'm making traps, notches and other handy little things my larger knife isn't best suited for doing. Much love, hope you grow to millions soon, you deserve it.

[@KuskBushcraft]

Smart man! Thanks for watching.

[@TijmenHatesads]

That's my approach as well, and I haven't even thought about it before. Just seems like different knives need different features to be good at different things.

[@wayward-saint]

On my bigger knife, I rounded half the spine by the tip, and left the half square by the handle. Feels like the best of both worlds. The rounded part is good for holding, batonning. The square portion can still strike a fire and do some scraping.

[@Wood_Chuck_Would]

Totally agree. I'll usually round off the first 2" of spine to save a sore thumb when carving or doing fine work.

[@KuskBushcraft]

Good idea!

[@markfergerson2145]

Those filed grooves some folks think are essential on the first couple inches of a knife’s spine always bothered me. Under what circumstances are those going to help? When does one need that much friction, to do what tasks? All of the fine work I’ve ever done with a knife involved direct force on the spine aimed at the cutting edge, not toward the point. Seriously, what’s the point other than Tacticool Factor? If the idea is to keep your thumb from slipping off, the grooves should be parallel to the blade. What am I missing?

[@Wood_Chuck_Would]

@@markfergerson2145 I've never liked the grooves (jimping) either. Maybe they help when your hands are slippery with the lifebl00d of your foes?

[@victorzaidan6493]

Thanks for the supreme comment. discussion closed. the beginning is rounded, and after that it is square. Thank you very much, I will do that on my knives. you were simply brilliant.

[@kekipark77]

i dont have any knives that originally came with a square spine, but i usually grind a square spine towards the tip of the blade, about an inch, which works fine for me for striking and scraping. best of both worlds!

[@ejan8088]

Same here :) Best of both worlds, maybe.

[@KuskBushcraft]

Good idea!

[@cdredger16]

I am a square spine guy. However, your discussion and reasons were well presented. Different strokes… Thank you so much for your content!

[@KuskBushcraft]

Thanks for watching!

[@Red-vi2ez]

Agree. I don’t know how it is in other countries but in Sweden almost every fire steel comes with a scraper. And that is often much more effective then the sharpest knife spine.

[@bushcraft_in_the_north]

Totally agree with you. And a rounded spine was a sign of a good knife,and it is stronger.hvorfor skriver jeg engelsk til deg🤦🏼‍♂️....🔪🐻‍❄️🇧🇻

[@dallasn16]

I completely agree with you here. A 90 degree spine is a useful tool but I prefer to use the spine on my saw.

[@CasioSilver]

I've been carrying a separate striker for a few years now that I'm not just going out alone, people see the ferro rod and want to use it so I'd rather be able to hand them something other than a knife to decrease the risk of injury. Once I got into carving, that square spine was really getting annoying and bothering me so off it came, smooth is comfy for me :). This was a great, high quality video that was well paced and well presented and I will be sharing this with friends.

[@KuskBushcraft]

Thank you for watching!

[@jons5898]

My knives have round spines for the reason you’ve shown and strangely enough after decades in the outdoors I’ve never had to baton a knife through a chunk of wood. A small hatchet is my choice for that task.🤷🏻‍♂️

[@martymartin2894]

Exactly I can never understand some outdoors people using knives as hatchets.

[@KuskBushcraft]

I don't baton either. A hatchet will always out-perform a knife when it comes to chopping and splitting. Thanks for watching!

[@justinw1765]

Makes sense. What happens though, if with the Earth's ever faster weakening magnetic field, the Sun unleashes a doozy or combo doozy of Solar CME's and the electrical grids get completely taken out, and then you have to live out of a backpack for a very, very long time? The lighter your bag, with the most multi functional equipment, the better, because you'll be faster. People will become a problem real fast, and the faster you can "bug out", hide, etc, the better. Ain't no way that I will be carrying around a heavy axe or even a smaller hatchet plus a knife, when a good knife can baton. All my equipment will have to (and does) fit either one of three criteria: Multi functional, light weight and/or compact, and durable for the weight. Remember, all of it has to go on your back plus food. You're not a weekend warrior in this situation. Your life depends on your knowledge/skills and tools/gear. It's a different way of thinking, and hopefully it won't come to that, but the probability becomes ever greater the weaker the earth's magnetic field gets. It's really not a question of "if", but of "when" at this point. Unless TPTB decide to spend the billions to upgrade and harden the electrical grid systems. Heck, I can't even get my local electric company to finish burying our neighborhoods' lines like they said they would and started to, a couple years back. I have little faith in the entire worlds' grid systems getting updated properly in time.

[@bushcraft_in_the_north]

​@@justinw1765you really need to relax a little. Yes everything can happen,but dont think that would be the thing that saves you. And a lot of other things can happen too. And I would still carry a axe or atleast a very large knife.

[@justinw1765]

@@bushcraft_in_the_north I have a 6 in blade knife, big enough for batoning and self defense, but light enough to carry easily. Then I have a couple small, very lightweight elastic ceramic/HIC (high impact ceramic) knives for skinning. And one spear knife for big animals/self defense.

[@OutdoorswThatGuy]

Funny you mentioned the " salesmen " thing . I watch alot of KZbin ,Mainly "bushcraft " and i got to thinking 🤔 cause i do watch your video's and yr never trying to sell , yr to me , a guy that loves being out there in the woods and a KZbin Creator as well but just laid back chilling smoking yr pipe enjoying nature , not selling anything !! Good information 👍

[@ksvideos7173]

Your videos have become my new go-too comfort. No moist-sounding ASMR whispering or yelling or obnoxious music. Just a man with his jolly beard and jolly accent enjoying the jolly wilds! I often fall asleep to the sound of that crackling campfire or you chopping twigs off dead trees for tinder! Big fan, much love, God bless, and happy Easter! ❤

[@thomasmusso1147]

👍👍👍 .. good points raised. Square or Round .. I take it as I have bought it. I cannot get into me yet, to to put a file to modify a knife blade. All of my Ferro Rods have their designated Scrapers. An old hacksaw blade, shortened appropriately, makes for a very good scraper .. the hole at one end for attachment, already being there. 'Mantras' .. the 'Outdoors' is full of them. '550 Paracord / Ultra-lightweight / 36 Bank Line / Cotton Kills / etc, etc 🙄. Failure to comply (and buy 'their' essential-for-survival 'stuff') will result in 'Nature, She will Kill You'. 🙄. Actually, 'Nature' is completely indifferent to .. not even aware of, whether we live or die. It is what it is and we must adapt accordingly. A good share .. thanks. Take care ..

[@KuskBushcraft]

Wise words! Thanks for watching!

[@andrewkeeton3627]

Right on man. Appreciate your take on “right and wrong” and doing what you want with your stuff. Backing it up with knowledge is the cherry on top. Too many sell-outs on KZbin

[@alanbierhoff6831]

I’ve never bought, or passed on purchasing, a knife because it did or didn’t have a 90° spine. I buy knives for blade length, thickness, profile, metal, Rockwell etc. When people comment on how many knives I have, I ask them how many screwdrivers they have. Different tools for different jobs.

[@dlrmon1]

OMG...you have me asking myself which I have more of, screwdrivers or knives? I don’t want too know...lol

[@drunknnirish]

@@dlrmon1 Just remember if you dont have some nice insulated screwdrivers you aren't done buying screwdrivers yet.

[@prado.offroad]

i agree, my Kansbol tore my thumb up from the start, i do use the squared spine to debark and smooth down walking sticks out in the bush but found rounding the first inch of the spine near the handle to give me the comfort and control when cutting making it a much more pleasurable tool to use.

[@thegreyghost2789]

Thats an interesting take on the subject and one I have to agree with. A good example is Horace Kephart who's knife never had a sharp spine and he likely never had a ferrocerium rod either. On the other hand, modern bush craft and survival knives often come with sharp spines and perform a myriad of functions including fire making. Its all up to the individual and what they feel comfortable with. I'm 70 yrs of age and have used both over the decades and am good either way.

[@maxpinson5002]

AFAIK Kephart or Nessmuk or any of those early outdoorsmen batoned wood or were advocates of batoning. From their books I do know that they suggested axe/hatchet features and uses. JMHO- I wouldn't compromise my irreplaceable knife in a survival situation by using it as anything other than a cutting tool. But as theman said, everyone is free to do as they please. I'll never call the knife police on anyone 😂

[@braunwm]

I get your point, and if folks are looking to do a lot of carving in the outdoors with only one knife, I agree with what you are saying. Having said that, I like to using carving knives for carving, and keep my larger survival knife (Mora Garberg) for larger work where I wouldn't be using my thumb or other fingers to guide the blade. So my Garberg does have a 90 deg spine for scraping material, ferrorods, etc. Though I usually just carry 2 or 3 lighters with duct tape wraps, and rarely use my ferrorods.

[@patrickpilon1978]

My knives have the best of both worlds lol. I usually have a 1” spot close to the handle that is filed to a 90 degree and the rest is rounded. I agree with you just cause something works for one person it may not work for another. Love the videos keep up the good work

[@LokiMacGuyver]

This is a good argument as to why people should carry two knives. All of the have their purposes and advantages.

[@rogwarrior1018]

I never thought about the wear and tear a square spine could cause. Excellent point. If something works keep it, no right or wrong just what you're comfortable with.

[@jimbusmaximus4624]

I agree with this wholeheartedly! I never understood the folks who act like it's absolutely mandatory for a knife to strike a ferro rod, to me its an unfinished knife. I've NEVER carried a ferro rod without a striker. Ever. The fire steel shouldn't be your primary method of starting a fire anyway. We have lighters and matches now. Awesome video sir! ✌️

[@andrewczuba498]

I just bought 2 knives this winter. A Morakniv Garberg in carbon steel, and a Casstrom No,10 SFK in what they call Sleipner steel, which is I think carbon steel, it's definitely not stainless. Both have 90 degree spines. Both are about 4" blade. Both are beautiful tools. The Casstrom came extremely sharp out of the box. The Garberg I put to the wet stone and then the strop! I also bought an uberleben large ferrocium rod this winter as well (which came with a striking tool and a lanyard) . I'll probably use the striking tool to start fires! I also always have a buck saw and hatchet or small woods axe with me. I'm moving (this week) up to just about as far north as you can in New England to the place around these parts which is as close to wilderness as you can get without going to Canada (hahaha- we are surrounded by Canada on 3 sides- I'll need to renew my passport!) so I plan to put these tools to some use and learn to use them in more ways. I really appreciate you sharing your skills and knowledge and enjoy your content. Thank You!

[@ericstoever9577]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts! Be well, stay safe, and god bless!

[@lukedupont8564]

Great discussion! I love to hear alternative takes on generally accepted wisdom, just to challenge our thinking and assumptions. As a wood worker, I can say that I've on many occasions, after flattening the back of a chisel, created a sharp 90 degree corners, and after paring (holding the chisel in two hands, one around the blade of the chisel) looked at my hand later and wondered how and when I'd managed to cut myself so many times! One quickly learns to just ever so slightly round off the corners. Makes sense that you might want to do the same for a knife. As for me, despite also liking to do crafts around camp, I like the 90 degree spine on a knife just because I don't like the added bulk and awkwardness of a dangly striker tied to my firesteel. But I often have to live with that anyway, because I'm in Japan and often use Japanese knives which are made of laminated steel -- the steel on the spine being soft, and unsuitable for striking a ferro rod anyway.

[@geistwulfuser-yy2id4gl6x]

On point about use.We make our tools for what we need works out better in the end. I use my ferro rod like you do its better.God Bless Geist Wulf

[@KuskBushcraft]

God bless you too!

[@Crosswalker.]

I totally agree and am doing the same, don't like flat spines, never have... I use knives for what they're made for, cutting and whittling so I file it round too! 😅

[@cmh8133]

I agree with you. I have my thumb on the blade opposite the cutting edge all the time.

[@pedroferreira4134]

Your explanation makes a lot of sense. Thanks.

[@skeetermalcolm1655]

What you are saying really makes sense brother, thanks for the info

[@johnovanic9560]

Excellent info and it makes me wonder how I made it through all those years without a 90° spine. I grew up being trained on the one match fire from there I got into Buck skinning with flint and steel ferrocerium rods are relatively new for me. I do like them but carry a striker with mine

[@adamwright4969]

I totally agree with you, not only is square uncomfortable and unsafe, but a round spine can also be a stress relief. None of the knives or other tools i make have square edges.

[@CommonCentsOutdoorsman]

I go both ways on this one. Sometimes on the same knife. There can be merit either way. Great discussion!

[@marcbenoit9150]

Thanks for this video. I've always gone for the square spine and put up with the uncomfortable pressure at times. You are correct, 99.9% of the time I use the spine for my ferro rod. What really made sense to me in your video was to carry a striker with the ferro rod, that way if the rod is lost with the striker, I still have a comfortable knife in my hands. Without the ferro rod, the square spine, in my case, wouldn't be of much use to me. Again, in my instance. Thanks You!

[@les3449]

I see your point and agree to an extent. I think the people that advocate a 90 degree knife spine are looking at multiple uses for any one piece of gear, as you acknowledged. Attaching your striker to your ferrous? rod is a good solution. BUT, many people venturing into the woods/wilderness don't think of more than one way to do things SO they need guidance and to think outside the box. Thank you!

[@johndonato3638]

I have to say - at first I did not want to agree. But you make a very compelling case, and demonstrate that case very well. Thanks!

[@terrym1065]

Smart and sensible content. I have many knives in both configuration, I much more enjoy using a smooth rounded spine also. All my firesteels have a dedicated scraper but I only use them when needed. Thanks for the video, well done.

[@KuskBushcraft]

Thanks for watching!

[@Mike-l3y9k]

Love what you do I also fell into the trap of the Salesman sites ........ You are are the woodsman Continued respect

[@SotoJeleb]

I never understood why so many people like square spines. Everybody keeps saying it is for scraping but you can use a rock with sharp corners to scrape wood or firesteel. It would only make sense when there's a lot of snow and you can't find a rock.

[@Jesus4444me]

Perfect timing, I've been trying out knife edge vs spine and found much better results using the blade in various tasks. Tools were made to be used! A pass or 2 on the diamond stone, plus a few passes on the back of your leather belt and you're back in the fast (sharp) lane. Great video and information as always. And an even greater beard, a masterpiece on its own! God bless you brother ♥️🙏🏼

[@KuskBushcraft]

Most definitely. A quick strop will liven your edge right up. Thank you for watching! God bless.

[@getsmart3701]

Good call sir, I say that because I file my square spines as well:-). That said, I do keep a square spine on my larger knife which I often use two handed and find the sharp spine is a nice tool for de-icing branches before splitting them down.

[@Kgib338]

Very interesting. I always appreciate your insight on woodsman living. Good video.

[@codyschmid2271]

I needed to hear that. I live in Wisconsin & I'm from here. Your the reason I'm taking up Bushcraft. Thank you. I appreciate you so much. Your videos give me peace and knowledge & please keep doing these videos. Hugs brother ❤️

[@catskills7791]

Thanks for the video. I actually prefer a 90 degree spine but I do appreciate why you chose the alternative. More importantly I appreciate and applaud your objectivity and critical thinking. Absolutely critical to navigating modern society.

[@charlesmckinney]

I prefer a dedicated scraper for use with my ferro rods. I like the scrapers sold by Bayite.

[@alanbierhoff6831]

+1 on the Bayite scrapers 👍🏻

[@raybo34]

You have some valid points and I agree, a person needs to find works best for them. If my tasks require my thumb on the spine or if I was using a pinch grip I would want it rounded.

[@frankpristov9745]

Think for yourself, work out what's best for you. Words of wisdom Rieley thank you.

[@KuskBushcraft]

Thanks for watching!

[@frost8077]

That's refreshing to hear, adding some variation to knives. I'll probably never get around to doing enough wood carving for me to need a rounded spine. I always liked knives that have a protruding thumb grip on the base of the spine with jimping. For anything finer, I just switch over to a smaller knife.

[@-OokySpooky-]

I work in industrial steel as well as I like buscrafting and I too keep an eye on the square of my spine. The thing I tell every new guy at work is a 90⁰ edge might as well be a razor. Ive BLASTED through my thumb while camping in the rockies and that sucked, I didnt have use of that thumb for the rest of that week (not like it was a waste of a trip, since I LIVED in the rockies at the time) its definitely a small but important little thing to be aware of. Remember, mastery is nothing more than doing a bunch of little things very well

[@michaeleveleth7979]

Thank you for this awesome insight and another thought on how to use your tools more completely. Happy Easter, God Bless

[@KuskBushcraft]

Thanks for watching! Happy Easter to you and yours! God bless.

[@TheUncarvedBlock]

This sounds like very pragmatic and unbiased advice. Thank you for sharing.

[@Sean_H80]

I always appreciate your videos and adventures. God bless you and Happy Easter.

[@KuskBushcraft]

Happy Easter! God bless.

[@fondolon]

I like to carry a small carbide sharpener for fire starting as well. Served me well for both processes and cost about $7 and last 6-8 years with high use. Good video.

[@scipio7837]

Fully agree. Most hunting knives have always been rounded. And while I carry a firesteel, there's nothing wrong with using a Bic as a primary. Testing yourself to keep skills current is one thing, but when you want coffee now...

[@robb4044]

Your explanation was reasonable and logical and respectful. Great video

[@mrc2205]

Hi. I definitely prefer to use a dedicated scraper, I just don’t like using my knives for fire starting. I have both types of knives, some flat and some round. I use them at different times.

[@safromnc8616]

I agree w/you 100% - it's always been a comfort choice for me. I like the sharpness to be on the cutting edge of the blade....no where else. I've been carrying a knife of some sort since I was about 6....lots of trail & error in there....

[@greenleaf239]

I've had the same thought, probably because I've used Mora carving knives, choked up on the blade, for woodcarving.

[@abunoahiii]

This makes all the sense in the world for my uses as well... thanks for the video

[@docsavage9773]

I’m with you on this topic. I use a dedicated striker as well. And, you can scrape with your knife edge better than the spine. Not to mention, ferro rods spark at a very high temp. I’ve often wonder what long term effect that would have on the knife steel when the spine is used. Thank you for the great video dude… keep it up.

[@jacobkoen8994]

As a bladesmith I really appreciate your thoughts on this, I always preferred a rounded spine as well for the same reasons you mentioned, and I also carry a separate striker or cheap blade for my fire starting. Unfortunately in the bladesmith/knife making community rounded spines are looked down upon, like you were unable to achieve a squared even spine lol glad there are others who think the same!

[@jouzel8951]

Nice work! My laminated Mora blade is my light weight carving knife, round spine. My Mora companion is my general purpose knife has a square spine. Thanks for the excellent content!

[@richard_n]

Fantastic video, I agree with you on the points you brought up. Especially with having a dedicated striker for your ferro rod.

[@4ager505]

Very good points presented very logically and effectively. My preference is the rounded spine...it just works better for me. I'm not a trend follower, so I'm not too interested in promotions and gimmicks. Thanks for this video.👍👍👍

[@pierrejohnson6264]

My feelings also. Jimping sucks as well. Nice, calm, and focused presentation.

[@williamfawkes8379]

I sure do agree with you on this. I have purchased some blades, or chisels, that have such a sharp square that they are lethal on my hands.

[@NortheastHobbyfarmer]

yup, yer right. I call them infomercials. As to the spine, I never considered altering it and it does get uncomfortable at times. I guess I'll modify one and see how it works for me. I already carry a striker tool with my big ferro rod. My EDC rod will work with my multitool, so I can modify my carry knife without loss of striking ability. Honestly, I've never needed the ferro rod since as a recent non smoker this very winter I've always carried a bic or two and probably still will. I've been starting fires as long as I can remember and I was taught to only use one match. I like your style and look forward to seeing more of you. Blessings.

[@KuskBushcraft]

Thanks for sharing! Blessings to you too my friend!

[@MatthewdePaula]

Totally agree. The sharp spine trend is something I've never bought into for all the reasons you state. And I put "jimping" into that same category--not suited to my tastes and for how I prefer to use my knives.

[@bogdanvasut8915]

Finaly someone said it. After whittling for a day w/ a square spine knife and having may left thumb surface turned to a tender crisscross pattern I decided to round the back of all my knives, even the Opinels

[@delta9jms]

I crowned the spine of a Spyderco Manix 2 just with sandpaper .. it took a long ass time and didnt think I'd do it again, now that you have given me the idea to use a file, I might have to give it another shot with a file to get the majority of the material removed and then switch to the sandpaper for that silky smooth finish. Thanks for the idea.

[@hawkknight4223]

I prefer to keep the first half to quarter, “depending on the length“ of the spine of the blade smooth. For my thumb! The rest I’m totally fine with using the drive the tip into the log, and scrape material or a fire steel. Great video! And may God bless you as well.

[@Mike990920]

Neat! I have a variety of folding knives. But I’m not a bushcraft guy, so I collect various kindling materials and prefer a long-stem bbq lighter for fire starting. But even just for the purpose of food prep, I find the squared back edges of my folding knives painful. I may consider rounding them. ☮️💕

[@jerryashbaugh169]

Very well presented. I agree, it is a personal choice based on primary use.

[@phalanyx3478]

I like your opinion. This is why I'm going to grind a concave radius in the back of the tang and have a rounded spine. The radius only has to be large enough to fit a ferro rod or small stick. Being concave means its not going to slip off the side of what I'm scraping and that edge is going to be recessed.

[@OnTheRiver66]

I agree with you. My ferro rods have scrapers attached so I can use them without drawing my knife. They are smaller than the knife, easier to handle when striking a fire, and the steel is much harder than the steel on a knife blade (one striker is made from tungsten carbide).

[@TwoRiders]

Well presented and well argued. I do a video or two and they are about things I have had for years, usually. I'm not chasing or shilling the flavor of the month. Much of KZbin is commercials dressed up as reviews. Glad you don't go down that trail. Thanks

[@martymartin2894]

That knife is almost identical to the ones lidl were selling for only 9 euro unbelievably well finished strong knives.

[@JesusSaves86AB]

I like both. To each their own, especially in the outdoors. I use a keychain knife for my ferro rod.

[@waveman0]

a round spine is very professional and I like them. I also agree with the concept of a dedicated striker for your ferro rod, I lean towards an HSS lathe bit.

[@ROE1300]

👍 Interesting point of view. Makes me rethink the spines on my knives. I agree there is no one 100% right answer.

[@ryimscaith1593]

I actually subscribe to both schools. My main "bushcraft" knife is a kukri with a square spine. I don't use it for striking a rod, but will feather tinder with it. While it could be rounded, I find having it flat useful in using leverage to drive the blade through material. Where a round back would increase the chance of rocking the blade, or slipping off. I carry a smaller "skinning" blade with a rounded spine for drawing the blade through with my hands, as well as for carving. Though to be fair, I tend to use my pocket knife more for carving. As you said, it's all in what a person likes, as long as it still does the job you intend.

[@waterbox4202]

Ever since I started making knives in 2017, I've always preferred a round spine, so much confortable and elegant looking

[@johnwayne8114]

I went hybrid. ALWAYS round the portion my thumb would touch, but keep the tip somewhat sharp, as that's the area you's use for scraping anyway. I never got the full sharp spine hype, that's just a lazy way of doing things, and incredibly uncomfortable. Glad to see people speaking against it.

[@barcibus]

I can just keep listening to this guy, and feel at peace.

[@WayPointSurvival]

I fully agree. Well said!

[@KuskBushcraft]

Thanks for tuning in, James! Happy trails.

[@jackassery73]

Very well said. My main knives are all rounded off for comfort as well. One I filed about an inch at a flat 90 at the tip. Just the tip! 😂

[@allangarrity8778]

think for yourself- question what you see and hear - terrific advice in any environment - thanks for the video - looking foeward to the next...

[@scottculver]

Great to hear somebody say it. THINK free.

[@W_H_K]

I used to slightly round the spines as well but I’ve changed back to 90° spines for one reason: the more each tool can do the better equipped you are. 90° spines don’t hurt my thumb at all. Now, the following comments are mostly regarding the survival context, not the weekend or even short term bushcraft context; however, it still applies as many a weekend trip has turned into a real life survival situation for unfortunate and ill prepared campers. Firstly, “The more you know the less you carry” - Mors Kochanski Secondly, Regardless of how hard the steel is, if you use the apex as a scraper it’s going to dull it. Real World Example, I often use Maxamet steel at 70 HRC (that’s the top of the Rockwell scale, BTW; there are no more HRC points after 70) and after experimenting with it as a tinder scraper on pine it does dull. Yes, it takes a while to completely dull because it’s 70hrc but it is immediately noticeable to me. This will also depend, highly, on how sharp you keep knives to begin with, the grits used to apex it, the blade thickness, and the degrees applied, &c. Anytime you can save the apex and use something else is ideal as you may need the apex when it really counts. Who defines sharp? Most people’s “razor sharp” is dull to me so there is no real objective definition. The apex, the very cutting edge, is so thin that even softer materials can and do damage it. Scraping the apex across wood is technically classed as abuse as it’s not the intended purpose for a knife. It’s like using scissors as a dagger, sure it might work, but is it ideal? Knives dull via one of three ways: Abrasion Deformation Fracture When you drag the apex back and forth across wood you are inducing one or more of these methods of dulling. It’s impossible to not happen. It may not initially be noticeable to some people but it most certainly occurs, it must occur as that’s simply physics. That’s a long winded way of saying why I keep my knife spines sharp at 90°.

[@c.abarker9915]

Great video Riley! Thank you for sharing your perspective! Very, very well done!!

[@KuskBushcraft]

Thanks for watching!

[@ApoMaTu3aTop]

Agreed. When using a tool for a prolonged periods of time it better be comfortable to hold and work with. Alternatively, I've sharpened the back of my folding saw in order to prepare tinder for fires. I also carry a specialized striker wich gives me more leverage when I have to shave off more of the ferorod in order get fire going faster. Cheers!

[@GoranPeuc]

This is true. I have a couple of hard square back knives and I’ve cut my fingers on those spines. I might actually file and sand one of those to see how it feels.

[@KuskBushcraft]

I've definitely cut myself on the spine of a knife before too haha.

[@southernyert7597]

Enjoyed the video. Grt explanation for both sides. No wrong or right, just whats best for u. Wished more videos was like this. Grt points to both sides

[@markhaywood7307]

About time someone said that. You can get about 5 strikers from a good quality hacksaw blade, two of them will have holes to tie them to anything you want. If you get that far- it's amazing how sharp and what shape you can get a hack saw blade into and they have teeth that cuts steel "OMG". i have even made "exacto" saws from them, yes you need a grinder to shape the end but its "Bushcrafty" next level when you think about it not to mention other things.

[@Daniel_D_King]

As I'm right handed I like to round just the top right hand edge of my knives. It allows me to wrap my index finger around the blade for fine work without getting blisters and still keep the 90 edge on the top left as that's the side I use for scraping. Works well for me.

[@kiyanajt6267]

For smaller, more precise knives round spine is really comfortable, but for me 90 spine is just more versatile since im not big fan of ferro rod steels, they just are not comfortable and seem to dull over time. Nice video.

[@TheScrawnyLumberjack]

I can see the benefits of both squared and rounded spine and there’s certainly a place for both. Your claim about using the edge to scrape tinder and it not dulling got me to thinking. I took an s90v blade at 63 Hrc and tested the sharpness using a BESS tester. I then scraped the edge on pine dowel to make tinder. Afterwards I tested for sharpness again and I saw an enough of drop in the BESS score to tell me scraping tinder with the edge of your knife will certainly dull it.

[@AKlover]

You argued your point, however modifying the knife for momentary creature comfort is not sufficient in my opinion, even for A "beater" knife.. I thought perhaps there was some other purpose I missed that A rounded back offered,

[@justinw1765]

Mostly agree, with one caveat. If survival is your goal and a SHTF scenario ever happens, repeating redundancy backups is a very real and important thing. Having your knife be able to pull double duty as a fire starter aid, etc, without dulling your blade, only seems to be a benefit to me. Even super steels get dulled from soft wood over time (not even to mention ferro rods). The longer your blade is sharp without having to sharpen it, seems like a clear benefit, especially in a true survival situation. Also, generally speaking, it seems to make sense to have a larger knife for batoning etc, and then a smaller knife for carving. Stands to reason to have the large knife with the 90* spine and the smaller carving knife with the rounded, smooth spine. Best of both worlds and then you have a backup up knife.