Drop point and clip point are my favorite blades for hunting. I use the drop point blade for controlled slicing, game processing due to its thick belly whereas I use the clip point for delicate tasks like cutting vegetable, slicing meat etc.
One of my friends asked me what the difference between these two blades was when we went hunting a few days back and I answered him with the details. I took my knives as an example and he understood it clearly. That incident struck in my mind recently and I thought, why not create a post on that topic that would help a lot of people who have similar questions in mind.
I would to share the major differences between these two blades here today that would help you choose the right one.
What is a drop point knife?
The spine of this blade gradually lowers down towards the point and features a thick and rounded belly. The extra thickness allows the blade to cut or slice anything in a single motion.
It is popular amongst outdoorsmen, survivalists, EDC and hunters like me who need a knife with great strength, reliability and durability.
When I’m doing tasks like caping, gutting, I use the spine to get done most of my tasks and it really helps me do job the smoothly.
Pros:
1. The centralized tip provides the control and balance to perform any task with ease.
2. This versatile blade can be used by everyone.
3. It is easy to sharpen due to the wide and broad belly.
Cons:
1. The blade may not be suitable for piercing tasks.
2. Some models are heavy and may not be portable.
One of my favorite drop point blades is, Kizer Aegis. It features a 2.8-inch drop point blade and helps me do skinning, field dressing, gutting, butchering etc without breaking it.
This budget friendly model was launched a couple of months back and I’m in love with it as I bought it just a few days after it was launched.
What is a clip point blade?
It is similar to a drop point blade however, instead of sloping spine, it’ll clip down halfway through it to create a sharp point. It also features a curved belly and is suitable to perform detailed tasks such as precise cutting, piercing and slicing. The Bowie knife is a fine example that features this blade.
The purpose of clipping out the spine is to create a lightweight profile to perform detailed work. I use this knife for skinning the game, field dressing etc.
Due to the thin profile, the blade can’t handle stress from heavy tasks such as prying, striking, batoning etc.
Pros:
1. It provides enhanced control while performing any detailed work.
2. The sharp point is suitable for slashing, stabbing and piercing.
3. They are generally lightweight.
Cons:
1. The sharp tip can handle limited stress.
2. The blade may be damaged while putting an excessive amount of stress.
I own dozens of clip point blades and one of my favorite ones is, Kershaw Bel Air Pocket Knife. It features a 3.05 inches MagnaCut steel clip point blade and weighs about 0.16 pounds.
I’ve been using it for skinning games, slicing food etc for a long time and I must say, it hasn’t let me down. If you want a lightweight blade for these tasks, I would highly recommend it.
How to choose the right knife?
1. Purpose
If you want a knife to perform tasks like hunting, batoning, chopping, wood carving, camping, hiking, self-defense, surviving outdoors or EDC, drop point could be a perfect option for you. Its thick belly and the curved spine does the job well.
If you want to do detailed work like precise cutting or slicing, clip point might be the right choice for you.
2. Blade material
There are two popular steels you’ll find on most knives; carbon steel and stainless steel.
The carbon steel is made out of iron and carbon. They are sharper, have better hardness, better edge retention and is easy to sharpen; however, it is not rust-resistant and may have to sharpen it quite often. These blades are fragile but they are suitable for detailed work and precise cutting.
The stainless steel contains iron, carbon and at least 10.5% chromium to prevent rusting. You don’t need to sharpen it often and is suitable to use in outdoor and harsh conditions. However, it’ll take extra time sharpening this blade due to the presence of chromium.
3. Tang
It is a part of a knife that extends into the handle till the butt. There are two main types of tangs on knives; a full tang or a partial tang.
A full tang blade runs through the entire knife from the tip to the handle end and it is the strongest one to perform any heavy-duty task. For drop point blades, I highly recommend this tang.
runs till a partway of the knife and is enough to perform every day tasks, cutting, slicing etc. For a clip point, going with this tang might be the right choice.
4. Pricing
You can get a decent drop point or a clip point knife for $50 with good reliability, strength and durability. For a premium model, you’ll have to spend more. For better durability, always go with a reliable brand.
FAQs
1. Is clip point or drop point better?
Both blades are good and they can be used for different purposes. Drop point is an all-rounder knife which is suitable for EDC, hunting, camping, survival or any demanding tasks whereas the clip point can be used for detailed work that requires delicate cuts.
2. Are clip point knives good for stabbing?
Yes. It is a good choice for stabbing due to its sharp edge and thin tip.
3. What is the difference between clip point and Bowie knife?
A clip point is a blade shape and bowie a knife type that features this blade.
4. Why is it called a clip point knife?
The spine clip towards the point and that’s why it is called a clip point.
5. What is a clip point blade good for?
It is suitable for controlled slicing, piercing and precise cutting due to its sharp point.
Conclusion
I was also confused in my early days of hunting when I didn’t know the differences between these two blades. I got the clarity after using them both for a couple of years but I have seen many people who can’t decide on the right one for.
I hope this guide may have given the clarity which one of them to pick. If you have any other questions, please let me know in the comments and I’ll get to you shortly. Thanks.
