Short answer: classic slip-joint folders are usually hollow ground for a fine, precise slicing edge; most modern tactical and EDC folders use a sabre grind instead, because it leaves more steel behind the edge for harder use. Full flat grinds show up on both. None of the three is "better" in the abstract — it depends on whether the knife spends its life opening mail or prying things open.
Why folders get judged on grind differently than fixed blades
A folding knife blade is shorter and thinner to begin with, so the grind matters more to how it actually performs — there's less steel mass to fall back on if the edge geometry is fragile. That's part of why hollow grinds, which are impractical on a big outdoor fixed blade, work well on a three-inch folder.
Hollow grind — the traditional choice
A hollow grind is concave: it's ground on a rotating wheel that carves a curved bevel into each face, leaving very little material directly behind the edge. That geometry produces an extremely fine, precise edge — the classic feel of an old slip-joint, the kind of pocket knife your grandfather carried. It's excellent for slicing and easy to keep shaving-sharp, but it's the weakest of the common grinds under lateral stress, so it's not the grind you want for prying or hard use.
Sabre grind — the modern EDC default
A sabre grind is a partial flat grind that starts roughly halfway down the blade instead of at the spine, so the blade stays thicker behind the edge than a full flat grind would leave it. Most tactical and hard-use folders — the kind meant to also open boxes, cut cord, or take the odd bit of abuse — are sabre ground for exactly that reason. It slices less efficiently than a full flat or hollow grind, but it's noticeably tougher, and it's become the default on modern production EDC knives.
Where flat grind fits
A full flat grind — the same wedge-shaped taper used on most chef's knives — also shows up on plenty of folders, usually positioned as a middle ground: better slicing than a sabre grind, sturdier than a hollow grind. It's common on gentleman's folders and slicing-focused EDC knives that aren't expected to see hard use.
Which grind for which kind of carry
- Traditional or slip-joint, mail and box opening, fine slicing: hollow grind.
- Daily carry that also has to work hard occasionally: sabre grind.
- Mostly slicing, rarely prying, wants a cleaner cut than a sabre grind gives: full flat grind.
Grind and blade steel are two separate decisions
It's easy to conflate a knife's steel with its grind because they're usually mentioned in the same breath, but they're independent choices. A hollow-ground blade in a tough steel and a sabre-ground blade in a brittle one both exist, and either can disappoint you if you only checked one spec. When you're comparing folders, ask about grind and steel separately — our steel chart covers the second half of that question.
Questions people ask
Does grind affect how often I need to sharpen?
Yes, but not the way most people expect. A thinner grind (hollow, full flat) gets sharp faster on a stone but also dulls faster under hard use. A sabre grind takes a bit more work to bring back to full sharpness but holds an edge longer under stress.
Can a folder be both hollow and sabre ground?
Not in the primary grind — those describe two different bevel shapes on the same blade face. What you will see combined is a sabre primary grind with a very fine secondary edge bevel, which is effectively the modern default on most quality folders.
Is a locking mechanism connected to grind at all?
No — lock type (liner lock, frame lock, back lock) is about how the blade is held open, completely separate from how the edge itself is shaped. A knife's grind and its lock are chosen independently.
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