What Is a Hollow Grind on a Kitchen Knife?
When looking at kitchen knives, you may come across the term hollow grind. But what does it actually mean?
A hollow grind describes a particular way the blade is shaped as it moves towards the cutting edge. Understanding the basics can help you better compare different knife designs and understand how blade geometry affects performance.
What Is a Hollow Grind?
A hollow grind is a blade grind where the sides of the blade curve inward as they approach the cutting edge.
Instead of tapering in a relatively straight line, the blade has a concave profile. This can create a relatively thin section near the edge.
The exact geometry varies between knives, so a hollow grind should be considered as one part of the overall blade design.
How Does a Hollow Grind Affect Cutting?
Thin Cutting Geometry
Because the blade curves inward towards the edge, a hollow grind can create a thin cutting area.
A thinner edge can move through some ingredients with less resistance, although the actual cutting performance also depends on the knife's steel, thickness, sharpening and overall geometry.
Food Release
Blade geometry can also influence how food interacts with the knife.
Chef Supply Co notes that hollow-ground or Granton-style indentations can create small air pockets between the blade and food, which may help reduce sticking with certain ingredients. Chef Supply Co
It's important to note that a hollow grind and a Granton edge aren't necessarily the same thing. Granton edges use hollowed-out indentations along the blade to help with food release, while a hollow grind refers to the broader shape of the blade's grind.
Is a Hollow Grind Better?
Not automatically.
A hollow grind may provide useful cutting characteristics, but there's no single grind that's best for every kitchen knife.
Performance also depends on:
- Blade steel
- Blade thickness
- Edge geometry
- Sharpening
- Heat treatment
- Intended use
A knife designed for slicing may have different geometry from one designed for heavier kitchen preparation.
Hollow Grind vs Flat Grind
A flat grind generally tapers towards the edge using relatively straight surfaces.
A hollow grind curves inward as it approaches the edge.
Both can be effective designs, and the better choice depends on the knife's intended purpose and the cook's preferences.
Should Home Cooks Look for a Hollow Grind?
Not necessarily.
For most home cooks, it's more useful to choose a knife based on what you cook, how you cut and how the knife feels in your hand rather than choosing a grind simply because it sounds more advanced.
Consider the blade shape, steel, edge geometry, handle, balance and intended use as a complete package.
Explore Kitchen Knives at Chef Supply Co
Looking for a knife suited to your cooking style? Explore the Chef Supply Co Kitchen Knife Collection and compare different blade shapes, constructions and designs.
