Hollow Ground Edge:

This edge is the sharpest edge shape available.  It is also the weakest.  Razor blades are most often hollow ground.  This edge has a tendency to roll and dull more quickly.  Make It SHARP offers this edge grind when a customer requests it.  It is good for folding knives because the edge is protected.  Hollow ground edges are prefered by some hunters for field dressing because the edge cuts sinewy material very well.

Flat or "V" Ground Edge:

This edge is the most common edge type given to knives at the manufacturer.  While not as weak as a hollow ground edge, a flat ground edge is nearly as sharp.  It is a great edge for slicing.  A sharp flat ground edge tends to cut straight and has a little difficulty turning through food.  Make It SHARP recommends this edge for many blade types.

Convex Ground Edge:

This edge is the strongest of all the edge types.  Because of the arch in the edge, the edge has a higher resistance to rolling and chipping.  Convex edges are great for chopping and paring.  Make It SHARP recommends this edge for most blade types.  Because the base angle on this grind is steeper than other grinds, a convex edge can make a thick blade cut more like a thin blade while retaining the heft behind the edge.

Secondary Flat Ground Edge:

This edge is simply a flat V grind with an extra bevel on both sides.  This gives the edge some added strength.  However,  This grind simply tries to acheive with flat angles what a convex edge accomplishes with a rounded edge.  While Make It Sharp can grind this edge type quite easily, we recommend that customers simply request a convex edge.

Flat Ground Blade:

This blade type has no edge bevel.  When sharpened, metal must be removed from the entire width of the blade.  A Scandinavian or Scandi blade is similar.  However the cutting bevel does not necessarilly extend to the spine of the blade.

Convex Ground Blade:

This blade type also has no edge bevel.  It is a continuous arch from spine to edge.  When sharpened, metal is often removed from the entire width of the blade.  Bark River knives are an example of this type of blade style.

Single Sided Bevel Blade:

This is the blade type most often seen on wood carving or whittling knives.  The purpose, most often, is to peel material off of the object being cut.