Knives Terminology (non-complete)

Links open in a new window each. Close it to return here.

ABS: A black thermosetting polymer with high impact strength.

ALMITE: A microscopically thin coating which, when adhered to aluminum, provides scratch resistance and can be tinted into most any color.

ANODIZE: An electro-chemical process used to add a protective coating as well as a decorative coloring effect.

AXISLOCK: A locking mechanism patented by Benchmade.

BACK: The edge portion of a single-edge blade opposite from the sharpened edge.

BACKLOCK: A blade locking mechanism, in which a piece of steel is attached on the upper part of the handle, and can pivot around an axle, allowing the locking of the blade. If you see a folder with a release cut on the back of the handle, this is most probably a backlock folder.

BLADE: The business end of any knife that performs the cutting function.

BLADE LOCK: A mechanism that engages or disengages the spring blade retention system on a folding lockblade knife.

BOLSTERS: Situated between the knife handle and the blade on a knife that can also serve as a guard. Materials used vary for bolsters.

CARBON FIBER: A woven composite of graphite fibers fused in an epoxy resin. It provides a light weight high strength material. Often it has a three dimensional or hologram-like appearance..

CHISEL GRIND: The term chisel grind, as it applies to a Knife, means exactly as it implies - ground like a chisel. This means that the blade is ground on one side only, the other side is flat. This produces a very strong cross section for a knife blade, meaning exceptional strength, while providing a razor edge that cuts almost effortlessly and is very easy to sharpen. This type of blade has proven itself a tremendous performer for hard use situations.

CHOIL: The unsharpened portion of the blade edge just forward of the bolster.

COMPRESSION LOCK: A new blade lock mechanism created by Spyderco. The lock functions by inserting a piece of material, which is then conmpressed between the tang and stop pin.

CLIP: A metallic part, which secures the closed knife in your pocket. It can be mounted either near the blade's axis, or at the rear of the knife, thus allowing for either tip-up or tip-down carrying, when the knife is in your pocket.

CLIP POINT: The blade back edge that has been "clipped" away or forms a concave curve to meet the blade point.

DAMASCUS: Damascus steel consists of two or more steel types that have been heated, twisted and forge welded together. The end result is a steel with decorative design on its surface that reflects the material's inner structure. Traditionaly, most damascus were made of carbon steels but nowadays stainless steel damascus is available as well.

DROP POINT: The pattern features a blade back edge that falls away to meet the blade point.

DUCTILITY: Relates to the blade's ability to be deformed or distorted without breaking.

EDGE: The sharpened portion of the blade.

FRAMELOCK: The evolution in metals treatment, allow the creation of knives, where the handle plays also the role of the liner (or is it the other way around?). Today, there are knives, which do not have a separate liner, but the handle is formed in such a way to play the role of both. The linerlock mechanism, is therefore changed to work in this particular case, and this new lock mechanism is called framelock.

FRONTLOCK: A locking mechanism of Spyderco, similar to backlock.

G-10: An epoxy filled woven "E" glass composite reinforced with glass fiber that gives exceptional strength and resistance to fractures in extreme temperatures. It comes in a variety of colors. Most commonly see is black.

GUARD: Keeps the hand from slipping forward and engaging the blade edge.

KRATON: A black thermoplastic polymer which feels springy and rubbery. It’s used as a flexible inlay to enhance grip.

LINER: To prevent damage to the folding knife blade edge, the interior of the knife frame is lined with brass or other suitable soft metal that resists oxidation (No 6 in the picture).

LINERLOCK: A blade locking mechanism, in which part of the knife's liner is cut and bended in such a way, to hold the blade securely, in its opened position.

MICARTA: A composite of linen or paper fabric in an epoxy resin that provides light weight, durability and visual appeal. Can be bead blasted for a matte finish or highly polished to a glossy finish.

NAIL NICK: A small slot cut into the back of the folding knife blade that allows the user to open the blade with a fingernail.

PINS: Attach the handle scales to the folding knife liners.

POMMEL: Also known as a butt cap. The knob that fits on the end of the fixed blade knife handle.

RICASSO: The flat section of the blade near the juncture with the guard or bolster that is not sharpened.

SCALES: The material that covers the knife tang to form the handle.

SHEEPFOOT: Named for its resemblance to the hoof of a sheep, this blade pattern features a straight cutting edge and a curved blade back. Often found in multi-blade folders for making square cuts. Popular for emergency personal for cutting seatbelts, etc.

SPEY: Originally designed to castrate animals, the blunt point and sweeping blade belly makes this blade pattern handy for skinning assignments.

SPEARPOINT: A blade style, which looks very much like the point of a spear.

SPYDERHOLE: An oval opening cut in the blade, which the thumb engages to twist the blade open.

TANG: The section of the blade that extends rearward and is contained within the knife handle. The folding knife tang is quite short and forms the hinging point. A fixed blade knife tang may take a wide range of shapes from full width to extremely slender.

TANTO: A blade shape that has become very popular in the last several years. The distinctive shape has a long edge and an angled front edge. Its derivation is from the Samurai warriors who, when they broke their Katana swords, would tie the broken end of the blade and make a knife out of it. Many knifemakers believe the tanto shape is ideally suited for combat and utility purposes.

THUMB DISK: A round disk secured on the top rear part of the folder's blade, to facilitate one-hand opening of the blade.

THUMB STUD: A stud secured on the top rear part of the folder's blade, to facilitate one-hand opening of the blade.

TITANIUM: A non-ferrous metal used for its high tensile strength, light weight and corrosion resistance. Can be colored through an electronic process.

TRAILING POINT: The point of the blade rises above, or trails behind, the back of the blade. Quite a useful design for skinning, since the exaggerated blade belly separates hide from flesh.

V-GRIND: V grind means that the bevels of the blade are flat ground equally on both sides. This produces a cross section that is shaped like a V. This is a time tested conventional type of grind for a knife. It produces a workhorse cutting blade and is suited for almost any application that a knife would be called to use. This is the type of blade grind that most knife owners are familiar with.

ULTRA LOCK: A patended by Cold Steel locking mechanism, where a small steel axis engages slots on the hidden part of the blade, in order to lock it in the open position. The way the lock works is as the knife is opened the blade rotates in a semi circular manner around the locking pin via a larger cut channel in the blade tang. Then just prior to reaching the fully opened position the spring loaded locking pin moves forward through the oncoming straight portion of the tang channel until it "dead ends". At this point the blade is rigidly locked open and can't budge even a fraction of an inch as the locking pin is surrounded by solid steel which prevents any movement of the blade.