Reference · Terminology · Blade Craft

Knife Glossary

B

Bevel

The angled surface ground into the blade that forms the cutting edge. Bevel geometry — flat, hollow, convex, or Scandi — determines how a knife cuts and how easily it can be sharpened.

Bolster

A thick metal collar between the blade and handle that adds weight, balance, and protects the hand from slipping onto the blade. Common on chef knives and dress folders.

C

Choil

An unsharpened notch or curve at the base of the blade just above the edge, allowing the sharpening stone to reach the full edge length and providing a finger rest for choked-up grip.

Clip Point

A blade profile where the spine curves or drops concavely toward the tip, creating a fine, controllable point useful for detailed work. Classic on Bowie knives. See Points →

Convex Grind

A bevel that curves outward from spine to edge, creating a strong, durable edge geometry. Convex-ground blades split material rather than binding in it — preferred for choppers and axes.

D

D2 Steel

A high-carbon, high-chromium tool steel running 60–62 HRC. Semi-stainless with excellent wear resistance. Widely used in tactical and hunting knives where edge retention under hard use is paramount. See Steels →

Damascus Steel

Steel produced by the pattern-welding technique — folding and forge-welding multiple alloys (typically 1080 and 15N20 high-carbon steel) together to create a blade with alternating bands visible after acid etching. Each blade is unique. See Steels →

Drop Point

The most versatile hunting blade profile — the spine slopes gently downward toward the tip, keeping the point strong and lowering it toward the edge centerline. Excellent for skinning and field dressing. See Points →

E

Edge Geometry

The cross-sectional profile of a blade from spine to edge. Edge geometry (bevel type, included angle, grind height) determines cutting performance, durability, and ease of sharpening more than steel grade alone.

F

Flat Grind

A bevel that tapers straight from the spine (or a point below it) to the edge. Flat grinds are easy to sharpen, create a thin behind-the-edge geometry, and are the most common grind on production knives.

Full Tang

A construction where the blade steel extends the full length and width of the handle, usually visible as steel slabs on each side. Full-tang knives are stronger and more reliable under hard use than partial or hidden tang.

G

G10

A fiberglass-reinforced epoxy laminate used for knife handles. Extremely durable, impervious to moisture, and available in textured finishes for grip. A standard material on tactical and working knives. See G10s →

Guard

A crosspiece between blade and handle that prevents the hand from sliding onto the blade during use. Also called a quillion. Common on Bowie, combat, and dress knives.

Gut Hook

A sharpened hook ground into the spine near the tip of a hunting knife blade. Used to open the belly of game without puncturing organs — a standard feature on dedicated field dressing knives. See Hooks →

H

Hollow Grind

A bevel ground with a concave curve, creating an extremely thin edge that is razor-sharp but more fragile than flat or convex grinds. Common on straight razors and skinning knives.

HRC (Rockwell C Scale)

The standard hardness rating for knife steel. Higher HRC means harder steel that holds an edge longer but is more brittle and harder to sharpen. Most quality knives run 57–64 HRC depending on steel and use. See Scale)s →

High-Carbon Steel

Steel with carbon content above 0.6%. High-carbon steels (1080, 1095, O1) hold exceptionally sharp, long-lasting edges but require oiling and drying to prevent rust — unlike stainless steel. See Steels →

J

Jimping

Serrations or grooves cut into the spine or choil of a knife to improve grip. Common on tactical folders and fixed blades used with a choked-up thumb grip.

K

Karambit

A curved blade of Southeast Asian origin, shaped like a claw, with a finger ring on the handle for retention. Designed for close-range self-defense and utility tasks. See Karambits →

Kydex

A rigid thermoplastic sheet material used to make sheaths and holsters. Kydex sheaths are lightweight, waterproof, and hold their shape without treatment — preferred for tactical and field use over leather.

L

Liners

Metal plates inside a folding knife handle that support the blade pivot and provide structural rigidity. Liner-lock folders use a bent liner to lock the blade open. See Linerss →

M

Micarta

A composite handle material made from layers of linen, canvas, or paper soaked in phenolic resin and compressed. Durable, moisture-resistant, and develops a unique patina with use.

P

Pattern Welding

The technique of forge-welding two or more steel alloys together, drawing out and folding the billet repeatedly to build up layers. The alternating alloys create the visible pattern in Damascus steel after acid etching. See Weldings →

Q

Quenching

Rapid cooling of heated steel — in oil, water, or air — to lock carbon in solution and harden the blade. The quench medium and technique significantly affect final hardness and stress distribution.

R

Ricasso

The flat, unsharpened section of blade between the edge bevel and the guard or handle. The ricasso allows a finger to rest on the blade for a choked-up grip and is often where the maker's mark is stamped.

Rockwell Scale

A standardized system for measuring material hardness by measuring the depth of penetration of a hardened tip under load. The C scale (HRC) is used for knife steel. See: HRC. See Scales →

S

Scandi Grind

A Scandinavian-style bevel that begins high on the blade and tapers steeply to a zero-degree secondary bevel (no microbevel). Excellent wood-working performance; easy to sharpen flat on a stone.

Spine

The back edge of the blade — the thick, non-cutting top edge. Spine thickness is a major factor in blade stiffness, chopping power, and prying strength.

Stabilized Wood

Natural wood that has been impregnated with resin under vacuum pressure, eliminating moisture uptake and swelling. Stabilized burls, figured maple, and exotic species are common premium handle materials.

Stainless Steel

Steel containing at least 10.5% chromium, which forms a passive oxide layer preventing rust. Common grades: 440C (60 HRC, corrosion-resistant), AUS-8, VG-10. Lower maintenance than high-carbon steel. See Steels →

T

Tang

The portion of the blade that extends into or through the handle. Full tang runs the full length; partial or stick tang is narrower or shorter. Tang construction determines strength and handle attachment method.

Tanto

A blade profile derived from Japanese tanto swords — angular with a high flat-ground secondary bevel near the tip. Creates a very strong tip suited to piercing. Common on tactical and EDC knives. See Tantos →

Tempering

A secondary heat treatment done after quenching — reheating hardened steel to a lower temperature to reduce brittleness while retaining hardness. Proper tempering is critical to a blade's toughness.

W

Whetstone

A sharpening stone used to grind and hone a blade's edge. Stones are rated by grit: coarser grits (120–400) remove metal quickly for reprofiling; finer grits (1000–8000) refine and polish the edge. See Whetstones →