A Glossary of Pocket Knife Terms That Every Knife Owner Needs to Know
If you are new to knives, you have probably come across some terms that left you confused. The knife world has developed a language around knives that only people who really are into knives can understand. To help you better understand these words and the meaning behind them, we have compiled a glossary of the most commonly used words that should help you on your way to becoming an expert on pocket knives. Stick to the end you may just improve your knife dictionary.
Pocket Knife Terms
The following are the most common pocket knife terminologies that are used by knife enthusiasts from time to time when describing the main features and functionalities of the pocket knife in question.
Back: This refers to the side of the blade that remains unsharpened. This is never just for show; it is there for the sole purpose of providing an anchorage point for the user when they are dealing with a tough task.
Bail: In some knives, you will notice a shape on the end of the blade that looks like a half loop. This is called bail, and it helps the user to tie or clip something onto the knife when carrying it to stop it from dropping by accident.
Belly: This is the part of a pocket knife blade that is curved. It can either be concave, convex, or a combination of the two on either side. The efficiency of a knife blade is usually determined by the size and curve of the belly.
Blade Bevel: This is a term that you will come across very often, and it refers to the portion of the blade that has been ground away to create the cutting edge of the blade. It usually starts from the hilt of the knife and tapers all the way to the blade point.
Blade Lock: This is an important part of the knife that is used to engage or disengage the blade when using a folding knife. There are different types of blade locks that exist in pocket knives, and each are designed for specific functions.
Bolsters: This refers to a metal cover that is found between the blade and the handle of the knife. Most bolsters are made using brass, silver, or stainless steel, and they provide that buffer zone that stops the hand from sliding over onto the sharpened edge of the blade.
Carbon Steel: This is a blade that is made by combining about 15% carbon and 85% steel to create a very strong alloy that is used to make some of the strongest blades around. Most knives that use carbon steel are among the most expensive, but they will last you ages.
Choil: This is an unsharpened side of the pocket knife blade that is located on the opposite point of the blade.
Clip Blade: A very common type of blade that is mostly found in America. It features a concave curve that starts from the back of the blade and extends all the way to the point. This shape makes them ideal for a variety of tasks both outdoors and indoors.
Concave Grind: This is a grind that is created when the bevel of the blade tapers all the way to the edge from the spine of the blade, taking the shape of an arch. It is one of the grinds that are easier to keep sharp at all times, but at the same time, it chips easily due to its design.
Crink: A crink is a material that covers the liner between bolsters. It is part of the structure that provides the user with a good grip on the handle of the pocket knife.
Damascus Steel: Another very common word that can be confusing for anyone not familiar with blades. This is a type of steel that is forged by combining both soft and hard steel by layering and welding them into a single part. This variation in hardness gives the blade a very beautiful design and great flexibility.
Flat Grind: This is a grind that is created when the bevel of the blade tapers off from one end to the other in a clean and uniform manner. A flat grind is very common in most pocket knives as they give the user more control when it comes to slicing and stabbing.
Guard: This is a piece of metal that is found at the point where the handle and the blade meet. It is one of the many parts of the knife that are designed to stop the hand from accidentally slipping and coming over the blade.
Hollow Grind: This is a type of grind that is made when the blade bevel tapers inwards in arch style, starting from the spine all the way to the cutting edge. It is common in double edge pocket knives and is ideal for tactical knives.
Lanyard: This is a leather piece that is attached to the knife’s butt and is specifically used for holding and carrying the knife from the belt. It is what secures the knife on any part of the body to ensure easy access and stop the knife from falling.
Liner: This is an interior part of the frame making up a knife that is found between the blade edge and the handle. Its main purpose is to prevent any blade damage during the process of mopping and closing the pocket knife.
Retention: This is the blade's degree to hold an edge. One of the things that reduce the lifespan of a blade is constant sharpening. Good pocket knives have very good retention and what this means is that they can be used several times before there’s any need for sharpening.
Conclusion
The more a person gets familiar with knives, the more their glossary grows. There are thousands of other terms that are used to describe the different parts of the knives and how they work. For more information on how pocket knives are made and their many applications, check out our website(Shieldon - pocket knife manufacturer).
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More video introductions：
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OGFs7MR78g&t=38s
Article source: A Glossary of Pocket Knife Terms That Every Knife Owner Needs to Know | Shieldon
