Glossary of Knife Terms

Galati International provides individuals and dealers with low cost quality knives from Crown Cutlery, Cold Steel, Kabar, Sog, Spyderco and other brands.

To help the average individual decipher knife terms, below is a glossary of common terms used in the knife industry.

154CM Steel
The American equivalent of the ATS-34 premium grade stainless steel made exclusively in Japan, owned by Hitachi Steels. Commonly used in high quality tactical folding knives and collectible knives.

1095 Steel
Plain carbon steel used in knife making. Easy to sharpen and commonly used in KABAR Knives.

420J2 Steel
An ideal knife blade that will be subject to high temperatures, humidity and corrosives such as salt. Does not require much care or maintenance.

440A Steel
High-Carbon stainless steel used in the production of many knives. 440A steel is used in the SOG Mini Pentagon and the Kabar Precision Hunter - Large Drop Point.

Alumite
A hard coating used to protect aluminum knife handles from scratches and corrosion.

Aluminum Handles
A common type of knife handle. A nonferrous metal, Aluminum gives the knife a solid feel without the extra weight.

Anodized
A treatment that uses electric current to colorize titanium.

ATS-34 Steel
A premium grade of stainless steel made exclusively in Japan, owned by Hitachi Steels. Commonly used in high quality tactical folding knives and collectible knives. The American equivalent is 154CM steel. ATS-34 steel is used in the SOG X-Ray Vision.

AUS-8 Steel
A high carbon, low chromium stainless steel that is a very good compromise between toughness, strength, edge holding and resistance to corrosion. AUS-8 Steel is used in the Kabar Mule Tanto and the Spyderco Dragonfly.

Axis Lock
A very strong locking mechanism that is totally ambidextrous. The blade can be opened or closed without ever having to put your finger in harms way.

Back
The back of the blade is the side opposite of the belly (edge) of the knife and is usually unsharpened.

Balisong
Also known as Butterfly Knives. The handle is two separate pieces and pinned to the tang. An additional pin is located between both sides to lock the blade into an open position.

Ballistic Cloth
A heavy, nylon material used for knife sheaths.

Bead Blasting
A process in which steel, titanium and aluminum are finished. Commonly used on tactical folding knives and fixed or bowie knife blades. Bead blasting creates a subdued, non-glare finish.

Belly
The knife belly is the curving part of the blade edge which is sharpened. The belly of the knife can be plain or serrated.

Blade Spine
The thickest part of the knife blade. Usually the back of the blade on standard knives, but can be down the middle of the blade on double-edged blades.

Block Lock
A folder lock has a spring loaded block located on the center pin. The block extends into a hole in the tang to lock the blade into an open position.

Bone Handle
The most common material for pocket knives handles, Bone Knife Handles are created from naturally deceased animals. Common bone handle types are pickbone or jigged bone, and can be dyed for different colors.

Butt
Also known as the Pommel. The very end of a bowie knife. Many butts and pommels are designed for hammering or bonecrushing. Other butts and pommels are decorative and can contain a lanyard hole. Some knife pommels and butts butts are designed are removable so additional items can be stored in the knife handle.

Butt Cap
The metal cap that fits over the pommel or butt of a knife.

Butterfly Knives
Also known as Balisongs. The handle of this knife is two separate pieces and pinned to the tang. An additional pin is located between both sides to lock the blade into an open position.

Carbon Fiber Handle
An extremely strong and lightweight synthetic material knife handle. Composed of thin strands of carbon tightly woven and set in resin. A labor-intensive handle that is most commonly used in collectible knives.

Carbon V
Carbon V steel is a very clean, fine grained material with a high carbon content for toughness and response to heat treatment. Excels in edge holding ability. Carbon V steel is found in many Cold Steel Knives.

Chisel
A 30 degree grind on one side of the blade which produces a thin and sharp edge. Easy to sharpen.

Choil
The choil is the unsharpened part of the knife blade that is located where the blade becomes part of the handle. At times, an indention is shaped to accept the index finger.

Clasp
A type of folding knife that has no lock or backspring.

Clip Point
A clip point blade features a concave or straight cutout at the tip of the blade to bring the point lower for extra control and extra tip sharpness. The Kabar Dozier Folder and Crown Cutlery Crown Royal use clip point blades.

Concave Grind
Similar to the flat ground. The blade tapers from the spine to the cutting edge in arc lines extending inward instead of straight lines.

Convex Grind
Similar to the flat ground. The blade tapers from the spine to the cutting edge in arc lines extending outward instead of straight lines.

CPM-T440V Steel
Known as Super Steel because is outlasts every stainless steel currently available. This steel is very hard to sharpen, but once sharpened, you do not have to sharp as frequently as it will hold its edge longer. Used in high-end and gentleman folding knives.

Crink
The bend at the beginning of the tang that keeps multi-bladed pocket knives from rubbing against the other blades.

Cryogenic Quenching
A process of freezing a knife blade to -120 degrees Fahrenheit which improves knife strength and performance.

D2 Steel
A high-carbon, high-chrome tool steel. Knives produced with D2 steel have an excellent ability to keep an edge.

Dagger Edge
Also know as a double edge. A dagger or double edge is sharpened on both sides ending with point aligned with the spine in the middle of the blade.

Double Edge
Also know as a double edge. A dagger or double edge is sharpen on both sides ending with point aligned with the spine in the middle of the blade.

Drop Forged
Also called closed die forging. The form of the finished item is built into the die, the steel is heated and the hammer forms the plastic steel into the recesses of the die. The Cold Steel Frontier Tomahawk is drop forged produced.

Drop Point
A knife blade that slopes on the spine of the blade from the handle of the knife to the tip of the blade. This allows the spine of the blade to continue forward to the tip of the blade.
The curve is always convex and is a common design for hunting knives. The Crown Cutlery Crown Royal Drop Point Knife and the Kabar TDI Law Enforcement Knife are drop point knives.

Edge
The sharpened side of the blade. A knife can have a single or a double edge.

Epoxy Powder Coating
A non-reflective coating process that protects blades from corrosion.

Escutcheon
A small pin or metal piece attached to the handle for decoration, engraving or branding.

False Edge
An additional bevel on the back of a knife blade to enhance the blade's point. Is commonly found on military and combat knives, the false edge can be used for heavy cutting.

Flat Ground
Also known as a V grind. A grind tapers from the top of the blade down to the cutting edge. Common in tactical blades and are easy to sharpen. The Crown Cutlery King Bowie has a flat ground blade.

Full Length Tang
Extension of the blade steel that runs completely through the handle to the end of the knife.

Full Tang
A tang that shows all around the knife handle between two pieces of the the handle material.

G-10 Handle
A knife handle type where layers of fiberglass are soaked in resin and compressed and baked. The end result is a very hard, lightweight and strong knife handle. Commonly used in tactical folding knives and fighting knives.

Game Hook
Also known as a gut hook, this knife blade shape is best utilized for opening the flesh of game. The Kabar Precision Hunter Knife features a Game Hook.

Glass-Filled Nylon
The process where nylon is reinforced with glass particles and other materials to create a sheath for a knife. Provides strength and durability while still allowing some flexibility.

Gin-1 Steel
A low cost steel that is softer than the common AUS-8 Steel.

Guard
The knife guard is a separate piece of metal between the blade and handle to prevent accidental contact with the cutting edge.

Gut Hook
Also known as a game hook, this knife blade shape is best utilized for opening the flesh of game.

Hilt
The Knife Hilt refers to the entire handle including the pommel, butt cap and the guard.

Hollow Grind
The most common knife grind, these blades have a thin edge that continues upwards and is present on both sides of the blades. The Kabar Camp Knife features a Hollow Ground Blade.

Hook Blade
The Hook Blade features an edge blade which curves in a concave manner.

(HRC) Rockwell Hardness
The industry scale used for measuring the hardness of blade steel. The higher the reading, the harder the steel.

Jimping
Also known as Lashing Grommets. The notches in the back lower blade of some knives to provide better thumb control of the knife. The Cold Steel Outdoorsman Knife features jimping.

Kick
The Knife Kick is commonly found on pocket knives. It is the piece on the front edge of the tang that the blade rests on in the closed position to keep the front part of the edge from hitting the spring.

Kraton
A man made material resembling rubber that is often molded into knife handles. Provides a non-slip grip.
Kraton is found in the handles of many Cold Steel Knives.

Kydex
A hard plastic material used for knife sheaths that is chemical, corrosion and impact resistant. The SOG Tigershark features a Kydex Sheath.

Lanyard Hole
A hole usually in the knife handle to fit a lanyard or rope for convenient carry.

Lashing Grommets
Also known as Jimping. The notches in the back lower blade of some knives to provide better thumb control of the knife. The Spyderco Endura 4 Knives feature lashing grommets.

Liner-lock
Also known as a sidelock. A locking mechanism that features a tab cut out of the liner which is used as a stop to lock the blade. To close, the liner tab is pushed back to its original position.

Lockback
A folding knife with a lock release on the back of the handle.

Mark Side
On a pocket knife, the Mark Side is the side of the blade with the nail mark.

Nail Mark
Also known as Nail Nick. On a pocket knife, the groove cut into the knife blade so that it can be opened with the fingernail.

Micarta Handles
A man made material made by layering cloth and phoenolic resin. The end result is a lightweight, strong and extremely smooth. Micarta uses hand labor to produce, so Micarta handles are usually used in very fine knife handles. The Crown Cutlery Crown Classic Knife features Micarta Handles.

Obverse Side
The decorative or the display side of the knife blade.

Pakkawood
A tough, resin impregnated wood often used to make knife handles.

Pen Blade
The smallest blade on a multi-blade knife.

Pile Side
The opposite side of the obverse side of the blade. It is the back side of the blade that is not decorated.

Pocket Blade
The largest blade on a multi-blade knife.

Point
The tip of the knife blade

Pommel
Also known as the Knife Butt. The very end of a bowie knife. Many butts and pommels are designed for hammering or bonecrushing. Other butts and pommels are decorative and can contain a lanyard hole. Some knife pommels and butts butts are designed are removable so additional items can be stored in the knife handle.

Powdered Metal
A procedure used to shape metal pieces. Metal particles are molded under pressure and then fused under high heat. Also known as sintered metal. The Short Black Kabar uses powdered metal.

Quillon
The most protective part of the guard, the Quillon extends past the section surrounding the tang.

Ricasso
The flat section of the blade between the guard and the edge bevel. Commonly, the tang stamp is found on the Ricasso.

Ringlock
Type of lock with a rotating slipring instead of a backspring.

Rockwell Hardness (HRC)
The industry scale used for measuring the hardness of blade steel. The higher the reading, the harder the steel.

Rolling Lock
A lock which uses a bearing that rolls into the locked position.

Sabre
The Sabre edge is thick and is a great for chopping and other extreme uses. The flat edge bevel begins in the middle art of the blade and runs flatly to the edge.

Sandvik 12C27
A premium stainless steel made in Sweden. The Kabar Next Generation Fighting Utility Knife uses Sandvik 12C27.

San Mai III
An expensive, traditional style Japanese laminate. Constructed from two different steels, this steel is 25% stronger than the incredibly tough AUS 8A steel. A hard high carbon stainless steel forms the core and edge of the blade. Two layers of tough, spring tempered stainless steel are added to support and strengthen the blade. The final blade has more elastic and better edge holding capabilities than standard stainless steels.

Santuko
A type of Japanese Chef knife. The spine of the blade curves downward to meet the edge. The belly of the knife slightly curves.

Scales
The pieces which attach to a full tang to form the handle.

Scimitar
A curved blade with the edge on the convex side. The Cold Steel Scimitar is a example of a Scimitar.

Scrimshaw
The art of creating decorative designs usually found on ivory or ivory like knife handles.

Sebenza Lock
A hollowed out section of the scale is fixed into the knife handle cavity to lock the blade open.

Serrated Edge
A set of notches or teeth for cutting on some knives. Can be found on the back or front of a blade.

Sheepsfoot
Used primarily for slicing applications, this blade has little or no belly since the spine of the blade curves downward to meet the edge. The Cold Steel Classic Stockman has a Sheepsfoot blade.

Side-Lock
Also known as linerlock. A locking mechanism that features a tab cut out of the liner which is used as a stop to lock the blade. To close, the liner tab is pushed back to its original position.

Sintered Metal
A procedure used to shape metal pieces. Metal particles are molded under pressure and then fused under high heat. Also known as powdered metal.

Slipjoint
A common design for folding knives. Utilizes a backspring to create resistance to hold the blade open.

Spear Point
The knife point is in the center of the blade and both edges are sharpened for a double edge. The Cold Steel Tai Pan has a Spear Point Blade.

Stag Handle
Elegant knife handle created from shed deer antlers. When exposed to open flame, it takes on a slightly burnt look.

S30V Steel
S30V steel blades are harder and more wear resistant than standard 440C stainless steel. Also has above average edge retention. The Spyderco ParaMilitary Knife uses S30V Steel.

Swedge
The bevel on the back of the blade.

Swinglock
A type of knife lock which uses one pivot pin and one locking pin.

Tang
Extension of the blade that runs through or between the handle of a knife.

Tang Stamp
Commonly located on the ricasso, the Tang Stamp is the imprinting of the manufacturer, knife number or other information.

Tanto
Knife blade point is in line with the spine of the blade so that the point is thick and strong. The Cold Steel Recon Tanto features a Tanto blade.

Titanium Handles
Used on collectible pocket knives. A nonferrous metal alloy, this lightweight handle offers the best corrosion resistance of any metal. The Cold Steel Black Sable has Titanium Handles.

Titanium
Since this alloy contains no carbon, it is almost completely rustproof and corrosion resistant. These knives require almost no sharpening or maintenance.

Trailing Point
The trailing point blades point is higher than the spine of the knife. The Spyderco Moran Featherweight Knife has a Trailing Point Blade.

Wood Lock
Lock where the handle and blade are attached to a central pin and pivot independently. The second pin is fixed on the inside of one scale and extends into a slot on the tang to lock the blade open.

Zytel Handles
A Dupont trademark. A glass-filled nylon material used in producing the handles for knives. Inexpensive to produce, this handle is found on many different knives. Unbreakable and resists impact and abrasions. Textured. Zytel handles are commonly found in SOG Knives.