The Components of a Knife

We use the knife so often that we take it for granted, and would likely raise our eyebrows if we were told that it is actually quite a complex tool. It does not become simple just because we handle it so casually. Generally, people think a knife has two parts, the handle and the blade, but in reality there are six separate parts to a knife.

When you try to visualize a knife, you will most likely think of the blade. The metallic part that extends away from the handle is officially termed the blade. A cutting edge is ground onto one side of the blade and the tasks a knife is suited for are determined essentially by the shape of its blade.

There are knives suitable for various functions based on the shape of their blades. There are filleting knives, skinning knives, chopping knives and many more. The durability and strength of a knife is determined by the steel used to make its blade. Stainless steel blades are longer lasting, more hygienic, rust and germ resistant and don’t corrode as easily as other steel products.

The point of the knife performs the task of piercing and stabbing things. We use the point to help gut and clean game as it can pierce through the membrane around the skin and help us get to the meat of the quarry.

Many knife experts consider the top quarter of the knife blade to be the tip. This is the part of the knife that will do most of your cutting and included in this part is the point (although it is important to remember that these are, in fact, separate parts of the knife).

The cutting edge is the part of the knife that cuts things. It is the part of the blade that faces away from you. It is sharpened and honed so that it cuts through whatever needs cutting. The cutting edge can be of many types, but the most common are the straight and serrated edges. A serrated edge is used for cutting things like bread while the straight edge is good for trimming meat.

The handle is the most familiar part of the knife apart from the blade. Handles are made of innumerable materials, the most common being wood, steel and plastic.

The butt of the knife, like the butt of a gun, is located at the far end of the handle or the exact opposite of the tip. Many companies place a compass in the butt of the knife. When it is pulled out it reveals storage space for things like matches and other survival essentials.

There are many survival knives that come with hand guards to protect your hands from slipping in the direction of the blade. However, you need to know the basic components of a knife in order to reduce the chances of getting hurt while using one. Also, you need to know how to sharpen and maintain your knife to get the best out of it for a long time.

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Frank Silkin is the owner and operator of F knife, the #1 source on the internet for information about knife. For more articles on knife visit: www.yflknife.com/articles
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