A Glossary of Knife Terms E-R

By RoadsideImports

E
Edge
    The sharpened side of the blade.
    Blades will either be single or double-edged.

Ergonomics
    Knife designs that work with the structure of the human hand, making for a more useful and comfortable grip.

F
False Edge
    An additional bevel on the back of the blade that enhances the blade's point.
    This also removes weight from the blade, which may change the blade's balance, and makes penetration easier.

Flat-Grind (Full)
    A blade that is ground flat from the cutting edge all the way to the blade's spine, tapering to an edge that is straight, not rounded.

Flat-Saber Grind
    A blade that is ground flat from the cutting edge to a grind line running down the center of the blade.
    It is flat ground just to the grind line, unlike a full flat grind, which tapers from the edge all the way to the blade's spine

Finding the Law for Knives
    Knife laws vary from state to state, as discussed above. Laws are also changed or amended from time to time. This often occurs in a "knee-jerk" reaction to some problem or event. Also, courts, in the form of opinions addressing a given case or dispute, interpret these laws. Each "interpretation" introduces another change or perhaps refinement to the law. Accordingly, it would be an ongoing task to maintain an up-to-date reference of all American jurisdictions as specifically related to knives. The individual interested in learning about the laws involving or pertaining to knives in a given state, or perhaps more importantly, in avoiding difficulty with the laws, should turn to the state statutes or legislative enactments, and in particular, those dealing with crimes. You may find that for a given state this would be described or referred to as the Penal Code or Crimes Code. Within this Code, you will likely find laws regarding knives under any of the following headings: Prohibited Weapons - Typically there will be a statute defining listing various weapons which are prohibited. As to knives, there may be specific size/blade length limitations. Often times there will be prohibitions against "dirks or daggers." Switch-blades or other knives, the blade of which is exposed by gravity or mechanical action, are frequently prohibited. Possessing Instruments of Crime - This type of law deals with the possession of an instrument not otherwise illegal but possessed under circumstances indicating intent to employ the instrument for criminal purposes. For example, a 12-inch butcher knife would be commonplace and unquestionably legal in a butcher shop or meat packing plant, but might be questionable in the proverbial dark alley at 3:00 o'clock a.m. This type of law is sometimes found under the heading of "inchoate crimes." Possession of a weapon in a prohibited area - In most states, it is a crime to possess a knife on school grounds. In some instances, exceptions are made for small pocketknives. It is also a crime in many states to possess a weapon to include a knife in a court facility or some other government buildings. Transactions B - In many states, it is a crime to engage in certain transactions regarding knives and other prohibited weapons or to furnish such items to children or persons known to be incompetent or intemperate. Many state statutes can be found on the Internet. Two good sites are FindLaw.com - Click on "US Law: Cases & Codes" to find statutes and cases (if any) for your state. And, http://www.ebladestore.com/knife-laws-50-states.shtml State laws can also be researched on the Internet. Check out the AKTI web site Legislative section, click on your state for a link to its web site. If you are conducting your research outside of "cyberspace," meaning real books, you should note that there are typically supplements published in paperback format or as "pocket parts" inserted in the rear cover of the hardbound book which contain the current law. Once you locate an applicable code section, be sure to check the "pocket part" for the same section to be sure the law has not changed. There are also some cities/municipalities that have their own ordinances pertaining to knives. The best place to obtain such information is to contact your local police department and inquire if there are any applicable ordinances regarding the use, possession, carrying, or sale of knives.

Full Flat-ground
    A blade that is ground flat from the cutting edge all the way to the spine,on one side of the blade, tapering to an edge that is straight, not rounded.

G
Gut Hook
    A sharpened "hook" which lies on the blade's spine.
    This was designed to allow a hunter to field dress his catch without puncturing it's intestine.

H
Handguard (or Guard)
    A protrusion or expansion between the blade and the top of the handle that protects hands from the edge during cutting.

Hawkbill Blade
    A blade that is in the shape of a violently curved hook, much like the talon of a bird of prey.

Hilt
    The entire handle, including the pommel and the guard.

Hollow-ground
    Edge that is ground with a radius leaving a concave shape above the cutting surface.

Hook Blade
    A blade who's edge curves in a concave manner.

I
Inlays (or Inserts)
    Objects of metal or other material inlaid into the handles of a knife.

J
Jigged Bone
    Bone taken from deceased animals, usually the chin bone of a cow, that is textured by having grooves cut into it.
    It is usually dyed in a wide variety of colors.

K
Kick
    The unsharpened part of the underside of the knife blade, on the front edge of the tang.
    The blade rests here while in the closed position, which keeps the sharpened part of the edge from hitting the spring.

Kraton
    A rubbery thermoplastic polymer that is used as a flexible inlay for knife handles that make for an better grip.

L
Lanyard
    A cord or strap that is sometimes used to attach a knife to clothing or a belt.
    Originally used by sailors to keep their knives from falling overboard.

Lanyard Hole
    A hole placed in the end of a knife handle, on the opposite side from the blade, in order to attach a lanyard.

Liner
    The thin sheets of metal that lie between the blade and the handle material of folding knives.

Liner Lock
    A knife that's blade is locked open by a leaf-like spring that butts up against the tang of the blade.

M
Matte Finish
    A brushed or satin finish.
    Not a mirror finish.

Micarta
    The most common form is linen micarta, where layers of linen cloth are soaked in a phoenolic resin, producing a material that is lightweight, yet strong.
    It has no surface texture, making it is extremely smooth to the touch.
    It is fairly soft and can be scratched if not treated properly.

Mirror Finish
    A highly reflective finish obtained by polishing with successively finer abrasives and then buffing extensively until free of grit lines.

N
Nickel
    An alloying element used in certain types of stainless steel, providing an increased ability to change shape without fracturing, as well as an increased resistance to corrosion.

Nickel Silver
    A copper based alloy that contain 10-45% Zinc and 5-30% Nickel.
    Commonly used to make bolsters for real Italian knives.

Nonferrous
    A metal that does not contain any amount of iron (such as aluminum or titanium).

O
Obverse
    The front side of a knife.
    With the point of the knife to the left and the edge down, you are looking at the obverse (front) side of the knife.

P
Pinkey Shelf
    An angled protrusion at the distal-end of the knife handle, where the pinky sits.
    This portion of the handle provides a leveraging spot for additional control and coordination over the knife while in the hand.

Plain Edge
    A sharpened knife blade with no serrations, or teeth.

Pocket Clip
    A clip used to keep a knife at the top of the pocket, providing easy access.

Point
    The extreme end of the blade where the line of the back and the line of the edge meet.

Pommel
    The knob or expansion found at the of end a sword or knife.

Powder Coating
    The process of applying a dry powder to a metal and then placing it in an oven, where the powder particles melt and fuse together to form a hard, abrasin-resistant coating that is much tougher than common paint.
    It is available in just about any color imaginable, though the color is added during the powder's manufacturing process.
    First used in Australia around 1967

Q
Quillon
    The area of the guard that extends past the section surrounding the tang
    The most protective part of the guard.

R
Reverse "S" Blade
    A blade shape resembling a backward "S", with the point curving downward.
    The deep belly curves in the same direction as the point.

Ricasso
    The flat section of the blade that lies between the guard and the start of the bevel.
    This is where you will most often find the tang stamp.

Rust
    A product of corrosion, consisting of hydrated oxides of iron, and happening only to ferrous alloys.

Helpful Hints From Roadsideimports

The Label - What a particular knife is called by its maker or manufacturer "may be used against you." For instance, a knife labeled and sold as a "fighting knife" or a "tactical knife" is quite likely to be presented as such by the prosecution to a Court or a jury. A comparison can be drawn to the label of assault rifle that was applied by manufacturers to various semi-automatic rifles which were military-like in appearance, but otherwise functionally indistinguishable from semi-automatic sporting rifles in use since before the II World War. Consider the fact that a knife labeled by its maker as a camping utility survival or hunting knife might be more acceptable in the eyes of the law than essentially the same instrument labeled as a "fighting" knife. If the packaging, care and usage instructions or warranty information that is provided with a new knife touts its sporting purpose, you may wish to retain that material. Gimmicks/Disguised Knives - Blades which are disguised as a cane, ballpoint pen, tire pressure gauge, belt buckle or other such innocuous objects are types of tools which should be evaluated very carefully. These items may suggest an intent on the part of the person possessing the item to deceive others. Concealment - Laws prohibiting the carrying of "concealed" weapons were developed during times when weapons were routinely and openly carried by a majority of the population. In those times, a person with a concealed weapon was a preference that people carrying weapons do so discreetly. Many state statutes that establish licenses for carrying firearms require concealed carry. While you should read and abide by the law of a particular state, if there is any uncertainty, consider the circumstances and the activity that you might be engaged in. For instance, it is generally expected that someone engaged in hunting or fishing will have a knife. The same holds true perhaps to a slightly lesser extent, for other activities, such as camping, hiking, farming, etc. There is probably no real purpose to be served by a hunter concealing his skinning knife. Length - When applying a law that specifies a length, assume the worst possible scenario. Include the choil or the unsharpened portion at the base of the blade when measuring. The prosecution will almost certainly do so. Similarly, be extremely careful about any knives that utilize stored energy, such as a compressed spring, to expose or move the blade, even if it's only a spring assist. Set a good example - If you must use your knife for some appropriate task in the view of others, do so without flourish and in a non-threatening manner. Avoid giving somebody any reason to complain or be anxious about the fact that you have a knife. Attitude - If you should find yourself detained by a police officer and your knife becomes an issue, it may be good to remember the adage that "Penitence is an avenue to grace." By all means, avoid appearing to be combative or threatening.