A Glossary of Knife Terms S-Z

By RoadsideImports

S
Satin Finish
    A distinctive finish, where the metal has been "brushed", usually with sand paper of a fine grade, creating a pattern of extremely fine, parallel lines, while still allowing the metal to keep a small amount of it's original reflective brilliance.
    Not a mirror finish.

Scales
    Pieces that are attached to a full tang in order to form a handle.

Serrated Edge
    "Teeth" or notches on the back or front of the blade that aid in cutting.

Sheepfoot Blade
    A blade with a round, blunt tip that has no point.

Single-edged Blade
    A blade that is sharpened on only one side.

Spear Point Blade
    A blade shape that has an equal amount of curve on the spine and the cutting edge. The two curves meet at the point.
    Designed for general-purpose cutting.

Spine (of the blade)
    The thickest part of a blade.
    On a single-edged, flat-ground blade, the spine is at the back of the blade.
    For double-edged blades, the spine goes right down the middle of the blade.

Spring Assist Knife & Spring Assisted Knife
    A spring-assisted knife is a knife that when you push on the thumb stud to open it a spring takes over and propels the blade open. Spring-assisted knives make a great alternative to automatic knives. A Spring / Torsion assisted knife is a type of knife which uses a spring assisted mechanism behind the blade. They open by the ambidextrous thumb stud on the blade with a slight bit of pressure. They are commonly confused with switchblades, but have one main difference. While a switchblade can be opened usually with the push of a button within the handle, the user of a spring-assisted knife must apply slight pressure to the thumb stud and the spring/torsion assisted mechanism does the rest. Once the knife has been opened about one-quarter of the way (45°), the mechanism will open the knife the rest of the way. A/O knives are Assisted - Opening which are also Spring - Assisted knives. See Bill SB 274 for Legal Information

Stag Horn
    Derived from naturally shed deer antlers.
    When exposed to an open flame, stag takes on a slightly burnt look.

Stainless Steel
    Steel that contains at least 10% chromium, and sometimes containing other elements, making it resistant to corrosion.
    The chromium oxide (CrO) creates a barrier, providing protection from oxygen and moisture, therefore preventing rust formation.
    Developed for commercial use by Englishman, Harry Brearley.

Stiletto
    A dagger with a slim blade intended for stabbing.

T
Tang
    The portion of the blade where it connects to the handle.

Tang-Stamp
    An imprint indicating anything from style number, collector's number, or the manufacturer's name that is normally located on the ricasso.

Tanto Blade
    A blade style where the point is in line with the spine of the blade, making for a strong, thick point.
    There are quite a few variations of tanto blade, such as whether the front edge meets the bottom edge at an obtuse angle or a curve.

Thermoplastic
    A deformable, plastic material that, when heated, melts into a liquid and hardens when cooled.
    Thermoplastic polymers are different from thermosetting polymers, like Bakelite or vulcanized rubber, which once formed and cooled, can never be remelted and remolded.

Tip
    See "Point"

Tip-Down
    Refers to the direction that the point, or tip, of a knife's blade is pointing, as when closed and clipped in a pocket, positioned by it's pocket clip.
    When the tip is pointing down.

Tip-Up
    Refers to the direction that the point, or tip, of a knife's blade is pointing, as when closed and clipped in a pocket, positioned by it's pocket clip.
    When the tip is pointing up.

Titanium
    A nonferrous metal with high tensile strength that is light-weight and resistant to corrosion.
    Often used for knife liners or handle material.
    Unlike stainless steel knives, titanium knives are almost completely rustproof and corrosion resistant because they contain no carbon.
    Titanium steel knives require almost no sharpening or maintenance, because they will hold an edge for a very long time.

Trailing Point (Upswept) Blade
    A blade style where the point is higher than the spine.
    They usually have a bigger belly, which is better for slicing, due to the point being up and out of the way.

U
Understanding the Law
   We are all presumed to know the law. Generally, ignorance of the law is not a defense or excuse, notwithstanding the fact that lawyers and judges spend an enormous amount of time arguing about what a particular law means or what the legislature intended. Typically, in your research of statutory or enacted law, you will find annotations or cross-reference to cases where a particular law or section of the law applied to the circumstances of an actual case. These case opinions or decisional law will contain a narrative by a judge, or perhaps a panel of appellate-level judges, describing in some summary fashion the facts which gave rise to the prosecution; the dispute about how the law should be applied and the decision. These resources will be helpful in developing an understanding as to the laws of a particular state and should be read together with the statutory law. Some states have case law on line and others do not, in which case you will have to visit a law library and ask the librarian for assistance. Once you have located your state's case law "reporters" (books), look in the index (the last few volumes of the reporter) under "knives" or similar terms. In reading the statutes or written laws from a state on weapons or knives, it is helpful to keep in mind certain legal principles regarding interpretation and the application of law: Ejusdim generis - Latin for "the same kind." It is common technique in writing laws to specifically list various prohibited items followed by a general inclusive term. For instance, you may find a statute which prohibits "any dagger, dirk, switch-blade, gravity knife, cutting instrument the blade of which is exposed in an automatic way by switch, push-button, spring mechanism, or other such implement". Under the rule of ejusdem generis, "other such implement" could not legitimately be read to include for instance a drop point fixed blade hunting knife. In other words, the drop point fixed blade hunting knife is not of the same kind or class as the specifically listed items such as the dagger, dirk, switch-blade, etc. However, you must be careful. In construing a New York statute prohibiting the possession of a dagger, dirk, dangerous knife, razor, stiletto or any other dangerous weapon, an ice pick was found to be a "dangerous weapon" under the principle of ejusdem generis. Burden of Proof - Generally, the prosecution must establish and prove every element of the offense. In researching knife laws, you may find an example, as follows: "Knife means any dagger, dirk, knife, or stiletto with a blade over three and one-half inches in length, or any other dangerous instrument capable of inflicting cutting, stabbing, or tearing wounds, but does not include a hunting or fishing knife carried for sports use. The issue that a knife is a hunting or fishing knife must be raised as must be raised as an affirmative defense." California Revised Statutes, 18-12-101. In the above example, a hunting knife with a four and one-half inch blade would be prohibited, but not if it was carried for hunting or fishing use. In this example, the prosecution does not need to prove that a given knife was not being carried for hunting or fishing use. The portion which is in italics describes a condition, which if proved by the defendant, would be an exception to the prohibition. Another typical burden of proof example is the "curio" exception, which is found in connection with many statutes prohibiting the possession of switch-blades. If you live in a state where such a law obtains, the prosecution would establish its case by approving a mere possession of a switch-blade. It is then incumbent upon the defendant or "actor" to prove its curio status. Exactly what constitutes a curio is somewhat subjective. A switch-blade in a glass case on a bookshelf in your home is likely to be a curio. However, if it is in your pocket, its "curio" status becomes much more questionable. In pari matera - Latin for upon the same subject matter. Essentially, this principle requires that statutes on the same topic be construed together. If you find several statutes on the topic of knives, these should be read and considered together. The prohibition against any knife on school property, as mentioned above, is an example where a knife clearly permitted under a general statute becomes illegal under specific circumstances. Federal The Federal government has cognizance over matters involving commerce among the states, Federal property and federally-regulated activities, such as aviation. This does not mean that if you drive from New York to California, Federal law governs the legality of a knife you may be carrying or your use of it along the way. The law of the individual states would prevail, although in many instances, there are exceptions for persons engaged in travel. The Federal Crimes Code is set forth at Title 18 of the U.S. Code, and in particular, 18 U.S.C. '930. There you will find provisions of dealing with dangerous weapons on Federal facilities, as well as definition of what constitutes a dangerous weapon. Interestingly, there is an exception for a pocketknife with a blade of less than two and one-half inches in length. However, you must also observe that there is a difference between a Federal facility where a small pocketknife would be tolerated and a Federal Court facility, where there is a policy of "zero tolerance" regarding tools such as knives. Federal law also provides for a "civil penalty" for carrying a weapon on an aircraft. This "penalty" may not be more than $10,000 for each violation. See 49 U.S.C. '46303. A similar prohibition occurs in related Federal Aviation Administration Regulations regarding airport security. In theory, the "dangerous weapon" definition from the Federal Crimes Code should apply, and a pocketknife with a blade of less than two and one-half inches would be acceptable or permissible. Remember, however, if you are engaged in air travel, you are not at all unlikely to find yourself in another state, which as pointed out above, may have a different standard as to what is a legal knife.

V

W
Wharncliffe Blade
    A blade style where the point is dropped to a straight cutting edge.
X

Y

Z
Zytel
    An virtually unbreakable thermoplastic material, developed by Du Pont, that resists impact and abrasions.
    Knife companies usually add additional, more aggressive surface texture to augment it's naturally slight texture.

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.