In a world filled with various knives, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the abundance of information. Fear not! This guide will take you through the basics of different knife types and styles:
Knife Types:
Manual Folding Knives: The blade folds inside the handle without any assisted mechanism. Many folders feature a locking mechanism that prevents the blade from closing accidentally while in use.
Spring Assisted Knives: These folding knives open with a little assistance from the user. A spring or bar inside puts tension on the blade, facilitating easy opening. Often equipped with a flipper or thumb stud for convenience.
Automatic Knives: Blades automatically open with the push of a button or pull of a lever. Two basic styles: Out The Front (OTF) and side opening. Both provide quick blade openings.
Fixed Blade Knives: Blades are fixed to the handle and cannot be folded. Known for their sturdiness and reliability.
Butterfly/Balisong Knives: Two handles pivot around a blade. Popular for flipping and recreational use.
Gravity Knives: A gravity knife is identified by a blade housed within its handle, designed to open either through the force of gravity by positioning the blade vertically and releasing the opening mechanism or by utilizing centrifugal force with a quick flick of the wrist while releasing the blade opening mechanism.
Utility Knives: A utility knife is any knife with a sharp, fixed, or disposable blade used for general manual work purposes. Such knives were originally fixed-blade knives with durable cutting edges suitable for rough work but have primarily transformed into knives utilizing replaceable razor-style blades.
Knife Styles:
Karambits: Your Self-Defense Marvel: Whether it’s a fixed, folding, or butterfly design, karambits are the ultimate self-defense tool, ensuring unwavering protection.
Neck Knives: Compact and Versatile: Whether fixed blade or manual folding, neck knives offer compact versatility, ideal for everyday cutting tasks and self-defense scenarios.
Hunting Knives: Your Hunter’s Best Companion: With options in fixed blade, manual, and automatic styles, hunting knives cater to diverse hunter needs, providing a sturdy and reliable companion.
Fishing Knives: From Line to Feast: Whether in fixed blade, automatic, or manual folding forms, fishing knives smoothly transition from cutting lines to preparing a delicious feast.
Everyday Carry (EDC) Knives: Your Everyday Companion: Whether compact fixed blades, folders, or automatics, EDC knives are designed for daily tasks, from cutting rope to self-defense.
Bowie Knives: Double-Edged Sophistication: Iconic bowie knives, available in various types, feature a double edge at the blade’s point, perfect for cutting wood, skinning animals, and slicing meat.
Multi-Tools: Versatile Utility: Housing multiple blades and additional tools like pliers, multi-tools, exemplified by brands like Leatherman, offer versatile utility for various tasks.
Dive Knives: Rust-Resistant Precision and Versatility: Crafted for scuba divers, these knives, available in fixed blades, feature rust-resistant materials and water-resistant handles, providing durability and excellent gripping characteristics. In sports diving, they serve as more than just a knife, excelling in tasks like digging, hacking, and chiseling. Their design incorporates sharper blade tips and edges for stabbing and cutting if used for military applications.
Fillet Knives: Precision in Filleting: Whether fixed blade or folding, fillet knives with long, flexible blades provide the precision required for filleting fish.
Tactical Knives: A tactical knife is a specialized tool crafted for military, law enforcement, or self-defense use, known for its robust design and versatility. With features like serrated edges and durable construction, these knives excel in combat, self-defense, and survival tasks.
Machetes: Machetes are versatile cutting tools designed for clearing small trees and cutting through dense foliage, making them ideal for outdoor activities like camping, gardening, and forestry.
Throwing Knives, Axes, and Stars: Stealth and Speed: Specifically shaped and balanced for the art of throwing, these knives, axes, and stars offer maximum control and effectiveness in striking targets. While historically used for military and self-defense, today, they find applications in martial arts programs, sporting competitions, entertainment acts, and general recreation.
Dagger and Push Dagger Knives: Close-Quarter Effectiveness: With a sleek double-edged design, dagger knives combine elegance with swift precision, making them an iconic addition to any collection. Dagger-style knives excel in close combat or self-defense situations.
Concealed Knives: Compact and Discreet: Usually concealed inside or disguised as everyday objects like belts, hairbrushes, credit cards, or canes, these knives provide a self-defense tool without drawing attention.
Kitchen Knives: Slice with Culinary Precision: Kitchen knives generally either feature a curve near the tip, as in a chef’s knife, or are straight for their entire length. The edge itself may be generally smooth (a “straight” or “clean” edge) or may be serrated or scalloped (have “teeth”) in some way. Designed for cutting, slicing, dicing, and chopping meats, fruits, and vegetables.
Collectable Knives: Collectible knives are cherished for their craftsmanship, design, and historical value. Enthusiasts seek out these items for their unique features, whether they be intricate details, limited editions, or associations with a specific era, brand, or artistic expression, making them valuable to collectors as functional tools and pieces of art or memorabilia.
