An Introduction to Knife Terminology

•Columbia River Knife Tool
is a relative newcomer to the American knife market, having only been established in 1994. Based in Oregon, , or CRKT for short, was founded by two former employees of Kershaw Knives, a well-known knife maker. The founders were Rod Bremer and Paul Gillespi. Many of the revolutionary new features of CRKT were designed by these two men. The first CRKT knife to see widespread success was the Keep It Super Simple, or K.I.S.S., knife, introduced in 1998 and designed by Ed Halligan. This small...

•Buck Knives and Knife Sharpeners
Buck knives are among the most popular knife brands for both hunting and kitchen cutlery. Buck knives are known for their distinctive shape. The edge of each knife is carefully researched and designed, and is made of high-quality materials that allow it to hold a super-sharp edge. The Buck knife brand was founded by Hoyt H. Buck. A Kansas blacksmith, Buck developed a method of heat-treating steel so that it would hold an edge for much longer than ordinary tools. This tempered steel was...

•Common Knife and Sharpening Myths
Have you heard some of the most common knife myths? One old wives tale, for example, says that giving a knife as a gift is bad luck because it “cuts” the relationship. Another tale says that if a butter knife falls to the floor accidentally, a family is coming to visit. Besides these tales, there are many misconceptions that affect knife usage. Believing some of these myths can actually make it harder to use your knives. Here are some of the more prevalent knife myths: A dull knife is safer to...

•Honing a Knife Blade
For those who are new to the world of knife sharpening, often the most challenging part is knowing when to stop. How do you know when the knife is sharp enough? How do you get it to that point? When sharpening a knife, sharpen until you see burrs. Then, turn the knife over, and sharpen the other side. The honing process will remove these burs, but they are important. Burrs are the only way to know that you have removed enough of the metal to sharpen the blade. Once the blade has been...

•Using a Pull Through Knife Sharpener
A pull through knife sharpener differs from an ordinary knife sharpening stone because the pull through style ensures an accurate and consistent angle. In contrast, when using a sharpening stone you must physically hold the knife against a sharpening stone at the specified angle. Each knife blade is designed to have a specific blade angle for optimum performance. Additionally, too sharp of an angle can make the blade more likely to bend or break. A pull through knife sharpener takes the guess...

•How to Buy a Kitchen Knife Set
Are you ready to upgrade your mismatched kitchen knives, bought haphazardly, for a new set of kitchen knives? If so, then you may be wondering what to look for in a kitchen knife set. There are many different kinds of kitchen knives, and the distinctions can be confusing to anyone who isn’t a chef. The first thing to learn when looking at kitchen knives is the differences in the knife shape. The most common knife is a chef knife or French knife. This knife has a long, wide blade, and it can be...

•How Sharpening Steels Work
A sharpening steel, also called a honing steel, is a rod of steel measuring up to a foot long. Usually used to sharpen knives and scissors. The sharpening steel is covered in ridges that make the steel slightly abrasive, removing microscopic layers from the edge of knife blades. Many modern steels include a diamond honing surface, but traditional steels do not in fact sharpen your blade as you may think. Instead they simply realign the edge that becomes bent over during use. This cannot be...

•Knife Rights and Legislation
When it comes to knives, guns, and other weapons, there is always plenty of controversy surrounding their use, and subsequently, over legislation governing their use. What length of knife can be carried on you for various purposes? What type of weapons can be carried legally across borders? What types of permits are needed for these actions? Many of these issues boil down to whether ordinary citizens are free to carry any knives that they wish, or whether knife carrying should be heavily...

•Caring For Knives
Caring for your knives goes beyond an occasional sharpening. In fact, there are many steps you can take to keep them in good condition, although the knives will eventually become dull through use and require sharpening. Whether you have a high-quality knife investment or have purchased a set of discount kitchen knives, proper care and maintenance can often extend their life by several years. To keep your knives in top condition, always wash and thoroughly dry them after use, especially if you...

•Making Your Own Custom Knives
Though most people are familiar with mass produced knives, did you know there are craftsmen who spend many hours making a single knife? Every detail is carefully considered to create a knife worthy of a showcase. Custom knives made by expert craftsmen use use only the highest quality materials to produce a blade that far surpasses anything you would find in a chain store. Each individual knife is made by hand, often using the same techniques that would have been used centuries ago, though...