If you’re looking to buy a knife, it can be confusing if you don’t know what all of the knife terms mean. First, you’ll want to decide what kind of knife you want. The basic divisions are fixed blade or folding blade. Folding blades, like pocket knives, fold between the handle and the blade. A popular type of knife is a fantasy knife, which is an artistic style of knife not usually meant to be used, but rather to be collected and displayed. Other.. more

The term “Bowie knife” does not refer to a specific company, as many believe. The term actually refers to a certain style of knife popularized by Colonel James “Jim” Bowie. Today, a bowie knife is any type of large sheath knife with a clip point. The first knives made for Jim Bowie throughout his lifetime resembled other common knives of that time period. The first knife, designed by Jim Bowie’s brother and made by blacksmith James Black,.. more

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.. more

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.. more

For most home cooks or occasional users of tools with blades, a simple pull-through knife sharpener, sharpening stone, or sharpening steel should be sufficient. After all, this occasional task takes just a little elbow grease, and your knives will be back in top condition in no time. On the other hand, if you use your tools frequently, often find yourself chipping them or otherwise wearing them down, or are a professional chef or anyone else who uses an assortment of.. more

Regardless of the type of knife set you have chosen for your kitchen, you will need at least one cutting board. Many cooks have one board for cutting meat, and another for cutting vegetables. There are dozens of different choices for cutting boards. Did you know that some  boards can cause your knife to wear down much faster than others? By choosing the right cutting board, you can preserve your knife’s sharp edge for a much longer time, although all knives.. more

When shopping for new knives, especially kitchen knives, you may be astounded at the wide variety of different knife materials from which you can choose. These high-tech advancements are usually designed to offer a longer life for the knife, meaning less sharpening for you. The number one determinant of the sharpness of your knife, and how well it maintains this edge over time, is the material used to make the blade. So how do you choose between all of the different.. more

Though knives are an essential part of any kitchen, they are also very popular collectibles. In fact, some of the same companies producing high-quality knives for the kitchen, or pocketknives for hunting or other outdoor uses, also produce knives designed to be collectibles. When purchasing collectible knives, unlike kitchen or pocket knives, your eye will generally be on style rather than on the quality of the blade. A collection of these knives may be centered on a.. more

Not only have swords played an integral role in warfare, defense, and the military for thousands of years, but they have also played a very important role in many popular movies and books as well as mythology. Throughout history, important battles and wars have spawned myths about the swords used. Attila the Hun claimed that his sword was once the sword of Mars, the God of War in Roman mythology. Many know the name of King Arthur’s sword, Excalibur. Joyeause was.. more

Today, swords are a very popular area of collecting. They may be displayed along with a knife collection, or by themselves on sword display stands. Many are elaborately decorated, making them beautiful show pieces, while others are more utilitarian. Some are designed purely for decoration, while others are “battle ready,” meaning that they can actually be used. There are several different types of metals usually used for swords. Stainless steel swords are.. more

Columbia River Knife & Tool is a relative newcomer to the American knife market, having only been established in 1994. Based in Oregon, Columbia River Knife & Tool, 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.. more

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.. more

DMT grid grade chart explains what each grade should be used for, and the corresponding color code that you'll find on all DMT benchstones. DMT® Diamond Sharpeners are an excellent value because of their durable construction, quality and reputation for providing years of uncompromising service. Unlike conventional oilstones, Japanese waterstones, Arkansas stones and other ceramic sharpeners, DMT® Diamond Whetstones ™ will not break, chip, crack, hollow or.. more

The development of the long edged weapon known as the sword was already well underway by the Bronze Age. In fact, rudimentary swords were developed even before metals, though of course these had very crude blades (made of flint, bone, or similar materials) and were not nearly as sharp as any metal weapons that would follow them. Plus, the stone and other materials used for the blade were very brittle, and would crack or break easily. The first bladed weapons appeared as.. more

Electric sharpeners are one of the easiest ways to sharpen your knives. Electric knife sharpeners work the same as a sharpening stone, except that the machine does all of the work. Particularly useful if you do a lot of sharpening or have to remove a lot of material to expose a sharp edge on your knives, an electric sharpener is a good choice to make the job go much faster. Most electric sharpeners have an adjustable angle guide, with removable sharpening stones or.. more

Gerber knives and knife sharpeners are some of the most well-known models in the industry. Founded seventy years ago, today Gerber offers high-quality knives, sharpeners, and accessories. Specializing in multi tools, fixed blade knives, and pocketknives, as well as sharpening kits and other accessories, Gerber is a well-known name in the world of knives and cutlery. Gerber began almost accidentally, by Joseph Gerber, an advertising executive. The first Gerber knives.. more

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.. more

A ceramic sharpener, like other knife sharpeners, work by removing a very thin layer of metal from the blade of your knife. Ceramic sharpeners are made from dense ceramic material instead of stone. They are especially recommended for sharpening very hard knives. The ceramic material used is harder than other sharpening stones, and will not wear out as quickly. Softer sharpening stones can get worn down in the middle if you do a lot of sharpening, forcing you to.. more

Have you ever wondered at the beauty of a well-made knife? Whether you are a collector or use your knives in the kitchen or outdoors every day, a well-made knife is built to last, not to mention a work of art. Whether crafted for use or for display, most knives are assembled in the same basic way. Before the knife can be assembled, the individual parts must be made. Knife manufacturers have their choice from hundreds of different handle materials, not to mention grades.. more

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.. more

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.. more

Knife sharpeners are very important if you want to keep your knives in top condition. There is a wide range of sharpeners available, including small hand-held blocks to large electric sharpeners. All knife sharpeners are designed to restore the blade of a knife to its original sharpness. Since most people are not professional chefs with a lot of experience sharpening knives, they do not know what to look for when purchasing a knife sharpener. However, a knife sharpener.. more

A sharpening stone is the easiest way to return your knives and other cutlery to a useful state once they begin to dull. Not only knives but also scissors, razors, chisels, and plane blades can be sharpened with a stone. Sharpening stones are made of very hard stone or a manufactured material, such as ceramic stone or diamond stone. Usually in the form of a block that you hold in your hand or set on a flat surface, although they can also be found in the form of bench.. more

Sharpening with your Pocket Crock Stick Sharpener. Large A and small B opening provide access to intersecting portions of the alumina ceramic rods for quick and easy "Pull Through" sharpening of knives. The large access (wider spaced guide) is for large knives and the small access (narrow spaced guide) is for smaller knives. The rods can be placed in the provided groove and manually held side by side in the provided groove C for sharpening fishhooks, darts of other.. more

In recent years, Japanese knives have become very popular for kitchen use. Japanese chef’s knives may be seen in popular cooking shows, and are found at many cutlery stores. Unlike other knives, such as German knives, Japanese knives are designed to be very lightweight, with a fine edge. Their steel blade is brittle and sharp, unlike other knives that are designed to be tough and flexible. As a result, these Japanese knives will be very, very sharp. The edge is.. more

Kershaw Knives was founded in 1974 in Portland, Oregon, by a knife salesman named Pete Kershaw. He previously worked with the well-known Gerber Precision Knives company, where he had begun to come up with his own knife designs. The Kershaw Knives company was Pete Kershaw’s opportunity to produce and market his own knives. Today, Kershaw is one of the leading knife companies in the United States and worldwide. At its founding, the Kershaw Company manufactured most.. more

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.. more

Knives come in a wide array of styles and materials. Though you may not realize it, the handle of your knife is often just as important as the blade. Different knife handles give different performances; the materials from which they are made affect grip, balance, and other characteristics of the knife. Many handles, especially on rugged knives designed for outdoor use, are specially textured to allow for easier grip. Knife Materials - Many hunting knives have handles.. more

A straight razor is a traditional men’s accessory that must be properly maintained to ensure a sharp edge. The blade geometry is carefully designed to provide an ideal edge with relatively little effort over time, but this doesn’t mean that using a straight razor is completely maintenance-free. The level of maintenance required depends on the razor material. Some are stainless steel; these require less care since they won’t rust. Other razors must be.. more

If you enjoy knife making or sharpening, and are looking for a fun new project, consider making and sharpening your own arrowheads. You can make arrowheads using both modern and traditional materials and methods. This art of turning stone into a blade is known as flint knapping, and it was once a key survival skill, though today it has evolved into a unique hobby. To make an arrowhead using flint knapping techniques, you'll break open a piece of rock, chipping flakes.. more

The term ‘sword’ originates from the old English word ‘sweord.’ Terms for this weapon are also found in Old High German, Middle Dutch, Old Norse, Old Saxon, and other ancient languages. Clearly, the sword was part of culture and society beginning thousands of years ago. In fact, the first bladed weapons are thought to originate in the Bronze Age. Though technically a sword is double-edged, some long single-edged weapons may also be referred to as.. more

The basic design of the Samurai sword has remained consistent over several centuries. Swords were already being made in China and elsewhere in Asia during the Bronze and Iron ages. As the technology for steel weaponry improved, single-edged swords became popular throughout Asia. The Japanese ‘tachi’ sword, a precursor to the katana (which would become known as a samurai sword), first appeared around 600 A.D. The Samurai evolved from a class of warrior.. more

Sharpening serrated or straight blade kitchen knives is relatively easy. Gardening or woodworking tools, on the other hand, can look a bit more challenging to sharpen, especially if you are not an experienced knife sharpener. Still, with a bit of experience and the right sharpener, it is possible to sharpen your own tools, including axes, shears, pruners, and chain saw blades. When these blades start working poorly, you know it’s time to sharpen them. Instead of.. more

Although your serrated knives will still cut as they grow dull, you will begin to notice a tearing or shredding action rather than smooth cuts. If this is happening, then it is time to sharpen your knife. Sharpening dull serrated blades can be a bit more difficult than sharpening plain blades. Maintaining serrations is important if you want your knife to cut well, but they do require a bit more experience to sharpen. Serrated blades can also take longer to sharpen than.. more

We have three basic types of Bench Stones - Diamond Stones, Ceramic Stones and Arkansas Stones. However, some diamond stones offer an interrupted diamond surface and others look more like a natural stone. You can see the differences below. The DMT Diamond Whetstone on the left carries DMT signature polka-dot pattern surface. The polka dots are slightly recessed so that during sharpening the metal fines (known as swarf) and small amount of material that is being removed.. more

The exact angle on the DMT Aligner™ Guide will depend on the knife you are using with it. Based on a 1" blade, the settings range from 16 degrees (shallowest) to 40 degrees (steepest). The seven choices are: 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, and 40 degrees. As you extend the guide rods out on the knife clamp, the angle of your knife becomes steeper relative to the diamond sharpener. Angle Chart (degrees) Aligner Setting Blade Width -> 0.5" 1" 2" 3" 4" .. more

Spyderco is known for high performance folding knives and sharpening tools designed for use with a wide range of knife styles. Spyderco is committed to manufacturing the highest level of reliable and utilitarian knives and knife accessories. Founded in 1978 by Sal Glesser, Spyderco is based in Golden, Colorado. In recognition of Glesser’s influences on tactical knife design, he was inducted into the Blade Magazine Cutlery Hall of Fame in 2000. Originally, the.. more

Knives are one of the oldest tools to ever have been used. Early humans used sharp stones, bones, or wood pieces to cut and carve. The first effective knives were made out of flint. Even before that, knives were made out of a hard silicate form of the mineral quartz. They could be crudely formed into a palm-shape with a sharp edge which could be used for cutting, scraping, and other activities. These knives were shaped and sharpened against rocks. With the invention of.. more

The Macuahuitl is an ancient Aztec weapon shaped like a sword. The Macuahuitl is made of wood, and its sides are embedded with blades made from obsidian, a volcanic glass stone frequently used by the Aztecs and other pre-Columbian cultures in the making of tools. This weapon was commonly used by Aztec military forces and other cultures found in present-day central Mexico. In fact, its use was so widespread that it was noted repeatedly in notes taken during the.. more

Founded in 1920, Snap-On is one of the largest U.S. designers and manufacturers of tools and related equipment. Headquartered in Kenosha, Wisconsin, over 11,500 people are currently employed to design, create, and sell Snap-On products. Since its beginning nearly ninety years ago with one style of socket set, tools bearing the Snap-On name have been used by generations of professionals. The Snap-On brand began with a set of interchangeable wrench handles and sockets... more

There are a great number of hunting and survival knife types on the market today. Each is designed for a specific purpose. No outdoor enthusiast should ever be without a hunting or survival knife; they are also popular among knife collectors. Whether you are a knife enthusiast or collector, or use the knives for hunting, camping, or other outdoor activities, it can be helpful to learn what each knife is designed for. There are hunting and survival knives in both a.. more

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.. more

If you are considering sharpening your own knives, you may have heard about a strop. A strop is a strip of leather that is used to hone the blade of a knife, straight razor, or other blade. Although usually made of cowhide leather, there are certainly other types available. It is an optional step at the end of the sharpening process, usually used for fine knives and straight razors. After you’ve sharpened the blade using a sharpening stone or other sharpening.. more

When learning how to sharpen knives, often one of the fist things to confuse people is whether oil or water are needed on sharpening stones. A sharpening stone is one of the easiest way to sharpen your blades, whether you want to restore the sharp edge on your kitchen cutlery or need to sharpen some woodworking tools. There are many varieties made of stone or any number of manufactured materials, and they are usually found in the form of a block. With these and other.. more