knifeopedia
Nomenclature
To better understand our knife-o-pedia you will find below an explanation about the terminology most commonly used when referring to the different parts of a knife:
Blade
Handle
A Spine
B Tip
C Edge
D Heel
E Choil
F Finger guard
G Bolster
H Tang
I Handle
J Rivets
K Handle guard
L Butt
Spine
Upper end of the blade that extends to the handle.
Tip
Front end of the knife which is used for piercing.
Edge
Cutting edge of the knife, from tip to heel.
Heel
Rear end of the blade, which if sharp can be used for cutting.
Choil
Part of the blade between heel and handle.
Finger guard
Only full bolster knives: extension of bolster towards heel, protecting the hand from the blade.
Bolster
Thicker metal part between blade and handle.
Tang
Portion of metal part of blade that extends into the handle, adding weight and balance.
Handle
Handle, consting of 2 scales added to the tang, or one piece put on the tang.
Rivets
Metal pins that attach the scales to the tang (in case of riveted handles).
Handle guard
A lip below the butt of the handle for a better grip and to prevent slipping.
Butt
The terminal end of the handle.