—.
Reference
Glossary of the blade.
From blade geometry to exceptional alloys — the words behind the passion.
Blade geometries.
- Hawkbill
- A blade with a spine curving inward, inspired by a hawk's beak. Its curve favors pulling motions — rope, leather, fibrous materials.
- Drop point
- A blade spine gently curving toward the tip. Versatile, sturdy, ideal for everyday use.
- Wharncliffe
- A straight spine, with the edge curving up to meet the tip. Maximum precision, absolute control.
- Spear point
- A symmetrical blade, edge and spine converging to a point centered on the axis. An elegant, versatile geometry, built for fine everyday cutting.
- Tanto
- A reinforced tip of Japanese origin. A sturdy profile, valued for its durability and bold style.
- Clip point
- A spine with a cutout toward the tip. Fine, precise, a classic of pocket knives.
Steels.
- Stainless steel
- Steel + chromium alloy (>10.5%). Corrosion-resistant, easy to maintain.
- Carbon steel
- Steel with no notable chromium content. Superior edge, natural patina, requires regular maintenance.
- Damascus steel
- Steel forged through multiple folds and welds. Unique pattern, high performance or aesthetics.
- D2
- A semi-stainless steel with high carbon content. Excellent edge, good hardness.
- K110
- European Böhler tool steel, high chromium and carbon content. Close to D2, strong wear resistance.
- VG-10
- A popular Japanese steel, very good edge retention, corrosion-resistant. Used in quality knife making.
- 14C28N
- Scandinavian Sandvik steel, nitrogen-refined. Fine grain, sharpens easily, a solid everyday-carry compromise.
- M390
- Austrian Böhler powder steel. Exceptional: hardness, corrosion resistance, and edge retention combined.
- S30V
- American powder steel (Crucible). Good balance between edge retention and ease of sharpening.
- S35VN
- An evolution of S30V, with added niobium. Improved toughness without sacrificing performance.
- RWL34
- Swedish stainless powder steel (Damasteel), close to 154CM. The bright layer in stainless Damascus billets.
- PMC27
- Nickel-rich stainless powder steel (Damasteel). The contrasting layer in RWL34+PMC27 Damascus, giving its bright pattern.
Handle materials.
- Carbon fiber
- A carbon-resin composite. Light, rigid, durable. Recognizable woven pattern.
- G10
- A fiberglass-epoxy composite. Highly moisture-resistant, excellent grip, customizable.
- Titanium
- A lightweight, biocompatible metal, fully corrosion-proof. Warm to the touch, premium look.
- Ice Crystal
- A heat-treatment titanium finish. Iridescent blue-violet tones, unique from piece to piece.
- Micarta
- A fabric-resin composite (linen, canvas, paper). Vintage look, excellent grip even when wet.
- Stabilized wood
- Wood vacuum-impregnated with resin. Moisture-resistant, enhanced colors.
Mechanisms.
- Liner lock
- A flat titanium or steel spring that slides under the blade's tang. Simple, reliable.
- Frame lock
- An integral part of the handle frame acting as the lock. Robust, minimalist.
- Ball bearing pivot
- A ball bearing at the pivot. Exceptionally smooth opening.
- Flipper
- A blade tab protruding from the handle. Allows one-finger opening.
- Button lock
- A push-button releasing the blade. Increased safety, one-handed opening.
- Slip joint
- A lockless system. The blade is held open by spring tension. Traditional, and legal in most European countries.
Key terms.
- EDC (Every Day Carry)
- A knife carried daily. Compact, versatile, reliable.
- HRC (Rockwell)
- The Rockwell hardness scale. The higher the HRC, the better the edge retention (at the expense of toughness).
- Pivot
- The axis around which the blade pivots. Its quality determines how smoothly the knife opens.
- Belly
- The curve of the edge. A pronounced belly makes rocking cuts easier.
- Full flat grind
- A flat grind from the shoulder to the edge. Maximum thinness, superior edge, less resistance.