Glossary

KNIVES, SWORDS, etc.

KNIVES

BALLISTIC KNIFE:  A Ballistic Knife is a specialized combat knife with a detachable gas- or spring-propelled blade that can be fired to a distance of several feet or meters by pressing a trigger or switch on the handle.

BAYONET: A Bayonet is a knife-shaped close quarters fighting weapon designed to attach to the muzzle of a rifle or similar weapon.

BOWIE KNIFE:  A Bowie Knife is a fixed-blade fighting knife created by James Black in the early 19th century for Jim Bowie, who had become famous for his use of a large knife at a duel. Col. James Bowie died at the Alamo during the Texas Revolution.

BUTTERFLY KNIFE: Also known as a Fan Knife and in the Philippines as the Balisong, is a folding pocket knife. Its distinction is two handles counter-rotating around the tang such that, when closed, the blade is concealed within grooves in the handles. The knife is now illegal or restricted in many countries.

DAGGERS: A Dagger is a knife with a very sharp point designed or capable of being used as a thrusting or stabbing weapon. A dagger in the modern sense is a weapon designed for close-proximity combat or self-defense.

FIXED BLADE KNIVES: A Fixed Blade Knife, sometimes called a sheath knife, does not fold or slide, and is typically stronger due to the tang, the extension of the blade into the handle, and lack of moving parts.

FOLDING BLADE KNIVES: A folding knife connects the blade to the handle through a pivot, allowing the blade to fold into the handle.

KA-BAR:  (trademarked as KA-BAR, capitalized) is the contemporary popular name for the combat knife first adopted by the United States Marine Corps  and subsequently adopted by the United States Navy.

KARAMBIT:  The Karambit is a small Southeast Asian hand-held, curved knife resembling a claw. Known as Kerambit in its native Indonesian and Malay, it is called Karambit in the Philippines and in most Western countries.

KUNAI: A Kunai is a Japanese dagger, possibly derived from the masonry trowel. Kunai were originally made to be farming tools but soon evolved into the weaponry they have become today.

OUT THE FRONT KNIVES (OTFs): As the name implies, the blades on the OTF knives go out the front as opposed to the sides. These knives are either Static or Ballistic (shoot out).

SPRING ASSIST KNIVES: Although similar in function to the Switch Blade, these knives must include a “Detente” or mechanism which keeps it from opening unless pressure is applied to the “Flipper” or “Thumb Knob” (or other opening aid).

SWITCH BLADE KNIVES: The standard definition of these knives is “Push Button Automatic”.

THROWING KNIVES:  Throwing Knife is a knife designed and weighted for throwing.

 

FIRST RESPONDER KNIVES: These knives typically have a Glass Breaker to break a car window for escape in a car accident, and a Line Cutter to cut a seat belt after a car accident.

FOLDING KNIFE LOCKS

To prevent injury to the knife user through the blade accidentally closing on the user's hand, folding knives typically have a locking mechanism.

Slip joint – Found most commonly on traditional pocket knives, the opened blade does not lock, but is held in place by a spring device that allows the blade to fold if a certain amount of pressure is applied.

Lockback – Also known as the spine lock, the lockback includes a pivoted latch affixed to a spring, and can be disengaged only by pressing the latch down to release the blade.

Linerlock – A Linerlock is a folding knife with a side-spring lock that can be opened and closed with one hand without repositioning the knife in the hand. The lock is self-adjusting for wear.

 

SWORDS and OTHER BLADES

CLAYMORE: A Claymore refers either to the Scottish variant of the late medieval two-handed sword or the Scottish variant of the basket-hilted sword.

HMONG KNIFE: The Hmong Knife is a traditional and spiritual knife used by the elder Hmong generations.
The front section of the blade is mainly used for cutting and the bulging part of the blade is mainly used for chopping and butchering.

IAI-TO:  The Iai-To is a modern metal practice sword, without a cutting edge, used primarily for practicing Iai-Do. (Also see “Katana”).

KATANA: Historically, Katana were one of the traditionally made Japanese Swords that were used by the Samurai of feudal Japan. The katana is characterized by its distinctive appearance: a curved, slender, single-edged blade with a circular or squared guard and long grip to accommodate two hands.

KRIS: The Kris is an asymmetrical dagger with distinctive blade-patterning achieved through alternating laminations of iron and nickelous iron.

KUKRI: The Kukri or Khukri is a Nepalese knife with an inwardly curved blade, similar to a Machete, used as both a tool and as a weapon in Nepal and some neighboring countries of South Asia.

MACHETE: A Machete is a large heavy knife used to cut through thick vegetation such as sugar cane or jungle undergrowth; it may be used as an offensive weapon.

RAPIER: The word Rapier generally refers to a relatively long-bladed sword characterized by a protective hilt which is constructed to provide protection for the hand wielding the sword.

SABERS: The Sabre or Saber is a type of backsword, usually with a curved, single-edged blade (though sometimes straight or double edged) and a rather large hand guard, covering the knuckles of the hand as well as the thumb and forefinger. The Saber is often the weapon of choice in Cavalry warfare.

SURVIVAL KNIFE:  A Survival Knife is sturdy knife, sometimes with a hollow handle filled with survival equipment.

 

 

KNIFE BLADE MATERIALS and TREATMENTS

BLADE MATERIALS

CARBON STEEL:  Carbon Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon, can be very sharp. It holds its edge well, and remains easy to sharpen, but is vulnerable to rust and stains.

CERAMICS: A Ceramic Knife is a knife made out of very hard and tough ceramic, often zirconium dioxide (ZrO₂; also known as zirconia).

DAMASCUS STEEL:  Damascus Steel was a type of steel used for manufacturing sword blades in the Near East made with wootz steel.^[1] These swords are characterized by distinctive patterns of banding and mottling reminiscent of flowing water. Such blades were reputed to be tough, resistant to shattering and capable of being honed to a sharp, resilient edge.

HIGH CARBON STAINLESS STEEL: High Carbon Stainless Steel is stainless steel with a higher amount of carbon, intended to incorporate the better attributes of carbon steel and stainless steel. High carbon stainless steel blades do not discolor or stain, and maintain a sharp edge. 

STAINLESS STEEL: Stainless Steel is an alloy of iron, chromium, possibly nickel, and molybdenum, with only a small amount of carbon. It is not able to take quite as sharp an edge as carbon steel, but is highly resistant to corrosion. 

TITANIUM: Titanium is a metal that has a better strength-to-weight ratio, is more wear resistant, and more flexible than steel. Although less hard and unable to take as sharp an edge, carbides in the titanium alloy allow them to be heat-treated to a sufficient hardness. 

BLADE TREATMENTS

ANODIZATION: is an electrochemical process which adds color to titanium, which is especially conducive to this coloring process. Depending on the voltage used, colors can vary (high voltage = dark color, low voltage = light color).

BEAD BLASTING: is a process by which steel, aluminum, and titanium are finished. Bead blasting is commonly found on tactical folders and fixed blades, for it provides a 100% subdued non-glare finish.

COATING: A Coating is a covering that is applied to the surface of an object, usually referred to as the substrate.

PLATING: Plating is a surface covering in which a metal is deposited on a conductive surface. 

COATING vs. PLATING: Coating differs from electroplating in that it is performed by electrostatically applying a free-flowing powder to a surface, then curing it under heat. Like plating, coating is applied to metal surfaces for protective purposes. But unlike electroplated surfaces, powder coated surfaces are essentially covered in paint – not metal.

GRIND

The GRIND of a blade refers to the shape of the cross-section of the blade. Grinding involves removing significant portions of metal from the blade and is thus distinct from honing and polishing. It is notably done when first sharpening the blade or when a blade has been significantly damaged or abused.

HOLLOW GRIND: The blade has been ground to create a characteristic concave, beveled cutting edge.

FLAT GRIND: The blade tapers all the way from the spine to the edge from both sides.

SABRE GRIND: Similar to a flat grind blade except that the bevel starts at about the middle of the blade, not the spine. This is also sometimes referred to as a "V Grind.

CHISEL GRIND: As on a chisel, only one side is ground (often at an edge angle of about 20 – 30°); the other remains flat. As many Japanese culinary knives tend to be chisel ground they are often sharper than a typical double beveled Western culinary knife.

DOUBLE BEVEL or COMPOUND BEVEL: A back bevel, similar to a sabre or flat grind, is put on the blade behind the edge bevel (the bevel which is the foremost cutting surface). This back bevel keeps the section of blade behind the edge thinner which improves cutting ability.

CONVEX GRIND: Rather than tapering with straight lines to the edge, the taper is curved, though in the opposite manner to a hollow grind. Such a shape keeps a lot of metal behind the edge making for a stronger edge while still allowing a good degree of sharpness. This grind can be used on axes and is sometimes called an axe grind.

KNIFE HANDLES, SHEATH MATERIALS

SHEATH MATERIALS

ABS: (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) is a terpolymer made by polymerizing styrene and acrylonitrile in the presence of polybutadiene. It is a mixture of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and acrylic with a wide variety of applications, including firearm holsters and sheaths for knives.

CANVAS: Canvas is an extremely durable plain-woven fabric used for making knife sheaths, sails, tents, etc. and other items for which sturdiness is required. Modern canvas is usually made of cotton or linen; although, historically it was made from hemp.

KYDEX: Kydex (a trade name for ABS) is a mixture of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and acrylic with a wide variety of applications, including firearm holsters and sheaths for knives.

LEATHER: Leather is one of the most common materials for knife sheaths. Usually made from Bovine Hide but often from other animals.

BALLISTIC NYLON: Ballistic Nylon is a thick, tough, nylon fabric with several uses. Ballistic nylon was developed by the DuPont corporation as a material for flak jackets to be worn by World War II airmen.

KYDEX: Kydex is a line of thermoplastic acrylic-polyvinyl chloride materials manufactured by Sekisui SPI. It has a wide variety of applications, including firearm holsters, and for knife sheaths.

WOOD: Wood Handles provide good grip and are warm in the hand, but are more difficult to care for. They do not resist water well, and will crack or warp with prolonged exposure to water.

 

HANDLE MATERIALS

ALUMINUM: just like titanium, aluminum is also a nonferrous metal. Commonly used as handles, aluminum gives the knife a solid feel, without the extra weight.

BONE: is derived from naturally deceased animals. Bone is usually given a surface texture, most commonly in the forms of pickbone and jigged bone.

CARBON FIBER: is composed of thin strands of carbon, tightly woven in a weave pattern, that are set in resin.

COATING: A coating is a covering (see plating) that is applied to the surface of an object,

G-10: is a fiberglass based (a type of Micarta) laminate. Layers of fiberglass cloth are soaked in resin and are compressed and baked.

INJECTION MOLDED: Injection Molded handles made from higher grade plastics are composed of polyphthalamide, and may be reinforced with Kevlar or fiberglass.

LEATHER: Leather handles are seen on some hunting and military knives. Leather handles are typically produced by stacking leather washers, or less commonly, as a sleeve surrounding another handle material.

MICARTA: the most common form is linen micarta but has come to refer to any fibrous material cast in resin. There are many varieties of micarta available. One very popular version is a fiberglass impregnated resin called G-10. Russian manufacturers often use birch bark in the same manner.

PAKKAWOOD:  is an advanced process whereby carefully selected foreign and domestic hardwood veneers are impregnated with phenolic thermosetting resins.

PARACORD: (Parachute cord) (also paracord or 550 cord when referring to type-III paracord) is a lightweight nylon kernmantle rope originally used in the suspension lines of parachutes.

PLASTIC: Plastic handles are more easily cared for than wooden handles, but can be slippery and become brittle over time.

RUBBER: Rubber handles such as Kraton or Resiprene-C are generally preferred over plastic due to their durable and cushioning nature.

SKELETON HANDLES: Skeleton handles refers to the practice of using the tang itself as the handle, usually with sections of material removed to reduce weight. Skeleton handled knives are often wrapped with parachute cord or other wrapping materials to enhance grip.

STAG HORN: is derived from naturally shed deer antlers. When exposed to open flame, stag takes on that      slightly burnt look. It is a very elegant material for pocketknives.

METAL HANDLES: Stainless Steel and Aluminum handles are durable and sanitary, but can be slippery. To counter this, premium knife makers make handles with ridges, bumps, or indentations to provide extra grip.

 

SELF PROTECTION PRODUCTS

MACE: Mace is the generalized trademark of Chemical Mace, the brand name of an early type of aerosol self defense spray.

PEPPER SPRAY: Pepper Spray is also known as OC spray (from "oleoresin capsicum"), OC gas, and capsicum spray, is a lachrymatory agent (a chemical compound that irritates the eyes to cause tears, pain, and temporary blindness); its inflammatory effects cause the eyes to close, taking away vision.

SAP GLOVES: Sap Gloves are usually leather gloves with steel shot sewn into back of hand and knuckle areas. Used for self protection and assailant or crowd control. These gloves are not legal in California.

STUN GUNS: A Stun Gun (electroshock weapon) is an incapacitant weapon used for incapacitating a person by administering electric shock aimed at disrupting superficial muscle functions and/or causing pain without significantly hurting the subject.

TASERS: A Taser or (conducted electrical weapon - CEW) is an electroshock weapon sold by Taser International. It fires two small dart-like electrodes, which stay connected to the main unit by conductors, to deliver electric current to disrupt voluntary control of muscles causing "neuromuscular incapacitation".

BATONS: A baton or truncheon (also called a cosh, billystick, billy club, nightstick, sap, blackjack, or stick) is a club of less than arm's length made of wood, rubber, plastic or metal. They may be fixed, flexible, or telescoping.

BOWS

COMPOUND BOWS: A compound bow is a modern bow that uses a levering system, usually of cables and pulleys, to bend the limbs.

RECURVED BOWS: A recurve bow is a bow with limbs that curve away from the archer when unstrung.

LONG BOWS: A longbow is a type of bow that is tall—roughly equal to the height of the user; allowing the archer a fairly long draw, at least to the jaw.

CROSS-BOWS: A Crossbow, also known as horizontal bow is a type of weapon based on the bow and consisting of a horizontal bow-like assembly mounted on a stock. It shoots projectiles called bolts or quarrels.