Knives by types, classification and purpose

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A knife is a faithful and reliable assistant that we use every day. And despite daily use, we don't even think about what types of knives there are, what their differences are, how one blade differs from another.
Although the modern market offers an incredible variety of knives that differ in size, purpose, shape, customer materials and additional elements that enhance specific characteristics. Let's take a closer look at all types of knives, their differences and other features.
Knives are produced in industrial volumes, so a classification of their varieties by purpose was made. It is on this basis that it is determined where the most rational use will be. For example, American Cold Steel knives will become an indispensable assistant for fishing and hunting, and Spyderco knives for daily use for self-defense.
Combat knives
Combat knives are tactical modifications that are used in combat conditions to eliminate an opponent in close combat. Such knives are distinguished by an increased level of strength. Unlike EDC models, they are usually produced with a fixed blade.
If we talk about features, they usually have a pronounced guard. The length varies from 22 to 32 centimeters. The handle has an oval cross-section. The blade has a non-glossy coating. It is distinguished by one-and-a-half or two-sided sharpening. Knives are quickly and easily removed.
As practice shows, combat knives are rarely used for their main purpose - fighting. Usually used to prepare a place to stop, cut off handcuffs or clear a passage in the thick of the forest. Paratroopers can cut tangled parachute lines.

Tourist knives
A tourist knife is a find for everyone who prefers an active lifestyle. With the help of a tourist knife, you can prepare a place for a camp, prepare lunch, clear a path during the journey and much more. Many manufacturers offer tourist knives, but Skif knives have proven themselves positively , for example, the Skif Adventure II BSW model.
Tourist models can be with a fixed and folding blade. During production, it is necessary to use exceptionally high-quality steel with a relatively high hardness index for simple sharpening in weather conditions. In some models, the end of the blade has a rounded shape - this is necessary for safe operation on a hike.
The advantage will be the presence of a serrated sharpening, which is necessary for easy dissection of ropes, branches and cords. The handle should be comfortable and made of practical materials to ensure convenient care for it. If we are talking about knives with a fixed blade, then sheaths made of material suitable for washing are mandatory.
Hunting knife
Hunting knives are a special category, which is intended for repelling an attack from a wild animal, as well as processing the carcass of a killed game. It should be noted that some models are suitable for operation and for economic purposes, for example, if you have a farm for slaughtering livestock. There are completely different types of hunting knives - for finishing, skinning, processing, etc.
As for the features of the design, the hunting knife should have a guard of medium size. The blade should vary between 10 and 15 centimeters. The thickness of the shoe can vary from 3 to 4 mm. The steel hardness indicator is from 58 HRC. To comfortably hold the knife in your hands, it is recommended to choose a wooden handle with an anatomical shape.
In the case of hunting knives, it is extremely important to be able to use them, for example, with cutting knives you need to be able to carefully cut the valuable fur from the carcass. Experts note that the shorter the blade, the more professionalism is required from the performer.
Knife for self-defense
Self-defense knives are EDC modifications that are used for everyday use. These are usually folding knives that can be fully mechanical (manual opening), semi-automatic (manual push opening) and automatic (button opening).
The blade of closed knives can be in the side of the handle - these are relatively budget products, which are called vertical. Along with this, there are expensive frontal modifications in which the blade is pulled from the front through a special complex mechanism.
Internally, the blade is held in place by a pin, rotating ring coupling, balisong retainer, linear lock spring, or spring lever. Complex modifications are used precisely because they are easier to place in a small purse or pocket, and they also do not attract too much attention.
Kitchen knives
If we consider knives according to their purpose, it is impossible not to note kitchen modifications. They have dozens of different species and subspecies, but they are usually used by professional chefs, and at home they are only chosen by size. Among the varieties of kitchen knives, it is possible to note:
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chef's knife - the main tool of the head chef;
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universal - an assistant for all housewives, which is light and suitable for all types of work;
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slicing knife - a special modification for chopping whole pieces of products;
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boning knife - used to separate bones and meat, but not suitable for frozen products;
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processing - a wide and long knife, which has an increased hardness of the blade, suitable for processing meat products;
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bread knife - has a toothed sharpening to effectively cut the loose pulp and crispy crust;
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tenderloin - a narrow knife with a raised blade for working with unyielding and hard products;
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vegetable knife - a special knife that is used to clean vegetable products from skins, worm areas, "eyes", etc. It has a sharp tip.
Such a classification will be relevant only for professional chefs.
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There are specialized knives that do not fit into any of the above categories. They include various knives, including: construction, garden, scalpels, for needlework, shoe repair, stationery, for diving, mountaineering, trimmers, ballistic and others. All of them differ in appearance in order to effectively perform the tasks assigned to them.
Knives are constantly being improved, new, more modern models appear, but 3 types of construction remain unchanged:
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Fixed . These are reliable and durable knives, which were the first to appear in world history. They can be simple, pointed and skeletal, which will determine their purpose and features of use.
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Complicated . Modification of the knife, which has a complex design. It is distinguished by ease of use and compact size. The disadvantage of the modification is that the opening/closing mechanism is the first to break in such knives. If you give preference to well-known brands, such a problem can be avoided.
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Removable blade . A not very common modification in which the knife has a removable design. The attachment of the blade is temporary. A dull blade can be disposed of, and a new one fixed instead.
The first two modifications are most often used - fixed and folding knives .
The functional qualities of the knife are determined by the edges and slopes of the blades. The following forms are most in demand:
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lenticular - this type of descent is used in Japanese types of cold weapons and in chef's knives;
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5-sided profile with a direct descent - used in knives for kitchen use;
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a thick butt and a razor blade are knives of increased sharpness that require the most careful operation;
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chisel profile - used for household appliances and some types of Japanese kitchen knives;
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A 5-sided profile with a small edge angle and a flat descent is the best option for cutting, but weak when chopping;
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a straight profile with a minimal edge angle and a flat descent is an ideal choice for cutting that have high strength.
These are the main modifications. It is from them that new modifications are already appearing.
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There are a wide variety of knife profiles, some of which are not even worth separating into a separate category. But there is a certain regularity: in European models, straight and rather wide forms are more often used, but Asian modifications are curved, elegant and current, which are aimed at processing fish.
But they are not suitable for working with bones and meat. You can distinguish a total of 11 different types of blade profile:
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direct is the most common modification, which is considered universal;
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clip point - actively used in combat models, has a bevel in the upper part;
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drop point - has a flat or slightly convex surface of the upper bevel, in which there is a shift along the line of the butt of the point, the optimal choice for an impact combat knife;
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trailing point - a model with a raised end of the butt, which has cutting properties;
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spay point - has a blunt upper bevel and a short design, intended for removing the skin of an animal;
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spear point - a dagger or spear-like modification in which the cutting part is on both sides;
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needle point - a long and narrow blade profile, sharpened on two sides, suitable for stabbing blows;
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hawkbill blade is a combat profile with good cutting properties and a point located below the central part;
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gut hook - the end has a hook-like shape, used for processing animal carcasses and processing fish;
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scramasax - a profile with a straight butt and reverse sharpening, with good cutting properties. It has a sword-like shape;
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tanto - a variant of the Japanese class profile with a combat purpose, which has 2 cutting surfaces.
The choice of blade profile directly depends on your goals and preferences. If the straight profile is universal for various situations, the spay point is unlikely to be suitable for cutting ropes and branches for tourist purposes.
Knives, depending on the purpose and features of the model, can have a handle made of different materials:
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Rope This is the most primitive modification, in which the handle is wrapped with a rope. An ideal choice for metal products or combat knives.
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Wood and plastic G10. The most common modifications that are used even on an industrial scale. Comfortable and provide a reliable grip.
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Bone and horn. Used in exclusive models, elite knives under individual order. Can be supplemented with carvings or various decorative inserts.
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Glass textolite. Modifications that are resistant to flame and moisture have dielectric properties.
Well-known manufacturers usually use wood and high-quality plastic, which can withstand harmful external factors.
Usually, the reliability, functionality and price of a knife depends on the material from which it was made. As
standard, blades are made of the following types of steel:
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Carbon steel . Available and in-demand material that is easy to sharpen. Its disadvantage is that it is too susceptible to corrosion.
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Stainless steel . This is stainless steel, which is distinguished by the flexibility and resistance of the knife to corrosion, but it is necessary to sharpen it often.
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High-carbon steel . A type of steel that is not covered with rust and stains, does not require frequent sharpening.
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Damascus steel . Blade material that guarantees flexibility, strength and rust resistance.
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Ceramics . The sharp edge makes the knives an ideal choice for cutting functions, but not suitable for chopping. The material is quite fragile and requires careful handling.
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Titan . Light weight knives that have a sharp edge but are relatively expensive.
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Melchior . It is a strong and beautiful material that has a long service life.
It is the materials of the blade that are an important criterion by which you need to make a choice. We have reviewed in detail the best types of steel in this material.
As you can see, there are completely different knives that differ in appearance, construction, materials used, etc. It is important to understand that no tourist knife will be able to cope with the tasks that a combat tactical knife has to perform.
It is for this reason that you need to be responsible for choosing the appropriate modification. Our online store offers to buy knives from well-known brands for various purposes, and experienced specialists will help you make the right choice and advise you on the necessary issues.