Distinctive and Unique Knife Blade Types

Knives were first used at least two and a half million years ago, and the first ones were made up of rock and flint. Since then knives of different types, with various types of blades, made of various materials, have evolved. This is one tool that has remained with man since the stone age.

Even today, it's an important part of the kitchen cutlery. In the following paragraphs, we will see the various types of knife blades that are available today and the purposes they are used for.

The fixed blade knife is the most basic type of knife. It is a single piece of metal connected to a handle. This knife was developed for hard jobs. The fixed blade would be a perfect choice for camping purposes. It has a simple design and does not have any moving mechanism, so using this knife is very easy. It is also very durable. The Bowie knife is the most used fixed blade knife.

Folding knives are compact and are easy to carry. They do not have a simple design and are hence difficult to make. These knives can come with various types of folding mechanisms, and some folding knives even have a locking system. Due to the complex designs, very limited number of blade types can be used with these knives. They are less durable as compared to fixed blade knives.

The butterfly knife is a very innovative type. It bears many similarities with the folding knife, but its mechanisms are very different. This type of knife has two handles which have cavities in them that house the knife blade. In some states these knives are illegal to use.

This is the most basic type of knife blade. One of its sides is straight, which is called the knife back, while the side that cuts, is a curve. Thus, the name straightback blade. The straight back adds to the mass of the knife and lets the user apply more impact by placing his fingers on the back. It can be used for various purposes like chopping, slitting, etc.

Both the sides of this knife are curvy. The back edge of the blade, which is straight in the case of straightback blades, curves away from the cutting side in a trailing point blade. These knives are usually lighter in weight and cannot be used for heavy work. But they can be very effectively used for slashing or cutting something open.

This one is like the normal blade whose back curves concavely. This blade usually has a very sharp point. The back of this knife can have another edge. The pointed tip of this blade comes in handy when you are digging, piercing, or making way through tight places. The Bowie type of knife uses this clip point blade.

This blade is the opposite of the clip point blade. Its back curves in a convex way and its tip is not as sharp or pointed as the clip point blade. The Swiss army knives used by military personnel employ this drop point blade.

This blade is, like the name suggests, spear-shaped. Its cutting and back side are symmetrically curving. This blade may be double edged or single edged with the back edge being blunt. Pen knives mostly use this type of blade. Throwing knives also use the spear point type of blade.

This knife is somewhat similar to the spear point blade, but the symmetrical edges are more narrowing toward the tip. This blade is mostly double-edged and is used in many kinds of knives that are used for combat or hunting. It is a variety of the dagger.

Choose a knife based on the purpose for which you want to use it. Secondly, check if the knife you are buying is legal in your state, as it is illegal to own some kinds of knives and blades in some states. Lastly, remember to use them carefully.