in very beautiful knife blades. This means that knife blades made with Damascus tend to be expensive and only used for custom blades.
Detent - a hole machined into the tang of a blade. A ball bearing drops into the hole when the knife is closed, holding the knife in the closed position.
DLC (Diamond Like Carbon Coating) - is a combination of diamond and graphite used for coating blades.
Drop Point (Blade) - see picture below
EDC - every day carry, or a knife that will be used everyday.
Elmax (Steel) - a high chromium-vanadium-molybdenum-alloyed steel. It contains 1.70% carbon, and it has excellent edge retention, corrosion resistance, and compressive strength.
False Edge - see Spine Swedge.
Filework - refers to the decoration cuts on the spine of a knife done by hand.
Fixed Blade Knife - a knife that is solid between the handle and the blade.
Flat Saber (Grind) - a blade edge that is ground completely flat without a radius that tapers from the cutting edge to a grind line down the center of the blade. Also, see picture below.
Folding Knife - refers to any knife that is not solid between the handle and the blade.
FRN (Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon) - a handle material similar to GFN, a nylon-based plastic that is reinforced with Glass Fiber.
Full Flat (Grind) - a flat edge, ground as a completely flat surface from the blade's edge to its spine. Also, see picture below.
G-10 - a handle material made with woven layers of fiberglass soaked in resin, then highly compressed and baked.
GFN (Glass Filled Nylon) - a handle material similar to FRN, a nylon-based plastic that is reinforced with Glass Fiber.
Gut Hook - a hook that is located on the spine of a knife. The hook makes it easier to field dress an animal.
Hamaguri (Grind) - A blade edge with a convex grind. Also, see picture below.
H1 (steel) - is extremely rust resistant. For use in salt water type situations. Contains: 0.15% Carbon; 14%-16% Chromium; 0.1% Copper; 2% Manganese; 0.5%-1.5% Molybdenum; 0.1% Nitrogen; 6%-8% Nickel; 0.04% Phosphorus; 3%-3.5% Silicon; 0.03% Sulfur.
Hollow (Grind) - A blade edge ground with a radius, leaving a concave shape above the cutting surface. Also, see picture below.
Integral Pocket Clip - a pocket clip that is molded as part of the handle, rather than being attached with screws.
Jigged Bone - this is bone that has been machined (jigged) in a pattern.
Jimping - refers to machined cuts or cross-hatched patterns on the back of the spine of the knife designed to increase traction of fingers on the knife.
Karambit (Blade) - see picture below
Kraton - a handle material made of thermoplastic polymer.
Kydex - a sheath material made with PVC and acrylic. Fire retardant.
L6 (Steel) - tough and holds an edge well. However, like other non-stainless steel it rusts easily. Some consider this to be one of the best steels available for cutlery. It is also used frequently in saw blades, but any knife made from this material needs consistent maintenance.
Lanyard Hole - this one is pretty self-explanatory. It is a hole in the handle of the knife for a lanyard.
M2 (Steel) - extremely heat resistant. It has about .85% carbon. It holds an edge really, really well, but it can be brittle on large knives.
M390 (Steel) - a high performance blade steel with superior cutting ability and wear resistance due to its high concentration of vanadium and chromium carbides. This is a popular steel used in surgical cutting instruments and in applications requiring a high finish. It features 1.9% carbon.
Mammoth Bone (also molar, and ivory)- Used rarely in custom knives. Found during mining operations in the far north, in areas with lots of glacial activity. The distinctive look is made from erosion.
Micarta - a handle material made by taking layers of linen cloths soaked in resin and pressuring them together. Can be colored several different ways.
Mirror Polish - a blade polished to the point that you can see yourself in the blade.
MOLLE - MOdular Lighweight Load carrying Equipment, typically knives with have sheath attachments compatible with this system.
Moran (Grind) - s