What Are the Parts of a Knife: Knife Anatomy

A knife is a tool many people use daily, whether it’s while in the kitchen, working, or tackling outdoor tasks. But are you aware of the different parts of a knife? The anatomy may surprise you as you continue to read this blog. Get to know your knives by immersing yourself in knife anatomy.

The Handle

The handle is the part of the knife consumers hold to protect their hands and to achieve a more secure grip. The handle is known as the scale if made with two pieces. There are a wide range of materials and manufacturers that create knife handles. The Knife Connection is proud to offer ESEE handles among the others we carry.

The Butt

This part of the knife is at the very end of the handle. It’s the part that’s farthest away from the point of the blade. It’s typically curved, allowing the consumer to know the knife’s orientation by feel. The butt could also be known as a pommel if the tang protrudes from the back of the handle.

The Tang

The tang is the blade section that extends into the handle. Three common tang styles are partial, full, and false (rat-tail).

The full tang extends the entire handle length. This option is the strongest and most durable. Partial tangs partially extend the handle length, hence their name. You’ll typically find partials in more delicate knife options. False, or rat-tail, tangs extend into the handle a little. You’ll mostly find these with inexpensive knife options.

The Tip and Point

The knife’s point is the farthest part of the knife from the butt. It’s where the blade’s edge and spine meet. You could hear people refer to the point as the tip, but this is incorrect. The tip sits directly below the point.

The Edge

Have you ever wondered what the sharpened part of the blade is? It’s the edge, and it runs from the heel of the blade to the point. Three grind types tell a consumer how the manufacturer created the edge. There’s the serrated, hollow grind, and flat grind.

Serrated knives allow customers to cut through tough materials, and the teeth provide added shearing power. One serrated knife option is a steak knife. Hollow-ground blades cut smoothly. Flat-ground knives are less sharp but more robust than hollow grind knives.

Now, it’s time to put this newfound knife anatomy knowledge to the test and find the perfect outdoor knife. The Knife Connection has an incredible selection of knives and accessories waiting for you. Browse our website to find what you’re searching for.