Parts of a Knife

Food and Recipes » Cooking Guide » Cooking Utensils

Parts of a Knife
By. Frank Silkin

Like most things that we cannot live without, the knife has become so much a part of our lives that we fail to realize just how complex of a tool it really is. Although many people would have trouble naming more than two distinct parts on a knife (the blade and the handle), the fact remains that there are six separate parts to a knife.

When you try to visualize a knife, you will most likely think of the blade. The metallic part that extends away from the handle is officially termed the blade. A cutting edge is ground onto one side of the blade and the tasks a knife is suited for are determined essentially by the shape of its blade.

Depending on the shape of the blade, a knife can be used for skinning, filleting, chopping, and a number of other duties. The steel used to make the blade will determine its overall strength and durability. For both hygienic reasons and to ensure the long life of your knife, get blades made out of stainless steel as they are more germ resistant and will not rust or corrode like other steel products.

The point of the knife performs the task of piercing and stabbing things. We use the point to help gut and clean game as it can pierce through the membrane around the skin and help us get to the meat of the quarry.

The tip, according to many knife experts, is the top quarter of the knife blade. This is the part of the knife that is most used as it does the cutting and chopping. Some consider the point to be part of the tip, though they are actually separate parts of the knife.

The cutting edge is the part of the knife that is…well, designed to cut things. It is the part of the blade (facing away from you) that has been sharpened and honed so that it cuts through whatever needs cutting. While there are several types of edges available, the straight and serrated edges are most common. A serrated edge is good for cutting things like bread while the straight edge is better for trimming meat.

The handle is probably the other part of a knife, besides the blade, that people are most familiar with. Handles can be made using a variety of materials including wood, steel, plastic…basically, the sky is the limit.

The knife also has a part called the butt which is much like the butt of a gun. It is located at the exact opposite side of the tip i.e. the far end of the handle. Some knives have a compass inserted in the butt that can be pulled out. Behind the compass you would find a small storage space where you can put matches and other survival essentials.

Now some knives do come with hand guards that are designed to protect your hands in case they should accidentally slip in the direction of the blade. Many survival knives have this feature. But, whether your knife has a guard on it or not, it is important to familiarize yourself with the basic components of a knife as this will reduce the chances of your being injured using one. The next step is to learn how to sharpen and maintain your knife so that it lasts as long as possible.

Users Reading this article are also interested in:

Top Searches on Cooking Utensils:

• Bread Machine Replacement Parts

• Bread Machine Parts

About The Author, Frank Silkin

Frank Silkin is the chief editor for F knife, the #1 source on the internet for information about knife. For more articles on knife why not visit: http://www.yflknife.com/articles
Feel free to grab a unique version of this article from the Unique Articles Submission Service

Cooking Utensils

•	Soap, Water, Dutch Ovens
•	Big Block Smoker Has Plenty Of Versatility
•	Creating Delicious And Easy Barbq Smoker Recipes
•	Pros Of Using Stainless Steel Cookware
•	Cookware what you need and what you dont!
•	Cookware Materials And Heat Conductivity, What Should You Have?
•	Why You Should Consider Cast Iron Cookware
•	Whats Cooking In Tomorrows Kitchen
•	The Role Of Kitchen Appliances
•	Food Processor - What You Need To Know Before Purchasing!
•	Cook Fast With Your Slow Cooker!
•	Not All Slow Cookers Are Crock Pots®
•	Teflon Bakeware is still a popular choice
•	Fun Kitchenware Gadgets
•	Heavens Kitchen Came On Free Shipping
•	Several Ways To Save Electricity And Energy In The Kitchen
•	Cooker Summer tips
•	Fire Pit Essentials
•	What Are Pros And Cons Of Using A Steel Pan?
•	What do you understand About Slicing and Dicing ?
	» More on Cooking Utensils

FoodEditorials Cooking Guide offers insightful Cooking Tips & Recipes for aspiring chefs who would like to try new Barbeque Recipes, Chicken Recipes, Seafood Recipes & Meat Recipes for main courses; or Salad Recipes and Soup Recipes for appetisers. Also, learn more on the best Cooking Appliances to cook delicious meals and how Herbs & Spices can liven up Festive Recipes.

Need faster Access? Try our Local Hosting Sites

Asia : Singapore - Malaysia - Indonesia | America : USA