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Massdrop 101: Intro to Knives

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An essential survival tool, the knife’s origins date back over 2 million years. Created out of necessity to meet the needs of the hunter, the fisherman, the soldier, and others working with their hands, the knife remains a trusty accomplice for both avid outdoorsmen and everyday people.
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A Material Evolution
The first knives were carved from flint stone, and only roughly resembled what we commonly use now. Over time, as newer, stronger, and more advanced materials were discovered, knives grew more reliable and capable of withstanding repeated use. First came copper, then iron, then steel—the primary material used in knives today. As materials improved, so did the capacity of the knife. It has evolved from the jungle to the battlefield to the kitchen to the pocket, and drastically progressed along the way.
These days, many people still rely on knives to accomplish a wide range of tasks. For the most part, there are a few key styles of knives, and each is used for different types of work. Let’s take a look at some of the differences, advantages, and disadvantages of some of the most common types of knives used today.
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Fixed Blade
For thousands of years, the only type of knife in existence was the fixed blade. Constructed without moving parts, the fixed blade does not slide or fold. The blade is made with a single piece of metal that extends into the handle. How far it extends is known as the blade’s “tang.” A full-tang knife is made with a large piece of metal that is sandwiched between two pieces of material that form a handle. A half-tang knife extends the full length of the handle, but is only half the height, meaning it’s not quite as strong.
Because it contains no moving parts, the fixed blade is the strongest style of knife. It’s typically used for harsh outdoor tasks like hunting, camping, and bushcraft. One of the downsides of the fixed-blade knife is its lack of portability. Due to the exposed edge, fixed blades must be carried with a sheath or holster to protect the blade and keep it from accidentally cutting something while in transit.
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Folding Knife
The folding knife contains one or more blades that fit snugly inside the handle—a design that was popularized in the 1700s, and still remains a widely used option for everyday carry.
The original design of the folding knife used friction between the handle and blade to create tension strong enough to hold the blade in place. Using a simple pivoted blade, they allow a knife to rotate open and closed freely, with no backspring, slipjoint, or lock. Only recently did the folder emerge as a prominent EDC tool.
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Slipjoint Knife
The slipjoint knife is made with one or more blades that fold in and out of the handle. Created as a more convenient and portable alternative to the fixed blade, the slipjoint has a blade that’s held in place by tension from a backspring. Most slipjoints are opened with two hands by pulling the knife apart with a nail nick cut into the blade. Once opened, the blade can be tucked back into the handle by simply pushing and overcoming the tension. The slipjoint design is frequently implemented in Swiss Army knives and pocket tools.
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The Locking Folder
In the mid-20th century, the folding knife became much more popular when large manufacturers started producing it on a broader scale. Companies like Buck, Kershaw, and Gerber created knives in bulk, making them more accessible to the masses. In addition to mass-producing knives, these companies started producing them with a locking mechanism to secure the blade. Many folders today utilize a bar, liner, or push button to physically restrain a knife once it has been opened. To close it, the user must push, press, or slide something to overcome the lock. This type of design adds strength and security, making the knife much less likely to fail during hard tasks.
Although folding knives are generally strong enough for everyday tasks like opening boxes and packaging, and cutting through rope, they’re still not nearly as strong as fixed-blade knives. But what they lack in strength, they make up for in portability. Most typically come with a pocket clip to clip onto a pair of pants or a pack, a convenient alternative to carrying a sheath. They tend to be smaller than fixed-blade knives, too, which adds to their appeal for many people.
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Any Questions?
Leave ‘em in the comment section below, and someone from the community will be happy to help. Have personal recommendations to share? We’d love to hear about them—and see pictures, too! Plus, hit the "Follow" button to get notified about future posts from this account.
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Fourday
131
Oct 30, 2018
I believe obsidian (glass) was used for many edged items.
billc
410
Oct 30, 2018
Steel was well-known in the ancient world. It has been found in archeological digs dating back to nearly 2,000 BC and was used by the Romans. High carbon steel was made in India anciently. The Vikings were known to use fine steel swords comparable to some modern steels. Quality and alloy content couldn’t be controlled in the modern sense, of course, but careful refining and skilled forging alone are capable of producing very good steel.
alexu6446
2
Oct 26, 2017
What Slipjoint knife is that?
Fourday
131
Oct 30, 2018
alexu6446I believe it's a simple hinged folding knife, no spring detent and no lock.
Skelart
1
Jan 27, 2017
Would love the Hiro survival
BlackElk
65
Feb 16, 2017
SkelartI believe it is called the Nordic Hunter. Scroll towards the bottom of the page. http://www.japaneseknifedirect.com/Specials.html $170 USD and available.
Jeff0500
74
Dec 11, 2018
SkelartI second that
Gonk
13
Jul 14, 2016
the first knives were literally found flakes of whatever seemed to do the trick. The second knives were strategically broken stones. Probably tens of thousands of years later, people got into actually making them specifically from flint and other specific types of stone.
Also, the romans routinely used folding knives of various kinds.
Goldfish
8
Jul 14, 2016
hey uh you forgot one style of knives Balisongs/butterfly knives
JAFO
3
Jul 14, 2016
Would love to see a primer on various blade steels.
ponagathos
512
Nov 30, 2018
JAFOBladeHQ also has a decent primer on steels. More specifically on good to great knife steels. More common cheap steels are basically just lumped together.
Omniseed
1972
Jan 21, 2019
JAFOknifesteelnerds.com maybe
MrFriendly
28
Jul 14, 2016
jmacmac is right, it's the Bean from Serge Knives. damned expensive... :(
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