Secrets Hidden Inside Folding Knives

Ever gone through your dad’s treasure box and got fascinated with that collection of amazing folding pocket knives? Dreamt of owning one of your own someday? But what is it that makes these pocket knives appealing? It is believed that the pocket knives a.k.a folding knives are at their zenith in its formation and functionality. It is both exquisite and useful. Though folding knives are quite handy, the best part of having a folding knife is when someone asks if there is someone with a knife on them, and you an whip that blade out, feeling macho! But just thinking that pocket knives are cool is not enough. It’s the secrets you need to know about the inner workings and features of the folding knives to be a true collector and admirer. Because what’s a collection, if you don’t even know what it’s all about. As a knife collector, one should have the interest in knowing the terminologies and the working of a knife. Since it is a trademark way of expressing and communication like knives. The character and the nature of knives have survived through a millennium, and these terms and practices are still very much in use. Let’s get down to the parts of a pocket knife, to understand the inner workings of the folding knife. Because let’s face it, a majority of us don’t even know what secrets are there inside a pocket knife.

Back

In a single-edged blade pocket knife, the side opposite of the sharpened edge is the back. It is a portion of the folding knife that lines up the back of the blade.

Back Square

Back square is the portion of the pocket knife tang, which is attached to the spring and enforces the outward rotation of the blade to come to a halt. It is also referred to as a run-up. Additionally, the “kick” of the tang has a similar function in pocket knives.

Blade Walk

The spring of the pocket knife that works across the end of the blade tang, which specifically moves during the opening and closing of the pocket knife.

Bolster

For strength, protection and improved appearance, there is a smooth, rounded piece of metal found at the end of the pocket knife, which is usually made of nickel silver. The bolster used for extension is wider than the handle of the knife, and moves along the side of the blade tang, creating a flush joint.

Bolster Thread

A furrow for decoration at the bolster, parallel and close to the cover’s edge.

Cap End

Jack knife’s end that is opposite from the blade’s end.

Catch Bit

Usually a brass piece, that makes up the difference created between a thin pocket knife blade and the thinker spring, used for its operation. The shape of a catch bit is designed in such a manner that it does not move from its position whenever the blade is rotated. A folding knife may also have a catch bit and a thin blade for storing other blades.

Choil

Before the beginning of the cutting edge, a small break is found at the shoulder of the folding knife blade, known as the choil. During sharpening of the blade, this break provides a clearance. Without a choil, all folding knives will have a blunt section between the path of a sharp blade and a thick tang. Choil is considered as the old badges of quality in terms of folding knives.

Celluloid

Celluloid is a trademark of cellulose nitrate plastics, which were first used in England in 1855. It became popular for knife’s handle. It can create colorful patterns and even imitates a pearl when mixed with the essence of pearls.

Cover

A cover is a slab that creates the side of a pocket knife handle. The process of covering, in manufacturing, means to fasten the cover.

Crocus

The mirror finish we get to see on a pocket knife is due to crocus. Crocus is a fine powder, lathered on the knife for polishing and leaves it with mirror-like quality.

Joint

Folding knife’s most prominent feature, the joint is where the folding knife’s blade is attached to the handle with a pivot pin. There are different types of joints, depending on the amount of tang that remains exposed, while the blade is folded. The common joint is where the sharp corner of the blade tang is exposed, and the side scales are narrow. The half-sunk joint is where the blade tang is partially exposed and the side scales are wider. A flush joint is comparatively more comfortable, where the tang is not exposed at all.

Kick

To avoid the blade from hitting the front of the spring when closed, a kick is used. This is a portion of a folding knife blade that halts that movement on closure.

Knob

Knob, known as a pommel, help in the strengthening and the protection of the handle of a pocket knife.

Nail Mark

At the back of the pocket knife blade, there is a fingernail carving that enables a fingernail grip for the user to open the knife. Usually, the nail mark is shaped as a half-moon. However, there is a French nail mark as well, which is straight and long.

Spring

A spring of a folding knife exerts with an extreme pressure that helps in keeping the blade open or close. There is a “two-end spring”, where the blade attached to both ends of the blade. Whereas a “cap-end” spring is attached to the blade from one end and the other end is attached to the handle.

Swedge

The pointed part of the blade is the swedge. The most common type of swedge has a long taper, and the cut swedge has a small shoulder.

Tang

The tang is the part of the pocket knife from where the handle is fastened. The tangs of a folding knife are usually short and crocked that enables a walk and talk action. How about you sit down and think about how much you actually knew about these workings of a folding knife. Did you know it all? Or was this new to you? Maybe you knew a few things? This internet trip must have been quite knowledgeable, we are sure of that. Maybe now you can go around and talk about pocket knives all you want and maybe even boast about the secrets you just uncovered!