Not all cutlery are knives, and not all knives are cutlery. The Oxford Dictionary defines cutlery as knives, forks, and spoons used for eating or serving food. The same dictionary defines knives as a cutting instrument consisting of a blade fixed into a handle. Not all knives are used for eating or serving food. Knives have many uses from tactical, combat, survival, multipurpose, hunting or fishing, or simply collectors’ items.
Anatomy of a knife
Different styles and purposes of knives have different anatomies. Jay Fisher, a world-class knifemaker describes much detail about the anatomy of several different kinds of knives.
The blade is the whole metal part of the knife.
The tip or point is the pointed end of the blade.
The spine or back is the blunt edge opposite the cutting edge.
The cutting edge is the sharp edge of the blade.
The Heel is at the rear of the blade.
The bolster is the thick piece of metal between the handle and the blade.
The tang is the part of the blade that continues through the handle. The handle is attached to it, often with rivets. It is important that the tang extends through the length of the handle, because it affects the weight, balance and stability of the knife.
The handle is the part of the knife which a person holds.
This being said, it is time to look at different knives and cutlery.
