Different Types Of Blades On A Pocket Knife

Pocket knives came into existence around the same time as pockets. That meant there were no pocket knives until the 17th century. The first of the pocket knives were simple devices with nothing more than a blade attached with a sheath that would pivot out of the way when the blade was being used. Now, as with everything else, pocket knives have evolved quite a bit. There are now several different types of blades used in pocket knives - 

• One of the most common pocket knife blade types is Clip Point. Since the final third of the back of the blade is clipped (either straight or concave), it is called a clip point. It has a sharp, controllable tip that is good for cutting straight in. However, the tip of the clip point isn’t all that strong, being so narrow.

• The Drop Point is another very commonly used knife blade type. It has a sharp, straight edge on one of its sides which curves up to a point. As one gets closer to the tip, the spine slopes down to meet the bottom of the blade at a sharp point. Although very similar to Clip Point, the Drop point is significantly more advantageous due to the fact that it has a stronger tip because of its broader point.

• A Pen Blade, although smaller and less sharp compared to the other types of blades is still preferred for delicate and detailed work. Originally, it was used for sharpening quills for writing. It is often found attached to swiss knives.

• The Tanto Point Blade was popularised by Japan and is seen on many tactical folding knives. With a straight blade and an angled tip, it can be seen that this blade is designed for strength. The Tanto Point can easily be sharpened with a whetstone.

Whether you're a collector who simply finds pocket knives to be 'cool' or use your knife for whittling, carving, or something like a camping tool, there are plenty of options to choose from (knife and blade), depending on what you'll use the knife for. Visit Laguiole Pocket Knife for more.