The type describes the general specialization and design features of the knife. Among the most popular modern types are
EDC (everyday),
Swiss,
hunting / camping,
diving (underwater), as well as such specific options as
machete / kukri,
butterflies,
poke and
throwing knives, as well as
karambits. Note that
multi-tools,
multi-tools-trinkets and
Kubotans / Yawars actually do not belong to knives at all. Here is a more detailed description of each type
— EDC. The English abbreviation EDC means "everyday wear"; it denotes not only knives, but also other small items that are constantly carried with you - from wallets and watches to flashlights and first aid kits. Specifically, EDC knives are mostly small to medium-sized folding products (blade length in most cases does not exceed 90 mm), with a blade lock, a pocket clip and very few or no additional features. Such knives are designed mainly for everyday situations in urban environments, although they can be useful both in nature and in an extreme situation.
— Swiss. Knives that originally appeared as a multi
...-purpose tool for the Swiss military (hence the name) and have become popular around the world due to their practicality and functionality. The distinctive features of the Swiss knife are, firstly, a folding design, and secondly, the presence of at least one additional tool that folds into a handle (in addition to the main blade). At the same time, the assortment of such tools is very diverse, it can be almost any additional devices used in modern knives (see "Functions and Capabilities"), and their number in the most functional models can reach one and a half dozen or even more. Swiss knives are mostly small in size, but there are exceptions. In general, they are not well suited for complex large-scale work, but they are indispensable for small tasks that suddenly arise in everyday life: cut a thread, open a bottle, unscrew or tighten a couple of bolts, etc.
– Hiking (hunting / fishing). Knives designed specifically for use in nature - while hunting, fishing or long hikes. Such models often have to deal with different tasks - from cooking and cutting wood chips for a fire, ending with butchering prey. Therefore, there are no clear differences between hunting, fishing and camping knives, which made it possible to combine them into one category. Ease of use, reliability, the ability to withstand long-term high loads and maintain sharpness are especially important for them. Such knives are made mostly clumsy, and rather hard steel is most often used for blades (however, there are exceptions). Many hunting models are not equipped with a sub-finger notch (see "Additional") - this expands the number of grip options available in use. Also, “purely hunting” knives may have an additional specialization related to butchering prey - for example, a Gut-Hook profile (with a hook on the blade for butchering carcasses) or Skinner (a short and wide blade, convenient for skinning). As for fishing knives, their universal models often have slightly longer and narrower blades than classic camping and EDC knives - so that it is convenient both to work with tackle and to clean or gut the catch. For the convenience of removing scales from fish, fishing models may have teeth on the butt of the main blade or even a separate blade resembling a file. We also note that many fishing models are equipped with bright inserts in the handles, which makes it easier to find a knife in the grass or under water; and the handles themselves are often made of lightweight materials that allow a knife that has fallen into the water to stay on the surface. The range of additional tools in hiking models is usually small - in some instances, there may be a file, a cullet and / or a sling cutter.
- Multitool. A versatile tool, most often a folding pliers with advanced features; in some models, scissors or pruners may be the main tool, but the basic design principle remains the same. The handles of such tools accommodate additional folding devices - knives, screwdrivers, etc.; there, in the handles, the sponges of the pliers hide when folding the multitool itself. In general, this is the most versatile type of pocket tool, surpassing even Swiss knives in capabilities; although the specific functionality of the multitool, of course, directly depends on the model.
— Multitool-keychain. A compact variety of multi-tools (see above), which can be worn on a keychain, on a carabiner, in a breast pocket. Multi-tools in the form of key rings are not amazing with a variety of tools, but this option can be useful in some unforeseen situations - for example, with the help of built-in miniature devices, you can fix a fallen bolt on sunglasses, cut a broken nail, etc.
— For diving. Knives designed for scuba divers and divers. Most of them have a clumsy design and a thick, durable blade that can be used as a lever or wedge. The blade often has a combined or purely serrated sharpening (see "Type of the main blade"), convenient for cutting ropes and nets; Many diving knives are double-edged. The handles of knives of this type are large and at the same time quite light, due to which, when released from the hands, the knife becomes vertically on the bottom, on the edge, or even floats to the surface. This, combined with bright inserts, makes it easier to find a lost instrument. Also note that diving knife sheaths are usually equipped with a universal fastening system that allows you to attach them to almost any part of the body or equipment at any angle.
- Machete. The traditional machete is a long (on average 40-50 cm) and wide knife with a blade that widens slightly from the handle to the tip. In addition, in our catalog, kukri, parangi and some other specific types of machete, originating mainly from Southeast Asia, also belong to the machete; see "Blade Profile" for details. Be that as it may, all these varieties have common features, which made it possible to combine them into one type. First of all, these are large sizes and heavy weight, which is why machetes (of all types) are designed mainly for cutting, and not for cutting. Such a knife can be useful when cutting through a road in dense shrubs, harvesting firewood from branches of small thickness, and even when cutting prey while hunting. Of course, a machete will not replace a full-fledged ax; on the other hand, a wider and longer blade is an advantage in some work.
- Butterfly. Another name for this type is balisong. A kind of folding knives, which has a rather original design: the “butterfly” handle consists of two halves, which are attached to the blade with swivel joints. When folded, the blade is completely hidden inside the handle, and when unfolded, both halves rotate 180 °, freeing the blade and forming a one-piece handle. This design allows you to open and fold the knife with one hand, with almost no physical force - although this will require some training. In addition, you can perform quite spectacular tricks with a balisong.
- Mushroom. Knives designed for picking mushrooms. An almost obligatory element of equipment for such a knife is a sickle-shaped blade, which is very convenient to cut prey; such a "sickle" may be the main blade or complement a more traditionally shaped blade. There are other blade options, but much less often; well, in any case, the dimensions of the blade are usually small - otherwise, when picking mushrooms, it is not required. Another feature popular among knives of this type is a brush for cleaning the caps of the collected mushrooms from litter.
- Tychkovy. Knives of a peculiar design: T-shaped or L-shaped, with a handle perpendicular to the blade. In use, this handle is clamped in the fist, and the blade protrudes forward from the fist; the heel - the back of the blade - is made thin, which allows you to squeeze it between your fingers without any problems. The length of the blade in most models of this type is small, and folding is not provided. Such products are designed mainly for use as a means of self-defense, although the “peaceful” use of a butt knife is also possible - for example, for cutting dense material or for opening adhesive tape on packages. In addition, some hunters use such knives when skinning.
- Karambit. The traditional karambit has a rather narrow and long blade with a pronounced point, shaped like a claw - bent down - and sharpened from the concave side. In addition, in our time there are various modifications of such blades, sometimes only approximately resembling the original. The handle is also often bent, so that the whole shape of the knife can resemble a sickle. Another practically obligatory feature of karambit is the ring at the end of the handle, into which the index finger is threaded when held (the knife is designed for reverse grip by default); in some models there is also a second ring, under the little finger. As for the purpose, initially karambits were intended for rather specific tasks, such as collecting coconuts, and in our latitudes such knives are poorly suited for domestic use. However, there are still everyday situations where karambit can still be on top - in particular, cutting ropes, ripping fabrics and opening various packages.
- Throwing. Knives specifically designed for throwing. A characteristic distinguishing feature of such a knife is a kind of balance, when the blade is noticeably heavier than the handle. The handle itself has an extremely simplified design, designed primarily for weight reduction and does not imply comfort when held for a long time in the hands. For example, the simplest throwing knife is an oblong metal plate, one end of which is forged to the shape of a blade, and the other plays the role of a handle and usually has holes to reduce weight. In more advanced models, the handle can be supplemented with paracord or other similar material. But linings made of wood, plastic, etc. they are not used in throwing knives - such materials tend to shatter from impacts during unsuccessful throws, and besides, they have significant weight. The blade is necessarily made sharpened so that the knife can stick when it hits, and the blade as such may be absent altogether, since such knives are not designed for cutting.
- Kubotan / Yawara. Kubotans and Yawars are not knives - they are devices for hand-to-hand combat (mainly self-defense), made in the form of a short rod. They are supposed to be clamped in the hand to strike at pain zones, conduct counterattacks, escort people, or simply to strengthen the blow. Formally, the yawara is a traditional Japanese weapon, and Kubotan is a trademark under which a modern modification of the yawara is produced in the form of a keychain. However, most often such devices are found in the format of tactical pens. Compact dimensions allow you to constantly carry such products with you, using them for self-defense, as a high-strength lever, for breaking glass (many models are armed with a special cullet), etc. In addition, Yawars in such a form factor are skillfully disguised as writing pens, which allows you to avoid unnecessary inconvenient questions from law enforcement agencies.The total weight of the knife. It is worth evaluating this indicator depending on the type (see above) and purpose: for example, for a compact hiking model,
light weight is usually a virtue, among hunting and fishing it all depends on specialization, and a machete, by definition, must be
weighty — otherwise, cut with such a blade it will just be uncomfortable.
