The History of the knife
The cavemen man was the first to us knives as a vital tool for his survival. The earliest knives were shaped by a method called “knapping" which is the percussive flaking of rock. Breaking away parts until a blade was formed. The most common rock used in this process was obsidian, which is a naturally formed glass, or a hard stone flint. Before these materials, blades were formed from wood and bone. Now from the stone age of knives so to speak the knife was constantly evolving becoming more and more proficient in its design. This was the best type of hunting knives made at this time. Man has now discovered alloys such as copper, bronze, and iron. Still these materials were soft and proved to be inferior. Not having the capability of holding an edge with to much use, even after a few cuts the blade would become dull. Even though this would be a problem the knife was still superior to it ancestors of wood, bone, rock, and glass versions. These knives still resembled their predecessors in look and style. Most of which were forged as a double-edged dagger. These times were known to many as the Dark Ages. Medieval times are where the knife evolved with leaps and bounds. The knife transformed with the aid of greed and power into the sword. The way of life and the rule of the land was “live by the sword" which brought upon the inevitable “die by the sword".
During this era the double-edged dagger was also evolving into the blade we most commonly use today the drop point blade. The material was changed from the softer alloys bronze and copper in what we are familiar with the metal known as steel. Steel being much harder and capable of holding an edge much longer with a lot more use steel was the metal of choice and used for forging swords, spears, arrowheads, axes, knives, and much more. Still through out all this the fixed blade was the only blade wielded by farmer and Knights alike. The next major step in the evolution of the knife was the pocketknife. Although we are not real sure of the date the first pocketknife was made, we do know that the production of lock back blades wasn’t until the 1900’s.
There are now two broad types of knives that we still use today, fixed blade knives and folding knives. These two categories cover everything from swords to Swiss army knives, and everything in between. The materials of the blades have changed as well due to the technology that we have today. Knife blades are primarily steel though, but they are also made of a variety of materials as well such as carbon fiber, ceramics, titanium, plastic. Wooden blades are used as training tool for law enforcement and martial arts. Ceramic blades are generally used in kitchen cutlery. The edge on this type of blade will out last the traditional steel blade up to ten times. But they are not with there faults; they are extremely brittle and can shatter. For example if you cut frozen food or try to cut through bone they can shatter like a drinking glass hitting a tile floor. If used properly with this in mind these knives will bring the person who uses it a lot of satisfaction while cooking. Even though the ceramic blade is primarily used in the kitchen there are still a few companies that make a folding ceramic knife, Precision ceramics, Tachi knives, Flint knives, and Boker knives just to name a few.
Titanium, carbon fiber, and plastic are mostly found in tactical knives. Carbon fiber and titanium also hold there edge longer than steel. Tactical knives come in various designs and blade styles. The most popular are the tanto, and the serrated blades. They are designed with one thing in mind and if I have to explain it you just wouldn’t understand.
In many areas switchblades are illegal with the exception of a one handed individual, law enforcement, and the military. Carrying a knife with a blade over a certain length is also prohibited in some states. Carrying a knife in an airport in a school or a county building is strictly prohibited and enforced. Even with the potential of turning into a weapon in a split second they are also vital tools to everyday life.
We have followed the evolution of the knife from its earliest years up to the present. From custom blades to the more traditional knife the ever evolving forging techniques and manufacturing of the knife is far from over.
During this era the double-edged dagger was also evolving into the blade we most commonly use today the drop point blade. The material was changed from the softer alloys bronze and copper in what we are familiar with the metal known as steel. Steel being much harder and capable of holding an edge much longer with a lot more use steel was the metal of choice and used for forging swords, spears, arrowheads, axes, knives, and much more. Still through out all this the fixed blade was the only blade wielded by farmer and Knights alike. The next major step in the evolution of the knife was the pocketknife. Although we are not real sure of the date the first pocketknife was made, we do know that the production of lock back blades wasn’t until the 1900’s.
There are now two broad types of knives that we still use today, fixed blade knives and folding knives. These two categories cover everything from swords to Swiss army knives, and everything in between. The materials of the blades have changed as well due to the technology that we have today. Knife blades are primarily steel though, but they are also made of a variety of materials as well such as carbon fiber, ceramics, titanium, plastic. Wooden blades are used as training tool for law enforcement and martial arts. Ceramic blades are generally used in kitchen cutlery. The edge on this type of blade will out last the traditional steel blade up to ten times. But they are not with there faults; they are extremely brittle and can shatter. For example if you cut frozen food or try to cut through bone they can shatter like a drinking glass hitting a tile floor. If used properly with this in mind these knives will bring the person who uses it a lot of satisfaction while cooking. Even though the ceramic blade is primarily used in the kitchen there are still a few companies that make a folding ceramic knife, Precision ceramics, Tachi knives, Flint knives, and Boker knives just to name a few.
Titanium, carbon fiber, and plastic are mostly found in tactical knives. Carbon fiber and titanium also hold there edge longer than steel. Tactical knives come in various designs and blade styles. The most popular are the tanto, and the serrated blades. They are designed with one thing in mind and if I have to explain it you just wouldn’t understand.
In many areas switchblades are illegal with the exception of a one handed individual, law enforcement, and the military. Carrying a knife with a blade over a certain length is also prohibited in some states. Carrying a knife in an airport in a school or a county building is strictly prohibited and enforced. Even with the potential of turning into a weapon in a split second they are also vital tools to everyday life.
We have followed the evolution of the knife from its earliest years up to the present. From custom blades to the more traditional knife the ever evolving forging techniques and manufacturing of the knife is far from over.