Knife Terminology - Interchangeable?

[Arkanian]

I've noticed multiple websites all use different terms for the same knife and sheath. Then when it comes to people, I've read even more variety of terms when people are talking about again, the same knife. So does everyone generically use the following terms interchangeably?

Handles, Scales
Cordura, Nylon, Ballistic Nylon
Hard Plastic, Glass Filled Nylon, Kydex

Add other variables I did not list above.

Thanks,
Ark.

 

[sqoon]

Not necessarily. If I'm talking about the handle of a knife, I mean the part where I hold it with my hand. The scales would be the removable part that makes the handle comfortable. I might call slabs handles, or remove slabs, but I can't really have a knife with no handle. The two can be used interchangeably, but only if people know what you are talking about in context. I could say I removed the handles of my Becker and people will know I mean scales. If I say I removed the handle of my Buck 110, people will think I ruined my knife and I would be better off using the word slabs.

The terms you list for Cordura, Nylon and Ballistic Nylon are not quite the same, from what I know of these materials. Nylon is nylon. Ballistic nylon is, I'm assuming, sme grade of nylon, or a term particular to the weave.

The plastic terms could also be VERY different. Kydex is kydex. A thermopastic that we in the knife world usually only use for sheaths. I do think there is some glass in the kydex, and likely nylon. However, people will refer to Grivory as GFN, but that is certainly not Kydex in the way I understand it. The glass to nylon proportions are different and can vary. For example, the Grivory KA-BAR uses in their Beckers is different than the Grivory Camilus used in that there is more glass in a KA-BAR handle.

The terms you list CAN essentially mean the same thing and be used interchangeably, but I would not take any terms for granted if I was looking at a knife that I wasn't 100% familiar with like a Becker.

I think a lot of companies get away with a lot of bullshit by using terms loosely. I can say that a knife is made out of Surgical Steel, but this doesn't mean the same all around.

 

[marantz]

I agree with sqoon on handles vs. scales. Handles are the parts of tools designed to be held by the human hand. Scales are the parts of the handles added to the sides for aesthetic and grip enhancing purposes. I agree that some people use the word handles to mean handle scales. Some of these same people also use the wrong homonym. (to, too, two and there, their, they're, etc.)

Nylon is a plastic of the polyamide family, originally a Dupont trademark. Ballistic nylon is a nylon fabric, with a specified thickness thread (denier) and weave. Originally developed by Dupont during WWII for flak jackets. Later replaced by better materials like Kevlar and Spectra. Now mainly seen in softside luggage and inexpensive watch bands. Cordura is a trademark fabric of Invista. Originally developed by Dupont, using rayon, later switched to stronger nylon, it is now fabric blends of whatever fibers Invista says it is. On their website cordura.com I counted 13 various Cordura fabrics, most nylon, or nylon blend.

Grivory (EMS-Grivory) and Zytel (Dupont) are trademarked brands of fiberglass filled nylon, generically called FRN (Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon) or GFN (Glass Filled Nylon). It's important to note that the amount of fiberglass by weight or volume, and the length of the fibers, can be specified by the buyer, within production limitations. The Grivory used by BK&T and the Zytel used by Spyderco have good reputations.

Kydex is a brand name of a thermoplastic alloy of acrylic and PVC (polyvinyl chloride), originally developed by Rohm and Haas, now owned by (you guessed it) Kydex, LLC. It does NOT have any fiberglass in it. Sheaths or holsters made from GFN are stronger, and withstand hot and cold temperatures better than Kydex. But they cost more to make, because of material and production costs. You can't afford the injection molding machines for FRN, or even the machined steel molds, but you can afford to buy a square foot, or 4' x 8' sheet, of Kydex, and the heat gun, toaster oven, and closed cell foam needed to mold your own sheath.

 

[maethor]

whoa *blink*

That was one helluva post, marantz.

I agree with you both. There are two things that are still bugging me:

1. Why does everyone assume "Plastic stuff in knife sheath, can be molded when warm" = KYDEX ? I even remember people calling that insert on the BK9 sheath kydex.

2. Slabs vs scales? Do those two words mean the same thing? (Damn you, language barrier!)

thanks

maethor

 

[NixKustoms]

I agree with sqoon on handles vs. scales. Handles are the parts of tools designed to be held by the human hand. Scales are the parts of the handles added to the sides for aesthetic and grip enhancing purposes. I agree that some people use the word handles to mean handle scales. Some of these same people also use the wrong homonym. (to, too, two and there, their, they're, etc.)....

Ahhahahahahaha!!!!!!

Best part of the whole post IMO.

Very informative and great info from both of you.

 

[Bladite]

he said homonym. huh huh huh...

slabs to me infers a solid block of some material, be it ivory, wood, stone, micarta, etc that is then shaped; something ... beefy like a slab of beef or a slab of granite.

scales on the other hand... are typically the external facing side of something, like on a fish... in knives, that implies something that might even be removable; separate from liners, and other inner materials.

unfortunatey, common usage of a word, like kydex, instead of being specifc say for a particular thermoset plastic, gets generic, and confusing.

 

[BluesStringer]

I've probably been guilty of using scales and handles interchangeably, but if I have, I was making a mistake. I would venture to say that all knives have some kind of handle, but lots of knives have no scales. Most knives could have scales added if they don't come with them, like the Necker or Eskabar and myriad other examples, but absent making that addition, it would not be accurate to say, "So I grabbed my Becker Necker by its scales." And though I suppose it's possible to add them to a frame-lock folder like my Bradley Alias I, I can't imagine the ham-fisted gorilla that could effectively wield such a handle/scales combination effectively or usefully.

Also there are obvious distinctions between Kydex and other types of hard plastic or fiberglass molded materials. So no, the terms shouldn't be interchangeable, but then again, I'm usually able to distinguish between mistaken terminology and just run of the mill shorthand. I'm not sure I've ever given it as much thought as it took to write this post, and I doubt I'll ever give it any thought again. LOL

Blues