What is a Knife?

[baxtrom]

What is a Knife?

As aficionados of those things called knives, I thought that a thread defining what a knife is would be important.
Besides, creating definitions seems to be a thing today. My search of the forums did not find that this was a topic that was addressed, so it’s now time to do it.

According to Dictionary.com, here is their definition:
knife
[ nahyf ]

noun,plural knives [nahyvz].

1. an instrument for cutting, consisting essentially of a thin, sharp-edged, metal blade fitted with a handle.

However the blade doesn’t have to be metal. Ceramic and obsidian are just some other options.

I prefer the definition attributed to Jerry Fisk -
A knife is simply a material separator.
Simple and to the point (pun Intended)

However, the soup can lid that cut me the other day, I wouldn’t call a knife, but it did the job.

However to those of us here on the forums a knife is certainly way more than that.
Otherwise we wouldn’t spend time discussing and obsessing over them.
For me as a steel junkie, I am on a quest for the proverbial best. Whatever that is - it is an elusive creature.
It can also be design art, a source of pride and joy, a fidget or comfort toy, a piece of history or even family memorabilia.

How would you define it?

So, I say to you, what is a knife?

A knife is an adult human’s tool, to paraphrase a popular contemporary discussion

Luckily I’m no college professor so I’ll give it a try,

A blade is a mechanical tool primarily intended to cut, slice and, if used as a weapon, stab. A knife is a blade with a handle, normally held in one hand. In contrast to the axe, which is designed to use momentum to cut and split, a knife normally cuts by applying static force. Following this definition, a sword is a blade with a handle intended to use momentum to cut and split, much like the axe. As such it is usually larger than the knife in order to achieve sufficient inertia and range.

As is common with objects not conforming to distinct definition, there is no clear border between the classes of knives, swords and axes. An axe can be used to cut and slice much like a knife, while a large knife can possess sufficient inertia to cut and split by momentum. The terms are hence somewhat ambiguous and are a consequence of the development of human culture, language and communication.

 

[DavidZ]

I'm not sure. Friends have told me that these are 'knives', yet they have no handles (they might have had at one point).

Perhaps, the part of the blade that your hand uses to hold it is the handle. Hmmm . By definition. It could be the first ever integral bladed knife.

 

[runscott]

Perhaps, the part of the blade that your hand uses to hold it is the handle. Hmmm . By definition. It could be the first ever integral bladed knife.

Everything isn't as black and white as discussion forum members sometimes make things seem. Then it becomes more of an 'assertion' than 'discussion' forum.

 

[Locutus D'Borg]

A knife is just an extension of my sharp wit.

This explains why my knives are dull.

 

[Gary W. Graley]

Jerry Fisk certainly understands what a knife is for sure.

And a video by Snody Mike Snody reminds me of what a knife is

I don’t know how many times I’ve watched it but it’s always a good watch, I had hoped it would continue with more episodes, maybe it will happen.

G2

 

[not2sharp]

A knife is a fine wedge used to pry materials apart.

n2s

 

[vinprom]

Chisels and sickles are tools, knives are both tools and toys, but also political instruments in the hands of oppressive authorities to impose restrictions.

 

[VorpelSword]

Well for me, any definition of what constitutes as "knife" must include a sharp cutting edge.

Historically, many "daggers" did not have an edge, being designed or stabbing only. . . .but edge or no, the stabbing is what makes it s dagger and not a knife.

Yeah . . .whatever the blade profile, in my eyes, its gotta have an edge to be called a "knife."