Knife Terminology

Blade Length - The “blade length” measurement provided on LARX KNIVES is the distance from the tip of the knife to the front of the handle/scales. This is the most common way to measure blade length and is frequently used as the official definition in legislation addressing weapon classifications and carry guidelines. This method of measuring means that the unsharpened portion of the exposed metal in front of the handle/scales is factored into the blade length and the actual cutting edge is shorter than the listed measurement. If you have a question regarding cutting edge length on a particular knife, don’t hesitate to contact LARX KNIVES via the contact section of the website.

Blued Finish - Bluing is a layer of oxidization on a metal surface caused by a hot or cold bluing processes. While there are other techniques, hot and cold bluing are the most commonly used in knife making. Cold bluing involves applying a solution to the surface of the steel causing a reaction that results in a thin layer of oxidation. It provides a small amount of protection from rust but will wear. It can be easily touched up by adding more solution and blending with 0000 steel wool. Hot bluing involves immersing the part in a heated salt solution causing the oxidization on the surface of the metal. Hot bluing provides a substantial amount of protection especially when it is regularly oiled.

Carbon Fiber - What is generally known as “carbon fiber” is technically referred to as carbon fiber-reinforced plastic or CFRP. This material is made by laminating sheets of carbon fibers with a binder; usually some kind of resin. This material is well know for it’s weight to strength ratio and is used in many applications such as automobiles, robotics, sports equipment, medical technology, etc. When used on a knife, it provides an extremely durable handle that will not warp, crack, or separate from the metal tang. It is resistant to extreme temperatures, chemicals, and oils. Recently carbon fiber products have been developed specifically for the knifemaking community. These products add a variety of colors and patterns not seen in typical carbon fiber used in industrial applications.

Cerakote - Cerakote is an ultra-thin, ceramic based coating that can be used on wood, plastic, and metal. It is a two part substance that is applied via spray gun and then baked to harden. It is an extremely durable, industrial grade finish and has been used for many years on firearms, vehicles and other applications where metal parts under hard use/conditions require a protective layer. It comes in many colors and can be used to create cammo patterns or other stencils. When used on a knife, it provides an excellent layer of protection which mitigates common surface rust or patina that occurs on the surface of bare metal. Cerakote will wear over time, however, it is easy to re-apply periodically providing the handles are removable.

Fordite - Fordite is pieces of material formed by layers of paint overspray in automobile factories. As the vehicles are baked to harden the paint, the overspray is also hardened and it forms a finely layered material displaying the numerous colors used over time. Pieces of this layered paint are broken off and sold for use in craft making. Fordite has become more rare as modern automobile painting methods no longer use acrylic paints or baking in favor of enamels and electrostatic bonding processes.

G10 - G10 is a material made by laminating glass fabric with a resin binder using heat and pressure. The result is a very durable and light material making it an excellent option for handles on a hard use knife. It is resistant to warping, cracking, temperature, oils, and chemicals. It typically comes in solid colors or simple, 2-3 color patterns. Because it is light, durable, and cheap, G10 is a favored handle material in the knife making community.

High Carbon Steel - High carbon steel typically has roughly .6-1.0 % carbon content which is required to achieve a hardness level suitable to hold a knife edge. High carbon steel also has a low alloy content which differentiates it from stainless steel. When compared to stainless steel, high carbon steel tends to hold a sharper edge longer. It also tends to be easier to sharpen due to the lack of alloys. The downside to carbon steel is that it is more prone to rust or patina. Using a surface finish such as Cerakote or even bluing can mitigate this downside.

Stainless Steel - Stainless steel used in knife making has the requisite carbon content to achieve the proper hardness and it also has around 10.5% chromium content. This added chromium provides excellent corrosion resistance and a knife made from stainless is much less prone to rust or patina. Stainless steels can be more expensive, much harder to work and heat treat, more difficult to sharpen, and may not hold an edge as long as high carbon steels.