Glossary

ABS

A black amorphous thermoplastic polymer

with high impact strength.

Almite

A coating used on aluminum handles similar

to anodizing. Resistant to scratching and

marring, it can also be tinted to any color

for visual appeal.

Alumina Ceramic

The compound used for Spyderco

sharpening stones. It is a ceramic-bonding

agent mixed with alumina particles

(synthetic sapphires), shaped, then kiln

fired at temperatures in excess of 3000

degrees F.

Ambidextrous

Using both hands with equal ease.

Pertaining to knives, it is a knife that is not

solely designed for a left-or right-handed

person but can be used with equal ease by

both hands.

Balisong/Butterfly

A knife design believed to have originated in

the UK, brought to the Philippines by English

sailors, and was adopted and popularized in

the Philippines. Often used in Filipino martial

arts. The knife has two separate handle

sections that rotate round the blade’s

pivots to create a handle and then rotate

back covering and protecting the blade

when closed.

Bolster

A piece of metal, generally nickel silver or

stainless steel, that is located at one or

both ends of a folding knife handle.

A recycled ABS/acrylic PVS extruded alloy

sheet material used for making sheaths. It

has excellent impact strength and abrasion,

chemical, and fire resistance properties.

Caping

A term to describe the careful and detailed

cutting and removing of the hide from a

game animal for the purpose of taxidermy.

More precisely it refers to removing the

skin from the head, shoulders and neck.

Carbide

A hard, sharp carbon/iron material used

where a very hard material is needed such

as in machining or drilling steel. Spyderco

uses carbide to make the glass-breaking tip

found on the C79 Assist model.

Center Line Grind

A grind down the center of a blade equally

dividing it into halves. On the SpyderFly only

the bottom edge is sharpened and the top

of the dagger grind is left unsharpened

creating a false edge.

Choil

A choil is a round cut out separating the

cutting edge from the ricasso. It is also used

to describe a cut out, molded or formed

area where the handle and blade meet

which positions/guards the index finger

while gripping the opened knife.

Choil Jimping

Small serrations or texturing located on

the choil of a knife’s handle where the hand

grips. Jimping creates tactile resistance,

adds purchase, traction and slip-resistance.

CLIPIT

Spyderco’s trademarked term for their line

of folding knives which feature a pocket clip.

A CLIPIT fan is often called a CLIPITEER.

Cobra Hood

A machined flange of steel positioned over

the Spyderco round opening hole on the

spine of the blade which directs/positions

your thumb over the hole for quickly opening

the knife blade. See Spyderco C79 Assist.

Cordura® is a certified fabric from INVISTA.

It is used in a wide range of products from

luggage and backpacks to boots, to military

wear and performance apparel. It is long

lasting, resistant to abrasions, tears and

scuffs. Spyderco utilizes this product on their

SpyderPacs.

David Boye Dent

Custom knifemaker David Boye removed

a small arc or dent of metal from the lock

bar lever of his knives. This removed piece

lessened the possibility of gripping the

handle hard enough to depress the lock and

accidentally unlock the blade while using

the knife.

Detent

A minute divot or dimple machined into the

blade tang. A ball bearing drops into the

detent hole when the knife is in the closed

position, holding the knife blade closed

inside the handle.

Diamond Coating

The mechanical entrapment of diamond

crystals into a metal substrate. This

process operates by depositing metal, layer

by layer, from a plating solution until enough

metal is built up around the diamond

crystals to hold them in place.

DLC Coating

DLC (Diamond like carbon) is combined

diamond (AP3) and graphite (SP2) used for

coating blades and parts.

Double Flat-ground

A blade that is ground flat on both sides

of the blade, tapering to an edge with no

radius.

EDC

An acronym for Everyday Carry meaning a

knife that is carried and used daily.

ELU

Acronym for “end-line user”, the consumer

who uses Spyderco knives and sharpeners.

Embellishment

Term used to describe personalized

engraving or additional ornamentation

added to a knife after it is manufactured.

EMT

Acronym for Emergency Medical Technician

Ergonomics

The applied science of equipment design

intended to maximize productivity by

reducing operator fatigue, safety and

discomfort. Knives which are designed to be

comfortable and less fatiguing to use are

labeled “ergonomic.”

Finger Choil

A purposeful and specific area/curve

cut out between the blade and handle. It

creates a grip position point closer to the

cutting edge for better control while cutting.

Handguard

Protrusion/expansion on the knife’s handle

proximal to the blade keeping the hand

safely positioned on the handle inhibiting

sliding forward.

Glossary

Hawkbill Blade

Blade shaped in a sharply curved hook like

the talon of a raptor. The inside edge of the

blade is sharpened and works particularly

well for commercial fishermen who reach

out and pull toward them while cutting line,

webbing and netting.

High Alumina Ceramic

The compound used for Spyderco

sharpening stones. It’s a ceramic-bonding

agent mixed with alumina particles

(synthetic sapphires), shaped then kiln

fired at temperatures in excess of 3000

degrees F.

Integral Pocket Clip

Pocket clip that is molded as part of

(integral to) the handle rather than a

separate component attached with

screws. Found on Spyderco model

C28PBK Dragonfly.

Kick

The unsharpened portion along the

underside of the knife blade where the

edge begins. Keeps the blade “kicked out”

so the edge does not hit the back spacer.

Kraton

A rubbery thermoplastic polymer used

as a flexible inlay on knife handles for

enhanced grip.

Kydex

A thin thermoplastic commonly used for

firearm holsters and knife sheaths. It is

flexible, resistant to sweat, chemicals,

oils and solvents. It is shaped by heat and

retains its’ set form.

Lanyard Hole

A hole placed in the end of a knife handle.

Originally used by sailors who would place

a cord through such a hole in their knife to

keep from losing it overboard.

Left/Right Hand Carry

Knife clip that is manufactured to affix

ambidextrously to either side of the knife

positioning the folder for use by left- and

right-handed people.

LEO

Acronym for Law Enforcement Officer

Little Big Knife

Term coined by Spyderco to describe

a small bladed knife (generally under

three inches) that is manufactured using

features and materials that allow the knife

to be used for strenuous or hard cutting

normally done with larger, heavier tools.

Nesting

Hollowing out a section in G-10 or other

handle material on the inside of the handle

where the lock and or liner is then inset/

inlayed and fitted into the hollow section.

Nesting increases strength and creates a

thinner overall profile to the knife.

Peel-Ply Carbon Fiber

A carbon fiber filled, epoxy resin lay-up

that has textured material placed on the

surface to protect the material during

manufacturing. After manufacture the

material is removed and it leaves a grippy

texture in the epoxy making a non-slip

handle material.

Phosphor Bronze Bushings

The washer between the scale or the liners,

and the blade, made of phosphor bronze.

It acts like a liquid lubricant would, making

open/close action smooth.

Pommel

The knob or expansion found on the end of

a sword or knife.

Quillion

A handguard protruding from both sides

of the handle (where the handle and blade

meet), which stops the hand from slipping

up onto the blade.

SAS

Acronym for Save and Serve referring

to military personnel, law enforcement,

fire/rescue and emergency response

professionals.

Scale

A knife handle made of scales or slabs

of material that are riveted, screwed or

bonded together.

Skeletonized Liners

Internal steel handle liners that have

been hollowed out (skeletonized). In

removing sections of steel, bulk and weight

is lessened while allowing the liner to

maintain its strength and rigidity.

Slip Joint

Non Locking Blade -- a blade having a

spring acting against it, which provides

some resistance to its opening and closing

as it pivots within the handle.

Spine Cusp

A point or crest above The Spyderco

Round Hole that creates a spot where the

thumb is placed and offers leverage while

holding the knife and cutting.

Spine Jimping

Small serrations or texturing located

on the spine of a blade where the hand

or finger grips. Jimping creates tactile

resistance, adds purchase, traction and

slip-resistance.

Sprint Run

A limited, one time only, production of a

knife design/model. Production numbers

are less than 1500 pieces.

Spyderco Trademark Round Hole

Round hole located in the knife blade.

Tang

The portion of the blade where it connects

to the handle.

Tip-Up/Tip-Down

Refers to which direction the folded knife is

positioned by its pocket clip. When closed

and clipped in a pocket, whichever direction

(up or down) the blade’s tip sits defines if it

is termed tip-up or tip-down.

Titanium

A non-ferrous metal with high tensile

strength is lightweight and resistant to

corrosion. Often used for handle material

or knife liners.

Wave (Emerson Wave)

Blade opening device invented and

patented by Mr. Ernest Emerson of

Emerson Knives. It is a hook protruding

from the blade’s spine that catches the

edge of the pant’s pocket when drawing

out –down - and back, opening the blade as

you deploy the folder. Licensed from Ernest

Emerson, Pat. 5,878,500.