Datasheet

Glossary
Ability to take an edge Some steels take a sharper edge than others.
Fine-grained steels take an edge more easily than coarse-grained ones.
ABS inlay Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) is a common
thermoplastic. It combines strength and rigidity with the toughness of
rubber. Inlaid in steel handles, it also offers non-slip grip characteristics.
Alloy A mixture of two or more metals in solution; the atoms of one
replace or occupy spaces between the atoms of the other so that the
materials are inextricably joined.
Ambidextrous Able to use both left and right hands with equal ease.
In relation to knives, it means that the knife if usable by both left and right-
handers with equal ease.
Aluminum Kershaw uses 6061-T6 aerospace aluminum to create some
of our knife handles. Aluminum combines high strength with workability,
corrosion resistance, and good acceptance of coatings.
Anodized aluminum Anodizing changes the microscopic texture of the
surface of the aluminum so that a porous coating or fi lm can be applied
that will accept a dye. Anodizing makes aluminum stronger and anodic
fi lms are much longer lasting than other surface colorations. Anodized
aluminum knife handles are highly scratch resistant and fade resistant.
Belly The deeply convex-curved part of the blade, often found in skinning
knives and multi-tasking knives.
Bolster The junction between the handle and the knife blade. A thick
bolster can serve as a safety feature; it also contributes to knife balance.
Carbide A hard material made of compacted carbon and heavy metals
used to make metal-cutting tools. Kershaw uses a carbide tip as a glass-
breaker in some of our rescue tools.
Carbon fi ber A strong, lightweight weave of bonded carbon atoms.
Kershaw occasionally uses it in handle scales; a premium material.
Choil The start of the cutting edge. The choil is unsharpened and can be
decoratively shaped.
Clip-point blade A blade shape in which the blade is clipped off at
a straight or slightly curved concave angle to the point. Provides a thin,
aggressive point, yet sheaths easily.
Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) machining
Adds dimension to a knife blade or handle and enhances performance.
CNC machines can be programmed to execute a precise series of
machining operations that can result in the production of some of the
complex components of a knife. Kershaw was one of the pioneers in
mainstreaming the production of 3D-machined knives. We chose to use
CNC machines because they give us the fl exibility to create the complex
part geometries that some of our knife designs require. CNC also gives us
the ability to create just a few pieces for limited-run products or thousands
of pieces for knives we produce in higher quantities.
Co-polymer A polymer is a large molecule composed of repeating
structural units and can be either synthetic or natural. A co-polymer is
a compound of two or more different molecules, chosen for specifi c
characteristics. The co-polymers Kershaw uses for knife handles generally
have a slightly rubbery texture to improve grip security.
Corrosion resistance the ability of steel to resist deterioration through
reaction with elements in its surrounding environment.
DLC Coating Diamond-Like Carbon coating; a coating that displays
properties similar to those of natural diamond, including hardness,
wear resistance, and reduced friction. Kershaw uses it to enhance the
performance of knife blades and produce an attractive fi nish.
Drop forging a process by which a knife blade is made by forcing hot
steel into a metal die.
Drop-point blade a very common blade style providing a strong,
convenient point and easy sheathing; very common in hunting blades and
work knives.
Edge retention the ability of a steel to resist abrasion and wear so that
the edge stays sharper longer.
Ergonomics the design science of making products comfortable and
effi cient for human use.
Fine blanking manufacturing process that uses high-precision tools to
fabricate a knife blade (or other part) to a shape very near to its fi nal
dimensions. Fine-blanked blades need little grinding or re-shaping.
Flipper A fl ipper enables you to open a knife with your index fi nger.
Apply pressure to the fl ipper and the knife opens quickly and easily.
Flippers may be found on both manual and SpeedSafe® knives.
Full tang knife A knife which is built of one solid piece of blade steel
from tip to butt; scales are usually attached to form the handle.
G-10 An epoxy-fi lled woven glass fi ber; it is extremely stable, unaffected
by temperature changes, and can be decoratively tinted, ground, and
polished. G-10 makes excellent handles and handle scales for knives.
Glass-fi lled nylon Nylon synthetic polymer is reinforced with glass
threads for increased strength, stiffness, and dimensional stability
combined with excellent wear resistance.
Hardenability The ability of a steel to be hardened by heat treatment.
Hardness Like strength, hardness is a measure of resistance to
deformation. The Rockwell Hardness Scale numbers that you often see in
our specs refer to the relative hardness of metals determined by the depth
of penetration into the metal by a steel ball or diamond cone.
Heat treatment A controlled heating and cooling process designed to
improve the physical properties and characteristics of the steel. Tempering,
annealing, and quenching are all forms of heat treatment.
Impact resistance The ability of a material to resist cracking or
breaking due to sudden impact.
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