KA-BAR Knife Description Terms
1095 Cro-Van Steel- Easy to sharpen carbon steel used in knife making.
Proven to be one of the most popular steels used in KA-BAR knives.
440A Steel- A high carbon stainless steel used in many American production knives.
Alumite- A hard coating used to protect aluminum handles from corrosion and scratches.
Anodized- A treatment that colors titanium using electric current.
Ballistic Nylon- A very durable, heavy duty nylon type material used for sheath construction.
Cryogenic Quenching- The process of freezing blades to -120 degrees Fahrenheit to improve blade performance.
D2 Steel- A high carbon, high chrome tool steel often used for blanking dies.
This steel has excellent edge holding abilities but is very difficult to process.
Epoxy Powder Coated- A coating process that protects blades from corrosion and also makes them non-reflective.
Flat Ground- A grind that tapers from the top of the blade down to the cutting edge. Also known as a "V" grind.
Full Length Tang- Extension of the blade steel that runs completely through the handle to the end of the knife.
Full Tang- A tang which shows all around the handle of the knife between two pieces of handle material.
Game Hook- Also known as a gut hook, this blade shape is best for opening the flesh of game.
Glass Filled Nylon- Material used to make sheaths and handles. Nylon is reinforced with glass particles and other materials to provide strength and durability while still allowing some flexibility.
Guard- Also known as a hilt, is the piece of steel that separates the handle and the blade.
Serves to keep hand from slipping forward on the blade when cutting. Can be single or double.
Hollow Ground- The ground surface of the blade is concave. Used to create a fine cutting edge.
Kraton G Thermoplastic Elastomer- Referred to simply as kraton, is a man made material resembling rubber that can be molded into knife handles.
Kydex- A hard plastic material used for sheaths. Chemical, corrosion, and impact resistant.
Lockback- A folding knife that has a lock release on the back of the handle.
Micarta- A man made material made by layering resin and cloth. Used to make very fine knife handles.
A Westinghouse trademark.
Pakkawood- A tough, resin impregnated wood used to make knife handles.
Powdered Metal- A process used to make shaped metal pieces. Fine metal particles are molded under pressure and then fused under high heat. Also known as sintered metal.
Rockwell Hardness (HRC)- An industry scale used for measuring the hardness of blade steels.
The higher the reading, the harder the steel.
Written as HRC or RC followed by a range of numbers.
Sandvik 12C27- Stainless steel made in Sweden. Known as premium steel for blades because of the lack of impurities.
Sidelock- Also known as a linerlock. A locking mechanism that features a tab cut out of the liner which is used as a stop to lock the blade in the open position. To close, the liner tab is pushed back to it's original position.
Tang- Extension of the blade steel that runs through or between the handle pieces of a knife.
Zytel- A glass filled nylon material used in making handles for knives. A DuPont trademark.
