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 making KA-BAR knives.

440A SS 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.

Celcon- Glass Filled Nylon used for knife scales and handles.

Cryogenic Quenching- The process of freezing blades to -120 degrees Fahrenheit to improve blade performance.

Cro-Van-Chrome Vanadium High Carbon Steel.

Crucibkle S30V- is a CPM (Crucible Particle Metallurgy) martensitic stainless steel developed by Crucible Steel Metallurgist Dick Barber and Knife maker Chris Reeve for the knife industry. It has excellent abrasion resistance (The attribute that resists dulling of the edge during cutting) and very good toughness and corrosion resistance.  Working hardness is Rc58-61

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.

G-10 -is a Fiberglass and resin laminate that is used in the electronic industry for circuit boards that require extreme   
resistance to mechanical stresses, vibration and extreme temperature and environmental variation. 

Game Hook- Also known as a gut hook, this blade shape is best for opening the flesh of game.

Glass Filled Nylon- A 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.

Grilamid FWA LV-50H-A food and water approved safety compound used in the construction of eating utensils.

Grivory- A Swiss made product consisting of a glass fiber filled Nylon for added strength.

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 scales and handles.

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 its original position.

Tang- Extension of the blade steel that runs through or between the handle pieces of a knife.

TPR-Thermoplastic Resin

Ultramid-stands out for its high mechanical strength, stiffness and thermal resistance. Moreover, this polyamide exhibits good toughness at low temperatures, favorable sliding friction behavior and problem-free processing.

Zytel- A glass filled nylon material used in making handles for knives. A DuPont trademark.

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Legendary KA-BAR KNIVES INC. uses the best innovative man made materials in the construction of their knife products.
KA-BAR is an American Company located in Olean, New York
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