Glossary

Aluminium alloy with 3% Magnesium. EN AW-5754.

Amboina burl is a special type of wood from the south-east-asian Pterocarpus indicus tree. It has long been imported to Europe for its attractive qualities.

Also known as anodic oxidation. Process for strengthening aluminum surfaces against corrosion and wear. Can also be used for coloring aluminum parts.

Safety cord, safety strap.

The Bowie is a style of knife made famous by Texas hero James Bowie. Commonly, the term refers to a large knife with a clip point blade and crossguard.

Named after the Syrian city of Damascus. Two main types exist: Crucible Damascus ("Wootz") and pattern-welded Damascus. Wootz is a single metal whose pattern comes from carbide (specifically Cementite) banding; pattern-welded Damascus is folded and forged from two or more steels. The Wootz method was lost for centuries after being supplanted by pattern-welded Damascus due to its superior purity and performance until Dr. John Verhoeven rediscovered Wootz in the 1990s. Both are outperformed by modern steels and used mostly for aesthetic purposes today. 

Diamond-like Carbon. A wear-resistant, low-friction coating made from tiny carbon structures in the nanometer range that are as hard as diamond. Unlike common PVD coatings, DLC is non-porous, so salt water cannot ingress.

Surface or surface treatment.

High-pressure fibreglass laminate composite, similar to Micarta and carbon fiber. The structured surface from the fiberglass fabric provides excellent grip.

Special variant of anodization producing an even thicker, more wear-resistant layer on aluminium.

Rockwell C Hardness Scale. Determines hardness by measuring the penetration depth of a diamond cone pressed into the metal under specific conditions.

Blade coating process first used by knife maker Chris Reeve in the 1980s. Applied as a varnish on a sandblasted blade, then cured at 160 °C, creating a homogenous low-friction, anti-corrosive layer.

Named by American knife maker Michael Walker. A liner under the handle scale acts as a spring; when the blade is opened, it moves behind the blade tang to lock it securely in place.

From maritime use: a short, tapered metal rod used for splicing rope.

Pocket rescue knife or tool.

Gamekeeper, park ranger; also a term for a US special airborne light infantry unit.

(Dalbergia latifolia) Very hard and beautifully striped wood, found in South India (Mumbai area), Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and Java.

High-pressure jet process for matting metal surfaces. Ceramic balls create a silky, gloss-matte surface.

A component placed between the handle scales.

Knife blade with a spearhead shape.

Traditional Japanese blade shape with a straight, angled blade tip.

Describes how a folding knife is carried when closed. Clip at the rear of the handle = blade tip points up (Tip Up). Clip at the front = blade tip points down (Tip Down).