The tools we know as knives (not swords or cleavers or other specialized blades) fall into two general categories: fixed blades (straight knives) and folders. Both use the same general blade shape descriptions. Here are a few examples:

Trailing Point

Skinner

Drop Point

ClipPoint

Wharncliffe

Sheepfoot

Spey

Dagger (double edged)

Tanto (chisel grind)

There is an infinite number of variations on each of these blade types, not all of which have names. Most of these styles can be ground in three different ways:

Flat ground

Hollow ground

Cannel (convex) ground

The blade shape and the grinding style are often dictated by the intended end-use of the blade.

The parts of the knife have their own nomenclature. The following sketch illustrates a typical straight knife.

Construction usually is one of three distinct types for fixed blades.

A "full tang" knife is made from a single, flat piece of steel that continues from the cutting portion of the blade through the full length and width of the handle.

The handle slabs (or "scales") are usually anchored in place by bolts, screws, pins, or rivets.

A "stick tang" knife has a narrow extension of the blade material that extends to the pommel, where it is often secured with a threaded nut. The tang in this case goes through a hole bored in the middle of the solid handle material.

A "Rabbet tang" knife uses a narrow stick-type of tang that only runs partway through the handle, which is usually pinned in place. The handle material is often split in half, with a mortise cut out to accept the tang.

Now, on to style.

Hunters are for dressing game, and come in an ifinite variety of styles and sizes from small caping knives to serious butchering tools for large game. Most fall into the range of 2" to 6" blade lengths, with 4" being the most common.

Camp knives is a catch-all term for multi-purpose blades to be used in the bush. Lacking any real clear definition, they are usually larger than hunters, and can be used for preparing food, sharpening tent stakes, chopping brush, and other similar chores.

Chute knives are special-purpose blades intended for use by paratroopers who might need quick access to them for cutting shouds, as well as for survival activities.

Tactical knives are generally designed as offensive or defensive weapons, and often have finishes that provide low reflectivity, like bead blasting or powder coating.

Bowie knives are larger knives, usually with clip points and double guards, that fall into a number of sub-styles such as California, Searles, Sheffield, and so on.

Utility knives are no-frills tools, often with replaceable blades (carpet knives, X-Acto knives, and so on).

There are tons of other styles, ranging from scalpels to pen knives, most of which have been designed and made for particular functions.

Knife afficionados generally gravitate toward knives made of higher-end materials (or in some cases, simply higher tech materials), and fit and finish become more important than the intended use. In addition, embellishment in the form of engraving, inlay, scrimshaw, carving, assume a larger role in these knives, as does the use of exotic steels like damascus, meteorite, and so forth.
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