Knife Design

"The glare of the morning sun

Deep snow on the peak
The sky brightens
Rivers of mist around Fuji defy description"
Koetsu

A swords design depends on its intended function, the cultural context from which the weapon
arises and the tools, materials, working methods and proclivities of its maker. Considering all
swords are required to perform the same basic functions, cut, thrust, parry and block, it seems
surprising at first that thay should be so varied in design, both throughout time and across
cultures.

Most peoples exhibit quite a variety of form in blade design. In the Philipines for example the
variety of blade shapes is mind numbing. The Japanese on the other hand explored one form
only and relentlessly persued perfection through a thousand permutations.

The progenitor of the modern katana, the tachi, was designed as a saber to be used by
mounted archers who fought in the model of the Mongol. The tachi was used as a back up
weapon after the archer's arrows were discharged.

1 / 10

Knife Design

As with
down.
Itextent
cavelry
was
also
sabers
lighter
the
in
crossection
has
destinct
than
the
curvature,
modern
generous
katana.
length
and
is
suspended
Changes
led
heavier.
was
edge
todesign
shortened
up
a
sword
Fighting
in
inorder
battle
called
somewhat.
that
on
tactics
foot
an
the
uchigatana.
became
around
draw
Rapid
and
1400AD
deployment
more
cut
Due
prevalent
to
brought
changes
be
ofthe
made
the
so
about
weapon
the
in
ina
armour
sword
aa
revolution
single
became
lost
the
fluid
ablade
in
little
areadily
movement.
design
priority
ofthe
its
that
so
curvature
itmarginally
eventually
was
worn
and
unchanged
sword
end
tomost
product
the
since.
of
This
all
that
this
"shinto"
to
was
the
casual
what
ortachi
new
we
observer,
sword
now
call
retains
the
two
katana,
the
forms
characteristics
which
are
not
has
remained
ofbecame
distinguishable.
"koto"
fundamenally
or
old
either
The
side.
Around
of
the
blade
these
is
parameters
deceptivly
simple.
ofcould
course
Single
we
find
edged,
host
moderately
of
variations.
curved
with
a
ridge
line

2 / 10

Knife Design

Fig
1.
alone
In
order
ispenetrate
to
not
help
sufficient
describe
to
describe
these
variations
the
Japanese
Japanese
sword.
terms
are
used
as
as
English
which
The
thrusting.
of
was
blade.
point
essential.
Swords
Invariably
or
kissaki
were
is
when
the
generally
most
swords
important
wielded
are
of equal
at
part
arms
of
length,
any
length
sword,
most
so
cutting
contact
even
those
and
was
trenchancy
not
with
designed
the
final
at
the
inch
for
point
or so
Kissaki
points
such
trade
medium
as
off
are
the
or
on
"chuof
penetration.
lamellar
very
soft
kissaki",
sturdy
plate
materials
Point
design
probably
armour
length
efficiently,
and
ofreflects
feudal
also
come
but
effects
most
Japan.
inare
many
peoples
suseptible
cutting
Shorter
types
ability.
recognition
based
points
to
damage
The
on
by
most
shape
contrast
ofwell
against
these
common
and
fare
trade
harder
size.
better
varient,
offs.
Longer
materials
but

3 / 10

Knife Design

Fig
2
Edge
Fig
thrusting
Yeah
2
Another
Icurvature
know
while
and
it's
must
varient
the
of
aor
bit
the
have
dry.!
"ikari
kissaki
edge
-were
kissaki"
also
amost
favours
nightmare
effects
offered
cutting.
cutting
to
greatly
resheath.
and
improved
"fukura
penetration.
So
I the
thrust
-hallmark
cutting
kareru"
AI spine
make
straight
to
and
the
my
"fukura
detriment
edge
favours
-quality.
tsuku"
of
in
classified
Another
feature
separately
of
the
from
kissaki
the
hamon
is
the
temperline
proper
and
atNote
its
this
descriptions
part
of
the
are
blade.
based
Called
on
shape
the
boshi,
and
itsize.
is
blade.
real.
"virtual"
"yakote"
Nevertheless
This
or
actual,
line
is
the
is
established
second
itcurved
frequently
is
anbeen
important
point.
indistinct
by
carefull
feature
line
polishing
of
the
separates
kissaki
and
its
as
presence
itthe
helps
kissaki
is
to
often
define
from
itpoint,(--grin--).
and
rest
cosmetic
provides
of
the
than
a,of
extending
guy
final
the
head
sword
with
sword's
few
one
the
inches
is
from
it's
relatively
longest
cutting
point.
its
cousin
blade,
If
edge
stick
such
safe.
the
and
wins,
But
extension
spear.
it's
the
right!.
the
support
edge
Against
case
While
of
of
structure
a
the
awhich
3as
a
sword
inch
cutting
spear,
mentioned
blade
the
blade
edge
once
spine
on
is
earlier,
from
inside
a
are
different
end
point
not
the
most
of
simply
arc
to
a
proposition.
cuts
grip
stick
described
amore
were
isthe
means
would
what
made
by
separates
suffice.
of
the
with
spear
The
the
The
almost
same
cutting
by
full
the
hard
edge
"yakiba",
steel,
"ha"
clearly
the
isthe
differentially
the
contrasting
visually
hardened
with
arresting
the
edge
softer
feature
is
steel
one
of
of
the
the
Japanese
of
aand
sword's
separated
sword.
Formed
from

4 / 10

Knife Design

Fig
3.and
Steel
deliniating
eternal
in
related
literally
identified.
a
known
student
their
becomes
to
functional
trade
to
"edge
exist.
of
An
"yakiba"
his,
off
example
aesthetic
brittle
between
with
characteristics
are
a
on
the
of
fair
not
whim
hardening
this
shape
hardness
degree
simple
of
is
the
of
were
cosmetic
of
the
but
"sanbonsugi"
and
smith.
reliability.
produced
yakiba
will
toughness.
This
not
inthe
being
nature
hold
Over
ison
in
form
reflected
aclose
Yakiba,
an
one
wide
200
but
which
edge
different
part
variety
in
the
despite
when
can
the
of
ways
the
use
be
of
variations
form
being
Japanese
attributed
in
of
which
the
mostly
more
term
on
The
the
to
solution
yakiba
or
but
"hamon"
Kanemoto,
smith
"ha"
less
not
are
to
identical
was
entirely
its
or
Features
characteristics
visible
tendancy
on
of
to
the
the
reduce
surface
of
"yakiba"
the
the
blade
as
development
thin
and
points
as
should
"ashi",
ofare
of
martensite
be
longtitudinal
ie.
noted
"lightening
as
extending
they
fractures.
strikes"
are
toward
an
do
indication
however
the
edge.
of
affect
quality.
They
the
have
These
functional
athat
are
Smiths
hamon
free
and
developed
could
wild.
be
produced
such
asuch
high
at
will.
degree
While
of
some
control
forms
over
were
the
heatreating
restrained
and
process
formal,
that
others
complex
were
"Utsuri",
complex
who
can,
bright
hardening
find
itname",
cloudy
a
haphazard
proceedures.
areas
of
and
cementite,
elusive
Few
modern
phenomonon.
on
smiths
upper
can
ji,of
are
produce
also
aannealed.
such
note
effects
worthy
and
indication
even
those
of
shock
No
effort
resistance.
was
spared
These
in
the
laminations
persuit
of
the
visible
ideal
sword.
Lamination
examination
was
of
employed
the
"ji".
Fig
to
increase
4.

5 / 10

Knife Design

Fig4.
Most
all
Handmade
expedience
are
manifest
homogenous
was
swords
paramount.
as
were
subtle
blades
laminated,
water
were
marks
blades
especially
also
on
were
made
the
quite
surface
factory
during
servicable.
made
of
this
a of
period
well
blades
polished
and
of
before,
the
blade.
"Showa
However,
period"
when
not
crucibles.
One
Thus
blades
smith
they
were
These
were
made
not
therefore,
laminated
rounds
acommon
point
of
not
but
the
mechanical
were
fact
rather
that
forged
like
his
damascus
a
swords
from
bran
high/low
muffin.
were
but
made
the
carbon
true
from
rounds
"Damascus"
imported
cast
Wootz
inof
enclosed
legend.
from
Such
clay
India.
NotJapanese
varying
appearance
process
perhaps
carbon,
and
"makuri-gitae",
content
shape
carbon
rather
is
the
still
as
with
of
most
itused
like
aFig
content
happens.
the
blade
wrapping
5
in
foregoing
the
sized
inlooked
their
This
manufacture
involved
aSuch
bimetal
slice
most
"sandwich"
constituent
of
Smiths
wrapping
strip
bread
of
comprising
Japanese
was
parts.
adopted
around
athen
piece
In
its
pounded
akitchen
the
of
of
piece
simplest
high
practice
high
knives
carbon
carbon
into
cheese
form
of
the
today.
forging
this
and
steel
shape
and
might
low
Another
around
sandwiches
about
of
carbon
take
aespecially
blade,
the
the
form
the
steel.
same
low
with
and
This
size

6 / 10

Knife Design

Fig
5. ifin then
Carried
single
all
five
blade.
were
tocan
it'sof
combined
Each
ultimate
ofdesign
these
conclusion
inbreak
a single
grades
block
were
many
from
folded
aswhich
five
independantly
different
the
blade
grades
was
to some
forged.
of risers
steel
thousands
might
be
ofused
layers
aand
One
performance.
aspect
blade
often
overlooked
is
thestress
effect
stress
can
have
on
gradual.
Rapid
sufficient
changes
fracture
in crossection
or
lead
theas
blade.
to
a buildup
Such
of
changes
at
inthat
crossection
these
transition
should
points
be
minimised
which

7 / 10

Knife Design

Fig
6.
Holdthird
until
graphic
blade.
minimised
might
novel
fact
somewhat
serve
the
center
prevented
the
the
amanner.
otherwise
better
A
of
pencil
reminder
weakest
pencil
diamond
note
rotation
from
are
buttressed
ifon
in
worthy
situated
situated
Itbreaks.
falling
your
be.
is
part
that
as
behind
also
The
the
fist
feature
of
the
by
out.
closer
Most
about
the
asword
as
Japanese
the
the
area
Japanese
you
heaviest
of
grip.
of
guard.
to
anof
pivots
the
the
might
the
inch
transition,
I noting
time
sword
must
Japanese
butt.
This
blade
part
forward
in
a the
knife.
say
But
of
may
isispencil
the
hand.
around
the
the
here
typically
of
sword
Now
have
blade.
only
this
area
that
Of
will
pull
the
something
area
is
form
course
itaround
break
Contrast
I've
that
back
is
guard
and
situated
to
always
the
where
address
iton
the
is
so
also
to
notches
this
the
are
peghole,
do
felt
on
itensures
point
with
most
with
leaves
less
this
the
that
as
the
keeping
second,
problem
with
critical
stressed
the
well
and
that
your
Philipino
your
peg
as
that
the
part
fist.
the
or
being
in
hole
than
other
ispeg
sometimes
such
of
This
kris.
peg
inside
would
any
they
is
hand
a
in
is
In and
the
a
While
we
are
the
tang
its
worth
the
length,
curvature,
and
taper
of
same.

8 / 10

Knife Design

As can
but
cut
1/4
down
generally
and
be
a versions
1/3
seen
speaking
of in
blade
Fig
of same.
7length
all
top
can
The
row,
for
belower
anakago
considered
katana
row
orlength
shows
tang
a derivative
come
sword.
tang in
end
quite
ofshapes.
theaubu
variety
Tang
formofbeing
length
shapes
for
isFig
and
between
the7.most
sizes,apart

9 / 10

Knife Design

Fig
8.
Blade
thickness
width
but
affects
2"
wide
acuity.
could
Aknife
be
1/4"
quite
thick
blade
only
3/8"
wide
is
not
very
sharp.
The
same
without
The
at
the
direction
angle
The
any
angle
at
extra
the
which
at
blade
weight
B
a
is
blade
is
smaller
penalty.
moving.
cuts,
because
affects
It
Therefore
also
the
yields
the
width
curving
way
more
itAt
of
cuts.
athe
edge
sword
The
blade
per
wedge
is
blade
is
one
effectively
way
extension.
to
at
get
greater,
B,
aboth
fig
sharper
8,
by
is
virtue
less
edge
than
of
To
described
choice
weilder.
curvature
facilitate
length
for
This
by
a
of
withdrawal,
purely
is
the
especially
arm
withdrawing
cutting
from
ideally
so
the
of
hand.
hand
the
shinto
In
curvature
to
This
practice
period
the
is
spine.
the
however
of
swords.
circumferance
a
sword
least
Many
the
should
this
radius
swords
would
of
be
a
is
circle
based
closer
will
seem
be
the
on
to
to
found
radius
the
the
be
the
height
curve
to
of
have
logical
which
of
athe
dual
is
withdraw
longer
length
since
comfortably
of
the
weilder
sword
and
is
itsword.
directly
mounted
must
not
related
and
touch
therefore
to
when
the
swung
farther
of
at
from
its
the
wielder.
the
ground.
ground.
It
must
Tachi
be
can
short
afford
enough
to
Grooves
crossection,
forged
aligns
forging.
for
alteration
identified
shinto
groove
the
rather
Over
in
by
period
for
structure
itits
the
the
examining
is
repair,
than
50%
carved,
shinogi
strength/weight
swords.
carved
of
of
lightening,
grooved
the
jioffered
ifvarying
the
area
the
Working
into
steel
grain
layers
of
Koto
the
or
like
a
ratio
on
at
blade.
practices
blade
the
period
follow
the
is
layers
considerably
inside
request
lighten
Forged
the
swords
are
curve
of
of
obscured
itheight
of
agrooves
the
and
were
onion,
their
of
groove.
improved.
improve
the
carved
current
the
are
by
grove
somewhat
fibers
If
superior
flexibility.
the
while
owner.
Generally
itbetween
is
layers
following
forged.
the
Carved
frequent,
Because
carved
figure
intersect
the
grooves
grooves
is
as
direction
after
closer
of
the
the
the
inside
were
the
forging
can
to
Ito
beam
of
fact,
80%
be
Fullered
improved.
enhanced.
fullering
small
blades
As
Even
long
blades.
irrespective
with
as
the
they
effect
are
of
properly
length
of
leverage
have
constructed
better
removed,
strength/weight
and
there
designed
is
still
a
ratios
handling
decided
and
and
advantage
flexibility
performance
is
to
also
are
Cultures
ribbed
beam.
strong
It
crossections.
and
is
from
also
Turkey
also
light
gratifyingly
and
The
to
the
sturdy
Chora
Philipinesand
light
and
points
to
asharp.
the
joy
to
the
poor
to
Europe
handle.
efficacy
sod
to
who
An
Africa
of
has
this
made
design
to
bayonet
drag
blades
and
itangle
all
Ito
have
is
over
with
in
effect,
issingle
creation.
half
and
flexibly
an
double
Ibe
and
and
dependability
Marples
Ideal
made
huntimg
itdamascus
very
popular.
is
not
simply
a
throwback
to
the
bayonet.
Its
strength
handling
The
effect
Boye
of
leverage
Basic
would
is
eliminated
be
too
heavy
as
the
and
weight
unweildy
reduction
without
isArab
inside
its
IOther
beam
the
grip.
construction
and
here
the
NotA.
lengths?
all
made
Philipines
blades
of
for
these
multiple
frequently
the
The
exquisite
faint
methods
solutions
alloy
of
show
heart,
laminations
composites
to
composite
this
blade
here
degrees
were
from
construction
making!.
are
prefolded
effected
not
from
unique
Breakage
time
by
billets
methods
the
to
time.
inclusion
which
Japan.
was
also.
The
a
were
problem,
of
Vikings
layers
later
cultures
forged
and
why
of
nickle.
early
else
have
into
go
Germans
Philipine
used
blades.
to
such
some
In
the
or
Swedish
Check
tri-laminated
out
and
the
by
Finish
Finish
the
Sandanavian
cutlers
pukko
regularly
next
time
cutlers
sandwich
in
opportunity
more
high
recent
carbon
arises.
times.
steel
Stainless
steel
two
is
layers
also
being
of
low.
be
also
power
stainless
over
contribution
quite
hammers
looked.
for
prevalent
mechanical
In
and
that
particular
in
hydraulic
American
the
US
the
among
presses,
cutlers
rediscovery
and
custom
have
great
composite
made
of
makers.
pressures
Wootz.
to
are
the
And
Oh
feasible.
are
"rediscovery"
joy!.
now
attainable,
The
that
These
use
some
of
are
so
of
lost
cutlers
that
"Zone
heady
processes
laminations
tempering"
are
times!
using
cannot
of
is

10 / 10