We use the knife so often that we take it for granted, and would likely raise our eyebrows if we were told that it is actually quite a complex tool. It does not become simple just because we handle it so casually. Generally, people think a knife has two parts, the handle and the blade, but in reality there are six separate parts to a knife.

When you try to visualize a knife, you will most likely think of the blade. The metallic part that extends away from the handle is officially termed the blade. A cutting edge is ground onto one side of the blade and the tasks a knife is suited for are determined essentially by the shape of its blade.

For instance, a knife can be used for skinning, filleting, chopping, and a number of other duties, depending on the shape of the blade. The strength and durability of the knife depends on the kind of steel it is made of. It is best to make blades out of stainless steel because it has a long life and is more hygienic. Stainless steel does not rust or corrode and it is germ resistant.

The point of the knife is the part that is used to pierce and stab things. Often, the point is used to help gut and clean game as it is the most capable of piercing through the membrane around the skin and allowing you to get to the meat of the quarry.

The top quarter of the blade of a knife is commonly considered the tip by knife experts. Most of your cutting can be done with the tip and the "point" is included in the tip. However, don't forget that the tip and the point are indeed two separate parts of the knife.

The cutting edge is the part of the knife that cuts things. It is the part of the blade that faces away from you. It is sharpened and honed so that it cuts through whatever needs cutting. The cutting edge can be of many types, but the most common are the straight and serrated edges. A serrated edge is used for cutting things like bread while the straight edge is good for trimming meat.

Now comes the other part that most people are familiar with: the handle. There are plastic handles, steel handles, wooden handles and handles made of various other materials.

The butt of the knife is much like the butt of a gun: it is located at the far end of the handle or the exact opposite of the tip. This is where some companies place a compass that can be pulled out to reveal storage space for things like matches and other survival essentials.

Now some knives do come with hand guards that are designed to protect your hands in case they should accidentally slip in the direction of the blade. Many survival knives have this feature. But, whether your knife has a guard on it or not, it is important to familiarize yourself with the basic components of a knife as this will reduce the chances of your being injured using one. The next step is to learn how to sharpen and maintain your knife so that it lasts as long as possible.