The blade and tang of a hacking knife are made of steel. The handle or scales can be made of plastic, leather or wood.
Why is steel used to make hacking knife blades?
Steel possesses the required strength, is easily be formed into the shape of a hacking knife and can have a sharp edge applied to it.
Steel is also an inexpensive material, which allows hacking knives to be produced at a modest price. The two types of steel used to make hacking knife blades are carbon steel and stainless steel.
High carbon steel
High carbon steel is steel with a carbon content of between 0.9-2.5%. This carbon content is required if the steel is to be heat treated to improve its strength, hardness and ductility. The cutting edge of a high carbon steel blade will stay sharp for longer, but is more susceptible to rust if left exposed to moisture.
Stainless steel
Stainless steel contains a minimum of 10.5% chromium which helps to stop the steel from rusting if left in a moist environment. However, stainless steel can’t be hardened to the same extent as high carbon steel, so the bevel on the blade is likely to require more frequent sharpening.
What are the different types of handle material used on hacking knives?
Plastic
Plastic hacking knife handles are made from a thermoplastic such as nylon which is moulded around the knife’s tang.
Hard plastics can transmit shock and vibration when the hacking knife is struck with a hammer, so some also have a rubberised layer on the handle that helps absorb shock and vibration as well as providing a better grip.
ADVANTAGES
DISADVANTAGES
Can be brightly coloured to reduce chances of them becoming lost
Plastic can be moulded into comfortable ergonomic shapes
Does not rot if left in a moist environment
Can transmit shock and vibration to the user if they don’t have a rubberised grip
Cannot be replaced should the handle become damaged or broken
Wood
Wooden hacking knife handles are made from two pieces of wood, known as scales, riveted to either side of the knife’s tang.
Wooden handles are made from a variety of hardwoods such as ash, beach, cherry, hickory and oak among many others.
ADVANTAGES
DISADVANTAGES
Easy to make replacements should original be damaged or broken
Can be sanded to fit user’s hand better
Can rot if left in a moist environment
Transmits more shock and vibration through the handle to the user than a leather handle
Dull colour makes tool less likely to be noticed if left after a job
Leather
Leather hacking knives are made of two pieces of thick leather, known as scales, which – as with wooden handles – are riveted to either side of the knife’s tang.
ADVANTAGES
DISADVANTAGES
Transmit less shock and vibration to the user than wooden handles
Easy to make replacements should original become damaged
Can rot if left in a moist environment
Although leather can be coloured, colours are not as bright as plastic handles so do not stand out as well.
