A shoe knife blade includes a cutting edge, blade end and tang. These are made in various shapes and sizes to suit different uses.
Straight edge
A straight-edged blade is the most popular type on a shoe knife. It’s suitable for many kinds of cutting.
Double edge
Some shoe knives have two edges to make them more versatile. You can use the straight edge for most kinds of cutting, and the serrated edge for tearing through tougher pieces of material such as thick leather and rubber.
Sharp blade end
A sharp tip lets you be more precise and is useful for delicate and difficult work such as cutting out leather parts in shoemaking, and removing bookbindings for repair.
Round blade end
A round tip is best for tasks such as levering up layers of material with minimal damage, separating pages when bookbinding, and cutting soft leather which could be easily damaged by a sharp point.
You can also use the flat of the blade to spread adhesive, as long as you clean it properly afterwards.
Taper tip
A taper tip is often used to trim leather and cut through stitches in both shoemaking and bookbinding.
Curved lip
Curved lip knives are used for trimming excess leather from shoe soles and uppers, and are available for both right- and left-handed users.
The curve makes it easier to work your way around the sole or upper of a shoe in a smooth movement. You can also use the lip as a lever when removing soles and heels.
Full tang
The tang is the part of the blade that runs up into the handle. A full tang is where the metal extends the entire length of the handle in a single piece.
Apart from an all-in-one knife and handle, this is the strongest, most durable type of knife and is recommended for heavy duty cutting.
Partial tang
A partial tang, also known as a half tang or three-quarter tang, only extends part of the way into the handle.
It’s not as strong as a full tang but makes the knife lighter, and it’s also likely to cost less.
Stick tang
A stick tang reaches right the way up to the end of the handle in the same way as a full tang. However, it is much thinner and doesn’t extend to the full width of the blade.
It’s sturdier than a partial tang but obviously not as strong as a full tang.
Stub tang
A stub tang is also known as a pin or whittle tang. It only runs a little way into the handle and is generally found on cheaper knives.
While this type of knife may be sufficient for light use such as cutting paper, it’s not recommended for heavy duty work.