Have you ever come across a knife that has holes in its blades?
This will ultimately make you think about what’s the point of having the holes in knives is. Is it there for a reason, or is it just for show?
After some research, I found 9 reasons for the holes in the blade of a knive, and I am here to share them with you.
Table of Contents
Why Do Some Knife Blades Have Holes?
The holes in knife blades reduce stickiness, resulting in reduced friction and a better grip and balance for the knife. You may use the hole to hang it. It makes the knife lighter and simpler to unfold and saves manufacturers’ costs. Other times, it’s a form of brand recognition for some businesses.
Reasons For The Hole In The Blade
While researching, I did not find one but many reasons for the holes in the knife blade.
Let’s look at those reasons, one by one, with a proper explanation.
1. Less Friction While Cutting
This is the most common reason why knives have holes, especially outdoor knives.
If you have ever cut raw meat, you know how tiring it can be. It sticks to the blade, making it harder to slide the knife through.
You have to put in much more strength to cut.
Quite a problem, isn’t it?
That is where the holes come in to save the day.
They are situated so that the knife may easily pass through without sticking to the blade. As a result, there is less friction.
And voila, you can easily cut through without too much effort.
It is extremely helpful in outdoor knives, as they can help you easily cut through the meat.
2. Better Balance of the Knife
The holes are sometimes placed where the blade and handle meet to improve the knife’s balance.
As a result, the blade weighs less than the handle.
This purpose of the holes is perfect for situations where you are skinning an animal and need to do the work precisely. The balance is ideal for such cases.
3. A Better Hold
While skinning an animal, you need to have a good hold on the knife as it will likely be covered in blood.
You need to hold the first third of the blade with your thumb and forefinger for a proper hold.
A hole in that place will give you better hold on the knife to avoid slippage.
4. Lighter Than Others
Some knives are very heavy. And the heaviest portion of a knife is its blade.
But you can’t get rid of the blade, can you? It is the thing you need to cut through anything.
On the other hand, heavy knives will consume all of your energy, exhaust you, and leave your arm weary.
Making holes in the blades will remove some metal, reducing the knife’s weight.
This way, you get a lighter knife with the same efficiency and quality.
No more sore arms!
So if you are going camping, hunting, or fishing, you will have a lightweight knife that you won’t have any problem carrying around.
Pocket knives are already light, so it doesn’t apply to them.
But other knives, like machetes and bushcraft, can use some holes to bring down their weight, as they are sometimes worn on the belt.
5. Less Cost For Manufacturers
The holes reduce the amount of metal that was used in the knife. That does reduce not only the weight but also the cost for the manufacturers.
That single little hole of metal can contribute to producing a second knife.
I know what you may be thinking. How can such a small piece of metal make such a significant difference?
Think about it.
For example, a manufacturer produces thousands of knives in a day, each with a hole in the blade. Imagine how many more knives the manufacturer can make by collecting all the pieces of metal.
Ultimately, merely removing the little holes from each knife will lower the entire cost of manufacturing blades.
6. Easier To Unfold
A thumb stud is found on several folding knives, enabling the blade to be quickly opened with the thumb.
In other cases, a hole is used instead.
These holes make the knives easier to unfold.
If you look at pocket knives, you will notice they also have holes on the blades near the handle for this purpose.
In some situations where your hands are full, this will come in handy. As the part with the hole will be elevated, you can easily unfold the knife with your thumb.
In other situations where you need to defend yourself, you would want knives that can unfold instantly. The holes will help in such instances.
7. Hang Your Knife Anywhere!
A hole on the tip is a feature in some machete knives. And it is unlikely you find it in any other knives.
This hole gives you the option of hanging it while you do your thing.
Although holes are rarely created for this purpose, you can still use them for it. You can easily hang the knife on your belt, a hook, or a stick.
8. Used As A Brand Recognition
When thinking about a knife with holes in the blades, does your mind instantly think of Spyderco?
If yes, that is brand recognition.
Some knife manufacturers use the holes to set themselves apart from the competition. Spyderco is one example of this.
After all, there is only so much you can do to differentiate your knife from other knives on the market.
But Spyderco is not the only one who did this anymore. Rockstead does it as well.
Most high-end companies take advantage of this to make their knives stand out.
And now that many other companies are doing this, I am not sure how useful it is for Spyderco anymore.
9. Make the Knife More Aesthetic-Looking
Let’s face it.
The knife can be durable, light, and have all the best qualities that make it a good knife. But if the blade is not appealing to the eye, most of us would not want to buy it.
We like having aesthetic things, so why would we not want an aesthetic knife? And we can’t deny that the holes make the blades look more sophisticated.
So, sometimes people buy a knife with holes in its blade simply for its beauty.
Although the holes are not specifically made for this purpose, some people surely do buy them for it.
Frequently Asked Questions about Why Some Knife Blades Have Holes
Is it better to use knives with holes in the blade?
It’ll depend on the knife type used. If you need a knife that has all the features mentioned above, then, by all means, go for it!
Do knives with holes have any disadvantages?
Knives with holes in the blade do have some disadvantages. Sometimes, the holes can affect the strength and durability of the knife, especially if it is a cheap knife. You have to be careful while purchasing one and make sure it is good quality.
