Have you ever wondered why knives have holes placed on the blade? Although many people don’t put too much thought into it, there are several reasons for this construction.
To understand why knives have holes, think back to all the different knives you have seen. Pocket knives, cheese knives, machetes, and several others all follow this kind of design. The main reason for this is improved efficiency, convenience, and aesthetics.
If you think of purchasing a knife set, read on to find out how the holes can be beneficial.
Contents
Main Reasons Why Knives Have Holes
The holes you find on knife blades can vary in their size and purpose. The holes are usually positioned to be parallel to the blade.
The common reasons for this placement are as follows:
1. Less Friction During Cutting
Professional kitchen knives have holes in them to reduce friction while cutting. The blade’s edge will cause friction every time something is being cut. To increase efficiency, holes are strategically placed on the blade.
For example, while trying to cut cheese, the knife slows down once it is in contact with the cheese. If you want a perfect, accurate, and smoother cut, then lowering friction is necessary.
This is why most cheese knives have holes, and so do other knives for cutting denser items. If you don’t need to make deeper cuts, then holes in the blade are less important.
2. Ease of Hanging the Knife Up
Heavier knives like machetes and meat cleavers become easier to hang up if holes are in the blade. Their large sizes can make them cumbersome and difficult to store. Thus, having a conveniently placed hole makes it simple to hang them off the hook or on a rack.
For example, butchers prefer to have their knives handy as they work. Being able to easily hang it up close by makes operations much smoother for them. Even machetes have holes that let you swing them from belts with the use of carrying loops.
3. Aesthetic Purposes
Although it might seem superficial, having a hole in the blade adds to a knife’s look. It adds to the sleekness and aesthetics of the knife by giving it a more professional feel.
4. Makes Opening Up Easier for Pocket Knives
The reason why knives have holes in the case of pockets and hunting knives is to add efficiency. These holes are ergonomically designed to make one-handed wielding more convenient. Moreover, the kind of holes in such knives is not the same as those in kitchen knives.
The blade on pocket knives is smaller because too big of a hole can weaken a narrower blade.
5. Lowers the Net Weight of The Knife
Knives need to be tough and durable. However, while trying to ensure strength, the blade can often become heavy to use. This can lead to fatigue with prolonged usage and make your cutting less efficient.
By adding holes into the blade of heavier knives, you can successfully reduce the net weight. This will also not compromise on the hardness and longevity of the material itself.
Conclusion
Whatever your purpose is, knowing why knives have holes can help you streamline your kitchen operations. You can thus invest in a knife set or hunting knife built to suit your exact requirements.