Knives

James Bowie created a legend about himself and the knife he used in a hand-to-hand fight in Mississippi in 1827. What that knife looked like was soon lost, but the legend continued to grow. Bowie knives were in high demand, worn at the sides of members of Congress as well as ne'er-do-wells. The authentic Bowies by Windlass Steelcrafts are from America's past and hand-forged from well-tempered steel to take and hold a razor edge. Most come with a leather sheath. Find great Bowies from Cold Steel and other great knife makers too!

Daggers are most likely the predecessor to the sword. Historically they were usually double edged and used to deliver quick, lethal strokes. Their small size made it perfect for those more nefarious types. Stilettos, from the Latin stilus for stake, were used more for stabbing rather than cutting. The long narrow blade tapers to a point. AtlantaCutlery.com carries a wide assortment of quality daggers.

Kukris are mid length curved knives used both as a tool and a weapon. They are regimental issue to the famous Gurkha warriors, in whose skilled hands it becomes a frightening weapon. Designed for utilitarian use as well as war, it excels at chopping, cutting and stabbing. Windlass Steelcrafts is proud to be the only official government contractor for the kukri! Also find machetes and chopping knives for camping or just clearing out your own jungle.

Learn more about Kukris in our learning center

Throwing knives can be a fun and rewarding hobby. Building hand-eye coordination and providing a social experience that is fun to share. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned thrower we've got options for you. Commonly made from a single piece of tempered steel, the blade is sharpened just enough so it can ‘bite’ or stick into the target while the grip gives proper counter balance for the rotation and of course an area to grab to allow the knife to be safely handled. These knives are specially designed and weighted to be thrown.

A balanced knife’s center of gravity is at its center. This will follow a near circular trajectory in flight for a truer, more consistent path. Plus, balanced knives can be thrown from the handle as well as the blade and it is easier to change from one balanced knife to another. There is no need to adjust your throwing style or distance. Your enjoyment of the sport can depend on your tools, we'll make your choice easy for a great overall experience.

What are neck knives, hidden neck knives, or the best neck knife? A neck knife as it sounds is a knife worn from a person's neck. It’s usually a small fixed-blade knife which is carried by means of a cord or chain, by which the knife sheath hangs down like a necklace. They can either hang handle up or handle down. The knife may be hung from a loop of natural or synthetic cord, a length of paracord, a leather thong, or even a breakaway beaded or ball chain such as those utilized for military dog tags.

When carried ‘upside down’ the knife stays in place by means of a form-fitting synthetic sheath, which holds it securely in place until yanked on with force. Flip the knife and other material options are possible like leather, but this style of carry can require more effort to deploy the blade. Some manufacturers today are using a looser fitting sheath augmented with magnets.

Neck knives can be single-edged or double edged with blade lengths typically under four inches, and frequently less than three inches. They are primarily intended for utilitarian use, although self defense is becoming more and more popular reason to carry this way. They are sometimes worn under one's shirt for concealment, although this makes a quick draw nearly impossible without practice and even simple retrieval for utility purposes is awkward. They are more frequently worn outside of a shirt. Not only does this make drawing the knife far easier, but it also avoids legal issues in jurisdictions where concealed knives are regulated.

Neck knives, hidden neck knives, or the best neck knife can be of a variety of blade materials from steel and ceramic to plastic and polypropylene. There is just no shortage of styles and functions these handy knives are being made in.

Bayonets were designed to give the close-quarters combatant a tactical edge with longer reach. Traditionally used on the end of a rifle, there were many designs adopted over the years. From the early, simple plug bayonet (which made it impossible to also fire your gun), to modern representations that no longer pose any hurdle in firing. Size also changed as one-on-one combat became less a part of a battle plan after WWI. From the size of short swords to more manageable combat knives which serve utilitarian purposes, the advent of newer, better firearms made has made them almost obsolete. Almost. Lee Enfields, M1 Garands, and AK 47’s, along with other famous guns, were issued a variant, and many are still in use today, making them highly sought-after collectibles. Although the fighting style has changed, the function and use of today’s bayonets as combat knives are still effective in the field and look intimidating on parade.

Today the bayonet is rarely used in one-on-one combat, thanks to the effectiveness of firearms. The complexity of using a bayonet and the low stopping power of a single bayonet thrust makes it impractical. In modern combat, it's more efficient to put an enemy down with technology and firearms than with a bayonet. Despite its limitations, the bayonet is still issued by many armies. Additionally, the bayonet is still used for controlling prisoners and as a weapon of self-defense, and for utilitarian purposes in camp. Some even claim that training with one teaches a valuable level of aggression on the battlefield.

Current bayonets are often multi-purpose knives, such as the US M9 bayonet, an efficient fighting knife, or the Soviet AKM bayonet, which is also a groundbreaking survival knife that can be used as a wire-cutter. Some bayonets can also be used as utility knives, bottle openers, or throwing knives. There is also the obvious financial benefit of issuing one multi-purpose bayonet/knife as opposed to multiple knives to confuse and burden today’s soldiers.

We feature bayonet replicas, genuine military surplus bayonets, german bayonets, British bayonets, army surplus bayonets for sale, and accessories like hard-to-find scabbards and frogs to carry them accurately. 

A fixed blade knife, fixed knives, straight blade knife and straight knives, sometimes called sheath knives, do not fold or slide, and are usually stronger than folding knives due to the tang and lack of moving parts.

Knife blades can be made from a variety of materials. Carbon steel can be very sharp and hold its edge well, and remains easy to re-sharpen, but is vulnerable to rust and stains. Stainless steel may not able to take quite as sharp an edge as carbon steel, but is highly resistant to corrosion. High carbon, stainless steel is intended to incorporate the better attributes of both. Laminate blades use multiple metals to create layers, combining the attributes of both also. Pattern-welding layers different steel types to create patterns in the steel. Titanium has a better strength-to-weight ratio, is more wear resistant, and more flexible than steel, but less hard and unable to take as sharp an edge. Ceramic blades are hard, brittle, and lightweight: they can maintain a sharp edge for years with no maintenance, but are fragile. They are immune to common corrosion.

Handle material can also vary greatly and includes many types of wood, antler, bone, horn and synthetics like acrylic and G-10. Sheaths are usually Kydex or leather.

Fixed blades, fixed knives, straight blade knife, straight knives play a significant role in some cultures through ritual and superstition. Knife symbols can be found in various cultures and were included burial rites, so the dead would not be defenseless in the next world. A common belief is that if a knife is given as a gift, the relationship of the giver and recipient is severed. An item of value, as little as a penny, is exchanged for the gift, rendering "payment" thus completing the transaction and saving the relationship. 

There are many styles to choose from in this section and many uses including combat, camping, self defense, survival, hunting, diving, and bushcraft. It’s not unusual to have one around for EDC carry for utility purposes as well. Some of the most popular styles are the bowie, bayonet, machete, karambit, wakizashi and tanto.

Assisted opening knives are a category that is increasingly common for EDC, or everyday carry. They provide quick, one handed opening using either springs or a ball bearing pivot system. Spring assist knives have a spring-loaded mechanism mounted in the handle to propel the blade once the user has moved it past a certain angle. Ball bearing pivot systems uses caged ball bearings for an easy, smooth opening.

These differ from automatic or switchblade knives in that the blade is not released by means of a button or catch on the handle - the blade itself is the actuator. Most assisted openers use flippers also called triggers as their opening mechanism. Assisted opening knives can be as fast as or faster than automatic knives to deploy.

Another major benefit of this type of knife is its ability to be easily deployed with one hand, in some cases just one finger and is easy to operate in varying weather conditions, even with gloves on. This can be a real bonus in high stress situations for military and first responders like police, fire and EMS.

Blade and handle materials for open assist knives are the same as other folding knives so performance doesn’t suffer at all. Stainless steel blades and either plastic, aluminum or G-10 handle scales are prominent on assisted opening knives. To aid in carry most come with a pocket clip which allows easy access from any pocket or can be clipped to a pack or purse. Atlanta Cutlery (ACC) carries a variety of styles from manufacturers like Kershaw, Elk Ridge, M Tech and Tac Force.

Not your Grandpa's razors! Many styles and materials to choose from. They don't just shave anymore, some go into the field with you and help with the rough stuff.

Folding blades and folding knives are the most common knives to carry today for their ease of use and convenient carry. Folding blades perform nearly any task and are easily deployed in high stress situations.

A folding knife uses a pivot, allowing the blade to fold into the handle for light, easy carry. To prevent injury through the blade accidentally closing on the user's hand, folding knives typically have a locking mechanism. Different locking mechanisms are favored by various individuals for reasons such as perceived strength (lock safety), legality, and ease of use.

In the lock back, as in many folding knives, a stop pin acting on the top (or behind) the blade prevents it from rotating. To release the knife the rocker bar is pushed downwards.

The bolt in the bolt lock uses a spring which biases the bolt to the forward position where it rests above the tang of the blade preventing the blade from closing. Small knobs extend through the handle allow the user to slide the bolt backwards freeing the knife to close. 

In the liner lock, an "L"-shaped split in the liner allows part of it to move sideways against the handle to the centre of the knife where it rests against the flat end of the tang. To disengage, this leaf spring is pushed aside so it again rests flush against the handle allowing the knife to close. A frame lock is nearly identical but instead of using a thin liner inside the handle material uses a thicker piece of metal that makes up the handle.

Another prominent feature on many folding knives is the opening mechanism. Traditional pocket knives and Swiss Army knives commonly employ the nail nick, while modern folding knives more often use a stud, hole, disk, or flipper located on the blade, all which have the benefit of allowing the user to open the knife with one hand.

We carry many brands of folding blades and folding knives from Windlass Cobra Steel, Cold Steel, Gerber, Kershaw, Boker, Spyderco and American Buffalo Knife & Tool.

With all the marketing surrounding tactical, EDC and survival knives the function specific rescue knives, rescue multi tools and rescue blades often go unnoticed. This is a real shame as you never know when you’ll be in a situation that requires this specific set of tools for survival. Remember it doesn’t have to be you; it could very well be a loved one and you want to know you were prepared and did all you could. 

Rescue knives aren’t always the coolest looking, they are purpose built. They often feature blunt tips and include extra tools like seatbelt cutters and glass breakers and funky bright colors. These are the go-to for first responders and prepared individuals. 

When selecting a good rescue knife or multi tool size matters. Most rescue knives are heavily built and carry extra tools which is a good thing. Of course you still want something comfortable and easy to carry because it won’t do you any good if you leave it at home. You’ll often find serrations or partial serrations on a rescue knife. This for a few good reasons- they stay sharp for a longer period of time than plain edges and are very good at cutting seat belts, rope, cord, clothing and shoe laces. You’ll also find a blunt tip which helps avoiding punctures and stabbing of the victim, yourself and even can help limit damage to a vehicle.

Look for a knife that has high quality stainless steel. High carbon steel is not a bad choice in that is what is available, but there is a chance that the knife will get wet and/or soaked with other fluids which carbon steel doesn’t take kindly to. Many choose brightly colored handles, like yellow or orange. Visibility is important, especially in high stress situations or where you might be in the middle of an emergency. You want to identify the tool quickly and if in the case you do drop your rescue knife, which happens more than you’d think, and you’ll be able to find it easier on the ground, in low light or amongst the leaves.

Training knives and training sabers or swords may not be sexy, but are quite possibly the most valuable of any knives and swords you may own. It is one thing to own a knife or saber or sword and another thing all together when it comes to actually using them.

Training knives and sabers allow you to practice safely either by yourself or with others. You’ll find live steel to be a dangerous alternative and training partners may be tough to come by when you’re always putting them in the hospital. Stunt men and women train with them for months ahead of shooting and martial artists, both Western and Eastern use them for katas and dueling. 

Training blades allow for the safe use or “weapons” with realistic feel, balance and weight of the real thing. They can feature alternate materials like rubber, plastic, polypropylene, aluminum, latex and wood. They can also be steel. But whatever the choice of material, the most important features are the strong handles and full tangs plus the additional safety of thick blades, blunt tips and rolled edges.

Training knives, training sabers, bokken can all be used to represent a variety of cultures and eras. There are US Civil War training sabers, katana shaped versions and of course contemporary blades issued by the military swords today. Even folding knives have safer ways to draw and practice cutting, slicing, chopping with reasonable safety. 

At Atlanta Cutlery (ACC) we have a fight team that tests, when needed, the practice tools of the trade before they reach your hands to be sure you have a very good tool to develop your blade wielding skills. It’s not as though you can’t be hurt using these training tools, bruises and broken bones can occur when careless, but with care and common sense you can avoid the most grievous of injuries.

Miniature knives, mini knives, mini pocket knife have always been collectible and believe it or not functional. There are smiths today that specialize in these little cutlery curiosities.

These miniature knives are scaled down versions of classic blade patterns and many favorite designs through history. Others are contemporary designs for today’s demanding every day carry. Great for display, last ditch self defense, as gifts, functional jewelry and as utility knives. Some are folders, other fixed blade. All can do the job.

Perfectly scaled down versions of the most iconic knives in our history like the Alamo Bowie, but updated with stainless steel and real metal & wood parts. Our staff can’t stop talking about these gorgeous knives. Many conveniently fit on a key chain and are so small you can carry them almost anywhere. 

They can make a great collectible for your desk. Our utilitarian versions for EDC have blades that are large enough for big cutting chores and sized to lighten the burden of carrying them. They never fail to draw conversation. There’s just something about miniature knives or a mini pocket knife that seems to cute to be truly functional, yet they are.

They can be of the same materials as their bigger cousins like high carbon steel, stainless steel and authentic handle materials from traditional wood to modern steel alloy, aluminum and G-10. Just be a bit careful, they are so small and easy to carry you can forget they’re there, until you need them.

Kitchen knives Includes common every day food prep cutting tools like bread knives, carving knives, bird knives, fishing knives, chef knives, cleavers, paring knives and steak knives. This really includes any hand implement used in preparing and especially eating food. A person who makes or sells cutlery is called a cutler, which is exactly why we chose Atlanta Cutlery to be our name back in 1971. We not only carry unique, exotic cutting tools from around the world, but everyday knives used to simply prepare and eat food. 

Kitchen knives are more usually known as cutlery, silverware or flatware, where cutlery usually means knives and related cutting instruments. The major items we feature are the knife, fork and spoon. Sometimes we are able to find a tool that actually contains all three utensils in one compact and easy to use package like our picnic set, watermelon knife or Ka-bar hobo. It was not uncommon for the military to issue their own version making eating in the field a much easier chore for soldiers.

Kitchen knives come in all sizes and materials. Although for health reasons and food prep there are specific choices which are better than others. A high grade, surgical stainless steel is a great choice for any need and gaining in popularity are ceramic knives, which don’t pick up any bacteria, are sharp for years and never rust. Of course they are very brittle and can break with intense pressure or dropping onto a hard surface.

Handle material can be equally important and a plastic, stainless steel or rubber grip are found on most. Exotic kitchen knives can use different handle materials to bring a unique and artful touch to the kitchen. Just be sure no matter how to wash them that you dry them fairly quick, no matter the type of steel if water sits on your blade it will have adverse affects over time.

New to the knife-making game? Do not panic. Atlanta Cutlery is the best place to buy knife-making supplies to help you to produce a beauty!

A knife comprises of essentially four components - a blade with tang, a guard, a handle, and a pommel (optional). Sounds simple? Sometimes it can be, but for the wide range of knife-making tools and supplies available, that can seem like magic to a first-timer. Here, knife-making kits come in handy, with their direct and easy-to-understand instructions. Of course, not all knife-making kits are the same. From Bowie’s to folding knives, you’ve found the right place.

At Atlanta Cutlery, we understand the desire for custom knives. We offer a range of quality knife-making supplies, including knife-making kits, blade blanks, knife handle materials, fixed blade & folding knife-making supplies, and handle scales, which are as good as any in the market. Most of the blades in our catalog are forged from high carbon stainless steel and ensure durability on top of great style. The scales, too, come in excellent material and design and are perfect for your personal project. We recommend that you start building your custom knife and make a personal statement that can take on the wild!

AtlantaCutlery.com carries new scabbards for some of the kukris and machetes on our site. Made of high quality leather, they will assure you can carry your edged weapon safely.