Have you ever wondered why some knives have dimples on the blade? Or how does it help you to use them? When you buy a blade from a knife shop, you may have noticed that some of them have dimples. Knife manufacturers do a lot of research into their products. But there are still some things that are completely overlooked, and some of them are dimples. But what is the main purpose of the dimples? Let’s find out!
Knife Features That Make Them Durable
When it comes to kitchen cutlery, there are a lot of options out there. But, not all knives are created equal. Some will dull quickly and become useless while others last for years of use. The difference between the two lies in how each knife is designed and how well-made it is. Even if you don’t know much about knives, you can tell when one is made with higher quality materials and craftsmanship than another simply by holding them in your hand. Here are a few other features that make knives durable:
đźź© Handle
The handle is the part of a knife that you hold. It can make a big difference in how well you can control the blade. So it’s important to choose one that feels comfortable and is easy for you to grip.
The best handles are made of metal, wood, or plastic. Metal handles are more durable than plastic ones. But they’re also heavier and tend not to be as comfortable on your fingers when holding them for long periods of time. Wooden handles are lighter than metal ones but may crack over time (especially if exposed to high heat). And plastic handles are the lightest and most affordable option available but aren’t as durable as wood or metal.
đźź© Locking mechanism
The locking mechanism is the part of the knife that holds the blade in place. It’s a safety feature, preventing accidents and injuries. When you’re using your knife, if it doesn’t have a locking mechanism then there’s a very good chance that you will accidentally close the blade onto your hand or fingers when trying to cut something else. This can be painful!
If you find yourself wanting to buy a new knife, look for one with a locking mechanism that allows you to use one hand only (like an automatic spring-assisted opening) while also requiring two hands to close it (such as by pressing down on both sides).
đźź© Blade pivot
The pivot, also known as the tang, is the part of the knife that connects the blade to its handle. Most knives have a single piece of metal that forms both parts of this connection. But some knives have a separate tang and bolster (on either side) which are connected by screws or rivets.
The pivot on each type of product is different depending on its material and construction. And many different types of materials are used in making an effective pivot. Stainless steel is probably the most common because it’s durable and easy to sharpen. Brass or copper can also be used for durability but may require more frequent sharpening. Plastic can sacrifice durability for lighter weight if necessary. While alloys, like titanium alloy, are often used for their strength without sacrificing too much weight.
đźź© Blade handle angle
The angle between the blade and its handle is a crucial factor in how strong and durable your knife is. The lower the angle, the stronger it will be. But don’t think that just because your knife has a high angle that it’s weak, it depends on how you use it!
If you’re going to be using your knife for heavy-duty tasks like chopping wood or breaking down chicken carcasses, then consider investing in one with a lower blade-to-handle ratio. This will make sure that your weapon can take on whatever job challenges come it’s way.
If, however, you plan on using your tool as more of an accessory or decorative item (perhaps displayed proudly next to other fine cutlery), then go ahead and pick out something with an extremely high degree of precision. They’ll look pretty while slicing through delicate fruit slices at parties!
Another feature that can make a knife durable is the dimples on the blade. But what is the main purpose of these dimples? Check the next section!
Why Do Knives Have Dimples?
You might be surprised to learn that the science and engineering behind knives are far more complex than you could imagine. In fact, there’s a lot going on in even the simplest blade. All of which are designed to make cutting food easier and safer. One of the most interesting features of a knife is its dimples or indentations. These can be seen on both sides of a blade (and sometimes only one). These dimples may seem like little imperfections that simply make the knife look less sleek, but they actually serve several purposes:
đźź© Aerodynamics
The dimples on a knife blade are there to reduce drag, turbulence, and pressure differences. But what does that mean? The air passing over the blade is disturbed by the movement of the blade through it. This causes turbulence in the wake of the knife which affects its performance.
Aerodynamic dimples reduce these effects by breaking up pockets of turbulent flow and reducing drag. It also decreases turbulence caused by separation from airflow off either side of the knife’s leading edge (front) or trailing edge (back).
đźź© Texture
But there’s another reason: texture. The dimples on a knife help improve grip and balance. These are two things that come in handy when you’re trying to keep your blade steady while you cut or slice through food. You might be thinking, “Wait a minute, I thought these were just decorative!” And they are. But they also serve a practical purpose in terms of how you hold the knife and how it sits in your hand.
The dimples on the handle of your knife can help with grip by increasing friction as you hold onto it. This helps prevent slipping during use (especially important if you’re cutting something slippery like fish), which reduces slippage and makes for safer use overall. If the handle is too smooth, it might feel awkward when trying to slice into something. The bumps add some textural contrast, making them easier to grasp without causing discomfort or hurting your fingers if accidentally stabbed by one of those spikes sticking out from under each dimple!
đźź© Finger safety
In addition to making your knife grippier and safer, some dimples can help you hold onto the knife while cutting. The dimples of some knives are so deep that they allow you to push on the handle with your palm, giving you more control over the blade.
It’s also worth noting that knives with dimples tend to be less slippery than their smooth counterparts, which makes them easier for beginners to use safely. Because there are no sharp edges or points that might snag on clothing, these knives won’t accidentally fall out of your hands as easily either.
đźź© Steel adhesion
You might not be aware of it, but your favorite knife has a lot to do with the way you cook. The dimples on the blade are there for one reason: to help the knife stick to your cutting board. This helps keep you from losing control of your blade while chopping and makes cleanup easier by allowing food particles to slip right off.
You’re probably wondering what this has to do with corrosion or comfort level, right? Let me explain. When steel touches water (like when you’re cleaning up), it can corrode if unprotected. The dimples on a stainless steel knife essentially give it protection from moisture being trapped between them, which helps prevent rusting and corrosion over time.
If you think about how often we use our knives in everyday life, and how many times a day we reach for them, you start to see why these little nubs make such an impact! But don’t worry about having issues with the comfort level. After all these years of using them ourselves, we can say confidently that they’re just as nice in hands as any other comparable product would be!
Do All Knives Have Dimples?
Yes, all knives have dimples.
You might not be able to see them, but they’re there. And even if you don’t have dimples, it doesn’t mean that your knife is any less sharp or effective. In fact, some people prefer to use knives without dimples because they can cut more easily through things where dimples might get in the way.
Knives with fewer dimples tend to be used for softer foods like fruits and other produce, while knives with more dimples are best for cutting through tougher meats and vegetables.
Does The Number Of Dimples Affect The Quality Of A Knife?
The number of dimples on a knife has little to no effect on the quality of the knife. The number of dimples is simply a measurement of how many holes are in the blade. In some cases, these holes will be used for decorative purposes, but in most cases, they are used for adhesion purposes.
The quality of a knife is determined by its composition, weight, and blade thickness. A thick blade will hold up better under pressure than a thin one and will also be more durable.
The number of dimples that are used depends on what type of knife is being made. For example, a chef’s knife will have more dimples than a paring knife because it needs to be easier for the user to grip it properly and prevent accidental slippage when using it.
Final Words
In summary, the precise reason why knives have dimples is still unknown but these features can provide safety, reduce stress and fatigue on the thumb, and ensure the most efficient way to cut food. But this doesn’t mean that knives without dimples have low quality than those with dimples.
Although dimples do not serve any practical or mechanical purpose in the knife, they become part of the manufacturing. So practice your knife skills instead of counting the dimples on your knife!
If you’re looking for the best knife? Look not into the dimples! Just click here to reveal our list of the best brands of knives.