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BOLSTERS -- Which End is WHICH?

Every time I think I've finally got it fixed in my head I hear new term ..I remain totally confused.

What are the best terms to use to identify the two different ends of a folding knife? The LAST thing I read was:

"On a jack knife the bolster opposite the blade-pivot end is called the "top", or "head", or "cap" bolster. The bolster at the blade-pivot end is the "bottom" bolster. A jack knife with no cap bolsters is called a "barehead jack." A knife with no bolsters is called a "shadow."

How's that? I've also heard the "pocket end" mentioned -- always figured this was what's called the "bottom" bolster in the above quote.

I think what keeps me confused is that when I'm looking at the "front" (mark side, obverse side) of a folder, especially if the blade's out, I'm looking mostly on the base of the blade and the stamping. And, that's the end that's the "bottom" end?

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Permalink Reply by Rob Gregg on December 9, 2010 at 19:36

I see your point Jim. For me, the head of the knife is the end with the primary blade (no matter how many blades or what configuration) and the proper term for a knife without a bolster on the other end would be a bare-butt jack. If you think of it in terms of a fixed blade knife, the handle end opposite the blade is the butt end, right? Isn't a pommel sometimes refered to as the butt-cap? Just one of those things, I reckon. Rob

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Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on June 20, 2013 at 18:32

They way I've heard it explained:

With the shield side facing you or the tang stamp of the main blade facing you and spine side of the knife on the top (sharp edge of blades facing the ground when open) The top end of the knife it to the left as you look at it. The bottom is to the right.