Does Knife Length Include the Handle? – Answered

Does the length of the knife include the handle? If you have bought a new chef’s knife and want to know if the handle is included in the measurement or not, keep reading.

If you buy a new knife and the blade length is 8 inches and the handle is 4 inches long. Is the handle included in the measurement, or should you add another few inches of length to get the right size knife for your intended application?

In this article, we look at if the handle is included in the knife’s measurement, or whether you have to add on a separate handle measurement to get the total knife measurement. 

A Bit About Knife Handles

Knife handles are made out of different materials like wood, plastic, and metal. The material used depends in part on how heavy the knife needs to be.

For example, if you use your knife for chopping vegetables, then a wooden handle would be ideal as it will give you the extra weight to dice, slice, and chop to perfection. 

On the other hand, if you plan on using your knife for slicing bread, then a plastic handle would be more suitable because it’s lighter than wood, and you will be using a sawing rather than a pressing motion to make the cut.

The most common type of knife handle that people use today is made out of plastic. This is because these types of handles are easy to clean and maintain.

They also protect against damage. However, there are disadvantages. Plastic handles tend to wear down quickly over time and become brittle after a few years. It’s recommended that you replace them every two years.

Wooden handles are usually heavier than plastic ones but they last longer. Metal handles are also durable and strong. These are perfect for those who work outside or regularly cook and need a knife that can withstand rough conditions.

A Custom Made Knife

A good knife maker can make any type of knife that you want. He or she will even customize the knife according to your measurements so that it fits perfectly into your hands.

You can choose between fixed blades and folding knives. Fixed blades are better for heavy-duty tasks such as chopping vegetables. Folding knives are easier to carry around, making them fantastic survivalist tools.

There are many benefits of having a custom-made knife rather than an off-the-shelf model. First of all, you’ll get a knife that fits your exact specifications.

Second, you’ll get a high-quality knife that lasts much longer than cheap models. Third, you’ll get a unique knife that no one else has.

Does Knife Length Include The Handle?

A knife is an essential tool for any survivalist. You need to know how long your knife is before you buy it. The standard length, however, is the length of the blade without including the handle. So if you want a long knife, make sure you check the measurements of the blade alone.

Most knife-buying guides come with dimensions etc, so you can evaluate and judge the length of what you’re about to get. Knife length is measured from the blade’s tip to the hilt of the handle.

The blade is the only thing that is measured because handle length could be different based on design, purpose, and the manufacturer.

Measuring Knife Length

There are three common ways to measure the standard length of a knife. And remember, this only includes the blade alone.

You should measure the knife from the blade tip to the heel, or you could measure the knife from the hilt to the furthest point on the blade. Some manufacturers may round up to the nearest ½ inch when measuring blade length.

Rounding to the ½” explains why a knife that is said to be 10 inches could only measure 9.5 inches but not be classed as false advertising.

Rounding up also makes marketing copy clear as a 10-inch knife looks a lot better on paper than a 9.5 inch.

How Important Is Knife Length?

The Legal Side

What kind of knives can be seen with you? And how does length play into this? Laws are fashioned so that they define the length of the knife that you can carry.

Knife laws define what knives you can carry in the open and what knives you need to keep concealed.

Pocket Knives are legal to own if they are less than three and a half inches long, and you can carry these around in the open. You can buy them without any problems.

However, if your pocket knife is longer than four and a half inches, then you should think about getting rid of it or at least avoid carrying it around in public.

When knife length laws are ignored, it could cause a problem for the seller as well as the buyer of certain knives.

Knife Function

The length of the knife also determines what it can be used for and how it functions as a utensil. Different lengths do different jobs much better, and you must get the right length for this reason.

For instance, when cutting bread, the knife needs to be long enough that it spans the width of the bread at all times, even as you saw. Serrations then make it easier to cut through bread without tearing it apart.

A paring knife is a perfect size to cut vegetables but you would not get anywhere if you tried to cut bread with this kind of knife.

A chef’s knife is the perfect size for cutting meat, and when it comes to big joints of meat, knife length matters more than ever.

Knife Balance

For a balanced knife, you need to consider your hand size, height, length of the arm, and how you like using your knife to determine the ideal knife size for you. When choosing knives, you should use ones that fit your hand perfectly.

You shouldn’t be influenced by what others pick. You should stick to what works for you. A chef knife would normally start from 8 inches, but consider the weight and purpose of this sort of knife.

Manufacturers compensate and try to counter the weight of a chef’s knife with the handle, but what’s balanced for one type of grip, will not be for another, so again, choose what works for you.

Are There Any Cases When Knife Length Includes The Handle?

Yes! There are a few cases when the knife length does include the handle, but as mentioned previously in the article, this is not the standard case.

So when does knife length include the handle?

Storage – When you are measuring knives for storage, this often includes the handle as you are finding a space where the knife fits. You will not only be concerned about the blade, but the entire thing.

You cannot just put the blade in a drawer or storage space and detach the handle and so this is why it is important to measure it all. 

Knife Throwing – This is a little out there but when measuring knives for knife throwing, it also includes the handle. The whole knife is considered as a result of the physics behind the motion.

It is not only the blade that is rotating towards the target, but also the handle bears some weight and length and therefore, should be taken into consideration. 

What Knife Should I Buy?

There are many different types of knives available today and they come in various sizes. A good knife is an investment and it helps you prepare food well. A sharp knife at the appropriate length makes cooking easier and faster.

However, you must know the right way to choose a knife. As mentioned above, it is important to take into account the type of knife, its purpose, balance, and size.

When you are looking at buying a new knife, you have to make sure that you do not buy one that is too small. If you are going to use the knife for slicing, then you can go for a smaller knife.

But if you are going to use it for chopping, then you may want to get a bigger knife. Ideally, for cooking, you’ll have a whole selection of knives to choose from, each with its own specific purpose.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Measure Standard Knife Length?

Knife length is measured from the tip to the hilt of the handle. This means it is just the blade length that is measured, and the handle length could vary based on purpose, design, and manufacturer.

Measure the knife from the tip of the blade to the heel of the blade, from the tip of the blade to the furthest point on the blade, or round it up to the furthest ½.

What Are Pocket Knives?

Pocket knives are usually made of stainless steel and they are very handy. They are designed to fit in the pocket, and you can carry them around easily.

The best part is that they are affordable and easy to clean. Most of these knives are used for camping and survival purposes.

What Are Chef’s Knives?

Chef’s knives are used by chefs and professionals who need to cut through tough foods like meat and bones. These knives are specifically designed for cutting and slicing. They are usually made of carbon steel and they are heavier than other knives.

What Are Kitchen Knives Used For?

Kitchen knives are used for preparing meals and they are essential tools in every home. There are several types of kitchen knives, such as paring knives, bread knives, slicers, and utility knives. Each type has its uses.

How Long Should A Chef Knife Be?

A chef knife should begin at 8 inches, and should never be smaller than this, taking into account the weight and purpose of this kind of knife.

Final Thoughts

Knife length does not include the handle and it’s important to remember this to help you when it comes to laws, function, and other factors. But when putting a knife into storage, take into account the handle!

You don’t want to cause damage to your storage space or furniture by trying to force it in!

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