A word about knife shapes: The specific names that are given to the different shapes and styles of knives are called “patterns.” A knife’s pattern name can be based on the handle die, or shape of the handle (e.g. fishtail jacks), a specific function of the knife (e.g. pruners), or a specific design feature (e.g.whittlers). There are dozens of these terms and descriptive modifiers. A handle die can have its own pattern name but with a particular blade, or combination of blades, be given a different pattern name.