A
knife (plural
knives) is a tool with a cutting edge or
blade, hand-held or otherwise, with most having a handle. Some types of knives are used as utensils, including knives used at the dining table (e.g., butter knives and steak knives) and knives used in the kitchen (e.g., paring knife, bread knife, cleaver). Many types of knives are used as tools, such as the
utility knife carried by soldiers, the
pocket knife carried by
hikers and the
hunting knife used by hunters. Knives are also used as a traditional or religious implement, such as the
kirpan. Some types of knives are used as weapons, such as the
daggers used by
commandos or the
switchblades used by 1950s-era criminal gang members. Some types of knives are used as sports equipment (e.g., throwing knives).