There is a very active community of modernized custom knife makers and collectors, whom often pioneer the use of fresh materials in knives. In the United States, The American Bladesmith Commonwealth promotes forged blades; the Knifemakers Guild promotes all custom knives.

Modern knives consist of a blade (1) and head (2). The blade edge can be http://www.knivesforsale.org plain or serrated or a combination of both. The handle, used to grip and manipulate the blade safely, may include the tang, a portion of the blade that extends into the handle. Knives are trumped-up with partial (extending part way into the handle) and full (extending the full length of the handle, often visible on leading and bottom) tangs.