All About Pocket Knives

I've always called the opposite side of the mark side the pile side. I came across this in one of Parker's old books. Can the pile side be called the File side? I couldn't find it in any knife glossary.

I'm trying to get my attachment on.

Looks like just a bad print job. Notice the word "spey" below. The Y is badly printed. Never heard of the "file" side. J.O'.

Interesting. I've always called it the pile side too. Misprint or perhaps a misinterpretation by the person who made the graph. I saw a menu once that had Cold Slaw as a menu item instead of Coleslaw.

Well, there is a hot slaw!. But I do get yer idea.

I've always heard/read "Mark" and "Pile."

royal0014 wrote: ↑Fri Jun 24, 2022 9:29 am Agreed ... bad printing


Whilst on the subject ... 'mark side' is simple and basically self explanatory.
But why is the back called 'pile side' ?? ??

Toss the knife down onto what's already been worked on, that's the side that will be against the pile.

I recall reading an explanation once and I believe it was very similar to Steve’s succinct comment.
Froe

My understanding is the terms originated from cutlery workers. When assembling a knife the liner with bolsters attached is placed into a fixture and the blades, springs, center liners, etc as appropriate are then "piled" onto each other in the appropriate sequence. The side having the maker's stamp (mark) on the tang is the mark side. The side onto which all the parts are piled is the pile side.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

Ken

Thanks everyone. This turned out to be a learning session for me. jwwood

Sounds like a good name for a pub: The Mark & Pile.

tongueriver wrote: ↑Sat Jun 25, 2022 10:08 pm Sounds like a good name for a pub: The Mark & Pile.

Humm......

Not sure I would want to dine there.

orvet wrote: ↑Wed Jul 20, 2022 3:07 pm

tongueriver wrote: ↑Sat Jun 25, 2022 10:08 pm Sounds like a good name for a pub: The Mark & Pile.

Humm......

Not sure I would want to dine there.

Hi Dale!