I'm looking to add to the sticky on the topic of knives. There are many beginner questions I see asked multiple times. I think this board would benefit from a basic starting point for those new to knife purchasing. Points include:

• Terminology (what a tang is, etc)
• Types of knives and their purpose
• Types of materials blades are made of
• Techniques (including batoning, it's worth mentioning regardless of the controversy surrounding it)
• Quality brands
• Blade sharpening and care
• Anything /out/ sees important that I may have missed

This is just a quick list that I have put together as someone new to knives that I had questions about. Hopefully this will lead to more specific questions that are more productive.