The cut away area in front of the guard of some fixed blade knives, it may be large enough to fit a finger or very tiny cut out area.

The choil is the unsharpened part of the blade. It is left at full thickness like the blade spine and is found where the blade becomes part of the handle. Sometimes the choil will be shaped (An indentation) to accept the index finger. It also allows the full edge of the blade to be sharpened.

The unsharpened part where the blade becomes part of the handle. It is left at full thickness, like the blade's spine. Sometimes the choil will be shaped to accept the index finger.

A choil is a round cut out seperating the cutting edge from the ricasso. It is also used to describe a cut out, molded or formed area where the handle and blade meet which positions/guards the index finger while gripping the opened knife.

An unsharpened part of the blade located opposite the point on the sharpened side. Click here for illustration.