Bladed

Bladed is an adjective used to describe an object that has one or more blades, the flat, sharp-edged components designed for cutting, slicing, or transferring energy. The term applies across a range of domains, including tools, weapons, machinery, and fluid or air-moving devices. A bladed item can be single-edged or double-edged, depending on its intended function.

Etymology and usage: Bladed derives from blade, the cutting edge of a knife or sword, with the suffix -ed forming an adjective that signals possession of that feature. In modern engineering and design, bladed is often used to indicate a component with a blade-like element essential to its operation.

Applications and examples: In weapons and cutlery, bladed items include knives, swords, daggers, razors, and saw blades. In mechanical engineering and aeronautics, bladed components are found in propellers, turbine blades, rotor blades, and fan blades, where each blade acts as an airfoil or cutting surface to impart motion or energy to a fluid. In some contexts, the term may describe leaf blades—the broad, flat portions of leaves—though they are usually referred to directly as leaf blades rather than simply bladed.

Design and performance considerations: Bladed components are characterized by their geometry, material properties, edge retention, and surface treatments. Edge sharpness and durability are critical for cutting tools, while blade shape, stiffness, and alignment matter for propulsion and propulsion-related applications. Maintenance practices often focus on corrosion resistance, sharpening or honing, and ensuring proper mounting and balance.

See also: blade; bladed tool; bladed turbine; propeller blade; leaf blade; bladeless.