Right-side knife radical, the vertical form of
刀 — the indexing radical. Marks
剃 as a blade-action: shaving with a razor. The knife radical anchors all cutting verbs:
切 cut,
割 sever,
剪 scissor-cut,
削 pare,
刺 stab. Spotting
刂 instantly tells you 'this involves a sharp edge.'
