Posts Tagged ‘hunting knives’

How To Know The Best Knife For Your Outdoor Sport

There are different kinds of knives available, and as with a lot of other instruments, if you do not have the suitable one, it’s probable to create problems. A skillful quality knife will endure a lifetime with nominal maintenance. Here are

Several hunting knives are designed for skinning. If you would wish your knife to be pleasing for skinning, the basic thing you should note is the blade form. You want a rounded or drop point so that when you are “ripping” the skin, the point of your knife will not dig into the meat. Also, you will likely want a non-moving blade knife, as folding blades have too many crevices to trap blood and mess in.

Selecting a knife for camping can be tough because you need a flexible knife. You may need this knife to prepare food, trim branches, repair gear, and a thousand other uses. For this reason, you will often find that a Swiss army knife or multi tool may fill your needs best. Also, you might prefer to add a saw, hatchet, or machete to your pack before you leave, for tougher cutting jobs.

You should likely get a fillet knife for fishing. A fillet knife is well designed for cleaning fish, and it can also cut fishing line well, which is the other main task for a fishing knife. There are also electric fillet knives available for the fisherman that is constantly catching many fish. If you plan on fishing in salt water, be sure your knife is designed to withstand the corrosion of saltwater.

Trappers will generally want a skinning knife, much same to a hunting knife. A fixed blade or a folding knife will work equally well; this would equal a preference of the sportsman. Tougher tasks are usually completed with an axle, so a second knife isn’t normally obligatory.

A boater’s chief motive for a knife is cutting line. You’ll want a piercing knife that is convenient and promptly deployed, in case you need to cut a line quickly. Make certain that the knife will stand ahead to water, too. It is apparent that each open-air sport calls for a particular knife. Buy a quality knife and your undertakings will be easier and a superior knife will often be gave down to your kids.

Hunter craftsman and knowledgeable Ethan O. Tanner explains the various selections of outdoor knife the choices of camping for outdoor knives advice you should consider.

The Many Uses of Knives

If you are gathering together the things you will need for an extended journey into the great out of doors, then any experienced outdoorsman will tell you that proper knives for hunting are essential. This is because having a quality knife near at hand will be very useful during your journey and not just for the obvious uses of cleaning and skinning any of the game you successfully bag. A good knife will also be very handy if you encounter a wild animal that might attack or for trimming branches in order to set up camp.

As with any other type of instrument for cutting, hunting and fishing knives must be well cared for and maintained in order to extend their life and to make them as useful as possible. When one is out on a hunting, fishing or camping expedition, it is important to be sure that the fixed blade hunting knives or folding hunting knives that you take along are ready at a moments notice to do their job. This means they should be clean and recently sharpened. In the instance of folding or pocket knives, they should be oiled so that the blade can be accessed easily and quickly.

If you end up using your knives for hunting regularly, such as on a daily basis for various uses around the home or at work, then it is recommended that you clean the knife every day, or at the very least, after each time you use it. Regular cleaning will help keep the blade in the best possible condition as well as keeping the entire knife, such as the blade guards and handle in great shape. Regularly cleaning the blade will also reveal any tiny scratches and nicks that could end up ruining the blade.

If you do see that the blade has been nicked, it is important to hone out that area as quickly as possible, and most certainly before using the blade again. This will keep the blade from becoming even more damaged and will also assure that you always have the sharpest cutting edge on your knife at all times. A dull blade can be dangerous to the user, as more pressure is required and in such circumstances the blade is more likely to slip and cause an injury to the user.

Hunt and fish knives typically end up being used to skin, gut and clean animals and fish that has been killed or caught, and as a result they can become very dirty, very quickly. Out in the wild it is not always possible to thoroughly clean a knife that has just been used, but at the very least the blade and handle should be wiped down to remove as much blood and tissue as possible.

Upon returning to camp, it is best to completely wash the knife with soap and water to rid it of any residue and dirt left on the blade and handle. There are also a number of cleaning solutions on the market which can be very useful in keeping the knives for hunting in good condition and which can easily be taken along on your next hunting trip. Visit www.lightsandknives.com/hunting_knife_sharpening.htm for tips on how to maintain your knives in good condition.

Want to find out more about knives, then visit Tim Frazier’s site on how to choose the best folding knives for your needs.

Caring for Bowie Knives

Bowie knives can be expensive purchases, when one opts for a high-quality blade. Knives require special care that means the difference between an item that can last a lifetime and a knife that will end up rusted and dull all too fast. Learning this care is an essential, and enjoyable, part of owing a quality blade. It is also a process. Some things, such as sharpening, take a lot of time to master.

Stainless steel, as the name says, is resistant to the types of corrosion that frequently ruin other knife blades. Even though this is the case, even stainless steel needs to be kept dry. Any fluid with which the knife comes into contact may damage the blade. Acidic liquids may pit and scar the blade, water may cause rust, and so forth. Always wipe down the blade before sheathing it.

For a very high-end knife, high-carbon steel or high-carbon stainless steel is usually used in the construction. The former was more common in the past but has been superseded in popularity by stainless steel knives. High-carbon steel is particularly vulnerable to rust and corrosion. All knives should always be kept dry, but this is particularly important in cases where the knife is made of a material with a low resistance to environmental damage. Stainless steel knives need the same attention given to them, but not nearly to the degree that non-stainless knives require.

A Bowie knife should be kept in its sheath most of the time. Most Bowies come with a leather sheath and, so long as the knife is taken out every so often, this should suffice. For long-term storage, however, and especially in humid environments, leather attracts moisture. This can corrode the blade over time, even if it happens to be a stainless steel model. Knives which are made of non-stainless, high-carbon steel will be especially susceptible to moisture-related corrosion while they’re kept in storage. A good case will provide adequate protection from the elements for long term storage needs.

Without maintenance, the investment one places in a Bowie knife is forfeit. These knives have endured so long because of their durability, in great part. The heavy blade, sharp edge and no-nonsense, practical design betray a great deal of thought having been put into making these knives last. A good Bowie can be sharpened and cleaned over and over again, and always be ready for the next adventure, no matter what that may bring.

Brian is a business consultant for an online bowie knifes store featuring survival knives.

The Buck Folding Hunter 110: A Razor Sharp Review

As we all know, knives have played an important role in society for thousands of years already, but of course things have changed dramatically over the years. For example, modern man uses weapons which are noticeably more powerful nowadays, and even the way in which we hunt has changed. Even so, every hunter still carries a knife, and for that matter, so do many others, be it for whatever reason. There is however one specific knife that has always stood out above the crowd and that is the Buck Folding Hunter 110.

This specific knife first arrived on the market back in 1962, and at the time it was the center of attention in that it was one of the first knives to feature a folding handle, and of course 1962 was also the year in which manufacturers began paying attention to knife safety for the first time. Not only did the Buck Folding Hunter 110 feature a folding handle, but it also included a special safety release so that the knife couldn’t fold into the closed position accidentally. Obviously, this was an extremely important feature in that it effectively prevented you from being able to get your fingers caught between the blade and the handle.

Something else which helped to set this knife apart from the crowd is the fact that it also had an attractive would grain handle with an elongated design. This made it incredibly comfortable to hold in your hand, and of course the handle provided a good solid grip as well.

The blade is made of 420 HC steel, and the overall weight is 7.2 ounces. To keep the knife from falling apart it is held together by strong rivets and when it is closed it is approximately 4 7/8 inches in length. You know that you want this knife, but how would you go about getting it?

One of the main things to look out for when you’re looking to purchase one of these knives is that the market is virtually flooded with cheap imitations. While many of these may have the same good looks, you can be rest assured that their quality is inferior. Even so, you may be lucky enough to get some use out of one of the cheap imitations, but you certainly won’t be able to rely on it for any length of time.

If you want a Buck Folding Hunter 110 then you obviously want a good quality knife, and that’s why it’s crucial that you exercise a certain amount of caution before handing over your money. This is particularly true if you decide to purchase your knife online, and you should never consider buying it from a seller who doesn’t have positive feedback. If you do purchase a knife from a seller that has questionable credentials then there’s a strong chance that you’ll end up with a fake.

Want to know more about the strength and reliability of a Buck Knife? Stop by this great resource where you can find out about theBuck Folding Hunter 110 and what it can do for you.

Gerber Knives: The Benefits of Ownership

Gerber knives are probably the best knives in today’s modern era. Setting the bar for innovative as well as cutting edge technology when it comes to their products, Gerber Legendary Blades has made it clear that camping and hunting are just not the same without one of their knives in hand. You’d be surprised to know that their largest customer happens to be the United States Government. From the Marines and Army to the National Guard, these knives are the standard issues. Even the Air Force and Navy thinks that they are highly useful. If you’re still not convinced, then read on further details.

When Joseph Gerber mailed some of his clients sets of handmade kitchen knives for the holidays in 1910, the beginnings of Gerber knives began to take shape. Abercrombie & Fitch was one of those lucky clients, and they wanted to ordered more of these kitchen knife sets so that they could sell them in their own catalog around 1939. That order was all it took. Gerber Legendary Blades was born. Fiskars, the 2nd largest producer of multi-tools in the US, is the parent company of Gerber today.

When you choose to own Gerber knives, there are many advantages. Besides the integration of modern technological advances that makes these knives work with extreme effectiveness, they are still manufactured with that sense of reliable old-school technology. Following are some of the main reasons why a Gerber knife is beneficial to the owner, especially when hunting.

It has proven durability. Due to its long lasting endurance and corrosion resistance capabilities, you can trust this knife to do its job right. Many knock-off brands will fall apart in the heat of the moment leaving you stranded. That is why you should buy a knife you can trust in crucial moments.

When compared to other knives, they are a bargain. They are not very expensive. Think about it. Why would you want to own a hyped up, over-priced version of a knife when you can get superior quality in a less expensive knife like Gerber?

Gerber designs their knives to be flexible. Many models come with serrated edges to help you clear small branches or saw through tough bones when cleaning an animal. The various designs have different capabilities and prices, but all are sold at very reasonable prices.

The size and ease in carrying a Gerber make it a top choice among many. The FBI and police forces across the US choose Gerber knives because of their easy concealment in public places in your pocket or on your hip. This makes them handy when the time is right to use it.

Many outdoor enthusiast and emergency personnel are proud to carry Gerber knives. With over 70 years of production, quality and value are still essential elements at Gerber Legendary Blades. Benefits of carrying one can range from saving your life to just being there when you need to cut something. See for yourself why these knives are so popular by getting one for your pocket before your next outdoor adventure.

Learn more about Gerber Knives. Stop by this great site where you can find out all about Gerber Hunting Knives and what it can do for you.

How to Identify a Bowie Knife

Some knives are legendary. The daggers of Europe, the flint knives carried by Apache warriors and the knives carried into the battles of World War 2 all carry with them fearsome reputations, and justly so. Bowie knives are among those blades which have become the stuff of legend. Like a samurai’s sword or a Spartan’s spear tip, these Bowies have characteristics that make them easily identifiable and unfailingly deadly.

Bowie knives have a blade design which will be familiar to anyone who enjoys studying fighting blades. The clipped end of the blade places the spine of the blade above the tip near the end of the knife. This design is intended to provide better penetration. In a thrusting attack, these knives are nearly as efficient as spears. The clipped end also makes them very agile knives and reduces the weight, increasing the user’s accuracy. At the base of the blade is another hallmark of a Bowie knife.

A Bowie knife always has a hand guard. Traditionally, this guard had a forward-swept quillion on the top of the handle. Today, this hand guard may be modified somewhat, and the knife to which it is attached may still be called a Bowie. The famous Marine combat knife of World War 2 is clearly a Bowie-style knife, even though it has an essentially straight hand guard. The curved hand guard provides better protection in blade-to-blade combat and, thus, was favored by Bowie when he designed the original knives.

Daggers tend to be double-bladed weapons, as do many other fighting knives. Bowie knives have a single edge. This sets them apart in many ways. One might think that this amounts to having half a weapon versus a double-edged knife, but this is not at all the case. There is another characteristic of Bowies that more than makes up for the lack of two edges. The single edge actually makes practical work with the knife much easier. These knives were designed to be tools as well as weapons, after all.

A real Bowie knife always has a wide blade. In fact, this is a defining characteristic of these knives. When these knives were designed, the frontier conditions meant that any tool had to be versatile and tough. The heavy, wide blade of a Bowie meant it could stand up to a great deal of punishment and that it could perform chopping tasks, in addition to cutting tasks. Before steel was of a modern quality, softer metals such as brass and copper were sometimes used to reinforce the blades via a strip along the spine.

Dylan Sabot is the owner of an online bowie knives store featuring SOG bowie knives as well as humidors for storage.

How is a Bowie Knife Different From a Hunting Knife?

Bowie knives are hunting knives, aren’t they? This is a common question. However, bowie knives aren’t technically hunting knives - they are multipurpose tools. Hunting knives are usually very specific in their intended use. For instance, a gut hook knife is intended for an obvious purpose. Likewise, a skinning knife is used for skinning and doesn’t perform very well for other uses. Bowie knives, on the other hand, can be used to skin, gut, chop, cut and numerous other things.

Therefore, you’ll find that bowie knives differ from hunting knives in several different ways. How do they differ? As mentioned, bowies are used for many different things. While they have long held a place in hunting, as well as camping, fishing and general use, they also serve a purpose in self-defense. Hunting knives, while they can be used for purposes other than those intended by the knife’s creator, usually don’t do an adequate job in these different areas.

The largest difference is that your bowie is a multiuse tool. It can be used for skinning or for gutting. Likewise, it can be used for chopping vegetables, wood or even slicing through meat or fruit. Bowie knives are far more versatile than general hunting knives. You will also find that most bowie knives are far larger than hunting knives. The average hunting knife is only five inches long, or less. A bowie, on the other hand, is usually no shorter than six inches in length, though they can surpass twelve inches in many cases. So size is certainly one of the differentiating factors.

However, bowie knives have a uniquely shaped blade that allows them to function just as well whether you’re using them to skin, gut, clean or cut fruit. So, bowie knives, while a well-known factor in the hunting world, are not used solely for any one particular purpose. This means that the purchase of such a knife will ensure that you have numerous benefits.

Therefore, bowie knives differ from hunting knives in size, design and intended usage. While a hunting knife is usually only a single-use tool, you’ll find far more benefits with a bowie. This is because a single knife can be used for multiple needs, ensuring that you don’t need to carry several different blades with you all the time.

Dylan Sabot is the owner of an online bowie knifes store featuring every bowie knife for sale as well as lighters for camping.

What Size of Bowie Knife Is Best for Me?

Choosing a bowie knife can be a difficult process. There are so many different options from which to choose that it can be quite confusing. You will need to decide if you want a traditional blade, or one of the more modern derivatives. You will need to determine what sort of handle you want, whether you want a full tang or a rattail tang. You will also need to determine what size blade is right for you. The bowie knife is available in sizes ranging from a modest six inches all the way up to more than a foot in length. What’s right for you?

Let’s take a look at what a longer blade offers. Long bladed bowie knives are quite popular with those who simply want an impressive knife for display. They are also popular with those who need a good knife for utilitarian purposes. What might such a knife do? Longer blades are ideal for chopping things, such as light brush or vegetables. They’re great for chopping meat, as well. A longer blade gives you greater resilience and greater force, but less control.

Shorter blades, on the other hand, are a different matter all together. You wouldn’t want to use a six-inch blade for hacking through underbrush. You would, however, want such a smaller blade if you were doing something that required precise control, such as cleaning a freshly caught fish or skinning that stag that you just brought down. Larger blades can damage whatever you’re cleaning or skinning, simply because you cannot control them as well. Shorter blades offer better precision and better control, at the cost of brute power, though.

As another example of the need for a specific size, you’ll need to determine if you actually want to carry that knife with you when you go out. While a lot of states allow fixed blades of up to five or six inches in length to be carried openly, many states prohibit anything larger. You will also need to consider your own comfort when carrying your knife. Longer blades tend to be less comfortable when strapped to your hip.

You will also find that longer blades are thicker and hold up to the abuse better. Thicker, longer knife blades are perfect for tasks that do not require precise control, but do require considerable durability and resilience. So, your intended use will determine just how long that bowie knife actually is.

Dylan Sabot is the owner of an online bowie knife store featuring the Cold Steel bowie knive.

Bowie Knife Handles

Choosing a bowie knife will require that you make several choices. You’ll have the choice of blade length, and even blade style. For instance, you might opt for the classic style blade, or you might go for an option that is derived from modern military designs. You will also need to choose from a wide selection of handle materials. What are bowie knife handles made of? What options do you have in the market? You’ll find that quite a few different materials are used for this purpose.

First, you will find that wood is one of the dominant choices on the market today. These handles can be utilitarian, but they can also be beautiful. Some bowie knives feature solid wood handles, but most make use of a two-part handle, made of wooden scales held together by rivets run through the wood and through the tang of the knife. Knives that make use of wooden scales are usually “full tang,” while those with a solid wood handle use what’s called a “rattail” tang. Full tangs are preferable to rattails, as they provide better stability and longevity in your knife.

Another type of material that you can choose for your bowie knife handle is wood. This is probably the most popular type of material used, as it’s inexpensive, widely available and stunningly beautiful. Wood can be carved and shaped, patterned, stained any number of colors and can provide a unique handle for your bowie knife. You will also find any number of different types of wood available in these knives, giving you the greatest range of options possible.

Yet another material used for bowie knife handles is bone. You’ll find antler and other bones used to create these handles, though these are often very decorative. While bone handles are quite functional, you might find that you don’t want to take the knife out to use it. As a note, some bone is unsuitable for handle construction, though antler is often a great choice that will provide years of use, as well as considerable good looks.

Other materials featured in the handles of bowie knives include leather, composite materials and even cloth (though specially treated and hardened). Your choice of handle material will determine how long the handle bears up, as well as how easy the knife is to grip and even quite a bit of how attractive that knife actually is.

Dylan Sabot is the owner of an online bowie knifes store featuring the Cold Steel rubber training knife.

Using a Bowie Knive as a Throwing Knife

You might think that due to their heft and size, that bowie knives would make an ideal throwing knife. You might even have chanced to watch some of the many YouTube videos that show people using bowie knives as throwing knives (sometimes with some very mixed results). However, the fact remains that bowie knives are not designed to be thrown. They are handheld tools, designed for cutting, cleaning and any number of other uses.

For a knife to have any hope of being accurate, it has to be correctly balanced. This ensures that the knife flies through the air properly. Bowie knives are not balanced for throwing. They’re balanced for hand usage. Hold a bowie knife in one hand and a throwing knife in the other and you will feel the weight difference. Balance each in turn on your hand and you will immediately notice the different centers of gravity. This means that bowie knives are not a good choice for throwing.

For instance, if your knife hits the target slightly askew, the point might stick, but the sideways motion of the blade and handle might bend the tip, or the blade. You might also notice that bowie knives are so heavy that you are forced to stand closer to the target in order to hit with enough force for the point to stick at all. While this might not seem problematic, it can be an issue. For instance, it takes very little for the knife to bounce off and come back in your direction. While the knife will likely not have enough force to cause damage, or even to reach you, the potential remains.

Yet another reason that you shouldn’t use bowie knives as throwing knives is the simple fact that you can achieve better results with knives designed specifically for that purpose. You’ll find throwing knives are quite affordable and can be purchased in numerous places, both online and offline. Keep your bowie knife for the uses it was actually designed for and pickup a throwing knife or two for your target practice.

However, the fact remains that general purpose bowie knives make poor options for throwing. If you are interested in throwing knives, it’s highly advised that you purchase knives designed for that purpose. This way, you will be able to continue using your bowie knife without fear of damage and you will not void the warranty. When cared for properly, these knives can last a lifetime; however, that will require that you know what to do and what not to do with them.

Dylan Sabot is the owner of an online bowie knives store featuring the western bowie knife. Additionally, Dylan is also the President of an online humidors store.