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A Bowie knife is a tool that was designed to be versatile from the start. There are, however, inevitable limitations to the versatility of any tool. A six inch Bowie knife is great for cleaning game but a would-be pioneer will find it ill-suited for chopping small firewood. Likewise, a 12-inch knife can create plenty of kindling but is about as appropriate as a baseball bat for cleaning a fish. What one can cut depends on what is in one’s hand.

Smaller Bowie knives are the most practical for actual precision cutting tasks. Not only are these knives much more agile and precise, they’re usually made of better materials and are much easier to sharpen. Bowies of between 6 and 10 inches are excellent for most outdoor sports. They even make fine cooking knives, though they are a bit thick of blade for very precise, gourmet cooking. The clipped point adds an even more agile section to the blade which is great for dealing with fish and game.

A small Bowie knife is great for anything to do with hunting or fishing. Between a reduced blade size and the clipped point characteristic of these knives, they are incredibly agile for a multitude of tasks. They can fillet a fish as quickly as they can clean an elk. However, they need to be handled with more care than larger Bowies, particularly because the steel used in these knives tends to be higher precision and less durable. The steel has a huge impact on cutting ability.

Remember that using a knife outside of its strengths is an invitation to disaster. Bowie knives which are small should not be used for hacking, chopping or for dealing with bone when cleaning an animal. The blade will invariably be damaged and, given the extreme use, it may slip or break. Such accidents can cause very serious injury, especially if one has a very sharp, very high-end knife in their hands.

Likewise, using large Bowie knives for precision work presents its own hazards. Controlling the large blade while making very painstaking cuts may end up resulting in a wound due to slippage or other control issues. At the very least, ones fish or meat will mostly likely not end up filleted in any artful way using one of these knives. It’s best to exercise some common sense and, if one’s knife seems outmatched by the task at hand, to switch knives or tools.

Blake is a business consultant for an online bowie knifes store featuring Cold Steel bowie knives.

Many individuals who purchase a Bowie knife do so because of their reputation for being useful for a multitude of tasks. Those tasks, however, to not extend to those of a throwing knife. By comparing the differences between a Bowie and a proper throwing blade, one can easily see why these knives are suitable for many tasks, but why being airborne is not among them. Bowies can be dangerous when thrown, as well.

Throwing knives are typically small, light and spear-pointed. While individuals do enjoy throwing knives for sport, the usual romantic appeal is that one can develop the skills to be a deadly martial artist where knife-throwing is concerned. Bowie knives definitely have a martial history and design to them, but they are designed to be held in the hand and used either as very versatile and practical tools or as weapons whose lethality rivals that of a short sword. Today, of course, the former application is much more common!

The sheer weight of Bowie knives makes them remarkably bad for throwing. The weight of the knife itself can cause the blade to bend under its own weight when it becomes stuck in a target. The long length and heavy weight make them very hard to throw, as well. Throwing knives are generally very light and designed to fit easily in the hand. A Bowie is designed to be sturdy, able to take blows from other knives and weapons and to protect the user’s hand, where it is meant to stay.

Throwing knives require specific technique but also require specific balance. Bowie knives are balanced, but they are not balanced for throwing. They are balanced for hand-held use. If one were to pick up a throwing knife and try to use it like a Bowie, they would find it seriously lacking. The same holds true when one tries to use a Bowie as a thrower. Most often, the result is disappointment and, often, a ruined knife.

Those who own Bowie knives and who have an interest in pursuing the art of throwing blades would do well to purchase a purpose-built knife for the latter endeavor. Most Bowies are far too expensive to risk damaging by throwing them. They are also simply not made for this task. The danger to one’s body is very real as is the potential to have a very good knife destroyed. High-carbon steel blades, in particular, should never be used as thrown knives.

Dylan is a business consultant for an online bowie knife store featuring combat 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.

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.

The end of a Bowie knife has what’s called a “clipped” tip. This means that the point of the knife lies below the spine of the blade. This characteristic has its origins in fighting. A blade of this style has excellent penetration qualities. It also lightens the blade and makes it more agile when used for skinning and cleaning animals.

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.

The clipped blade of a Bowie knife leaves little ambiguity as to the reasons behind its design. Positioning the tip of the blade lower than the spine lends agility to the point and makes it a more streamlined affair. In practical matters, this means that the tip is more agile when applied to everything from cutting meat to skinning animals. In martial matters, this means that the blade has lethal penetration characteristics and makes it an intimidating weapon. In both the literal and metaphorical senses, the Bowie has a balanced blade.

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.

Dave is the owner of an online bowie knives and glock grip extensions store.

categories: bowie knives,bowie knife,hunting knives,Hunting,Fishing,Camping,Outdoors,Survival,Recreation,Hobbies

What can we use Parachute Cord (Paracord) for ?

Parachute Cord (also known as 550 paracord) as the name suggest attaches the parachutist to the Shute. However, today it’s commercially marketed due to numerous uses found for it. First used in World War 2 as actual Parachute Cord the outside construction of the cord is made of continuous filament nylon with seven high strength inner nylon cords. Each single piece of paracord has a minimum breaking strength of 550 pounds. This is also why paracord is often referred to as 550 paracord. The breaking strength of the cord can be increased during manufacturing but is not usually less than this unless otherwise specified.

Definitely more than just parachute cord (paracord) it’s regarded today as an iconic military rope for any situation requiring lightweight cordage. Whether you camping / hiking or making up a survival kit, you would be at a disadvantage if you did not include paracord as an extra piece of kit. Uses for paracord are endless Uses for paracord are endless and are often limited by a persons imagination. Below are a few ideas:

Use parachute cord for:

Ridgeline for Tarps/Bashers Restraints

Shoe & Bootlaces Tourniquet

Repairing Equipment Bottle Holder

Securing Equipment Zipper Pulls

Securing Equipment Guylines

Hanging Food from Bears Washing Lines

Making a Fire Bow Handle Wrapping

String for a Bow Trail Marking

Shelter Making Surfing Snowboarding leashes

Hammock Making Kite Surfing Wind Surfing

Fish Nets Boating

Snares/Traps Whip Making

Weapon Straps Binding

Use the Inner strands for:

Fishing Line Dental Floss

Sewing fabric together Small twine for whipping ends of larger cord

Emergency Stitches

Anything else requiring a lightweight super tough cord …

NOT JUST ON EARTH - In February 1997 paracord received global attention when it was used by Discovery astronauts to repair the Hubble Telescope in space. Patches were applied and secured with paracord to fix a re-occurring problem with the Hubble Telescope.

Learn more about Paracord Survival Bracelets. Stop by Jeremy Silver’s site where you can find out all about Paracord Survival Bracelets and what it can do for you.

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.

Bowie knives are available in a bewildering array of sizes. You will find slimmer versions that total out at about six inches in length, but you will also find monstrosities that come close to two feet in length and all the sizes in between. How do you choose which bowie knives are right for your particular needs? Is a longer blade a better choice? Why would you want a short knife blade?

There is no secret formula to determining what size bowie knife is right for you. You will have to take a long, hard look at how you intend to use the knife. For instance, do you just want something impressive that you can hang on a wall or mount under glass? If so, then the larger, the better! However, if you actually intend to put that knife to use, you’ll find that enormous size is not always better.

Do you plan to skin game with your knife? Bowie knives are well known for their ability to help hunters skin their kills with ease. However, if this is your intended use, you don’t want a large blade. In fact, six inches is likely all you will need to get the job done correctly. Actually, if you chose to go with a longer blade, you might find that it was harder to control. Control is vital when working with animal skins, as one wrong move with the knife can ruin that pelt. Bowie knives can puncture holes in the hide very easily if you are not careful, so exercise care when choosing your new knife.

Bowie knives can be purchased in a variety of styles, as well. You will find that longer blades are often a bit more modern, while shorter blades, say six to ten inches, frequently mirror the original design. The original Bowie knife had a shorter clipped point than many of the modern versions do, which is ideal for precise cutting and control. Of course, you will also need to determine whether or not you will wear the knife in public. Checking your local city, county and state laws is vital here, but supposing these allow you to carry any size, what’s best?

Very large bowie knives can be quite uncomfortable to carry and unwieldy, to boot. These are best left in your vehicle or in your pack, unless you are actively using them. Shorter blades, though, are ideal for wearing and will not hinder your movements unduly. They are also less attention grabbing than their larger brethren.

Dave is the owner of an online bowie knives and glock grip extensions store.

categories: bowie knives,bowie knife,hunting knives,Hunting,Fishing,Camping,Outdoors,Survival,Recreation,Hobbies

Choosing bowie knives from the plethora of designs and construction materials on the market today can be quite confusing. You’ll need to choose the right blade material, as well as the right blade size. However, you will also need to know what type of material you want in the handle. Bowie knives feature a number of materials used for handle creation and each offers unique benefits (as well as costs). What are your options?

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.

You will find that bowie knives can also feature handles made out of metal. Steel is the usual choice here. You will also find that these handles are usually joined to bowie knives that feature more modernistic designs, such as those with saw-tooth edges on the spine of the blade. Of course, one of the best things about metal handles is that you do not have to worry about the handle wearing out over time, though corrosion can be a problem in some rare cases.

Other options for handle material include plastics, composites, bone and even linen (hardened with a special manufacturing process). Each of these offers unique benefits, whether that be cost reduction, lighter weight or even longer lasting durability. Bone, in particular, is ideal for any bowie knife that you might want to display, as well as for those knives that will actually see use in the real world. However, before you can choose any of these materials, you should know what you want in a handle, as well as what to look for under the handle.

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.

Dave is the owner of an online bowie hunting knives and glock grip extensions store.

categories: bowie knives,bowie knife,hunting knives,Hunting,Fishing,Camping,Outdoors,Survival,Recreation,Hobbies

Your new bowie knife is an ideal tool for a wide variety of different things. These tools can be used to clean fish scales, to gut deer, to skin prey and to help around camp. They can help you cut wood, remove the bark from sticks and much, much more. However, if you think that a bowie knife would make a great throwing knife, you have another thing coming. Why shouldn’t you use your bowie knife in this manner?

If you’ve paid any attention to YouTube, you have probably seen a few videos of those using bowie knives as thrown weapons. You might also have noticed that they hit the target (sometimes). However, there are a few things that you might not have noticed. While getting a bowie knife to hit the target and stick is a neat trick, there are some issues here. First, notice how close the thrower must stand to the target. With a real throwing knife, you can be further back, and therefore in a safer area.

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.

Of course, throwing a blade the size of a bowie knife and having it hit the target and stick is a great accomplishment - it looks quite impressive. However, stop to think about the potential for damage to your knife blade. Bent tips and bent blades are just some of the potential problems here. You’ll also find that if you use your knife in this manner, you will void the manufacturer’s warranty. While you might not think much of this now, what happens if you need that warranty?

As you can see, using bowie knives as throwing weapons is not the ideal situation. You can damage yourself, your knife or someone else. In addition, you’ll simply find that you can gain more enjoyment using a knife designed for throwing, rather than attempting to throw a bowie knife.

Dave is the owner of an online bowie knives and glock grip extensions store.

categories: bowie knives,bowie knife,hunting knives,Hunting,Fishing,Camping,Outdoors,Survival,Recreation,Hobbies

Caring for your bowie knife is essential. Without the proper care and maintenance procedures, you’ll find that your knife does not stand the test of time. What’s involved with proper care? How do you ensure that your knife will remain by your side, a trusted friend in the face of any situation that might occur? Actually, proper bowie knife care is relatively simple and should require very little in the way of materials or additional costs.

Proper knife care for your bowie knife actually starts with proper use. Remember, your knife is not a screwdriver. It is not a hatchet or a hammer, either. While you can certainly use your knife in these capacities in a pinch, it’s really not recommended that you do. Using your knife correctly will ensure that it holds up better and lasts much longer.

Proper sharpening is another concern. Without the right sharpening tools and procedures, the edge of your knife will give out eventually. This is true no matter what type of metal you choose for the blade of your bowie knife. Make sure that you know how to sharpen that blade, though, or you could find that you actually cause more harm than good in your efforts. Use a whetstone or a high quality all-in-one knife sharpener for the best benefits. Also, if you’re forced to use an emergency sharpener (such as a rock in the wilderness) always make sure that you sharpen the knife properly at your first opportunity.

Another important point to consider during care and storage of your knife is sharpening the blade. A dull blade is very dangerous. Make sure that you keep the blade sharpened correctly, using a whetstone and strop, a series of whetstones, or using an all-in-one knife sharpener. Keeping the blade sharpened will help ensure that any cuts made are clean and not ragged, and it will also ensure that the blade is in top condition.

Other considerations when caring for bowie knives include oiling the blade when in storage (to protect against moisture), or proper use of the blade. Remember, this is a knife, not a hammer, screwdriver or pry-bar and should not be used as such if you can avoid it.

Dave is the owner of an online bowie knives and glock grip extensions store.

categories: bowie knives,bowie knife,hunting knives,hunting knife,Hunting,Fishing,Camping,Outdoors,Survival,Recreation,Hobbies