Knives
Questions to ask yourself to help you choose the knife that's right for you:
1. How will you use your knife? There are knives for opening boxes and cutting twine. Knives for backpacking, hunting and fishing. Knives for when your survival is on the line. And knives for collectors.
2. What features are important to you?Fixed-blade: Always ready and dependable. Folding knife: Compact, safer to carry; improved dependability with locking blade. One-handed opening: Has a thumb stud, blade hole or other feature to facilitate one-hand use. Some models are one-hand opening and one-hand closing as well. Gutting/skinning blade: For field dressing game. Thick Blade: For heavy-duty tasks. Light-weight: Composite or other materials minimize weight. Saw edge: For cutting wood or bone. Sharpness: Stays sharp and is easy to sharpen
3. Materials- it can make a difference:
Blade: A strong blade has good edge retention is resistant to rust and sharpens well. S30V is the best blade steel available. It is a high vanadium stainless steel with very high edge retention. 154CM and BG-42 are two custom steels with much higher carbon content, giving them excellent hardness ratings and dramatically higher edge retention. 420HC is a stainless steel that provides excellent rust resistance, has good edge retention and is easy to sharpen
Handle: When you hold your knife the handle should feel solid and well constructed. A good handle feels solid and well constructed when you hold it. Choose from several different styles and materials. Ergonomic design adds comfort. Rubber or textured handles are a sure grip in wet conditions. Wood adds beauty to the knife. Plastic/composite materials are durable under extreme conditions
4. Quality and Craftsmanship Does the design fit the expected purpose of the knife? Do the materials match the demands of the knife? Is the knife made with high quality materials? Was the blade heat-treated for optimum performance and durability? Is the knife made with high quality construction? Do all of the parts fit smoothly, solidly, seamlessly? (When a folding knife is open, the blade should not have a loose, wobbly feel) If the knife is a “folder,” does it open and close easily? It the knife is a “lockback,” does it lock in place properly? Will the knife hold its edge, yet resharpen well? (lesser quality knives may have initial sharpness, but typically their edge won't last, and resharpening wears them out quickly) Will the knife withstand whatever Mother Nature dishes out? Does the knife come with a lifetime guarantee?
1. How will you use your knife? There are knives for opening boxes and cutting twine. Knives for backpacking, hunting and fishing. Knives for when your survival is on the line. And knives for collectors.
2. What features are important to you?
3. Materials- it can make a difference:
Blade:
Handle:
4. Quality and Craftsmanship