Selecting Hunting Knives Takes Some Thought

Sports and outdoor enthusiasts recognize the importance of having the right equipment, and also that one has to be prepared for the endeavor. Anybody who’s spent anytime camping fishing or hunting knows you have to have a knife with you. But what kind of knife? Are you thinking you want a buck hunting knife, a tactical knife, a pro hunting knife, or what? What’s your preference?

Here are a few things to consider in your selection of an outdoor knife. It goes beyond considering whether you prefer fixed blade knives or a folding knife.

Almost no knife is truly “all purpose”, so the first thing to consider is what will it be used for. For example the 10+ inch, two pound bowie knife may look real flashy, but isn’t the tool of choice for filleting a fish, cutting line or at cooking time. Imagine packing that monster several miles up several thousand feet and you’ll see the wisdom of going lighter.

Going to the other extreme, too light, will also likely leave you without the tool you need. Cutting tent pegs with a red folding pocket knife from Switzerland is almost impossible. But a solid folding multi-blade knife can accomplish many of tasks, though not all. They aren’t much good for pounding or chopping or sawing.

So, not too heavy and not too light, but what works then? A five to seven inch fixed blade may be the best choice. Make sure it has a full tang (the steel continues all the way back through the handle}. A thinner blade makes cleaning fish or dressing game easier but the weight of a heavier blade can make any chopping easier. The handle has to be absolutely 150% slip free. This is not a kitchen chef’s knife. A partially serrated rear blade section is very useful but makes sharpening more difficult.

Finally, a word should be said about materials. The steel in a good hunting/outdoor knife is a technical concoction of a variety of metals.

Good knife makers will generally tell you what steel they use. The harder the steel the longer it will hold the maker’s razor edge, the more expensive it will be and the more difficult it will be for you to re-sharpen. Handles of wood, bone, leather and or stone can break, absorb water (your knifes worst enemy) and ware out.

There are literally thousands of knife styles out there. A solid rule of thumb is, the more beautiful, exotic or stylized a knife appears, the less it will function as and be used for what you really need it for.

The more thought you put into your purchase of hunting knives, the more likely you are to be satisfied with it down the road.

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