When knives first began to appear as pocket knives, they were developed so that they could virtually fold in half and be able to ride in a secure, hidden location. When the knives were opened, it was usually done with a thumb or another finger, which meant that a person would have to use two hands in order to open up his knife. This is something that worked for many people, but could also be dangerous in the long run.
This is part of why liner lock knives were developed. With the liner lock knife, it is possible to open and close the blade with only one hand in a safe manner. The knife was designed by Michael Walker who took what was at one time called the electrician?s knife, and made some adjustments to it. The electrician?s knife was a knife that had a button which you could press to open and close it. However, it did not lock. Knife maker Walker changed the older style so that it would lock, which meant a safer sturdier blade.
The liner lock knife that can be found in hunting and fishing equipment stores today are commonly referred to as folding knives. When the knife is unfolded, it is held open by a leaf spring or lockbar system. The lockbar presses against the bottom of the blade and does not allow it to close until the lockbar is pressed. Then, it closes by itself. It will stay closed until the lockbar is pressed one more time.
The liner lock knife is useful because it allows you to safely keep your knife closed when you do not want to be using it. It locks the blade closed so that it will not come open by accident. This mechanism creates a way to keep a knife in the house or in a tackle box without worrying about the safety of other people that may be digging in drawers or boxes to retrieve it. The liner lock knife also works to lock the knife open, so that you will not have to worry about the knife falling shut accidentally on unsuspecting fingers or constantly collapsing while you are trying to complete a task. The lockbar on the liner lock knife works in both ways.
The liner lock knife also allows you to open and close the blade with one hand. This makes the entire knife much easier and convenient to use. These blades are also made of strong materials, typically steel or titanium, to better withstand rigorous use and the constant movement of the internal mechanism. These materials can also withstand rust and tend to maintain their sharpness better than other metals. With this type of construction, it is reassuring to users that the knife will last.
Whether for outdoor use or for your home, having a solid folding knife at your disposal is important. If you do not have one, consider a liner lock knife for its safety, ease-of-use and durability.
~Ben Anton, 2008
Article Tags: knife, liner, lock
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July 22nd, 2008 by swordandknifefactory Posted in ARTICLES-Hunting/Camping Knives
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Choosing A Good Hunting Knife
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| Submitted By: Tony B |
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A good hunting knife is an essential part of any hunter’s equipment. It ensures that you are able to properly skin and remove the meat from your catch without ruining anything or leaving anything behind. However, because hunting has become more popular, the hunting knife industry has begun to boom, making it hard to know exactly which knife is best for you.
Hunting knives come in a variety of different shapes, sizes, and styles. The quality will vary substantially based on who you purchase a knife from and what style you select ? whether it is a custom knife, an old style knife, or a new Kershaw hunting knife. Knowing which knife to choose can be a daunting task.
The durability of a good hunting knife is vital. If you trust your knife to be effective in handling any catch you make, it must be able to last for years to come. No one wants to go through the process of buying a new knife every two years. So, knowing which kind of animal, their size, and what style of hunting you plan on are major factors in helping you decide the kind of knife you will buy.
Most traditional hunting knives are made of stainless steel. These knives will last a very long time and provide a surface that can be accurately and repeatedly sharpened for the best possible blade. You will have two choices for your hunting knife’s style in most cases, either fixed blade or folding blade.
Fixed blade hunting knives are stronger and more durable. They cannot be moved and usually have a shield of some sort to protect the blade while it is placed on the hunter’s belt. These knives will cost you more money in most circumstances because they are usually hand crafted and from better materials.
However, if you decide to do a lot of hunting, a fixed blade is more effective, especially in skinning larger animals such as elk or deer. For those who hunt often, this kind of investment is well worth-while.
Folding knives are cheaper and available more freely in many different styles but are not nearly as effective as fixed blade knives. If you are planning on going hunting once a year and generally target smaller game, this might be a good decision for you.
The handle of your knife is very important as well. Choices range from aluminum and leather to Dearborn. Choose a handle that is comfortable in your hands and allow for an optimum grip. You should be able to hold the handle strongly while skinning and it should not chip or break easily.
A good hunting knife will need to be sharpened often as well, so look for a good sharpening system to go with your blade. If you have practice and a keen eye, a sharpening stone will be just as effective. However, remember that if you missharpen your knife too much you can ruin the blade forever, rendering it largely useless. To ensure this does not happen, research the proper method to sharpen or spend the extra money for an electric system.
Finally, spend a little time in a store trying out different hunting knife options. Most hunting supply stores will allow you to feel the knife to gauge weight and comfort level before buying. Researching online is a good place to start, but the only real way to know if a knife is right for you is to hold it.
With the right hunting knife in hand, you can enhance your hunting experience many times over. You can bring home more meat, skin an animal quicker, and spend more time hunting.
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July 12th, 2008 by swordandknifefactory Posted in ARTICLES-Hunting/Camping Knives
Impressions
The team at SOG did right with the Trident TF-1 TiNi. Though it looks like an ordinary knife, this folding knife is quite impressive. SOG includes features that outdoorsmen, especially anglers, will surely find handy such as the TiNi coated blade, SOG Assisted Technology (S.A.T.), and the noticeable and unique Groove. The Trident weighs in very nicely and has a good size handle for both small and large hands. In addition the knife has a locking feature that keeps the blade from accidentally coming open, and another mechanism to keep the sharp blade from closing when flipped open for use.
Groove: This innovative feature is what sets the Trident apart from others. The patent pending Groove system is built into the handle and makes use of the closed blade and a slot in the handle, cutting just about any type of line such parachute cord, rope, and fishing line including braided and super lines.
The Groove was first developed after Navy SEALs thought open blades were too dangerous around fragile equipment and other fellow members. After puncturing a military inflatable boat and damaging other equipment when cutting ropes with an open blade, SOG then designed this effective safe system. Now the Groove sheath is not only used on the Trident but many other SOG knives as well.
S.A.T: SOG Assisted Technology (S.A.T.) was designed to help one open the knife easily and quickly, no matter if the person uses his/her right or left hand. The patented mechanism works with a constant force that opens the blade and a variable force that wants to close it. That means when someone opens the Trident the force to open is greater than closing which will spring open the knife virtually on its own.
Field Tests:
I once read a survey somewhere about what one thing you would like to have with you if you’re stranded in the wilderness, and someone answered a durable pocket knife because it’s a tool they can rely on to cut, scrap, dig, and many more things that pertains to one’s survival. Though I hope I would never end up in a situation like that, I have to agree with that statement. A knife is important, and even more important is a knife that’s high performing and extremely reliable. We tested the SOG Trident while fishing and camping at Acadia National Park, on local lakes, and on the Pacific Ocean while targeting salmon, albacore tuna, and rockfish.
The Blade: Aside from useful features the blade is what makes or breaks a knife. Without a quality blade any knife would be a useless tool. The Trident folding knife has an outstanding blade thats ground out of high-grade AUS8 stainless steel flat stock. We used the Trident on the water, fresh and salt, and while camping carving marshmallow sticks, gutting fish, and cutting other miscellaneous items, the blade never gave in and is sharp cutting without difficulty. The Trident blade remained solid and sound throughout our tests and never failed on us once. The stainless steel blade on the Trident model is all the same but the TF-1 test unit has a black Titanium Nickel coating on it. There is a slight downside to a coating because over time its sure to become scratched even though TiNi is a very tough material. Even if the coating can be damaged after prolong use and abuse, this is the model that anglers should use because the TiNi coating not only adds surface hardness but also increases the blades resistance to corrosion.
Ergonomics:
The Trident folding knife holds nicely in your hands. The glass-reinforced Zytel handle is long enough for both large and small hands, and patterned with non-slip for a sure grip. In addition SOG molded the handle with proper curves and positioned the ridges on the handle and on top of the blade for a better hold, even when your hands are slimed by the fish.
Application:
To an angler a pocket knife is very important and can serve many purposes. One very obvious application is cutting fishing line. The blade is sharp and will cut fishing line in an instant. We tried cutting both slick lines such as mono and fluorocarbon and also braided line. With the blade flipped in the open position it easily sliced the braided line with either the serrated or fine edge section of the SOG Trident blade. With monofilament fishing line the blade doesn’t grab onto the line like it did with braided, so in order to quickly cut slippery line you must fold the line over the blade or carefully apply a quick slash - this goes for all knives. The Groove system does the same thing but allows you to cut with the knife in the closed and locked position. We found the Groove very handy and we were able to apply this feature on cutting line in a hurry, and without the fear of stabbing fellow anglers or damaging other nearby equipment. Aside from cutting fishing line with the Groove, anglers can use the SOG Trident to cut rope. In an emergency you will want a blade with a sharp edge that can quickly get you away from danger such as rope wrapped around the prop and youre about to be washed ashore or even rope wrapped around a fellow angler. Opened, the SOG Trident cuts rope very well above and underwater as we tried both of these scenarios. The Groove system can be applied to cutting only those items that can fit in the slot, so most rope is out of the question and best cut with the Trident in an open position.
Conclusion:
Having the right blade can mean life or death for some, especially to an outdoorsman whom relies on a knife thats used for survival purposes. A quality blade, solid construction, and useful features are key specifications one should consider when buying a pocket knife. The SOG Trident TF-1 has these characteristics and more. It is truly a high performing folding knife that one can trust to have at hand. The Trident has effective features like the Groove system allowing anglers to cut fishing line without opening the blade and the SOG Assisted Technology (S.A.T.) that swiftly opens the blade no matter which hand you use. The blade is ground out of a tough stainless steel and the TF-1 model is even more durable with its Titanium Nickel coating. The SOG Trident is a blade that inspires confidence to help you get the job done right.
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June 27th, 2008 by swordandknifefactory Posted in ARTICLES-Hunting/Camping Knives
When it comes to hunting knives, Puma is considered by most experts to be the elite, the cream of the crop, the absolute cutting edge in design, utility and pure class. Well-designed of the best quality materials, PUMA knives don’t come cheap - but they’re quality all the way. Each blade is hand-ground, and each knife is assembled by hand. The materials and workmanship have made PUMA knives more than the best quality knife to have in the field - they’re collectors’ items in their own right.
In 1953, the company changed its direction slightly to focus on manufacturing functional hunting, fishing, survival, sporting and outdoor knives. In 1956, PUMA designed what is probably its most famous knife ever, the PUMA White Hunter, for an East African hunting organization. For over 200 years, Solingen, Germany has been the source of the finest knives made anywhere in the world, and since 1920, the best of those knives have borne the name PUMA.
Why PUMA? PUMA knives are made from premium DI.4 steel, each individually drop forged and hardened to hold the keenest possible edge. Each model has a number and a name engraved on the blade, along with the year of its manufacture - a bonus for collectors, who find it easy to date PUMA knives when assigning values. The handles are made of all natural materials, usually stag horn or bone, and every detail is made of the finest material available.
PUMA Knives for Hunting and Sporting The most popular PUMAs are those that have stood the test of time. Among the most well-known and prized are:
PUMA Bowie Knife Bowie is the ultimate name in hunting knives, with its wide fixed blade that makes it ideal for hunting, fishing, camping and self-defense. The PUMA Bowie is a full 11″ long with a single-edged blade, a genuine stag handle, and a fully riveted tang. This is the knife that Jim Bowie dreamed of when he first commissioned the knife that bears his name.
PUMA Skinner Knife Skinning knives are a must for hunters, and the PUMA is designed with a blade long enough to give you the option of using a straight, curved or pointed edge to simplify the tasks you need it to perform. It also has a 5 ?” stag handle that’s carved to fit your hand comfortably, and a finger guard to keep your fingers out of harm’s way when dealing with a wet, slippery knife.
PUMA White Hunter Perhaps the most famous hunting knife ever designed, the White Hunter features a partially serrated blade that is shaped to make all the tasks you use a knife for easier. It’s 11″ long overall with a full, fully riveted tang, a built-in finger guard and a genuine stag horn handle. It was first released in 1956, and has grown more popular over the decades. The 50th Anniversary model is destined to be the ultimate gift for a collector of fine knives. It’s a truly luxurious blade forged of Damascus stainless steel Rockwell tested to 55-60 hardness. The handle is of ebony with nickel silver bolsters, and the included black leather sheath is accented with nickel silver. To further increase its interest to collectors, PUMA is only manufacturing 50 of the 50th Anniversary edition worldwide. It’s the gift of a lifetime for a serious knife collector.
-2006 Ben Anton
Ben Anton writes for DLK. Ben invites you to read more about the puma hunting knife and other quality camping gear at DLK Led Lights and Knives.
About the Author
ben writes for dlk
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June 17th, 2008 by swordandknifefactory Posted in ARTICLES-Hunting/Camping Knives
Choosing the right hunting knife can be a difficult challenge. If you choose wrong you end up with a paperweight that is more likely to end up in your junk-drawer than on your hip when you need it.
First ask yourself a few questions: What kind of hunting do you do? Do you go after big game or small? Do you trophy hunt or do you meat hunt only? What is the largest animal you envision using the knife on? The smallest? How often do you hunt, are you looking for a knife you can easily carry when you are not hunting? Seems like a lot of questions but if you don’t know what you are looking for, you will never find the correct one for your personal preferences.
Stainless versus Carbon Steel
This is far too short an article to get into the metallurgy of steel composition. Lets just say that some steels are too soft to hold an edge very well. Some are so hard as to be almost impossible to sharpen in the field. Do some research into the various steels and their grades. Sometimes the difference between a carrier and a drawer-sitter is the blade material.
Folding versus Fixed Blades
Let’s look at the two basic knife styles: fixed and folding blade. A fixed blade knife is just that, fixed in place. Meaning that the blade is permanently fixed in the open position. Due to this design, these knives normally come with a sheath so they can be carried safely. These knives are normally stronger than the folding variety because the steel of the blade runs into or through the handle.
There are no moving parts with a fixed blade knife so they are very reliable. Several manufacturers also produce hunting knives that allow the user to change the blades very quickly.
Folding knives have a pivot point and lock mechanism which allows the blade to close into the handle. A folding knife without the lock should not even be considered for hunting. These are more for the occasional hunter who may also want to carry the knife for daily use. Folding knives are not as strong as a fixed blade by design. However, they are much easier to carry in a pocket or on the belt in a small sheath.
Blade Styles
The next issue we’ll address will be blade style. The four main hunting blade designs are the drop point, clip point, skinning, and caping designs.
Drop Point
The drop point knife is an excellent design for the big game hunter. This design generally features a robust, curved blade of relatively thick steel. These features allow the user to cut the skin off the animal using the entire edge of the knife, rather than just the point. This allows for quick skinning and very little damage to the meat. The design of the drop point also allows for other field cleaning tasks such as gutting and the splitting of the rib cage or pelvis, although a saw or hatchet is the preferred method for the latter two tasks.
Clip Point
Another style of hunting knife is the clip point. The clip point has a somewhat thinner blade than the drop point and has a much more defined point. Most bowies are examples of clip point knives. The flatter blade is more utilitarian in nature and will fit the needs of the majority of hunters, especially those wishing to use the knife as a general duty work knife and not a dedicated hunting knife. The clip point design will perform all of the tasks the drop point will, only not as efficiently. For the occasional hunter this is the perfect design.
Skinning
The skinning knife is designed to aid in the removal of the skin of big game animals. They tend to have a highly sweeping blades that are designed to effortlessly separate the flesh from the skin. A dedicated skinning knife can be a real time saver for those big game hunters that do the butchering themselves. An added bonus is that the skinning knife can do most of the other game cleaning chores as well as the clip point or the drop point designs.
You will be able to view more information at http://www.gamebird-hunter.com/hunting-knife.html
Caping
A knife that is often overlooked is the caping knife. It is used for “caping” big game animals for mounting. When preparing a trophy for the taxidermist, it is important that the hide be preserved for a neck or shoulder mount. Some beautiful trophy animals have been ruined by a hunter using the wrong knife to prepare the animal. Caping knives are dedicated to this task. They are a relatively small knife with a very fine blade.
A note about caping is in order. Do not wait until you have an 1100 pound 6 by 6 elk down to attempt caping for the first time. Practice on smaller animals before you try it on your trophy. It would be a shame to have to to to an antler or skull mount because you messed up. Caping is not difficult, but to do it well requires practice.
Gut Hook Variation
One of the variables you will see in blade design is the gut hook pattern. The gut hook is used by making a small incision with the main blade and then by using the hook to cut open the abdomen. The hook prevents the hunter from “paunching” the animal and possibly affecting the quality of the meat. They do work and it is strictly a matter of personal preference as to the need for one. In the event that you do want the added security that the gut hook provides, they are very similar in price to non-gut hook knives. Be careful when using the gut hook for field dressing. A slip upwards on the handle is an occasion for stitches.
An alternative to purchasing a knife with a gut hook blade is to purchase a separate unit. Some manufacturers offer relatively inexpensive, easily transported units with replaceable blades.
Handle Material
Many hunters put a lot of thought into the blade design of their hunting knife, but put very little thought into the material of the handle. The classic wood, bone, or leather handles are very functional and appealing to the eye. However, don’t overlook the newer handle materials, although not as pleasing to the eye, rubber and other composites merit a look. The newer handle materials offer greatly enhanced control in adverse conditions offering the hunter a greater degree of safety.
Sheath Material
After the blade material, blade design, and handle material are decided, we now move on to the sheath or scabbard. Again, traditional leather is very functional and pleasing to the eye, however, in damp or wet conditions the man-made materials are much more durable. The chemicals used to tan leather will stain most carbon steels and some stainless steels. If you opt for leather, do not store your knife for long periods in the sheath.
Final Thoughts
Your choice of a hunting knife is a very personal one. That being said, you may decide a single knife will not do everything you need to do on your hunt. You might opt for one of the multi knife packs offered by some manufacturers. These are an option bearing in mind that you will have to carry them with you to be of any service.
Happy Hunting!
About the Author
Wayne Foster the webmaster gamebird-hunter.com gives a comprehensive review of game birds, their habits and habitats, plus gun dogs, hunting knives and hunting guns for the hunting enthusiast to enhance your next hunting experience. At his site he also gives a comprehensive review of all hunting topics.
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June 5th, 2008 by swordandknifefactory Posted in ARTICLES-Hunting/Camping Knives, ARTICLES-Knives
When choosing a knife, it helps a lot to know what some of the features are, and what different materials and specs mean - in plain English.
One of the most important materials in a knife is what steel the blade is made of.
One popular steel used in knives is 420HC . This is a stainless steel with good abrasion resistance and it holds an edge well.
1095 Carbon Steel is another knife steel, often used with larger knives, as it is relatively economical. This steel performs well, as long as corrosion is not an issue.
440A, 440B, & 440C are all steels with excellent corrosion resistance. 440C is general considered the best steel, and 440A the lesser of the three. That doesn’t always hold true, though. With excellent heat treating, knives of 440A can be excellent knives (take the SOG Navy Seal knife, for example).
The AUS-6 - AUS-8 - AUS-10 steels are roughly equivalent to the 440 family of steels.
Another important consideration in choosing a knife is the handle type.
Handles materials can be broken down into three categories: Natural materials, Synthetic materials, and Non-slip materials. Natural materials generally have good looks, but they are generally not well suited to harsh conditions. If you plan to use your knife in wet conditions, you’ll probably want a synthetic non-slip handle.
The carry system is another feature to consider. Most fixed blade knives come with a sheath to carry the knife on your belt. Folding blade knives may come with a belt clip, sheath, both, or no carry system. Some knives also come with specialty sheaths that allow you to carry the knife on your leg, ankle, arm, etc.
All in all, there are many different factors that you should consider when buying a knife. Be sure that you carefully consider exactly what you need in a knife, so that you can find a knife that perfectly meets your needs!
About the Author:
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June 5th, 2008 by swordandknifefactory Posted in ARTICLES-Hunting/Camping Knives, ARTICLES-Knives
There are countless numbers of different models of knives available on the market. Unless you know exactly what to look for and what you need, choosing the right knife can be nearly impossible. But if you’re armed with the tips in this article, you’ll be able to easily choose a knife that perfectly fits your needs.
The first thing you should determine is what you’ll be using the knife for - will it be for camping survival, hunting, defense or some other activity? Once you’ve decided what activities you plan to use the knife for, you can determine what features you need the knife to have.
Each outdoor activity requires a specific set of features. Here are some common outdoor activities, along with suggested features that you might need.
Hunting: A hunting knife will need to have a blade shape suitable for skinning animals. The size of the knife will be largely determined by the game you are hunting.
Boating: A knife for boating will need to be stainless steel, to resist corrosion. The knife should be sharp, and you’ll probably want a partially serrated blade for cutting rope.
Fishing: You will probably want two separate knives for fishing - a fillet knife and a general purpose knife. The general purpose knife should be a small to medium knife with a stainless steel blade.
Survival: A survival knife should ideally be a large, very tough knife. It should be highly resistant to rust, and tough enough to handle a lot of abuse. If you’re stranded in the wilderness, you’re not likely to be able to take care of your knife very well, plus you may need to do things with it that you normally wouldn’t.
Camping: There is probably not one perfect camping knife. You’ll have to make a choice based on the type of camping you do, as well as what other tools you have, such as a machete, saw, or axe.
You always want to be sure that the knife you pick is suitable for the activity you plan to use it for.
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June 3rd, 2008 by swordandknifefactory Posted in ARTICLES-Hunting/Camping Knives, ARTICLES-Knives
One of the oldest activities I can remember doing while on a camping trip is whittling wood with my knife. In fact, you pretty much can’t go camping without the right tools - hammer to drive tent pegs, knife to cut, and so forth. Of all these tools, the camping knife is the most essential - and most useful of all. This is because it has so many uses, not only limited to cutting trees or branches, but for cooking, setting up the camping area as well as for protection. Best of all, the camping knife is most often a utility knife, so you can use it as a can opener, tweezers, scissors, and more.
If you really want a good camping knife, go for a swiss army knife. These can get pretty expensive but there are ones for less than sixty dollars out there. If you intend to do lots of whittling or cutting, don’t buy one of these knives as they are very hard to hold - get a hunting knife instead. You may also want to get a whetstone - a special sharpening stone for knives. If your blade is dull, you will spend way more effort to cut things. The blade should do the work for you.
1. General Purposes
A camping knife can be used in cutting trees and branches, wood for the fireplace, bushes, canvas and much more. Most of the knives used for these purposes are very durable because they are supposed to be alternatives for heavier materials such as axes.
These knives must meet some requirements, such as, that their blade should be black, oxidized, non- reflective, and made of stainless steel. They must be heavy enough and long enough to penetrate through the wood or similar material.
2. Protection
Campers who go deep down in forests to camp for a few days would never step out of their house without a camping knife as it can not only protect against intruders, but also against various other threats such as wild animals. A camping knife is very essential in this case, especially if you dont want to be carrying bigger weapons such as rifles, axes, and saws. Since these knives come with a holder that you can clip on to your belt or pants, they are easy to take along. Wherever you travel in the forest, you have the knife handy, and in case of anyone or anything attacking you, the knife can help protect you.
At the same time, however, a camping knife is extremely sharp and should be used wisely for protection purposes. Many incidents have taken place in camping outings where the campers fight and a camping knife gets involved.
3. Cooking and Fishing
Cooking is perhaps one of the best uses of a camping knife. You can chop veggies and meat such as chicken. On swiss army knives, sometimes called utility knives, you will also find a can opener that can be very helpful for cooking. If you like to fish, a good camping knife can help you to gut them and remove their internal organs, leaving just the meat. Older knives should be used for cooking whereas newer ones should be used for whittling or other uses, since they are sharper.
About the Author:
For more great camping related articles and resources check out http://campingknives.info
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June 3rd, 2008 by swordandknifefactory Posted in ARTICLES-Hunting/Camping Knives, ARTICLES-Knives
Before you settle on that new hunting knife, there are a few things you should consider. What animals will you hunt? How will you dress and butcher the animal? Do you plan to have a mount made? How do you want to carry the knife and is size or weight a factor? All these things may not seem important at first glance, but get into the elk woods with a knife poorly suited to skinning, caping or deboning and they suddenly become apparent.
Small game and upland birds are often easily handled with the average pocket knife. There are, however, knives specifically designed for small game. Big game like deer, elk, bear, moose and caribou are just that … BIG game. As the size and weight of the animal increase, the toughness of the hide increases. Body size and weight are decidedly an issue if you need to quarter or debone the animal to get it home or to a meat processor. That pocket knife you use on rabbits or quail might get the job done on a bear, but it isn’t going to be easy or pleasant. Neither is field dressing a cottontail with a large, fixed-blade sheath knife.
Let’s look at the basic tasks we ask our knives to do
(Click the links to see examples as we go.)
We’ll stick with big game. After the kill, your first consideration will likely be field dressing or gutting. Any experienced hunter knows that, right? But is there a particular type knife that is better at gutting than some other? Can’t you gut a deer or an elk with the same knife you’ll use to skin it? Sure you can, but …
Consider that a dedicated gut hook , or a knife with a built-in gut hook , will do a neater, cleaner job of field dressing than a skinning knife will, just as a skinning knife will skin that elk easier and more efficiently than a deboning knife ever could. And speaking of deboning … try it with a dedicated gut hook sometime. And what if that elk you just shot is your “Trophy of a Lifetime”? You want a mount, don’t you? At least a full head or a shoulder mount, huh? That means somebody will have to cape that elk properly so your taxidermist will have something to work with besides a ragged hide full of nicks and holes. A caping knife is in order.
The point here is that there are different type knives for different tasks. The right tool for the job, as the saying goes.
Now let’s compare the types mentioned so far
(Again, click the links for examples.)
Dedicated gut hooks
This knife (for our purposes we’ll call it a knife) really has only one intended purpose … to cut open the belly, or paunch, WITHOUT cutting into the entrails and making a huge, stinking, contaminating mess. The dull tip does not nick the gut as the inverted “U”-shaped cutting edge zips open the belly slick as a whistle! Kind of like one of those fancy letter openers . It’s not much good for anything else, although I suppose it could pass as a pencil sharpener in a pinch.
Knives with built-in gut hooks
This is a regular knife, just about any style blade, but with the gut hook built right in. Double duty, two-in-one, if you will. (We’ll talk about the different blade styles further down the page.)
Skinning knives
Skinning knives typically have a rounded blade and are not so pointed at the tip. The rounded cutting edge facilitates cutting the membrane that holds the skin to the animal. You use it in a sort or “swiping” or “rocking” motion, as opposed to “slicing”. The blunter tip helps you avoid punctures in the hide and meat as you progress. As with any knife, there are variations and adaptations but a skinner almost always has this rounded, blunt-tipped appearance.
Deboning knives
Often thought of as a “butcher knife” or simply a “boning knife”. This type knife is ideal for cutting meat from bone. The relatively narrow blade facilitates close, clean cuts so you don’t waste any meat. At the risk of offending, or angering the purists, this is, in all honesty, the one you can probably do without. There are plenty of general, all-around hunting knives that can adequately debone a large animal. Then again, a deboning knife could serve as a good general all-around hunting knife.
Caping knives
Caping involves fine, detailed skinning work around your trophy’s antlers, eyes, ears, nose and mouth. A good caping knife usually has a slim, thin … but not too flexible … blade and a fairly small, somewhat ergonomic handle. Control and delicacy are paramount with a caping knife. Some caping knives have pointed blades, some rounded. Some carry the rounded end to the extreme . This is more a matter of preference than anything else. While the rounded versions help ensure you don’t accidentally poke a hole where you don’t want one, the pointed versions can reach into tighter places to make more delicate cuts. Just remember … control and delicacy. Any unwanted hole will have to be patched by your taxidermist (most likely at added cost to you) and any “missing” hide is not easily or inexpensively replaced.
It’s possible to cape out a nice trophy with that general, all-around hunting knife, but keep in mind the old saying about the right tool for the job. You don’t want to use a sledge hammer to drive finish nails.
Blade styles
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As far as hunting knives go, there are three basic blade styles drop point , clip point and skinning .
The drop point is an excellent blade design for big game. The blade is generally heavier and thicker, making for a solid, sturdy knife capable of splitting the sternum and even the ribs of all but the largest, toughest big game animal. The gradual curve from handle to point allows full use of the entire length, instead of only the first inch or so from the point. The drop point is an outstanding choice for hunting.
Clip point blades are somewhat thinner than drop points and the point is accentuated. It’s also a bit flatter from cutting edge to back and makes an excellent all-purpose knife, hunting aside. Most hunters would agree that, if you have only one hunting knife, the clip point is not quite as good as the drop point. It’ll work, just not as efficiently in a variety of situations.
Many skinning knives are very similar in design to the drop point. However, the “typical”, “modern” skinners don’t have the gradual curve associated with the drop point. The skinner’s curve is usually more drastic, starting more in the middle than at the handle, and the curve tends to have a greater radius than that of the drop point. A good skinner also makes a good camp knife. It slices better than the other two types. Some very old skinner designs, not much in production as hunting knives nowadays, have an almost crescent shape and often much longer blades. They still see use in commercial operations but are not very “handy” to tote around camp or the hunting woods.
Fixed or Folding?
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Fixed blade knives generally do not have any moving parts. That said, there are some with interchangeable blades, and even a few that have two blades, one projecting from each end of the handle … one blade at a time, by “sliding” the handle back and forth. For our purposes, these are still fixed blade knives.
Fixed blades require a sheath to protect the cutting edge, and the hunter. They are obviously longer than a folder of the same blade size, so not as compact for storage or carry. All but the smallest/shortest will, by necessity, be carried on the belt or in a pack. Fixed blades are very sturdy, easier to keep clean and tend to last a very long time.
Folding knives do just what the name says. The blades fold away into the handle when not in use, although not by themselves. Safety first, folks. Folders are more compact. All but the largest will fit in your pocket but most hunting folders come with a belt sheath. Any folding knife used for big game should have a mechanism that locks the blade open. Folders are not as strong or long lasting as fixed blades. Pivots eventually wear out and, occasionally, a locking mechanism fails. They are also a bit harder to keep clean. Debris, blood, grit, dirt, animal hair, you name it, always finds its way into the blade storage slots, the pivots, and even under the locking bar. Not a big deal and not all that hard to clean, just something to consider.
Summary
There is a knife for every task you’ll encounter in hunting. Each task begs the proper knife. Does this mean you’ll need to carry three, four, five knives every time you set out from camp? Of course not. With one well-designed, well-made knife, maybe two, you can accomplish any of those tasks. The options are there, you know what they are. Now you just make up your mind based on what you know and how much you can spend.
If you’re ready to start shopping for that knife, try here.
About the Author
Ken Davis retired from the US military in 1991 and now owns an internet business.
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