WHICH KNIFE TO CHOOSE FOR HUNTING AND FISHING
The blade, which is required in difficult natural conditions, must first of all be reliable, sharp, and comfortable, external characteristics in this case recede into the background. However, some models of knives for fishing, tourism, and hunting look presentable and fully correspond to their purpose. Let’s talk about how to make the right choice.
WHAT ARE THE KNIVES FOR TOURISM AND FISHING
The design features of some types of knives are very similar. By functionality, such blades are divided into the following groups:
Universal knives for hunting and fishing, tourism.
Such general-purpose products usually have a narrow blade with a straight butt, a smooth cutting edge, a guard that protects against cuts, and a pointed tip. This category also includes Damascus Hunting Knives designed not for slaughtering animals, but for related work, clip-point models with a more pronounced tip. They can be both folding and fixed blades.
For cutting carcasses.
As a rule, they have one-sided sharpening and a wide blade – this design is convenient for removing skins and butchering games. These include models with a drop-point blade (the tip is lower to the middle of the blade), which are convenient to pierce something, and a skinner with a short wide blade. Given that you have to work with a load, models usually have a fixed blade.
Folding travel.
It is convenient to carry with you in your pockets or hanging. The folding mechanism protects against cuts and ensures compactness. Depending on the type of blade, such a knife may be suitable for various work in the field. It is also important that the folding mechanism is reliable, and the opening/closing process does not cause difficulties.
Fishing.
Folding fishing knives are designed for a wide range of tasks. With their help, you can cut branches, plan the stakes, cut the fish, and cut the fishing line. The blade can be both straight and combined – with sections of notches, hooks, protrusions.
WHAT STEEL TO CHOOSE A KNIFE FOR FISHING AND TOURISM
Regardless of the model, external characteristics, and type of blade profile, the best fishing knife must meet the following requirements:
Maintain the original sharpening parameters for a long time.
Only strong hard steels (55-60 HRC) are capable of this. With an underestimated hardness indicator, the blade will dull too quickly, and you will have to take a whole set of sharpening tools on a hike. In the field, when every gram in luggage counts, this is inappropriate. In addition, sharpening will have to spend additional time and effort.
Corrosion resistance.
Stainless steel is best tolerated under conditions of high humidity, but it is too soft, quickly dulls, and becomes unusable during intensive work and power loads. The optimal combination of hardness and corrosion resistance in Japanese AUS-8 steel, due to the presence of additional components in the alloy (molybdenum, vanadium, manganese, and others). In the premium segment, knives made of multi-layered Damascus steel, which is very strong, wear-resistant, and durable, have no competitors.
High cutting ability.
This indicator is influenced by the type of steel and the angle of sharpening. If we decided on the first point above, then the second depends on the functionality of the knife. For example, the best fishing folding knife has a sharpening angle of 20-30 degrees. Combat hunting knife – 30-35 degrees. The more delicate the cut, the smaller the angle, which is why many Japanese kitchen knives have a sharpening of 15-20 degrees. The harder the steel and the smaller the sharpening angle, the less effort you need to apply when working, the more accurate and even the cut is.
WHICH HANDLE TO CHOOSE
A good working knife for difficult conditions lies comfortably even in a wet hand, does not rub the palm, and has sharp protrusions and corners. Even with strong compression and intensive work, such a handle does not cause discomfort. From the point of view of practicality, it is worth paying attention to the material of manufacture – the strength and efficiency of the entire structure largely depend on this. Most often, handles are made from:
Plastic.
The most economical and common option. Such a handle is easy to wash, does not absorb moisture and dirt, and is unpretentious in care. But there are also disadvantages – plastic cracks in severe frost, it looks rustic.
Tree.
Such a handle is attractive and does not cool the hand, but it needs careful care. It is necessary to protect it from prolonged contact with moisture, regularly treat it with hygroscopic compounds.
Composite materials.
Modern and practical option. In terms of wear resistance, they have no competitors, but outwardly they look presentable and expensive.
When thinking about how to choose a folding hunting and fishing knife, also pay attention to the opening/closing mechanism. Mechanical models have to be laid and folded by hand and with both. This is not always convenient when traveling. But this type is considered the most reliable and rarely fails. The semi-automatic folding knife opens when the lever is pressed, the spring holding the blade straightens, and the blade is thrown out.
This is easy to do with one hand. But you can only return it to the opposite position manually. However, this can be done after completing a certain task, when both hands are free. The automatic folding knife opens and closes at the push of a button. This is convenient, but the service life of such a blade is noticeably shorter,
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