I
like knives. I always stop to look at them. Can't really tell you
why, though. I have read doctoral dissertations on individual knives
on internet blogs. However, a knife is simply a tool, needs
maintenance and should be acquired according to a perceived need. It
should feel comfortable in your hand and hold a sharp edge.
Here
are some of mine.
Top
row, left to right
One,
two and three
are no-name examples of multi-tools. I purchased these at the state
surplus store and paid about 20% what I would off the shelf. I get to
pick these up, handle them and get the feel for how the tool fits in
my hand. I like having one or two of these everywhere. In my tool
boxes, first aid kits, car glove box, emergency bags, drawers in the
kitchen, drawers in my office and at least one or two just in the way
on counter tops.
A
multi tool is just that: some are better made than others, stronger,
more versatile, heavier or not. Bottom line, does the tool work? Will
the fold-out knife work in an emergency? Will the pliers grasp? Does
the wire cutter work? Can I tighten a small screw or open a can of
beans? Does it carry easy? Does it fit my perceived needs and is the
price right for the tool?
Four
are two CRKT (Columbia River Knife and Tool) knives. I bought the
black one in South Africa and the other one at the state surplus store. I
had looked a many pocket knives and decided on this knife for every
day pocket knife. It fits comfortably in my front pants pocket.
Clips to the bottom edge of the pocket with the knife inside the
pocket. Does not get in the way of every day movements and is
designed to open upon pulling from the pocket. Takes practice. Not my
main reason for purchase, but I like the design concept. The blade
holds a sharp edge, is easily sharpened, locks open and is very
comfortable to hold. I like the looks of the knife.
Five
is a little orange box cutter. Cheap, razor sharp, but cannot be used
under a lot of down pressure and is expendable. I try to keep these
in drawers around the house, tool box, first aid kit and car glove
box. A cheap razor sharp tool; quite often one time use. I find that
the knife extension and locking knob breaks most often.
Second
Row left to right
One,
Razor Pro®.
It does not get in the way on my belt, surgical steel blades are
replaceable and the grip is non-slip. Comes with 6 replacement blades
in the sheath and is dangerously
sharp.
I find that the knife does not easily pull out of the sheath and the
snap needs to always be “worked” when snapping. Superior razor
sharp knife, sheath “iffy”. I have replaced one blade in the past
6 months. I
would never give this knife to a youngster and I never lend it to
anyone who asks me if I have a knife they can borrow.
This not a knife for a beginner or novice.
Two,
Kershaw®
Carabiner knife.
I bought this several
years ago as a novelty item but quickly found it was perfect to
connect to a backpack, bug-out bag or vest. The stainless steel
knife is a great back up knife, razor sharp for first emergency uses.
A good Carabiner addition with function use of knife, screwdrivers
and bottle opener. It makes sure my wife's go bag or emergency pack
has a compact, dependable, sharp locking blade knife with easy
access.
Three,
Lansky®
knife. Generic small pocketknife with locking blade. Sharp with a
handle big enough to grasp for cutting. Fits easily in a pocket or
purse.
Four,
Smith's sharpening stone and sheath.
Inexpensive 4”
diamond stone with course and fine option. Great for sharpening small
knives.
Five,
Bear Gyles®
Ultimate Fixed Blade Knife.
I found this at the
state surplus store at 35% of off the shelf cost. A good deal as I had not
been able to cross the bridge to purchase a top of the line expensive
knife at retail.
This
would be my first choice of all the knives I have. It is razor sharp
and snaps snugly in the sheath. It is not too big as a sheathed knife
and the grip and feel is one of the best I have. The knife can be
carried parallel with the belt or hanging vertically. It is full tang
knife (blade and metal handle runs through the grip) giving the extra
strength and a strength option for prying. A ferrocerium
rod snaps
into the sheath for starting fires and there is a sharpening stone
sewn into the the back of the sheath. The orange color adds to the
ability to find the knife on the ground when dropped or set down
while working with it. More important than you might think. The butt
is heavy metal with an embossed hammer markings for pounding. An all
around excellent knife to have out packing and emergency.
ROW
THREE
Skinning, boning and
all purpose kitchen knife.
Made for the farm and
kitchen by Charles, probably in the 1930's. Shaped with heat, forging
hammer and anvil. Full tang knives for strength and ease of
construction. Handles carved from local woods and attached with brass
pins penned flat until the handles held snug.
The skinning knife was
used to remove hide from slaughtered cows, the boning knife with it's
long sharp point worked meat off the bones and the all purpose
kitchen knife was just that. The top left skinning knife has a bone
handle and the blade is tapered and forged thinner at the cutting
edge. I think that heat treating and forging skills improved as this
blade holds a razor sharp edge.
All these knives were
made early on when Charles and Rose bought their farm and land. There
was a lot of scrap steel in the farm forge shop and Charles had the
skills and knowledge of working metal. I would guess that he could
make one of these knives easily in a couple of hours.
FINAL
THOUGHTS
Do your homework and
knife research. Learn and study knife safety and teach that to your
children and peers. Practice knife safety.
As much as a utility
tool offers many problem solving solutions, I will always choose a
high quality fixed blade sheathed knife over any other belt/pocket
carry tool. Backpacking, hiking, biking or emergency outing, a high
quality dependable knife will pay for itself in a one time needed
use. Knives are fun to shop for and there are more choices than time
allows to shop. You get what you pay for applies here.
In a perfect world,
where money was no object, I would find a knife maker to build me the
ultimate backpacking sheathed knife.
Another good knife blog
to read.
https://survivalsherpa.wordpress.com/2016/02/20/the-number-one-knife-skill-for-wilderness-survival-and-self-reliance/
