Hunting Knives 101 – The making & the type

hunting knife

Table of Contents

A hunting knife is an essential instrument and assists a hunter in dressing an animal and processing and storing its meat for eating purposes. Hunting knives are also used for skinning, as well as the processing of fur and hide. Many hunting knives are incredibly tough and look unbreakable. It allows the user to slice through bone, cut rope/cordage, baton and split kindling, start fires, carve tools, create shelters, and, of course, act as a method of self-defense as well as security.

There are several hunting knives available in the market that will do their job quite miraculously. In this article, we’ll learn about the fundamentals of determining which hunting knife should be an ideal choice for a hunter.

What aids in the making of a goof Hunting knife?

Steel Type

High-quality hunting knives are made of two kinds of steel:

Stainless steel and high carbon steel.

  • High carbon steel: It is a go-to choice of the hunters as it sharpens more easily, holds an edge longer, and is less corrosive than regular carbon steel.
  • Stainless steel blades: One can count on its longevity and low maintenance but might face sharpening the blade. It completely depends on your choice.

Full and Half Tang

To guarantee maximum safety and performance, every hunter is always advised to choose a fixed blade hunting knife that is full-tang. Full-tang knives have a blade that spans the full length and width of the knife through the handle, all the way to the end. Whereas half-tang knives are capable of only the entire length of the knife handle, but just half till its breadth.

As hunters, when we are out in the field, these hunting knives play a significant role, and we rely on them to get our jobs done safely and effectively. If you don’t use a full-tang knife, it may result in the blade breaking off and obstructing your job, leading to severe injuries.

Style of the Blade

Drop point and clip point are the most popular blade designs of a hunting knife:

The drop point blade is commonly used for hunting, as it can either be used as a tactical or survival knife. It has a convex form, a sloping spine, and a depressed tip, making it ideal for skinning and controlled cut purposes. Its tip is very strong and doesn’t break easily. 

The front portion of a clip point has a clipped appearance associated with itself and can either be straight or concave. The tip of the clip point is considerably sharper and slimmer, making it ideal for penetrating things, but at the same time, prone to breakage.

Handle

A knife cannot be full-tang if it has a hollow handle; therefore, ensure that your handle is solid. Your handle should be durable and should provide a strong, non-slippery grip in all situations. There are many different styles of knife handles available here are the following:

  1. Bone handles: They’re not only traditional but good surface and provides great grip.
  2. Deer antlers are used to make stag handles. Because of its natural material and beauty, a stag is a popular option.
  3. Wood is both classic and durable, making it an excellent choice for any knife handle.
  4. G-10 is a laminate made of fibreglass resin, making it robust, hard, lightweight, a good grip, and strong. This is a common handle option.
  5. Micarta is tough and long-lasting, which makes it a popular material for heavy-duty survival knives. You can expect it to withstand high heat and cold. It can even resist moisture and wouldn’t get brittle as it ages. 

Pommel

The pommel is the knife’s butt. Its main use is to balance the weight of the knife.

Sheath

The sheath is included in the knife’s package and Is crucial since it serves as a casing for the knife and protects the blade from causing you or itself any harm. Therefore, go for a durable one made of either leather, Kydex, or nylon.

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