You make choices everyday of your life, and how does the process work? Hopefully it’s through carefully weighing all the facts and details and then making an educated verdict for what’s right for you.
Knife selection is no different. With myriad options and characteristics available for knives on the market today, it’s not an easy task to choose the one that will be most beneficial for you.
Luckily, we are here to guide you through. We took the most important aspects of knives and weighed the pros and cons of these vital categories. We’ll present you with the facts and stats that will help you make a prudent choice in the sometimes, overwhelming world of knives.
Let the battles begin…
FIXED VS. FOLDERS
When it comes to fixed-blade knives and folding knives, both can perform much of the same tasks. Which one is better for you? That depends on what you personally need out of your trusty knife. They each have their own specialized uses.
The fixed-blade knife is often seen attached to the belt of outdoor enthusiasts, and under most circumstances they are stronger than a folding knife. A folding knife, however, is used mostly in ordinary activities as you go about your everyday activities.
You will find most hunters, campers, trappers and other outdoor minded individuals carry a fixedblade knife on their side when in the field. This style of knife is strong enough to handle the tasks of skinning virtually any type of animal from a small squirrel to a large elk. It can sharpen sticks, cut rope and other camp side tasks. This is not to say a folding knife can’t do the same, but they are not always as durable as a fixed blade and the blade length is not always sufficient to efficiently complete the outdoor work.
This story is from the January-February 2020 edition of Knives Illustrated.
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This story is from the January-February 2020 edition of Knives Illustrated.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
TIP TALK
UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN BLADE TIP SHAPES AND WHY IT MATTERS
HOLDING FIRM
GETTING A GRIP ON KNIFE HANDLE BENEFITS, MATERIALS, AND FUNCTIONALITY
EDGE UP
TIPS, TRICKS, AND TECHNIQUES TO SHARP WHEN ADVENTURING FAR FROM HOME
THE COMBAT KITCHEN
SLICE, DICE, CHOP, AND CUT: FOOD PREP WITH BLADES FROM POPULAR TACTICAL KNIFE COMPANIES
MORAKNIV Classics
THESE TIMELESS BUSHCRAFT KNIVES HAVE BEEN UPDATED AND ARE BETTER THAN EVER
ONE FOR THE ROAD
CHOOSING AN “EVERYWHERE KNIFE” CAN BE DIFFICULT DUE TO COMPLICATED KNIFE LAWS
TRAVELING LIGHT
SOMETIMES, INEXPENSIVE UTILITY BLADES YOU PICK UP AT YOUR DESTINATION CAN GET THE JOB DONE
MATCHED PAIR
JB KNIFE WORKS LAYMAN KNIFE AND GAMBIT HATCHET COMBO: ONE PICKS UP WHERE THE OTHER LEAVES OFF
WHEN BIGGER IS BETTER
THE CAS IBERIA CHOP HOUSE IS A MACHETE THAT PROVIDES BIG BLADE CUTTING POWER
KITCHEN KNIVES DON'T HAVE TO BE DULL
I have a confession to make. See if this sounds familiar. I take meticulous care of the knives I use for everyday carry, hunting, and general woods wandering. I wipe them down with an oily cloth after use and I never let them get too dull. Seldom do I have to restore a damaged edge. Most of the time I simply touch up the edges of my pocketknives with a few careful strokes across the rough bottom of a ceramic coffee cup. That’s usually all that’s needed. I don’t use my knives as screwdrivers or pry bars. As a matter of fact, I still have the very first knife I ever owned, an old Boy Scout knife that was handed down from my older brother. The blades have a deep patina that comes with using carbon steel over the years, but the knife is very usable still.
