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Hunting Knives – What to Look For in a Hunting Knife

There are many factors to consider when choosing a hunting knife. The most important are the blade shape, tang and handle material.

Hunting Knife

The drop point blade has a sturdy, thick point that is less prone to puncturing materials like hides or vital organs when skinning. It’s a versatile blade for general camp tasks and specialized hunting jobs like field dressing. Read on Bugle For Elk for more details.

A hunting knife must be able to handle all of the tasks hunters face in the field. These include gutting, skinning and butchering game animals. The blade should be of high quality steel that will stand up to the rigors of these tasks, and it should be sharp and capable of cutting through bone and thick hides. The knife should also be lightweight, allowing the hunter to maneuver it easily.

Hunting knives come in a variety of sizes and blade shapes to suit the needs of different types of game. For example, a small game hunting knife may have a blade of 2.5 to 3 inches, while larger game knives often feature 4- to 4.5-inch blades. For skinning and fleshing, a short curved-tip skinner blade is preferred by many experienced hunters. Another popular blade shape is the drop point, designed by BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-of-Fame member Bob Loveless. This blade style positions the point below the spine for greater control and durability.

In addition to the blade, a good hunting knife should have an ergonomic, comfortable handle. This will ensure that the hunter can use it for long periods of time without hand fatigue. Ideally, the handle will also be made of a durable material that can withstand wear and tear from frequent use. Finally, a hunting knife should have a sheath that securely holds the blade and is easy to access when needed.

During the early American frontier, one specific knife design became a standard for hunters. The Bowie knife, named after pioneer James Bowie (1796-1836), was a single-edged knife that could be used for hunting and military purposes. The knife was about 10-15 inches (25-38 cm) long, and the blade was straight for most of its length with a concave tapered point.

Today, advances in metallurgy have helped to give knife manufacturers a wider selection of metals that can be used for making blades. The blades of modern hunting knives are typically either stainless steel or carbon steel. The difference between these two types is that stainless steel resists rusting, while carbon steel requires regular care to prevent rust from forming.

Blade Shape

The blade shape of a hunting knife is important because it can impact the type of tasks the knife is best suited for. The blade shape can also impact how comfortable it is to hold and use over extended periods of time, which is important for a hunting knife that will see prolonged field dressing.

The most popular blade shape for hunting knives is the drop point, which features a convex curve along the spine that slopes down into the tip of the knife to create a strong and broad point. This is an ideal blade shape for tasks that require precise cuts and a lot of control, including carving, slicing, and chopping. Drop point blades are found on many kitchen knives, everyday carry knives, and hunting knives.

Another common blade shape is the clip point, which has a straight edge that extends from the spine to the point of the knife. This is a more narrow blade shape that is typically best for precise, fine cuts and works well with materials like carpet and linoleum. It is less strong than the drop point blade shape and may not be able to pierce as easily. Clip point knives are found on most pocket knives, and you can find them in a variety of hunting knife styles.

A Wharncliffe blade has a similar curve to the drop point but is narrower and more fine. This is a good option for hunters who do extensive skinning and want to prevent accidental nicks when removing the hide.

Other blade shapes, such as a spey point, have short bellies and broad tips that are better suited for sweeping cuts like skinning animals without accidentally piercing the pelt. This blade style is not as strong as the drop point or the wharncliffe but can be a suitable choice for a hunting knife if you are looking for something that is versatile and easy to handle.

Finally, the handle of a hunting knife can be made from wood, leather, or synthetic materials like carbon fiber and antler. Handles need to be comfortable to grip and warm to the touch, but they should also be durable enough for use in harsh conditions. Dick Turpin, a hunting and fishing writer, recommends wooden handles because they provide warmth and have a natural grip that is comfortable over long periods of time.

Blade Material

The best hunting knives strike a balance between toughness and sharpness. You want the blade to be strong enough to withstand repeated use, but not so hard that it becomes brittle and cracks over time. There are a variety of different blade materials to consider when choosing a knife, including stainless steel, high-carbon steel, damascus, and ceramic. Each offers its own unique set of benefits and considerations.

Stainless steel knives contain chromium, which helps them resist corrosion. However, the element also reduces the toughness of the blade. High-carbon steel blades, on the other hand, are renowned for their strength and ability to hold an edge. They’re often preferred by hunters who require precision cuts or are working with potentially boney game.

As advances in metallurgy continue to emerge, hunting knife manufacturers will use the latest steel alloys to improve the hardness, durability, and finish of their blades. These innovations will help to make them even more capable of performing the varied tasks associated with hunting.

For example, new stainless steels such as ATS 34 and ATS 55 contain cobalt, which adds strength to the steel without affecting its ability to retain an edge. Another popular option is VG-10, which is a Japanese steel that was introduced to the American market by a few respected knife makers. Its performance is comparable to 154CM and ATS 55 but it contains vanadium, which enhances its toughness.

Another excellent choice is Cruwear, which combines the best attributes of carbon and stainless steel. Its toughness is better than ATS 55 but it maintains an edge longer than 154CM and ATS 34. Plus, it’s easy to sharpen and doesn’t rust easily.

Of course, no matter what material you choose, the final decision will come down to how you plan to use your knife and your personal preferences. Fortunately, the vast majority of hunting knife applications can be handled with a standard stainless steel or high-carbon steel blade. As a result, a wide range of reliable hunting knives is available today. So take the time to explore your options and find the one that’s right for you.

Handle

The handle of a good hunting knife is a very important aspect of the blade. A quality handle is comfortable to hold and can withstand prolonged use. It will minimize hand fatigue and allow precision control even in wet or slippery conditions. Handles are made of a variety of materials including wood, bone, rubber, plastic and metal. They may feature a guard or pommel which helps protect the blade during sharpening and storage. They can also be jigged to provide both a visual and functional texture that enhances gripping and performance.

The handle can also include a lanyard hole which extends through the handle near the butt. The lanyard hole can be used to attach a rope or tether to help secure the knife during hard usage, finding it in poor light or while underwater and as an extra safety measure.

Bone and horn handles offer a traditional appearance and are generally affordable and durable. They are crafted from various parts of deceased animals, but often from leg bones of cows. The surface of a bone or horn handle can be smooth or jigged. Jigging provides both a visual and functional texture that enhances the gripping of the knife.

Stainless steel handles are durable and corrosion resistant, but they can be rather heavy when used on large knives. Consequently, manufacturers frequently use a mixture of other materials such as aluminum and plastic to reduce the weight of these types of knives. Aluminum is an excellent material to use because it can be anodized for color, hardness and protection. It is also highly formable and abrasion resistant, and it can be textured to improve the gripping of the knife.

The blade of a hunting knife is the most important part, but the handle is equally as important. A quality handle will feel good in your hand and let you perform all the necessary tasks for field dressing, skinning and butchering game. It should be able to withstand regular sharpening and have an edge that is easily maintained for optimal performance. A proper sheath is also an important consideration, ensuring that the blade stays safely in place during transport and storage. Regular care of your hunting knife, using a multifunctional cleaner designed specifically for the material that the blade and handle are made of will prolong its useful life.