Sporting Knives-Sportsmans' Friend

By Stephen Graham

They are the sportsmans' best friend. Whether used on a fishing trip or for cutting up that big buck, knives are invaluable. They come in many different shapes and sizes. The smaller knife is better used for hunting purposes. The longer thinner knives are better for your fishing uses. Fixed blade or folding knives give you a product with different handling characteristics. Knife handles come in different materials. Wood, rubber, horn, leather, plastic and many other materials adorn these blades. Blades appear in many different forms. A few of these different blade materials on these knives consist of 154 cm, 420, aus-8, 440, Ats-34, aus-6 and D-2 steel. Some steel will hold an edge longer and some will resist rust and the elements better. Higher carbon steels are better for most purposes. D-2 and ats-34 are superior blade materials. Good tempering is an added plus for determining blade characteristics.

You will pay more out of pocket for expensive handle materials. Prices will be higher for horn and other exotic materials used for handles. The better blade metal will be more expensive than lesser quality blades. The better blades will hone to a sharper edge. Blades with higher rockwell hardness will usually stay sharper longer. A rockwell hardness of 58-60 is usually good and serviceable. Blades come today in many different forms.
Ceramic blades are very sharp and usually are so hard they have to be sent back to the manufacturers to be sharpened. The only draw back is that they are very brittle and break easier than standard blades. Titanium and powdered titanium used in blade materials are very serviceable and make good blades.

Buffalo bone handles look good on Obsidian blades. Some knives that are sold are dedicated to be close copies of period knives. Bowie knives come in many different patterns and lengths. They come with matching handles that depict different eras in history. Many knives like the case products are considered collectable. They come in a variety of handle material and blade configurations. Knife collectors are abundant and keep the knife companies very busy. There are period knives made for reenactors and collectors. Modern knives are being produced that mirror those worn by the early Native American and the mountain man. The sheaths that accompany these knives are made from many different materials. Leather, kryton and other materials are offered to cover and carry these knives.
Many are embellished with materials of choice. Some have snap closures and others have nice receptacles for their fixed blade counterparts. Some sheaths are embellished with beads and some are adorned with leather lacing..

Get the knife that fits you and fits the intended use that you require of it. If you want to carry a personal knife, a small folding knife is perfect. Folders are also made for heavy work on deer and other game animals. Sets of knives are sold for the serious sportsman that will handle every chore from gutting and skinning down to steak preparation.

Usually the bigger knives appear in softer metals. large knifes used in place of an axe for cutting are usually made of this variety. Some knife makers claim that their knives will plow through two elk. Some knives are manufactured to be pleasing to the eye but will not hold up well under intense use. Fixed blade knives can take a lot of abuse and do not require a locking devise to make them stable and safe. Keep your knives sharp. A sharp knife will be much safer and it will do it's intended job much quicker and easier. Be safe and enjoy the wide range of products offered to the consumer. You have so much to choose from.

Stephen Graham, Avid hunter and fisherman, writes from his own life experiences.

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