Posy:
…One of the most important tools for a hunter is their knife. Not their gun but their knife. You can kill game many ways; set up a trap, a hook or even shoot with an arrow or gun… But to set up everything right for example skin, gut and chop up you can only do that with a knife.
THE HUNTING KNIFE IS:
1. Simple in shape
2. Appropriate in size
3. Made from quality materials
4. Handy
5. Made with the right grind
6. Can be worn is a safe holster
- Shape is an extremely important feature. The spine should be flat or curved downwards. A knife with upward curves is not good. The blade itself also needs a nice curvature which is a must for skinning.
A knife is used for 3 different jobs: skinning, gutting and chopping. For a good knife to do all of this you need to make a compromise. Or you can have one knife for each of them; like a short blade with a strongly curved edge for skinning. - The size is equally important. Both the blade and the handle should be between 10 and 12 cm. Blade with at least 30-35mm is needed to allow for a nice curvature. The thickness should be maximum 4mm for a deep cut. Anything thicker will stick when cutting through the pelvic bone or the sternum.
- Today’s steels are really good in quality. Both carbon steel and shear-steel are suitable for knives, however most hunters are looking for stainless steel.
Handles are good from anything natural; wood, bone, horn or especially antlers are the best. - The shape of the handle and its cross section promotes a better grip. An oval shape provides an ergonomic grip and can be held various ways. However a polished surface, especially when it’s covered with slippery substance rolls easily in your hands and requires higher force.
A square cross section facilitates a firm grip as the corners fit in the wrinkles of your palm. It is crucial to have a bolster which prevents your hands sliding forward onto the blade. An antler’s naturally rough surface provides a secure grip. - The grind determines how easy and deep the blade can penetrate, how easily can it be sharpened or reground. Additionally it determines how long the blade will remain sharp. I believe a hollow grind is the best.
- A hunting knife is nothing without a strong holster, it fits best with a leather holster. I prefer the pouch type hooked on your belt as you can draw and stow your knife single handed.