How Do I Pick a Good Hunting Knife?

When choosing a suitable model of a hunting knife, one should take into account many different characteristics - purpose, brand of steel, shape and thickness of the blade, length of the blade, manufacturer. To buy a hunting knife in the Wellgo store – a really good model, you don't need to save money. It is advisable to give preference to well-known manufacturers who have proven themselves with high-quality products.

The material of the blade of the hunting knife

Marketing offers will convince you to buy a Damascus steel hunting knife. Take your time, consider that such steel is suitable for making a weapon blade, and not for household use. The task of a hunting knife is the possibility of intensive use with maximum preservation of the original characteristics of sharpness and sharpening.

The blades of all knives are made of different grades of steel, differing in chemical composition. As a result of various methods of processing carbon and alloy steels, with a diverse chemical composition, materials with special properties, specific appearance and parameters are obtained. Thanks to special additives in steel, sharpening is facilitated, resistance to corrosion is ensured.

The hardness of steel is measured in Rockwells and is indicated by a special HRC marking, which indicates the carbon content in the alloy. The optimal indicator is the hardness HRC 58-60. Hunting knives with a hardness of less than HRC 55 do not differ in special quality. And it is problematic to sharpen hunting knives that are too hard in field conditions. To check the quality of the steel, you can click your finger on the blade. A long ringing sound means good quality of the blade material.

The best steels are 50X14, VG10, D2, 95X13 - durable and easily sharpened. For cutting knives, steel 65G is suitable, but as a hunter, this option is not entirely successful. Steel 95X18 has exemplary operational characteristics, but on the condition that such a knife is produced on the high-precision equipment of an experienced manufacturer.

The steel grade 40X12 is perfectly suited for a kitchen knife, it is too soft as a hunting knife. Keep in mind that a hard blade keeps a sharp edge for a long time, but it can be quite brittle, especially at low temperatures. A blade made of mild steel dulls faster, but it can be sharpened on an ordinary stone.

The blade of a hunting knife: geometry, shape, teeth

The purpose can be determined by the shape of the blade. From the appearance, it is immediately clear how balanced the design of the hunting knife is - a thin edge and a thickening of the handle by approximately 1,5-2 times. Regarding the configuration and thickness of the blade: a thin blade in the form of a wedge or an isosceles triangle is not a very practical option. In order for the hunting knife to remain sharp for a long time, it is preferable to use a wedge shape with a handle.

The blade can be sharpened at different angles, depending on the type of work to be performed. For hunting knives, 20-35° is considered the most acceptable option.

1. An angle of 10-15° – for easy work, without much effort.
2. Universal sharpening 20-25° suitable for everyday work.
3. For increased loads, heavy work, a 30-35° sharpening is used.

According to the design of the blade, hunting knives are made of several types:

1. Drop point - used as a cutting and stabbing tool. Thanks to the wide decreasing line of the butt and the location of the blade in the center of the cutting blade, such knives are considered multifunctional, suitable for hunting work of various kinds - it is convenient to remove the skin, butcher large game.
2. Clip-point - they differ from the previous modification by a thinner blade, an elongated shape, and wide functionality. They are suitable for various uses in field conditions - cooking, planing branches. The optimal option for tourist trips.
3. Skinner is primarily a narrow-functional model designed for skinning. Externally, it looks like a shortened drop point, usually it is the second knife of a hunter. Skinner is not very convenient for household chores or cutting carcasses.

There are models of hunting knives with serrations along the saw blade. But, as experienced hunters claim, such a blade edge is completely impractical. Such a knife is easy to injure, the teeth can damage clothes and equipment. From the point of view of practical application, such a knife is only useful for sawing off horns, sawing bones, but in such cases it is more rational to use a regular saw.

Hunting knife handle: shape, materials

Natural wood is traditionally considered a classic material - it is light and strong. For durability, the wooden handle must be treated with special resins. A hunting knife with a bone handle or mother-of-pearl inlay is chosen as a souvenir option.

A plastic handle is a dubious option, in frosty weather it becomes very fragile. Widely advertised hollow handles are not at all as convenient as it might seem at first.

According to the type of manufacture, the handles can be riveted and inset. Models with a riveted handle can withstand heavy loads, some of their disadvantages are heavy weight. The narrow blade of the folding blade is inserted into the handle and fixed. Such a knife, unlike a riveted one, weighs less, but its durability is lower. However, it is more ergonomic in the cold.

As for the shape, the handle should be straight. Special notches under the fingers make it easier to hold the knife in your hand, if you don't have to often grab it with your other hand. The presence of various metal parts in the handle is also undesirable, so as not to freeze to the hand. In addition, personal feelings are important, how comfortably the hunting knife fits in your palm.

The length of the hunting knife

The rational length of a knife can be considered 10-12 cm. Shorter models are not comfortable enough, and a hunting knife that is too long is not always comfortably worn on the belt. For cutting game, it is better to buy 15-16 cm, but consider the weight - it should not be too massive. A knife the length of the palm is the most convenient, it can be easily fixed on the belt.

Knife sheath

A case for a hunting knife should perform the functions of protecting the blade from excess moisture and the possibility of corrosion, as well as protect against cuts. The case can be made of leather or other material with special inserts.

Manufacturers of hunting knives

When choosing a good hunting knife, you should choose a reliable manufacturer. Particular caution is recommended when considering cheap options. Moreover, you should not try to buy a hunting knife for all occasions - opening cans or other non-professional work. On the other hand, a hunting knife is a purely individual thing, there is no single recipe for everyone.

A real hunting knife must withstand intense and prolonged loads, the blade is made of high-quality tool steel, the handle fits comfortably in the palm of your hand. A significant plus may be the presence of a small guard. A priori, such a knife cannot be cheap. This is generally understandable even with ordinary kitchen knives. And the funds invested in the elite model will pay off with years of impeccable functionality of the hunting knife.