Hunting knives: description, types and selection

Hunters need different weapons and equipment. Of these, it is recommended to pay special attention to special knives. This inventory is no less important for normal hunting management.

A hunting knife is required to:

• butcher the prey;
• harvest stakes for traps;
• cut small branches for firewood;
• finish off the wounded animals;
• defend against attack.

Choosing a knife for a hunter, focusing only on how it looks, is frankly unwise. Experienced miners pay maximum attention to the selection of blades and their sharpening. No wonder that such topics often appear on hunting forums. But the gun itself appeared much earlier than the forums themselves. It is true to assume that already primitive hunters needed a field cutter no less than modern humans.

Then the knives were made of stone. Their design was very primitive, but according to their characteristics, these products turned out to be quite good. The same can be said about wood and bone knives.

As a result of the progressive development, we managed to create knives that:

• compact;
• well tolerated;
• can be used in various situations.

Even with full equipment and equipment, the knife does not constrain the movement of a person. This is characteristic of both ancient and modern practice. Gradually, when developed metalworking appeared, knives began to be used as gifts and collectibles. But in hunting there are a variety of cases - and therefore many specific options have appeared. Let us analyze them sequentially.

Talk about the types of hunting knives and features of their device can be carried on for a long time.

Immediately it is worth considering that the individual parts of the structure may have a variety of names. The fact is that they come from different languages. Therefore, it is appropriate to dwell on the most common terms, which are often mentioned both in speech and in technical literature (documentation). Steel billet even for the smallest knife contains not only the blade.

Be sure to use another shank. Its geometry is determined by the way the handle is attached to the steel strip. The blade itself usually consists of parts of the same type. The surface of the thickest segment is called the plane or golomeni.

The blade is called the working edge, subjected to sharpening. In any knife, whether it is simple or simple, it is a sample, folding or with a saw, the blade passes between the point and the heel of the blade. Rarely found other solutions. But we must remember that in some classifications the blade refers to the entire working blade share. The knives have two carts: this name has received a pair of the narrowest surfaces that directly form the edge. Wagons serve primarily for sliding sharpening tools.

Heel, it is the heel - it is a segment of the plane that is not to be sharpened and continues the blade. The role of such an element is two-fold: stiffening, on the one hand, elimination of interference to blade sharpening, on the other. Butt is called opposite edge of the blade edge. The shape of the butt can vary greatly; sometimes there are auxiliary functional details.

The bevel can represent a bend or the inclined part of the butt. Usually it is honed so that the functionality is more.But when sharpening is done in a decorative way, the bevel is renamed to a false blade. On the butts, there is a section about the thumb grip (so-called) stop. Separate designs with a large arm length are distinguished by the fact that the emphasis is transferred onto it.

Additionally distinguish:

• spike;
• descents;
• ribs;
• valleys;
• factory marking.

The finishing hunting knife may well be cast or forged, but in any case, the maximum thickness of the butt is 0.0024 m. In general, the blade is assumed to be equal to the distance between the tip and the stopper. When there is no stopper, the end is considered to be the frontal end of the sleeve or handle handle.

Knives with a guard differ in that they allow:

• protect the hand during daily work or when striking;
• blocking attackers' weapons (even a sword or something equally serious);
• as quickly as possible to pull the knife out of the wound.

It is necessary to pay attention to the device and the handle of the knife. There are 2 key options: invoice (aka plate) and equestrian schemes. The classic vsadnoe execution involves literally sticking the shank into the handle. Sometimes a cross-cutting approach is used. Then the shank is equipped with thread. Then a nut of a special decorative configuration is used to tighten parts of the handle. With both solutions applied additional reinforcement with glue or resin.

Cheren is called the area of ​​the handle, covered by the palm.

The name of a back is appropriated to top of a handle on which the palm is put. The traditional solution that has been used for a very long time is the shape of a small barrel. Fingers are placed on the belly (that is, on the bottom of the handle). The geometry of the abdomen can vary greatly. It is counted on the various grabs dictated by the field of application or the problems to be solved.

Almost indispensable component of the handle of a hunting knife is the subfinger notch. The lip for the index finger allows you to increase the emphasis when stabbing. There are 2 types of grooves: in the handle itself and on the heel of the blade. Due to the strongly smoothed geometry of the handles, in some cases it is difficult to pinpoint the location of subfinger radii precisely.

The backside is the rear part of the handle that helps to hold the knife in your hand when removing it from the cuts.

Obitmitsa, she zakovka - this is a relatively narrow gasket from Cheren to guard and from Cheren to tyilnik. The role of the huntsman is to absorb energy and grasp. Thanks to this element, it is possible to eliminate the split of the handle upon impact. He also helps to make the design more elegant and to mitigate the effects of swelling or drying out the stem. Rivets, they are riveting - help to strengthen the overlay handle.

In addition to these parts, knives for hunters may have some other special parts.

When selecting knives for hunting, it is necessary to take into account not only their geometry, but also the main structural materials. To give preference to certain substances is very difficult. So, when evaluating alloys for the blade, you can focus on:

• ability to cut;
• resistance to corrosion processes;
• excellent hardness;
• design flexibility.

These parameters are contradictory: the improvement of one of them is accompanied by a deterioration of other properties. Such characteristics are influenced by the specificity of steel grades, processing methods and chemical composition. Heat treatment is also very important. In most cases, to obtain all-metal or partially metal knives use:

• tool steels;
• steel with alloying additives;
• first-class carbon steels of structural grade.

The best alloys are those where carbon accounts for 0.4-1.5%. In terms of cutting properties, steel with a carbon concentration of 0.9-1.2% is in the first place. Russian GOST marks the mass-graded carbon steel with a combination of letters Art. After that, immediately write the conditional numerical designation of the group. If the blade is made of a first-grade carbon metal, two figures are written, reflecting the average carbon concentration (converted to hundredths of a percent).

Marking can inform about the presence of different alloying additives, about their total concentration. Some people appreciate steel HVG or 9HVG. They are sharpened without problems and form a solid edge. Due to its low corrosion resistance, this metal must be chrome or blued. Often recommended and blades of steel 5HNM.

It is perfect for survival in an extreme situation. Even with limited care, the blade will work perfectly, regardless of the situation. Sometimes the blades are made of Damascus steel, but this is a very expensive solution. No less important point - the material from which the handle is made. Even if the blade is good, but the handle fails, users are unlikely to like the knife.

The classic solution is a wooden handle. Such a product is natural and completely safe. However, you need to make sure that durable and stable wood is used. A soft handle is acceptable except for a mushroom knife, and for hunting and tourism, we need stronger products.

Breeds such as are in demand:

• boxwood;
• nut;
• beech;
• ash;
• Karelian birch;
• rosewood;
• cherry;
• maple;
• oak.

But even the best tree is much inferior to synthetic substances of the last generation. It necessarily requires care and careful handling. At the same time, connoisseurs appreciate wooden handles for reliable grip with the palms and ease of operation in the cold. Quite popular handles of typeset birch bark. For their manufacture, only the upper part of the birch bark, pressed into briquettes and glued in layers with epoxy resins, is used.

Birch tar repels water and eliminates decay. In addition, this substance almost does not conduct heat. It is convenient to hold on to it, regardless of the weather. However, the bark too easily draws in all the smells. Therefore, fishermen and hunters need to think three times before buying such a product.

Care is reduced to washing, drying, followed by the application of natural wax or flax oil. To eliminate blood stains, hydrogen peroxide is used. The method of production of handles from inlaid leather is approximately the same as from birch bark. The disadvantages and advantages of these materials are similar. But the skin is even more active than bark, sucks water.

If you plan to go into the forest for a few days or very often go for prey, you should look for something more impressive. A more popular solution is textolite, which does not absorb excess odors and water, is not saturated with fats. Textolite pen will not slip out of your palms.

Still such a handle will not dry or swell. The problem may be frankly inexpensive view. But it attaches mainly to "simple" models. Choosing a knife from a major manufacturer, there is no doubt - the handle will look attractive. After all, there are methods that allow us to form an interesting ornament on a PCB.

Plexiglass is also very resistant to fats, moisture and dirt. Plexiglass does not delay smells. He is also able to transfer a substantial mechanical load. You can be wary of scratches and chips. However, these defects are easily removable by polishing. Even many pens of gift and collectible knives are made from organic glass, painted in different colors.Some of them are marked with symbols of special purpose units.

Attention just deserve and handles from the craton. This synthetic substance at the same time:

• mechanically tight;
• handles well;
• nice when working in the cold.

Such solutions are in demand in tactical and surveyor models. They are actively used by many foreign manufacturers. Some companies try to use combined designs. The ability to combine different materials is determined solely by the imagination of the developers. Technologically, all such solutions are very simple. Returning to the Damascus steels, it is worth emphasizing that they are still used in cutting knives. Examples:

• "Lynx-2";
• "Uzbek" (with a handle made of Karelian birch);
• "Pheasant";
• "Cleaver."

And yet it is worth concluding that there is no universal knife for hunting. The point is not only that some materials are preferable to someone, but other hunters have a different opinion. The functions of the cutters are so diverse that you have to think about purchasing a whole set of products for different tasks. It is useful to see which options are considered the best and can be used in most cases.

The ranking will accurately include knives from the Hunt collection, released by Benchmade. This line is hardly new, since it has been released since 2014. However, this is rather a plus, since quite a few people have already met with similar products, and you can easily find reviews. The knives of this series are specialized devices for professional hunters and mass field products. The main properties are:

• total length 0.16 m;
• blade 0,068 m;
• handle 0,092 m;
• weight 0.1 kg;
• development and production - USA.

Although not the most beautiful, but practically legendary is another American knife - the so-called Moran's knife. It is made by only one Spyderco company, and no other organization in the world has the right to do it legally. The size of the products is relatively small, and the blade is rigidly fixed. The main parameters are as follows:

• total length 0.205 m;
• blade length 0,099 m;
• steel grade VG-10;
• knife weight 0,084 kg.

But the serially produced modification is very good. The key to this is at least impressive manufacturer reputation. The craton handle is perfectly held in the hand, even if it is covered with blood and moisture.

Users note the smooth assembly of the scabbard and the presence of a hole for the outflow of water. Despite the shallow insertion of the knife, its retention is tight. Thanks to a special platform for the stop with your thumb, you can pull out the tool slowly and silently. This is important when stalking to beasts. The blade on the production of polished to a mirror state. Cutting meat can be very easy, without any tension. The knife will smash the most dense parts of the carcass and will easily penetrate inside. To edit the cutting edge is easy.

In the review it would be foolish not to mention the knives of the Scandinavian format, manufactured under the brand Mora. The range of this brand includes offers for tourists, for home cooking and for artisans. Specifically, hunters are best suited BushCraft Forest modification. Swedish developers have tried to ensure the continued preservation of sharpness and eliminate rust. The parameters of this model are as follows:

• total length 0,274 m;
• blade length 0.109 m;
• handle length 0.165 m;
• total weight 0.142 kg.

It is worth noting that the appearance can create the impression of some rough cheapness.But this feeling immediately disappears when the use of the knife begins. In its construction only technological, reliable materials are used. Sandvik Scandinavian steel includes 13.5% chromium. Exceptional Rockwell hardness is obtained by quenching with liquid nitrogen.

Among the knives made in Russia, "Wolf" deserves attention. This version is not a cold weapon, and therefore you can carry it, absolutely carry it, sell it and buy it absolutely calmly. Used for the manufacture of the blade high quality stainless steel 95X18. The manufacturer guarantees excellent cutting performance and a rational cost-to-quality ratio. Products are certified in the Russian Federation. The key parameters are:

• total length 0.285 m;
• blade length 0.159 m;
• Leather Case;
• total weight 0.147 kg;
• the handle of the combined type (walnut, birch bark and brass).

From folding models it is appropriate to pay attention to the Buck 110BRS. This version is commercially available since 1962, which already speaks of its high quality. For all the time of use the knife proved to be as reliable as monolithic counterparts. The handle of ebony with inserts of copper looks very attractive. The company gives a lifetime warranty, but it is worth noting that the blade is not too long, and the assembly design is inferior to monolithic blocks.

Choosing a folding knife with a saw, it is appropriate to pay attention to the aircraft model. This design has been produced for over 40 years and has repeatedly rescued pilots after emergency landings. Despite the slightly archaic look, the product is very reliable. As for the profile, the best choice on the versatility will be a model with a straight butt. The format of the Bowie knife is quite popular.

The choice of a hunting knife can not be categorically reduced only to the definition of a suitable brand and model. Beginning hunters are more likely to focus on the objective parameters of products, and not on their abstract reputation.

Important: with all the quality and reliability of the army and "special" samples, many of them can not be operated without special permission. Uncontrolled turnover of such knives is prohibited by law. Speaking about the qualities of a knife that are important for the fisherman, one should immediately mention its mass.

Large and heavy models look impressive and even menacing. But it is better to save them for demonstration purposes or for cutting meat in the kitchen. And in a hike through inaccessible terrain, even “only a dozen grams” matters. On the hunt, neat manipulations are very important. Otherwise it will be impossible to remove the same skins without deformation.

Buying a machete makes sense only as an additive to the main working tool. Another significant rule is rejection of blades with serrated. Such sharpening is simply unacceptable on the hunt, because it does not make an accurate, elegant cut. At the same time, this method of sharpening does not provide the necessary sawing properties. Rational angle of grinding is not lower than 30 and not more than 45 degrees. With this approach, it will last longer. Connoisseurs still point out that the handle is desirable to choose from natural materials. If it is not bark, then at least hornbeam or beech. Such designs do not slip.

But alder wood and natural leather, on the contrary, will slide stronger after contact with water. Plastic is considered neutral, and metal should be categorically abandoned. It is impossible to work with him in the cold without gloves.

To make a quality sheath in artisanal conditions is almost impossible. And from the factory samples should be allocated those that are equipped with straps or flaps. They reduce the risk of losing tools.As for the steel in the blade, the Damascus metal is not very good. Rather, overpayment for it does not pay off real benefits.

The best steel, in the opinion of professionals, is stainless steel with a hardness of 55 HRC. A simple low-strength stainless metal does not make sense. It serves a short time and sharpens very badly. For your information: steel 95x18 is also rather poorly sharpened. But this is to some extent justified by high persistence.

According to the professionals, The best choice for a hunting knife is steel 50H14MF. As for the preference of fixed or folding options, there is not much difference. You can safely focus on personal tastes. Of the profiles of the blade for hunting, drop point, clip point are best suited. Such solutions are ideal for the main part of the performed manipulations.

And one more thing that is often forgotten - this is a purely individual fit of the knife.. Other objects seem to be quite in line with the requirements, but it is not convenient to lay them in my hand. Then it is better to refuse to buy. It is advisable not only to “hold the knife in your hand,” but also to check it on the backswing, on the conventional strike. For this reason, it is inappropriate to buy such items via the Internet.

The need to do this sooner or later arises from any hunters. Moreover, it can be expected that such a need will appear quite early. After all, the knife is operated on the hunt very intensely. By purchasing such a tool, it is important to see what angle of sharpening is set at the factory or in the workshop. Breaking this angle can only degrade the quality of the cutting edges.

A knife designed for deboning meat and primary cutting it, sharpen 30 degrees. At an angle of 20 degrees will have to sharpen versatile products. But the tool for very fine work needs to be sharpened under a slope of 15 degrees.

In any case, the angle of sharpening should be one for both sides. As for the honing tools, it is better to purchase a special tool simultaneously with the purchase of a knife. If it is bought later, it is necessary to give preference to products of the same brand. "In the field" the ideal choice would be portable mechanical sharpeners. A few simplest movements are enough to return the adaptation of his condition again.

At home it is advisable to use an abrasive stone. Among the various options it is necessary to select wide and perfectly flat no longer than 0.25 m. And also the mandatory requirement for a good stone will be the density of the structure consisting of medium or small grains. It is necessary to work only on extremely flat surfaces. It is highly desirable to fix the grinding machine. The blade is held with two hands, and then under the pressure of a criss-cross stretch from each side.

Sharpening is stopped when the cutting edge is covered with a shiny strip. The size of this band with one and the other side should be the same. Next, change the grinding bar on the same, but with a smaller grain. Now you can make fine-tuning of sharpness. A qualitatively sharpened knife with one easy movement cuts through a sheet of newspaper, set vertically.

How to choose a hunting knife, see the following video.