If you are fond of hunting, there should be a good hunting knife in your kit. No hunter is fully prepared without a knife. From skinning the animal to cutting up its meat, a hunting knife remains the essential gear.
A hunting knife is also essential for your outdoor lifestyle. If you want to make the most of your camping and hunting session, you must make the right choice. You will come across many variations, uses, and styles of hunting knives in the market. Thus, choosing the right one may be a little overwhelming.
Buying from the many hunting knives for sale is more of a personal endeavour as it has to do a lot with your target task and how comfortable you are with handling the weapon. Nevertheless, some tips may help you make the right choice.
Fixed or Folding Blade
Hunting knives come in different blade types: fixed and folding blades are the two most common options.
If you are a casual hunter, we suggest you opt for a folding blade. Such knives work for several purposes. They are compact, thus making it easy for you to carry them in your pockets. A knife with a folding blade doesn’t require a sheath either. While buying a folding blade, check its mechanism and ensure it is solid.
But avid hunters may not like a folding blade. A fixed blade makes a better option for them. Such a blade of a knife can handle more heavy-duty jobs. Ask a professional if you need to learn more about Best Hunting Knife Sharpeners.
Check the Shape of the Blade
The blade of the knife comes in many shapes and sizes. Three of them are more prevalent for hunting.
The drop-point blade comes with a convex back. It works best for cleaning and skinning your hunt. It helps reduce the instances of puncturing the hide while working. The skinner blade comes with a specialised shape, curving up from the handle like a small scimitar. This blade is used to skin big game animals in a shorter period.
If you want a blade good at skinning, always buy a shorter one with a thinner shape. Make sure the blade is smooth and not serrated.
Choose the Right Texture for the Handle
Field dressing is a daunting task. Nobody would want to fight to hold onto their knife while skinning the animal or using a hunting knife for another purpose. Therefore, you should always choose the right texture of the handle.
A hunting knife should be sharp. Its handle must provide a non-slip texture for an easy grip. We suggest you look for rougher textures as they will keep their grip properly while you work. Choose the one that you are comfortable holding. Do not use metal handles in cold weather as you will feel colder. Synthetic handles feel warm in cold weather.
The Type of Steel
The type of steel your hunting blade has is also vital. It determines how well your knife will sharpen along and how well it will hold the edge after sharpening.
Steel type also adds to the durability of the knife. The best blade material features high edge retention, corrosion resistance, toughness, and water resistance. Choose high-carbon stainless steel. The properties of this material make it last longer.
The Safety Feature
To provide optimum safety while hunting, your knife should come with a finger stop, contour or another guard at the junction of its handle. It stops your hand from sliding forward on the blade. Ensure that utilisation remains your key to a perfect hunting trip.
Takeaway
A hunting knife constitutes an essential part of your outdoor gear. Thus, it would be best if you are wary while using it. Let the above-listed buying guide help you make the right choice. Shop now.