Choosing The Perfect Hunting Knife

Hunters and fisherman alike all know that having a solid knife in their arsenal of tools is essential. Having a good knife is essential however when it comes to finding one that meets all of your needs the choices can become quite overwhelming. Below are some tips to help you find a solid hunting knife for your outdoor adventures.

The first thing that you will want to consider and decide upon when it comes to choosing a knife to carry with you on hunting adventures is between a fixed knife and a folding knife. For the heavy duty tasks involved in hunting a fixed knife offers the best stability. A fixed blade knife is rugged, reliable, sturdy and simple to clean. The main drawback is that fixed knives are bulky and take up more space than a folding knife. To transport a fixed blade knife can be made simpler when using a sheath attaching the knife to a belt or boot.

If you do choose to use a folding knife instead because of the easy to carry feature a lock-back folding knife is a solid choice for a hunting knife. A lock-back knife allows the blade to be locked in place using a locking mechanism creating a solid knife to assist in all of your hunting needs. With the technology present in knives that are currently produced there is little risk involved in the locking mechanism to fail. With any hunting accessory be aware of the risks and rewards.

The length of the blade is also important when seeking out a knife to use in hunting. Choose a hunting knife that is between three and four inches long for the best results. This is the perfect size knife blade for control and maneuverability. Consider the size of the animal that is being hunted as well. Smaller animals can easily be skinned and gutted with a three inch blade as a four inch blade makes for an easier job on larger game.

The blade point is equally important on hunting knives. There are three popular options in hunting knives today including a clip point, drop point and modified clip, drop, spear point. A clip point blade offers a concave back with a fine point. This blade is perfect for making small punctures like ones needed for removing deer rectums. A drop point blade offers a convex back. This type of blade offers more maneuverability for skinning game and tends to reduce the risk of puncturing the animals hide. A modified blade can be found on lock-back style hunting knives and offers the advantages of both blades.

The handle on your hunting blade is as important to your hunting knife as the blade length as well as type. Both wood and bone handles are popular options when choosing a knife to carry with you while hunting. They tend to be warmer to the touch then a metal handle on those cool autumn and winter mornings. The problem with wood and bone is that they are often adorned with metal inlays which can feel quite cold. Knife handles made from polymer and nylon are the best options as they offer a combination of a solid grip, warmth and tend to lessen the overall expense of a hunting knife. Find a handle that fits your hand, is easy to grip and contours to your thumb and fingers.

A solid hunting knife is like a best friend that accompanies you on all of your outdoor adventures; be sure to find one (or two) that are perfect for your next hunt.

KnifeMule.com is an online retailer specializing in a variety of specialty knives including hunting knives and top brands such as Zero Tolerance, Boker Tree Knives, W.R. Case Knives and more. For more information or to purchase a variety of knives online find us at https://www.knifemule.com.

Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Pocket Knife Prices and Blade Types

In our series on pocket knives so far we have explored a great deal about the common pocket knife; the number of blades, the pocket knife edge varieties, and the different blade lengths available.  In this installment we will talk about the different price point options available as well as the different blade types and their ideal uses.

When it comes to price point and pocket knives they can range anywhere from a few dollars upwards into the hundreds.  Pocket knives that are in the price point under thirty dollars are considered to be economical pocket knives.  Some common brands in economical pocket knives include Colt Knives, Schrade Old Timer and Gerber Knives.  Economical pocket knives are limited in some of the extra bells and whistles of more expensive brands however they are good enough to get the job done. 

Knives that fall in the thirty to seventy dollar range where you will find most anything you want when looking for a pocket knife.  The sky is the limit and the variety is plentiful.  The majority of pocket knives will fall into the price point.  Although the dent in your pocket book will be small the jobs that can be done with these knives is not.  When looking for a mid range knife to purchase look for top brands such as Buck Knives, SOG Knives and Ka-Bar Knives.

Between seventy and a hundred dollars you are looking at top brand name pocket knives such as Spyderco Knives and Kershaw Knives.  The higher end price tag comes with better materials than the mid-range price point.  You can find a deal of knives at this price point.  The difference between these knives and the ones at the price point above is that these will cost you more to replace when they are in need of replacement.  The better materials are really the only difference besides the price.

Pocket knives upwards of a hundred dollars are considered premium knives.  The blade may be etched with a design; the details will be more intricate.  These knives are more of a piece of art then other pocket knives.  Boker brand knives carry a great deal of high end quality knives.

There are a number of blade types to choose from including: clip point, drop point, tanto point, spear point, trailing point, hawkbill, straight back, sheepfoot, wharncliffe, needle point, pen and spey.  The most popular options in blade types is the clip point, the drop point and the straight-back blade.  These are all ideal for everyday uses including piercing, skinning and slicing. 

A needle point is really only useful for piercing, spear knives are good for piercing and slicing and the tanto point blade is the perfect design for piercing tougher materials and push cuts.  Sheepfoot blades are good for carving wood and cutting where as the spey point is great for skinning and gets its name from old times and being used to castrate animals. 

The hawkbill is very distinct in design and is not a wonderful everyday pocket knife but is useful when opening boxes, stripping wires and cutting cords.  The point in discussing the different blades available is that a blade type perfect for one person may not serve the needs of another.  Consider what you are looking to do with the pocket knife before picking a blade type.  A pen knife is not a good survival pocket knife.

When we continue on our series about knives we will look into the steel options for the blade, the knife handle materials, and the different option in opening and locking mechanisms.  

KnifeMule.com is an online retailer specializing in a variety of specialty knives including top brands such as Zero Tolerance, Boker Tree Knives, W.R. Case Knives and more.  For more information or to purchase a variety of knives online find us at https://www.knifemule.com.

Learning More About The Perfect Pocket Knife

In the latest pocket knife installment we talked about the different blade types available on pocket knives including the plain edge, the serrated edge and the combo.  When it comes to choosing a pocket knife the sky is the limit when it comes to combining your favorite aspects into one perfect knife.  Today we will talk more about the blade lengths available for pocket knives. 

There are a wide range of pocket knife blade lengths from big, seven and a half inch blades to small, two inch blades.  It may seem insignificant when talking about a few inches but when it comes to a pocket knife blade it can make a colossal difference in what it can do for you.

A small pocket knife is classified by a blade that is less than 2.75 inches in length. A small blade is advantageous for many reasons.  The first is that they are small and not cumbersome to carry.  They are also widely acceptable to carry without having to worry about knife laws.  The problem with the small blade is that it can tend to be a bit weaker than larger blades.  Another issue is that due to their small size the locking mechanism is often left off of these knives.  Small pocket knives are perfect for everyday light use.

A pocket knife with a medium blade ranges between 2.75 inches in length and 4 inches.   This is where the average length of pocket knives most Americans carry falls. A medium size pocket knife is easy to carry and provides the benefits of a versatile larger knife blade.  The blades in this range also have the best options in locking mechanisms when it comes to pocket knives.  The locking mechanism promotes safety when doing more strenuous activities; helping to assure the blade doesn’t accidentally shut. Knives this size is more difficult to find than their smaller counterparts due to restrict knife laws that ban their use in certain areas.

Larger pocket knives with blades over 4 inches are also available.  Larger blades in pocket knives are more convenient to carry than their larger counter, the fixed blade.  A large pocket knife is mainly used for self-defense and tends to be impractical for everyday. The large blade tends to make the knives heavier which can make them cumbersome to carry in your pocket all the time.  You will also need to look into local knife laws that regulate the size of a knife blade that can be concealed within your pocket.    

In our series so far on the pocket knife we have taken an in-depth look into the number of blades, the edge of the blade and now the blade length.  In our next edition we will look into the cost of pocket knives and the differences between the knives and brands at each price point. We will also look in greater detail into the blade type and what each is used for.  From there we will look at the different options in materials to create the ideal knife blade.  Be sure to check it out. 

KnifeMule.com is an online retailer specializing in a variety of specialty knives including top brands such as Zero Tolerance, Boker Tree Knives, W.R. Case Knives and more.  For more information or to purchase a variety of knives online find us at https://www.knifemule.com.

Buying a Pocket Knife Part Two

We left off our last installment on choosing the perfect pocket knife looking at the options available in blades for your new pocket knife.  As mentioned pocket knives are sold with single blades, two blades and multi-blade often referred to as a Swiss Army Knife.   In this installment on the pocket knife we will look deeper into the edge of the blade you are looking for in a pocket knife. 

The great debate continues on the edge that makes up the perfect pocket knife.  There are three main types of blades to choose from including: fully serrated, partially serrated as well as plain. In understanding the type of blade that you will use the most it is important to also be familiar with the two basic cuts that a knife will perform; the push cut and the pull cut.  A push cut is used to shave wood or peel an apple where as the pull cut is used for cutting rope or bread.

First we will look into the plain edge pocket knife. The advantage of owning this type of blade is that is performs clean, precise push cuts.  The sharp edge allows you control and accuracy within your cuts.  The plain edge is also easier to sharpen and can be done at home.  With a plain edge blade you will not be able to perform any pull cuts which makes it unable to use it to saw.  If you are in need of a knife to cut through wood or rope a plain edge is not for you. If you will be using the knife to shave or skin this is perfect for you.

When it comes to the fully serrated edge of a pocket knife you will find it is perfect for cutting through the tough materials that a straight edge blade would never be able to get through. A fully serrated edge gives strength to the blade from the serrations.  All of this working together provides a pocket knife that functions well as a saw blade.  This blade however does not provide clean, precision cuts and requires sharpening that can only be done through the factory. 

Another option in pocket knife blades is the partially serrated edge, partial straight edge.  This blade offers you both options in one.  The combo knife blade is growing in popularity because it gives you the advantages of both knives.  The one thing to consider is the placement of the serrated edge on the blade to ensure the tasks you need it for can be accomplished.  The other thing to consider is that you will have to send it in to the factory to have the serrated edge sharpened.  Pocket knives with the combination straight edge and saw are becoming more and more popular every day.  It is the perfect tool for camping, hiking and is an all around solid survival pocket knife.

In our next installment on pocket knives we will explore the different blade size options along with the advantages and disadvantages of each.  

KnifeMule.com is an online retailer specializing in a variety of specialty knives including top brands such as Zero Tolerance, Boker Tree Knives, W.R. Case Knives and more.  For more information or to purchase a variety of knives online find us at https://www.knifemule.com.

Buying A Pocket Knife Part One

A pocket knife is one of the most efficient tools that you can carry around with you every day. For thousands of years knives have helped people cut food, hunt for dinner, open boxes, cut seatbelts in emergencies and a number of other tasks. This could be why choosing a pocket knife may be so hard. It also could be so hard because the variety of options available to consumers. This is a start on a series all about pocket knives. Each aspect of the pocket knife will be examined. Finding the perfect pocket knife is a bit overwhelming but hopefully this series will help you out.

The first part of the pocket knife that we will explore is the number of knife blades. There are three different variations including the single blade pocket knife, the multi-blade pocket knife and the multi-tool knife. The single blade pocket knife can come in a variety of shapes and sizes; it is the epitome of everything a pocket knife is. If you are looking for a simple a single blade pocket knife is a good option to look into. A single blade knife focuses on the design of one large blade. Most include a spring loaded mechanism that easily opens the blade and a locking device that makes the knife sturdy. The lack of variety in the blade might be the only disadvantage of the single blade pocket knife.

Multi-blade pocket knives enable you to have the benefits of different style blades all tucked in to. You can have anywhere from two to four blades that can range in variety from traditional blades to drop point blades. This style knife is good for those people who wish to have options. The one difference between a single blade and multi-blade knife besides the obvious is the strength of the blades. Multi-blade knives tend not to be as durable as one blade knives.

A multi-tool knife, also known to many as the Swiss Army Knife, is a pocket knife with several different knife blades as well as a multitude of different tools. If you may need it the multi-tool knife has it. They can come equipped with small saws, tweezers, tooth picks, can openers, scissors, wine openers, nail files and magnifying glasses. It is originally a knife that was carried by soldiers in the field as they needed a tool that could perform more than one task like the single blade knife. Many people who consider themselves jacks of all trades carry a multi-tool knife in their pocket. It is a tool that can be carried when you aren't sure what you are going to need.

In our next installment on pocket knives we will look deeper into the different types of edges that pocket knife blades can come with. We will look into the different size blades that are available as well. There is so much to the pocket knife. It is amazing that something so small can have such a rich history as well as such variety.

KnifeMule.com is an online retailer specializing in pocket knives from top brands such as Case, Boker, Cold Steel, Ka-bar and more. For more information on brand name knives, cutlery and specialty gear visit https://www.knifemule.com.

Camping In Minimalist Form

I love camping as it allows us to get away from all the things that keep us in our materialistic lifestyles. The problem is that those materialistic things are marketed to us, the minimalists. Think about the last time you have gone camping and actually roughed it? That is what I thought, NEVER! Fact is most of us go camping and end up lugging all the "necessities" with us. We end up setting in the great outdoors surrounded by all of the luxuries we were hoping to escape. The truth is when it comes to the minimalist camping lifestyle allow yourself space to explore what it is like to go without. Prove to campers that over-packing is over rated and with the great outdoors being a minimalist is the only way to explore nature.

First things first, it is important that you remember camping is all about roughing it. When exploring the great outdoors consider adapting what nature offers to you and make so with it. The comforts of home are increasingly cumbersome when it comes to exploring nature. Don't become the camper only interested in the latest gear. Be the camper that doesn't get overwhelmed when they walk in to the camping retailer outlets. When camping camp with minimalistic expectations. Minimalist never consider walking around with more than they absolutely need. Extra gear to a camper who is truly in it for the experience is just clutter and waste.

Being a minimalist camper allot yourself a ten pound bag. More than that is an overkill. Your bag should only carry the bare minimum that is needed for you to be comfortable. In it pack clothing, extra shoes, bathing needs and anything you absolutely require. The basic rule in minimalist camping is that if you can't pack it up in five minutes and carry it more than five minutes without wanting to set it down you have packed too much and you must lighten your load.

The next thing you need to consider is what you will need to survive comfortably at a campsite. Remember you need to keep in mind what you are able to carry in. As far as sleeping accommodations consider the size of the tent that you absolutely need. Only take what you need to sleep comfortably. You don't need space for living and eating etc. As well as a tent to support the number of people sleeping you may also want to consider bringing a tarp along for incidentals. Keeping supplies dry is as important as keeping yourself dry.

When it comes to sleeping you will need one sleeping bag per person. If you are considering packing only a lightweight sleeping bag make sure that you have packed layers for sleeping clothing. Speaking of clothing, consider the fact that camping is about the experience and not what you are wearing. Consider wearing the same outfit more than once. When utilizing this technique it is important to use deodorant as well as layers of clothing to change as the temperatures change. Underwear can be reused with a quick cleansing using the soap and water or a river and they can dry in the sun.

Cooking and finding food is a bit more complex with minimalist camping. One small stove burner, propane and pan is really all you need to survive in the great outdoors. This along with a survival knife, some paracord and fire starter will prepare one heck of a meal. Consider packing some dry food goods as well as some cans of food, this along with the food that you hunt or fish for is the perfect combination for camping.

It is amazing what you don't need when you camp. Camping is all about the experience and enjoying everything nature has to offer. It is important that you realize that survivalists have lived years without the conveniences that we now enjoy. Consider the minimalist approach on your next camping trip.

KnifeMule.com is an online retailer specializing in outdoor survival gear including paracord, fixed blade knives, water purification and waterproof matches. For more information on brand name knives, cutlery and specialty gear visithttps://www.knifemule.com

Necessities To Help Survive The Great Outdoors

When it comes to surviving in the wilderness there are a few essential items that you must carry with you.  Whether you are planning a day hike or an overnight excursion, mishaps occur.  This list of supplies will help to ensure that you are never without the necessities that will make it possible to survive until you can get where you need to be or can be rescued safely.

It is important no matter how long or short your intended adventure you take along a carry all such as a backpack.  The pack will allow you to safely store the necessities.  Let’s face the facts; carrying everything you need in your hands and pockets is just not feasible.  A pack will allow you to carry in the necessities as well as provide storage for items you may find along the way.

The first item to put into the pack is a knife.  A knife has so many different uses from general everyday camp activities to finding food in a survival situation.  A pocket knife along with a fixed blade survival knife is your best options.  Sheaths for carrying knives around your leg or waist are available and will free up space in your pack.  A knife increases your chance of survival ten-fold. They are useful in cutting rope, creating weapons, building shelter, creating fire starter and so much more; all that assist in your survival if the need arises.  

Paracord is also important to bring with you on all outdoor adventures.  Paracord bracelets have become a popular option to carry and are readily available for purchase online at knife outlets and survival websites.  550 paracord bracelets are lightweight and take up little space.  You can wear one on your wrist as well as add one to your camp pack.  They can be used to make emergency shelter, splints for injured bones, fishing line, and help with securing food out of the reach of wildlife as well as trapping. 

When it comes to camping a water canteen and purification tabs are absolutely needed.  When you go without water you dehydrate.  If you dehydrate you will die.  Enough said.  Water is a must and finding clean water in the wilderness or a way to purify water by boiling it is pretty impossible.  A water canteen will give you a place to store water that is purified using purification tabs or a purification filter.

Signaling tools are also important to carry in your pack.  A flashlight with a solar power charger is important as well as emergency whistles and waterproof matches.  A fire can provide a signal to those trying to find you as well as heat and an area to cook fish or wildlife that is caught.

A compass, tarp and first aid kit are all important pieces to add to your backpack before you leave on any adventure.  Make sure you are familiar with the basics in using a compass as well as basic first aid.  A tarp is important to provide shelter from the elements.

Last but not least, something that can’t be carried in your pack, bring along a friend.  If this is not possible and a solo adventure is planned leave behind a detailed plan of your endeavor just in case you don’t arrive home when you are expected.  A detailed plan will give rescuers an estimate on where to begin searching for you.  When minutes can mean the difference between life and death it is important that people start looking in the right direction from the start.

KnifeMule.com is an online retailer specializing in outdoor survival gear including paracord, fixed blade knives, water purification and waterproof matches.  For more information on brand name knives, cutlery and specialty gear visit https://www.knifemule.com.