Pocketknives are Priceless
 by: Guy Scott


They can be the sportsman’s' most excellent companion. Whether used on a fishing trip or for cutting up that big buck, pocketknives are priceless.

They come in several different shapes and sizes. The smaller knife is better used for hunting needs. The longer thinner pocketknives are good for your fishing uses. Fixed blade or folding pocketknives give you a tool with different handling. Knife handles come in several different materials. Wood, rubber, horn, leather, plastic and several other materials adorn these knives.

Blades come in many different forms. A few of these different blade materials on these pocketknives consist of 154 cm, 420, aus-8, 440, Ats-34, aus-6 and D-2 steel. Some steel will hold an edge longer and some will resist rust and the elements better. Higher carbon steels are better for most purposes. D-2 and ats-34 are superior blade materials. Good tempering is an added plus for determining blade characteristics.

Prices will be higher for horn and other exotic materials used for handles. The better blade metal will be more costly than lesser quality blades. The higher quality blades will hone to a sharper edge. Blades with higher Rockwell hardness will typically stay sharper longer. A Rockwell hardness of 58-60 is considered good and serviceable. Blades come today in many different forms. Ceramic blades are very sharp and normally are so hard they have to be sent back to the manufacturers to be sharpened. The lone drawback is that they are very brittle and break more easily than average blades. Titanium and powdered titanium used in blade materials are very serviceable and make good blades. Buffalo bone handles look super on Obsidian blades.

Some pocketknives that are sold are deliberate copies of period pocketknives. Bowie pocketknives come in a lot of special patterns and lengths. They come with matching handles that portray certain eras in olden times. Many pocketknives like the Case products are considered collectable. They come in a range of handle material and blade designs. Knife collectors are abundant and keep the knife companies extremely busy. There are historic pocketknives made for re-enactors and collectors. Contemporary pocket knives are being fashioned that reflect those used by the early Native American and the mountain man.

The sheaths that go with these pocketknives are made from lots of unusual materials. Leather, kryton and other materials are used to cover and protect these pocket knives. Many are decorated with materials of choice. Some have snap closures and others have good receptacles for their fixed blade counterparts. Some sheaths are adorned with beads and some are decked out with leather lacing.

Get the knife that fits you and fits the planned use that you want of it. If you would like to carry a individual knife, a small folding knife is best. Folders are also made for heavy work on deer and other game animals.

Sets of pocket knives are sold for the serious sportsman that will handle every duty from gutting and skinning down to steak preparation.

Typically the larger pocketknives are made of softer metals. Large knifes used instead of an axe for cutting are normally made of this variety. Some knife makers claim that their pocketknives will plow through two elk. Some pocketknives are manufactured to be satisfying to the eye but will not hold up well under heavy use. Fixed blade pocketknives can take a lot of misuse and do not have need of a locking devise to make them stable and safe. Keep your pocketknives sharpened.

A sharp knife will be much safer and it will do its future job much quicker and easier. Be safe and enjoy the wide range of knives on hand to you. You have so much to pick from.

Stop by http://www.knifepointer.com for more knife info.

About The Author
Guy Scott is a Photographer, entrepreneur and truck driver. Come visit my Ramblin' Guy Blog http://ramblin-guy.blogspot.com.