Archive for the ‘Knives’ Category
What to Pack
When going hiking, preparing your backpack with the right supplies is very important. You don’t want to be deep in the wilderness and forget something imperative, such as a lantern or water. Here are some things to have with you:
~ Map. A map not only tells you where you are and how far you have to go, it can help you find campsites, water, and an emergency exit route in case of an accident.
~ Compass. A compass can help you find your way through unfamiliar terrain-especially in bad weather where you can’t see the landmarks.
~ Water and a way to purify it. Without enough water, your body’s muscles and organs simply can’t perform as well: You’ll be susceptible to hypothermia and altitude sickness. not to mention the abject misery of raging thirst.
~ Extra Food. Any number of things could keep you out longer than expected: a lengthy detour, getting lost, an injury, difficult terrain. A few ounces of extra food will help keep up energy and morale.
~ Rain Gear and extra clothing. Because the weatherman is not always right. Especially above treeline, bring along extra layers. Two rules: Avoid cotton (it keeps moisture close to your skin), and always carry a hat. This is especially important in the Pacific Northwest, as bringing a hiking backpack is not only recommended, it’s necessary.
~ Firestarter and matches. The warmth of a fire and a hot drink can help prevent an encounter with hypothermia. And fires are a great way to signal for help if you get lost.
~ First aid kit. Prepackaged first aid kits for hikers are available at outfitters. Double your effectiveness with knowledge: Take a basic first aid class with the American Red Cross or a Wilderness First Aid class, offered by many hiking organizations.
~ Queen pocket knives multi-purpose tool. These enable you to cut strips of cloth into bandages, remove splinters, fix broken eyeglasses, and perform a whole host of repairs on malfunctioning gear-not to mention cut cheese and open cans.
~ Flashlight and extra bulbs. For finding your way in the dark and signaling for help.
~ Sun screen and sun glasses. Especially above treeline when there is a skin-scorching combination of sun and snow, you’ll need sunglasses to prevent snowblindness, and sunscreen to prevent sunburn.
Back in the Game
In my household, November means one thing: the beginning of deer hunting season. The weekend of Nov. 15 is always reserved for heading out to camp – my wife and sons know not to schedule any other activities for that particular date. Here in the Midwest, some businesses even give their employees a few days off around the regional holiday. It gives me a chance to reconnect with old buddies and swap stories about past rifle hunting excursions.
This year I bolstered my supply of hunting gear with new scopes and Queen hunting knives in hopes of shooting an elusive buck. It’d been two entire seasons since I bagged my last deer, and the guys back at camp never let me forget it. With the help of my new equipment, I was able to bag white-tailed does. It looks like my family will be eating venison steaks for dinner for a few weeks’ time.
THE BOWIE KNIFE
There is much legend and controversy concerning the “Bowie Knife”.
According to many sources, James Black, an Arkansas knife maker, made a knife for Jim Bowie. This knife came to be known as the first “Bowie Knife”. At the time of Jim Bowie’s Alamo death in 1836, the term “Bowie knife” had become the common name for similar knives popular at the time.
Due the 1827 “Sandbar Duel” in Mississippi, Jim Bowie was well known for his ability in a knife fight. Bowie used a knife supposedly given to him by his brother during the “Sandbar Duel.”
Legend says, after receiving the “Bowie Knife” from Black, Bowie was accosted by three hired assassins. Bowie killed all three men with his new knife. This tale led to James Black becoming famous for having fabricated the “Bowie Knife.”
The Historic Arkansas Museum acquired Bowie No. 1 several years ago through an auction of the collections of two prominent Texas knife collectors. Bowie No.1 is a knife well known in collecting circles as an important early bowie knife. Although James Black did not put a maker’s mark on his knives, curatorial analysis has determined that Bowie No. 1 was made by James Black.
Modern day “Bowie Knives” have changed a bit from the early guard less “Coffin Handle” knives made by James Black and other knife makers of the 1800’s.
Most “Bowie” knives manufactured by Boker , Buck and others are more rigid and of course made with modern steel formulae and techniques. Black was said to have discovered a secret technique in his knife making that produced a durable but flexible blade
Disaster Survival
Disasters are not in our daily thoughts however, being prepared is essential. Whether one is in and earthquake, tornado, flood, fire or hurricane zone, a survival kit is needed. Items in the kit are about the same for any disaster.
Although not complete, the following are minimal items needed in your kit. 
AM/FM Radio with Battery, Flashlight with Batteries, Candles, Duct Tape,
Emergency Blankets, Emergency Manual, Food Rations, Infectious Waste Bags, Victorinox Swiss Army Tool, Pry Bar, Rope, Ka Bar Survival Knife, Tissue Packs, Utility Bags, Water Purification Tablets, Water Rations, Matches, Whistle, Work Gloves, Medical First Aid Kit, Large Adjustable Wrench (shut off gas).
We all should take to heart the Boy Scout Motto – “Be Prepared“
Essential Camping Gear
Outdoor enthusiasts need to know what things to bring when going on an adventure. They should be knowledgeable enough to differentiate between items needed for a day hike or a weekend camping trip, for example. When it comes to camping gear, here are several must-haves that you need to bring to be able to survive life in the wilds for a few days:
~Adequately sized backpack and sleeping bag
~Tent, jacket, extra pair of socks, hiking boots
~Flashlight, extra batteries, matches
~Small first aid kit
~SOG pocket knives, compass
~Food and cookware
~Water, bottle, and water-treatment supplies
Arkansas Custom Knife Show Visited
The Arkansas custom knife show (Feb 20-21) displayed the wares of 95 knife makers from around Arkansas. There were twenty or more other states represented as well as Canada.
These proud knife makers were pleased to discuss their product and elaborate on the art. Displayed were knives as large as 20” Bowie’s and knives as small as 2”. Fixed blade, folding blade and pocket knives were in abundance.
There were also twice several suppliers of raw steel, damascus steel, leather sheaths and all sorts of handle material.
I arrived just as the doors opened and the hall was crowed before I could peruse past the first aisle.
Several Master Craftsmen were in attendance showing off their splendid work.
At these shows, you will not see the standard fare of Buck, Case, Gerber, Boker or any other mass produced knife. This was strictly a show for custom knife makers and collectors.
Arkansas Custom Knife Show
Saturday and Sunday, February 20th & 21st, knife makers from all over the United States will converge at the Robinson Center in Little Rock, AR.
Men and women with a passion for creating custom crafted knives will display their wares. These men and women will be showing some of the most beautiful, stylish and versatile hand made knives that have been formed and hammered into works of art that will last for generations.
Collectors and enthusiasts will be crowding the isles to marvel at the love and care that have gone into producing one of kind knives. You will see hunting, fishing, Bowie and pocket knives that can not be seen in retail stores.
These knives are a cut above mass produced factory knives like Buck, Case, Queen or any other knife offered for sale.
The Era of Pocket Knives
Knives have always fascinated me. My earliest memories are of hot Arizona days watching my grandfather, sitting in the shade of a Chinaberry tree, whittling and listening to a baseball game on the radio. He wasn’t trying to carve intricate artwork, “just making toothpicks out of logs.” He always kept a whetstone close by to keep his pocket knife sharp as a razor.
I’m from the generation when almost every young man and adult carried a pocket knife.
You never knew when it might be needed to pick a splinter from your hand or cut the string and tape on that special package received from a distant Aunt/Uncle. A boyhood friend might drop by and challenge you to a game of Mumblety-Peg. This oft times evolved into a game of chicken, if there were no adults around.
We carried them to school, we carried them to church, and it wasn’t unusual to see the men standing around after church services talking with their pocket knives out, cleaning their fingernails or making “toothpicks.” It was interesting to see the variety of pocket knives being carried. Often there would be discussions each had concerning their preference for a Buck Trapper, or a Case Stockman… It seemed no two men carried the same knife. There were tiny single blade pen knives, even tinier watch fob knives, and knives up to four inch (closed), four blade knives.
These days you will not see many people carrying pocket knives. I still carry a pocket knife (unless flying). My favorite is a mini trapper by Case.
Multi-Tool Multi-Tasked
Swiss Army Tool
“Multi-tool” is name given to a variety of products that are: portable, many functioned, all-in-one, hand tools that are versatile and combine several individual tools in a single grip. The Victorinox Swiss Card is in essence a multi-tool.
Multi-tools have been around for centuries. The Romans had a multi-tool that was probably used for eating. It had a pick, fork, spatula, knife and a spike.
You will find a plethora of styles and makers of the multi-tool, from the simplest Swiss Army Classic (knife, file/screw driver, tooth pick, tweezers) to the Swiss Champ that has 80 functions. Some versions are specific to sports, golf, hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities. Victorinox have also added a flash drive to their multi-tool knives.
They were created to be small enough to be carried in the pocket/purse or in a pouch attached to the belt.
The type that has become synonymous for multi-tool is the Leatherman. It usually contains a pair of folding pliers with wire cutters and also has an assortment of other folding tools such as knives and screw drivers.
No matter the make or type of multi-tool you have, they are not intended for prolonged use. The grips are not very ergonomic and tend to tire the hand if used for long tedious work.
The Buck Knives Tradition
For over 100 years Buck Knives has been manufacturing top-of-the-line cutlery. Although the company was founded in San Diego at the turn of the century, Buck is now headquartered out of Post Fall, ID. The company’s founder, Hoyt H. Buck, wasn’t originally known for making knives.
Hoyt started as a blacksmith, and at the tender age of 13 had already developed a heating method that produced longer lasting edges than ever before. Although his company is renowned for their knives, Hoyt didn’t begin producing them in large quantities until he heard of a military shortage during WWII. Today the company continues to turn a healthy profit and produce some of the world’s best knives.