Archive for March, 2010
The Real Deal
In a way, merchants who sell knock-off items are paying a sincere compliment to the makers of the original. The man on the street selling fake Rolex watches out of his jacket pocket is trading on the belief that consumers know and trust the Rolex brand. The same principle is true when it comes to Swiss army knives. There are many imitators, but Victorinox Swiss army knives started it all more than a century ago. That’s because pretenders have been attempting to duplicate the look and feel of original Victorinox pocket knives for more than a century. Since then, the company has released other quality knives for a variety of purposes including camping and specialty situations.
In order to properly identify a real Swiss army knife, look for the telltale cross and shield logo. The shield insignia should be pentagonal in shape with a small dip at the top. And naturally the insignia should be white with a red background to evoke the colors of the Swiss flag. The word “Victorinox” should also be stamped on the blade.
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.
Whetstones – Oil/Water
“Whetstone” is any stone used for sharpening knives. It may be natural or artificial. Artificial stones are usually in a form of silicon carbide or aluminum oxide. Bonded abrasives are harsher and provide the user with quicker (although courser) edge than most natural stones. They are available as double-sided blocks with a coarse grit on one side and a fine grit on the other or triple sided with three grits from course to fine.
Whetstones do not require lubrication with oil or water although it is common that oil or water is used. Lubrication provides some assistance in the cutting action of the stone however its primary importance is to carry away the filings (swarf).
Finer grades of sharpening stones, especially Natural stones, are used with oil (water can also be used). Natural stones are mined around the world and are usually some form of crystallized quartz (chert).
The Japanese were early developers of water stones, stones lubricated with water. They probably discovered a natural deposit of clay and silica hundreds of years ago. The most famous Japanese Wet Stones are mined in an area north of Kyoto Japan. Today they are also manufactured stones of silicate particles embedded in a matrix made of clay and other minerals. The use of water exposes the abrasive for sharpening. They do wear out faster than other types of stone.
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“