Posts Tagged ‘Hunting Knives’
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.
What Makes a Hunting Knife?
No serious outdoorsman or woman would set out on an expedition into the great unknown without a trusty knife. Whether they are used for protection or as a utility tool, knives make an indispensable addition to any wilderness enthusiast’s repertoire. In order to identify the most effective hunting and tactical knives, it’s important to understand the elements of construction.
Blades may vary in terms of hardness and flexibility depending on the desired use. In any case, they are used to cut, slice, skin or stab. The other well-known part of a knife is the handle, which is used to maintain a sturdy grip. The best knives, like Buck hunting knives, also feature knife guards, which protect the hand from injury during the course of use. Finally, the pommel of the knife protects the end of the handle from acquiring damage when it is dropped.
Field Dressing a Buck
For most Americans, November brings to mind images of Thanksgiving celebration – family, friends and of course a feast. But let’s not switch into holiday mode just yet. In many parts of the country November also means the start of rifle season, when men and women take to the woods in search of that elusive buck. Hunting isn’t for the faint of heart; a true outdoors enthusiast must learn to field dress a buck, so it’s better to figure out the basics sooner rather than later.
First things first: make sure the buck is dead and not simply wounded. You’re risking extreme danger by getting anywhere near an injured, wild animal. Pick up one of your sharp Fallkniven hunting knives and prop the deer on its back. Make the first incision just above the genitals, slicing upward to its ribcage. Don’t cut too deep as you’ll rupture the deer’s intestines and have a smelly situation on your hands. Flip the deer onto its side and let the guts fall out. Find the diaphragm and cut it out to remove the intestines. When you’re left with a carcass of meat, load the animal into your vehicle and return home or to camp to commence skinning.
Anatomy of a Hunting Knife
If you hope to become an effective hunter, you’ll need to learn to know your tools inside and out. It goes without saying that a hunter’s best friend is his knife, which features a number of specially designed components. As well as simply learning how to wield the knife effectively, pay close attention to the safety measures associated with the weapon. The blade, a piece of metal extending beyond the handle, is ground with a cutting surface. Depending on the knife’s purpose, its blade will be fashioned for chopping, filleting, skinning or some other action.
The point of the knife is useful for stabbing and gutting, and the cutting edge is self-explanatory. Separating the blade from the handle, you’ll likely find a bolster. This piece of material shields your hand from the sharp cutting edge of Case hunting knives. The handle should be made from an insulating material, and its construction will ideally improve your grip.