Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Types of Knives and Their Use






Knives are generally composed of two basic types. They are either working knives for common everyday use or fighting or combat knives. There are a few knives styles which can function in either a utilitarian capacity or a combat role. Most knives are usually specific to a particular activity, occupation, or use. Knowing which type of knife to use will help you be better prepared.




1.) A bread knife is a special knife with a longer, serrated blade especially designed for cutting different types of bread. The blade is usually straight with a blunt end. The serrations, or teeth, allow it to cut bread using less vertical force, i.e. downward pressure. This keeps the bread from being compressed or “squashed”. They also leave fewer crumbs than most other knives.


 
 
2.) A dive knife is one that is specially adapted for underwater use. Dive knives usually have tough thermal plastic handles, durable sheaths, and convenient blade release mechanisms.






3.) A hunting knife is normally a fixed blade used to dress game animals. It is often one with a normal blade, one with a mild curve or a curved and clipped blade. The length can vary and may include what is normally referred to as a “gut hook”.




4.) A stockman's knife is a very versatile folding knife with three different blades. These are a clip blade, a spey blade and a normal blade. It is one of the more popular types of folding knives.




5.) A scalpel is a medical knife commonly used to perform surgery. It is perhaps one of the sharpest types of knives that are available. These are found in some of the more advanced first aid and trauma kits.

6.) A boning or fillet knife is used for deboning meat, poultry, and fish.



7.) A utility knife is normally used in carpentry or construction work for cutting sheetrock and shingles. They generally include a compartment for carrying spare blades.





8.) Bowie knifes are also a specialty type of fixed blade knife that can serve in a number of capacities. It is normally 6 inches or more in length with a inch and a half to two inch wide flat blade.



9.) Multi-tool knives may contain several blades, as well as additional other tools such as wire cutters or pliers. Examples of multi-tools include Leatherman, SOG, Gerber, Wenger and Victorinox (The "Swiss Army knife").

10.) An electrician's knife is a specially insulated knife designed to decrease the chance of electrical shock when performing electrical repairs.

 
11.) A Kukri is a Nepalese fighting and utility knife that has a deep forward curve.



12.) A machete is a long wide blade that is normally used to chop through dense undergrowth or brush. This knife is a great deal larger than most knives. It depends more on its weight than a razor sharp edge for its main cutting force.





13.) A survival knife is one which usually has a hollow handle filled with equipment. The best types of hollow-handled knives are those in which both blade and handle are cut from a single piece of steel. The end usually has an O-ring seal on the pommel cap to keep water out of the handle.









14.) There are also a large number of special purpose type knife blades that include military style knives or bayonets. There also certain special types of knives that are not made of metal. They can be made of different types of materials including plastic, wood or ceramic material. Most of these knives are very fragile and their main purpose is to avoid easy detection.



Making sure you have the right type of knife for the job will make it easier and safer for you to achieve the desired results. You could slice a loaf bread with a machete but the cutting board will probably suffer some damage as well as the bread!

Keep your blades sharp and your knife will serve you well!

Got blade?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

24 comments:

Mayberry said...

Dang, now I need about 10 more knives! Heh heh heh.... Actually, I'm purty well set in the knife department.... A word on dive knives, they're great because the handle can be removed for cleaning. Good ones are high grade stainless. Even this salty brine down here won't make them rust!

Anonymous said...

Cheapest I have found for SOG Knives and machetes is at www.TestedBestProducts.com. Hope this helps.

Shy Wolf said...

Very good general description of the majority of knives, I think. To my mind, a knife is what I have in hand to do the specific chore- but I own only four knives. A fixed blade 'hunting' style, a dive knife- which looks a lot like a survival knife complete with kraton handle, stainless blade 7" long and plastic sheath, a filet knife for fishing and the clip knife. (I won't include kitchen knives, but have a few.) The multi-tool is just that: a tool, which happens to have a blade. Anyway, with any of my knives in hand, I would have no fear of which to choose in a survival situation: dead men don't care what kind of blade killed them. I've been kicking around a machette to go with...oops: are Ninja swords classified as knives? I do have a hand made one, if they are...oops.
Shy

Anonymous said...

You know I got blade! Guns in knives . . . they make me broke. LOL

riverwalker said...

To: Mayberry

Actually you good get by with just a few good knives, as many are more tool-oriented and belong in your tool box or fishing kit. I haven't found a good dive knife yet, being a little far from the coast,but want to get one when possible.Thanks.

RW

Bullseye said...

Good post, I carry a Stockman myself, always have. Seems to fit the bill for me.

riverwalker said...

To: Bullseye

Stockman's are good. I have a small fixed blade I keep under the seat of my truck and a S&W folder with a Browning folder for back-up.
Thanks.

RW

BTW, Up kind of late aren't you? You must be a night owl too!

riverwalker said...

To: anonymous

Thanks for the tip.

RW

riverwalker said...

To: Shy

Yeah, it was a pretty general description. The main point I was trying to get across that with 3 or 4 different types you can pretty well cover your needs.
It sounds like you've pretty well got your bases covered. Kitchen knives and "tactical" or combat knives need to be addressed separately. Thanks.

RW

riverwalker said...

To: Shy

Ninja swords are not considered knives as far as I know. They're swords and swords are designed for serious combat. Except when somebody has a gun and then you lose! HAHA!

RW

riverwalker said...

TO: Jennersen

So many knives....so little money!
Remember, money isn't worht anything till you spend it! LOL
Thanks.

RW

riverwalker said...

To: Jennersen

Been checking your gear posts. You've got some great looking stuff. I'm a little low in the funds department so I have to hope to find a flea market or garage sale bargain, but I'm a very patient fellow.

RW

Anonymous said...

Gear makes me broke to. LOL

riverwalker said...

To: jennersen

Do you think preppers would qualify for a "bailout" because of gear addiction?

RW

Anonymous said...

I think I deserve something for reviewing it atleast RW

Machinist said...

Nice summery. I think if a machete is to be used for it's designed purpose of clearing or cutting vegetation, it should be sharp but quite light. Most of the ones I see on the market are too thick and heavy. They are better as hatchets or weapons but a machete is intended to be swung for extended periods and unless you are in incredible shape a heavy blade is too fatiguing for this.

riverwalker said...

To: machinist

You make an excellent point. I have a corn knife that i use which is actually heavier than a machete and you have to take a serious break after using it for a while.
Thanks.

RW

Machinist said...

Thank you for the very interesting site, Sir.

riverwalker said...

To: Machinist

You're most welcome! Comments are always appreciated. Dialogues are always better with comments.

Thanks.

Riverwalker

Anonymous said...

what is the name of the hunting knife posted here thank you

jared said...

... and I think you nailed all of them.

riverwalker said...

To: anon 7:21


Buck 692BR Vanguard Fixed Blade Knife

About $80 in most places.

RW

Andrew J. Jackson said...

Great summary...I can only think of one major category you missed:

"Fantasy Knives: Designed specifically to reduce the weight of your wallet."

Unknown said...

Does anyone know where I could get a good quality (and hopefully not too expensive) survival knife? I've been looking for on for a while.

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