Why do I need a hunting knife? What makes them different?

This publication will be your guide when it comes to Handmade Damascus hunting knives. Let's take it step by step through the process of what is a hunting knife, and everything else you want and need to know about hunting knives, and how to choose the perfect knife!

A quality hunting knife will be versatile enough to do everything the average hunter needs and a little more. When choosing a hunting knife, it is important to consider how you will use it and the type of game you plan to hunt. Being realistic is important, since someone who hunts deer may need different needs for his knife compared to someone who hunts rabbits.

What is a hunting knife exactly?

Let's start with the basics. A hunting knife is a knife used during hunting to prepare the game to be used as food. This may include, among others, skinning and deboning. There is something more than that, and we will analyze it more recently in the article, so read on!

What makes them different from common knives?

Hunting knives are traditionally designed for cutting, and generally have a single sharp edge. The blade is slightly curved in most models (we have added some of our favorite hunting knives throughout the article, these will show you what we mean), and some hunting knives may have a blade that has a curved portion for skinning, and a straight portion to cut slices of meat. You will also find that some blades incorporate a 'Gut Hook' (we have found that these are commonly found among fishermen).

Fixed Vs Folding

Being realistic with a good folding knife, you should not have problems to use it to hunt. However, we recommend a fixed blade 99% of the time. Why? Well, there are a number of advantages. In general, the fixed blades are stronger, you also do not have to worry about the knife getting close to you. We also discovered that there is often the misconception that fixed knives mean less control because they are larger. This is not the case. There are some absolutely quality fixed sheets that not only offer resistance but also control. For some of you, a folding knife may be a better option. Of course, they are generally not as strong, but they are lighter and easier to transport. The choice is yours. When looking at a fixed blade, it is also worth considering if the blade has a complete, partial or medium construction, as it can affect the strength, weight and durability of the blade.

When you have chosen between fixed and folding, it is time to choose the blade according to your needs. There are several types of knives available, and the choice is limited to personal preferences and the type of game you usually hunt. There are three common types of blades; cutting point, drop point and peeling blade.

Clip Point, Drop Point, Skinning

The clip tip blade is thin with a well-defined point. The blade itself is relatively flat. This knife is versatile enough to be used in general tasks of camps and specialized hunting, such as skinning and peeling in the field. The hunter who wants a good versatile knife should consider the tip sheet of the clip.

The drop point knife is a specialized hunting knife. It is used to dress the animal and peel it, but it should not be used to cut ropes or twigs, or to do other general tasks related to the camp. The knife of a drip knife is thick and curved. The point is not defined, which facilitates the use of the whole blade to skin. Using the entire blade not only speeds the process, it also reduces the risk of damaging the meat. Because it has no distinctive point, it is less likely to break meat while skinning the animal. The robust design of the blade allows the hunter to use the knife to gut and other cleaning tasks in the field.

The Skinning blades are designed to peel big game animals. The blade quickly and neatly separates the skin of the big game meat. Although the blade is made specifically for peeling, the blade can also be used for other hunting tasks.

Once you have decided between the point of trimming, the point of fall and the leaves of skinning, you must consider whether you want the blade to have jagged edges. Serrations allow you to use the blade for heavy work, such as division through a rib cage, and usually occupy only a small portion of the length of the blade.