Know your knife: a Survivor's best friend

One thing that is difficult to argue with, is the importance of a decent cutting tool. A good knife is a flexible tool that can be used for nearly anything. However, with how many different kinds of knives there are, it can be difficult to select one for the proper uses. This instructable is to take some of the mystery out of the variety, and teach basic knife care. While it will not be as in depth as some solid time researching the subject, it will hopefully make a quick and easy reference guide to the casual knife shopper, and owner.

Step 1: Why you want a knife

Whether you want to survive the urban jungle, or go out into the woods, a knife can give anyone a little extra boost of confidence. To go out into the wilderness and have a knife gives you the ability to clean and dress any game you capture, strip bark or other flora to make cordage or baskets, cut cordage to make snares or rig shelters, shape sticks to create new tools or just extend your reach. In addition to what you can do with the knife itself, there are tools you can use with a knife such as fire strikers, or things like compasses that can be sculpted into the knife itself. Even if the most dangerous part of the day is getting out of bed, a decent knife can come in handy for the littlest of things like opening mail. There may be some fancy pieces of equipment out there, but it is still possible to make a lot out of a little with a just basic pocket knife.

Comments

[lekfx]

Here's a fun fact about survival knives: Swiss Army knives (real ones) have red plastic sides, or "scales". These are made from cellulose plastic. Old school, right? Well, there is a good reason for that material choice! Wen stranded at night, snap off the scale and light it with a lighter or other source of flame and it will burn with a BRIGHT ORANGE FLAME! That's right: it an emergency flare... Cool huh?

[lekfx]

Nice article with some straight dope. I would add some things: after sharpening with a fine stone, I always strop my edges. This means polishing with a polishing compound on some hard leather. I glue the leather ( a nice thick piece of an old belt would do if its pretty smooth) onto a block of wood for support, smear some polishing compound (I actually use stropping powder) and then slide the knife, away from the edge, with lots of pressure, to polish the honed edge. This will keep your knives sharp about 4 times longer at least, barring stupid moves like cutting on a plate or concrete.

[cody.lomas]

also there are alot of fake damascus blades to be carefull of if the cheap is probably just painted

[Xixfas]

i have that knife on the bottom

[NotaReelnom]

My high school has a policey that lets you carry a knife as long as the blade is under three inches long. I always carry one.

[hackmattr]

Wow..... My college was like that, but not highschool. I still carry one today and Idk how many times it has come in handy.

[paperairplanecreator]

no way! my high school wouldn't allow that, since they know someone would be stabbed.

[Schmidty16]

and it is spring loaded which is nice to have

[Schmidty16]

no no no dude gerber is way better they have the niceest saws and i also like my mac mutli tool it has a flash light it is so bright by the way i didt pay for any of them lol

[Blechmen]

Are you a Gerber Fan! you should move over to Leatherman multitools they are very high quality and better.

[ElusiveGreen]

Hey I asked my dad for a Leatherman on my birthday a year back, because I've been jealous of his for like 14 years. XD He got me the Gerber and its been suiting me well, but I keep entering contests on here.

[Blechmen]

Yea but I think Leathermans are better made. but anyways lol

[ElusiveGreen]

Well one day I may win one lol. But until then, it suits me just fine.

[Blechmen]

LOL

[shadow wave rider]

just get one off ebay. im gettting a leatherman wave black oxide for $110 when it costs at least $270 in store. huge saving

[Blechmen]

Hey here in Ontario i can get a wave for $75.00

[shadow wave rider]

yeah thats cool but i live in aussie so some things might cost more. and leatherman might be richer in your country

[Blechmen]

Yea if you want I may be able to hook you up