A Good Knife Can Save Your Life

Knife Design Philosophy

If you have ever seen any of the Bear Grylls 'Born Survivor' TV series or Ray Mears 'Extreme Survival' you will have noticed how both Bear and Ray always carry a good quality knife.

Knives have been used since the stone age when man made remarkably effective and sharp cutting tools from flint and obsidian. The knife is both a practical tool and a frighteningly effective weapon. They've been receiving a lot of bad press lately due to the frequency of violent knife crime in our towns and cities.

But knives are not bad, unlike some of the idiots who carry them. They are practical and essential tools that, in the outdoors or a survival situation, you would be glad to have.

When camping out a knife can be used in any number of ways including:

• Cutting branches for fire wood
• Preparing kindling
• Cutting rope or string
• Making tent pegs
• Skinning rabbits
• Preparing food
• Almost everything...

It's always a good idea to select the most suitable knife for the job. The swiss-army knife is a good example of a practical, versatile knife that comes in a variety of models with a bewildering selection of tools for almost any situation. But a good, strong, sharp knife blade is a fundamental requirement.

Knives that are good for camping and survival don't necessarily need to be particularly large. Ideally the knife should have a stainless steel blade that will not corrode and will hold and good sharp edge. Your selected knife can have a fixed or folding blade. Knives with folding blades should ideally lock when the blade is exposed to prevent accidents. The knife should have an appropriate handle that is comfortable in your hand. The knife blade should have a good sharp point and the handle may have a strong rear bolster (the bit at the end of the handle) which can be used for hammering or cracking nuts.

If you favour a fixed blade knife it will need a suitable sheath that, ideally, you can mount on your belt. To keep your knife blade sharp you will need a suitable whetstone. For fishing and hunting, you may like to equip yourself with a knife that has a partially serrated edge, ideal for cutting through bone.

Whatever you choose a knife is an essential part of your camping equipment. While you may be arrested for carrying one in the city streets you would be a fool to venture far outdoors without one.