Tag: Swiss Army Knives

Our series on pocket knives is coming to an end as we discuss blade steel, handle materials and opening mechanisms.  In our series we have looked at the different size pocket knives that are available, blade numbers, blade types, blade sizes and prices.   If you are considering the purchase of a pocket knife you will want to review the different options that have been discussed to find the perfect pocket knife for you.

When it comes to the blade steel options of pocket knives there are two main options to consider, stainless steel and carbon steel.  There are advantages and disadvantages with each type of metal options.  Stainless steel is easy to sharpen, resistant to rust, is great when being used in the rain and an ideal choice for survival knives.  If you are going to use the pocket knife in survival situations stainless steel is a perfect choice.  The disadvantages of stainless steel are that it quickly dulls, is more susceptible to stains and does not get as sharp as carbon steel.

Carbon steel is also a great material for pocket knives as well.  With carbon the edge is held longer, the material is harder than stainless steel, is super durable when used roughly and is a great blade for use in hunting.  The disadvantage is that is it more difficult to sharpen, is susceptible to rust and can stain.  Choose the material for your pocket knife based on what options and advantages are the best options for your circumstances.

Pocket knives come in a variety of handle materials to choose from.  Consider the look and feel that you desire when you choose a knife.  Aluminum is a light weight pocket knife material choice.  Celluloid is a material that can be turned into any color and fabricated to resemble natural materials. Bone, wood, steel, stag, titanium and more make up modern day pocket knife handles.

There are three types of opening mechanisms available for the blade when you purchase a pocket knife.  Manual-opening is the most common.  With manual pocket knives there is often a groove on the knife that makes it simple to open using the tip of your nail.  An automatic/switchblade is another option in pocket knife opening mechanisms.  This type of blade automatically opens with the push of a button.  A newer option in pocket knife opening mechanisms is the assisted-opening option.  An internal device engages the blade when pressure is employed upon the knife blade.

Locking mechanisms are also important on pocket knives.  Liner lock, lock back, mid lock, frame lock, ring lock and lever lock are all options available the only real difference is the location of the lock and the manner in which it is released.  Once the knife is locked in place no matter what type the blade is as stable as with any other lock.

Shopping for the perfect knife, whether it is a pocket knife or fixed blade knife is never simple.  There are many variables and options to consider.  Be prepared to test a few knives and top knife brands out before settling on a favorite.  Top knife brands can be purchase through online retailers at deeply discounted prices over those of retailers.  Consider this when looking to purchase survival gear and specialty knives.

KnifeMule.com is an online retailer specializing in a variety of specialty knives including pocket knives and top brands such as Zero Tolerance, Boker Tree Knives, W.R. Case Knives and more.  For more information or to purchase a variety of knives online find us at https://www.knifemule.com.

In the latest pocket knife installment we talked about the different blade types available on pocket knives including the plain edge, the serrated edge and the combo.  When it comes to choosing a pocket knife the sky is the limit when it comes to combining your favorite aspects into one perfect knife.  Today we will talk more about the blade lengths available for pocket knives.

There are a wide range of pocket knife blade lengths from big, seven and a half inch blades to small, two inch blades.  It may seem insignificant when talking about a few inches but when it comes to a pocket knife blade it can make a colossal difference in what it can do for you.

A small pocket knife is classified by a blade that is less than 2.75 inches in length. A small blade is advantageous for many reasons.  The first is that they are small and not cumbersome to carry.  They are also widely acceptable to carry without having to worry about knife laws.  The problem with the small blade is that it can tend to be a bit weaker than larger blades.  Another issue is that due to their small size the locking mechanism is often left off of these knives.  Small pocket knives are perfect for everyday light use.

A pocket knife with a medium blade ranges between 2.75 inches in length and 4 inches.   This is where the average length of pocket knives most Americans carry falls. A medium size pocket knife is easy to carry and provides the benefits of a versatile larger knife blade.  The blades in this range also have the best options in locking mechanisms when it comes to pocket knives.  The locking mechanism promotes safety when doing more strenuous activities; helping to assure the blade doesn’t accidentally shut. Knives this size is more difficult to find than their smaller counterparts due to restrict knife laws that ban their use in certain areas.

Larger pocket knives with blades over 4 inches are also available.  Larger blades in pocket knives are more convenient to carry than their larger counter, the fixed blade.  A large pocket knife is mainly used for self-defense and tends to be impractical for everyday. The large blade tends to make the knives heavier which can make them cumbersome to carry in your pocket all the time.  You will also need to look into local knife laws that regulate the size of a knife blade that can be concealed within your pocket.

In our series so far on the pocket knife we have taken an in-depth look into the number of blades, the edge of the blade and now the blade length.  In our next edition we will look into the cost of pocket knives and the differences between the knives and brands at each price point. We will also look in greater detail into the blade type and what each is used for.  From there we will look at the different options in materials to create the ideal knife blade.  Be sure to check it out.

KnifeMule.com is an online retailer specializing in a variety of specialty knives including top brands such as Zero Tolerance, Boker Tree Knives, W.R. Case Knives and more.  For more information or to purchase a variety of knives online find us at https://www.knifemule.com.

In our series on pocket knives so far we have explored a great deal about the common pocket knife; the number of blades, the pocket knife edge varieties, and the different blade lengths available.  In this installment we will talk about the different price point options available as well as the different blade types and their ideal uses.

When it comes to price point and pocket knives they can range anywhere from a few dollars upwards into the hundreds.  Pocket knives that are in the price point under thirty dollars are considered to be economical pocket knives.  Some common brands in economical pocket knives include Colt Knives, Schrade Old Timer and Gerber Knives.  Economical pocket knives are limited in some of the extra bells and whistles of more expensive brands however they are good enough to get the job done.

Knives that fall in the thirty to seventy dollar range where you will find most anything you want when looking for a pocket knife.  The sky is the limit and the variety is plentiful.  The majority of pocket knives will fall into the price point.  Although the dent in your pocket book will be small the jobs that can be done with these knives is not.  When looking for a mid range knife to purchase look for top brands such as Buck Knives, SOG Knives and Ka-Bar Knives.

Between seventy and a hundred dollars you are looking at top brand name pocket knives such as Spyderco Knives and Kershaw Knives.  The higher end price tag comes with better materials than the mid-range price point.  You can find a deal of knives at this price point.  The difference between these knives and the ones at the price point above is that these will cost you more to replace when they are in need of replacement.  The better materials are really the only difference besides the price.

Pocket knives upwards of a hundred dollars are considered premium knives.  The blade may be etched with a design; the details will be more intricate.  These knives are more of a piece of art then other pocket knives.  Boker brand knives carry a great deal of high end quality knives.

There are a number of blade types to choose from including: clip point, drop point, tanto point, spear point, trailing point, hawkbill, straight back, sheepfoot, wharncliffe, needle point, pen and spey.  The most popular options in blade types is the clip point, the drop point and the straight-back blade.  These are all ideal for everyday uses including piercing, skinning and slicing.

A needle point is really only useful for piercing, spear knives are good for piercing and slicing and the tanto point blade is the perfect design for piercing tougher materials and push cuts.  Sheepfoot blades are good for carving wood and cutting where as the spey point is great for skinning and gets its name from old times and being used to castrate animals.

The hawkbill is very distinct in design and is not a wonderful everyday pocket knife but is useful when opening boxes, stripping wires and cutting cords.  The point in discussing the different blades available is that a blade type perfect for one person may not serve the needs of another.  Consider what you are looking to do with the pocket knife before picking a blade type.  A pen knife is not a good survival pocket knife.

When we continue on our series about knives we will look into the steel options for the blade, the knife handle materials, and the different option in opening and locking mechanisms.

KnifeMule.com is an online retailer specializing in a variety of specialty knives including top brands such as Zero Tolerance, Boker Tree Knives, W.R. Case Knives and more.  For more information or to purchase a variety of knives online find us at https://www.knifemule.com.

We left off our last installment on choosing the perfect pocket knife looking at the options available in blades for your new pocket knife.  As mentioned pocket knives are sold with single blades, two blades and multi-blade often referred to as a Swiss Army Knife.   In this installment on the pocket knife we will look deeper into the edge of the blade you are looking for in a pocket knife.

The great debate continues on the edge that makes up the perfect pocket knife.  There are three main types of blades to choose from including: fully serrated, partially serrated as well as plain. In understanding the type of blade that you will use the most it is important to also be familiar with the two basic cuts that a knife will perform; the push cut and the pull cut.  A push cut is used to shave wood or peel an apple where as the pull cut is used for cutting rope or bread.

First we will look into the plain edge pocket knife. The advantage of owning this type of blade is that is performs clean, precise push cuts.  The sharp edge allows you control and accuracy within your cuts.  The plain edge is also easier to sharpen and can be done at home.  With a plain edge blade you will not be able to perform any pull cuts which makes it unable to use it to saw.  If you are in need of a knife to cut through wood or rope a plain edge is not for you. If you will be using the knife to shave or skin this is perfect for you.

When it comes to the fully serrated edge of a pocket knife you will find it is perfect for cutting through the tough materials that a straight edge blade would never be able to get through. A fully serrated edge gives strength to the blade from the serrations.  All of this working together provides a pocket knife that functions well as a saw blade.  This blade however does not provide clean, precision cuts and requires sharpening that can only be done through the factory.

Another option in pocket knife blades is the partially serrated edge, partial straight edge.  This blade offers you both options in one.  The combo knife blade is growing in popularity because it gives you the advantages of both knives.  The one thing to consider is the placement of the serrated edge on the blade to ensure the tasks you need it for can be accomplished.  The other thing to consider is that you will have to send it in to the factory to have the serrated edge sharpened.  Pocket knives with the combination straight edge and saw are becoming more and more popular every day.  It is the perfect tool for camping, hiking and is an all around solid survival pocket knife.

In our next installment on pocket knives we will explore the different blade size options along with the advantages and disadvantages of each.

KnifeMule.com is an online retailer specializing in a variety of specialty knives including top brands such as Zero Tolerance, Boker Tree Knives, W.R. Case Knives and more.  For more information or to purchase a variety of knives online find us at https://www.knifemule.com.

A pocket knife is one of the most efficient tools that you can carry around with you every day. For thousands of years knives have helped people cut food, hunt for dinner, open boxes, cut seatbelts in emergencies and a number of other tasks. This could be why choosing a pocket knife may be so hard. It also could be so hard because the variety of options available to consumers. This is a start on a series all about pocket knives. Each aspect of the pocket knife will be examined. Finding the perfect pocket knife is a bit overwhelming but hopefully this series will help you out.

The first part of the pocket knife that we will explore is the number of knife blades. There are three different variations including the single blade pocket knife, the multi-blade pocket knife and the multi-tool knife. The single blade pocket knife can come in a variety of shapes and sizes; it is the epitome of everything a pocket knife is. If you are looking for a simple a single blade pocket knife is a good option to look into. A single blade knife focuses on the design of one large blade. Most include a spring loaded mechanism that easily opens the blade and a locking device that makes the knife sturdy. The lack of variety in the blade might be the only disadvantage of the single blade pocket knife.

Multi-blade pocket knives enable you to have the benefits of different style blades all tucked in to. You can have anywhere from two to four blades that can range in variety from traditional blades to drop point blades. This style knife is good for those people who wish to have options. The one difference between a single blade and multi-blade knife besides the obvious is the strength of the blades. Multi-blade knives tend not to be as durable as one blade knives.

A multi-tool knife, also known to many as the Swiss Army Knife, is a pocket knife with several different knife blades as well as a multitude of different tools. If you may need it the multi-tool knife has it. They can come equipped with small saws, tweezers, tooth picks, can openers, scissors, wine openers, nail files and magnifying glasses. It is originally a knife that was carried by soldiers in the field as they needed a tool that could perform more than one task like the single blade knife. Many people who consider themselves jacks of all trades carry a multi-tool knife in their pocket. It is a tool that can be carried when you aren’t sure what you are going to need.

In our next installment on pocket knives we will look deeper into the different types of edges that pocket knife blades can come with. We will look into the different size blades that are available as well. There is so much to the pocket knife. It is amazing that something so small can have such a rich history as well as such variety.

KnifeMule.com is an online retailer specializing in pocket knives from top brands such as Case, Boker, Cold Steel, Ka-bar and more. For more information on brand name knives, cutlery and specialty gear visit https://www.knifemule.com.