Hunter's knives and their properties

People have different opinions about hunting, but in many countries its popularity is growing.

Hunting has long been considered a hobby for middle-aged men, but nowadays also women and younger folk are interested in it. A good thing is that of the most hunters hunt responsibly these days and know how to respect nature and animals. Game processing, skinning, meat cutting, etc. already takes place in the forest where the game has been caught. Of course, you need a high-quality knife for all of this. This article tells you more about hunting knives and their features.

The hunter’s knife is ergonomic and safe

One of the most important features of a hunting knife is that it works in the hand of its user. It gives you a firm grip even if the handle is wet or cold. In the past, handles were often made of wood, but today various plastic and composite handles are common. Micarta is also a popular material for hunting knives.

The blade must be very sharp. A dull blade exposes you to accidents. If the knife has a finger guard, it is even safer. A good hunting knife is quick and easy to sharpen. Different pocket sharpeners are very suitable for this.

Blade shape – what kind of hunting knife?

Here in Finland, hunters often use a standard Scandinavian knife with a straight back blade shape. This kind of knife is an excellent utility knife that helps you to survive in the wilderness, but a different blade shape is better suited for hunting.

In the upward-curving trailing point blade, the tip of the blade is slightly higher than the handle of the knife. Such a blade is great for e.g. skinning, but on the other hand, it is not good for heavy knife work. Clip point or drop point blades are also often seen in hunting knives.

Many hunting knives have a skinning hook on the blade. However, not everyone likes such a blade because it is not suitable for very versatile use.

Hunting knife maintenance and cleaning

Many hunters want a knife that is easy to keep clean and maintain.

Skinning and cutting game can be messy work, so it is worth paying attention to the cleanliness of the knife.

The blade should always be washed, cleaned and dried after use, even if it is made of stainless steel. You should also remember to clean the handle and sheath.

If your hunting knife has a carbon steel blade, it must be treated with oil from time to time

Many manufacturers use different coatings on the blades of their hunting knives. Their purpose can be to reduce friction and the risk of rusting, also to protect the blade from impurities. Some coatings are also antibacterial.

 Non-reflective coated matte blades are quite common in hunting knives.

A good hunting knife is easy to carry and hang

A hunter has to carry a lot of stuff. For a hunting knife that would be easier to carry, the sheath should be equipped with at least a belt loop.

The knife should never get in the way of the action. In the optimal situation, the hunting knife goes with you so that you don't even notice it, but it is still easy to pull out quickly when necessary.

So what is a good sheath? A traditional one made of leather is stylish, but loosens over time and gets dirty more easily than a plastic or composite sheath.

 It would be important for the knife to stay firmly in its sheath even during hard work.

A good way is to carry the knife on the belt of your hunting pants or on the straps of your backpack.

Folding knives for hunting

Instead of a fixed blade knife, more and more hunters end up choosing a folding knife.

For example, the Folding Hunter 110 introduced in the 1960s by the American company Buck is a direct classic. The company's production includes many other folding knives intended for hunting.

Pocket knives suitable for hunters can also be found in the catalogs of Case Cutlery, Hinderer and Rough Ryder.

Some popular hunting knives from Europe and the United States

Here in Finland, knives specifically intended for hunting can be found, for example, in Marttiini's selections. Martef series red-handled hunting knives with coated chrome steel are particularly popular

Norway's Helle offers hunting knives that exude the spirit of the North, and those looking for a more luxurious tool can turn their eyes, for example, to the Swedish Fällkniven's Northern Lights series.

Russian manufacturers are also known for their hunting knives. Cheburkov, A & R Zlatoust and Kizlyar rely on the Russian combination of good looks and functionality.

Beautiful but still practical hunting knives are also produced by the Spanish company Muela.  Other Spanish companies Joker and Nieto are also manufacturers that hunters should keep in mind.

There are a huge number of hunting knife manufacturers operating in the United States. Better known for their EDC folding knives, Spyderco's Bow River is considered by many to be one of the best hunting knives in the world. Benchmade's production is more like European knives or even Finnish puukko knives.

Typical American design is practiced by TOPS, Case Cutlery, Bark River, Bear & Son, Dawson Knives, Knives of Alaska and countless other manufacturers.

Summary

Brief summary: a good hunting knife is safe, durable, easy to maintain and easy to carry.

Hunting is a skill that has been practiced for thousands of years and long ago it was even the most important thing for human survival. Over time, nature has changed, and hunting is no longer just about getting food. In any case, it's a hobby that has great traditions, no matter where you go, where people have lived or live.

Whether you're hunting birds, big game or bear and deer, it's always worth remembering that a responsible hunter's backpack should not only contain equipment, but also knowledge of different species and respect for biodiversity.

In Lamnia's online store, you can find hunting knives for every purpose. If you need any assistance, our professional staff will help you make your choice.