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Knives
Get on the Cutting Edge of Success
Knives serve hunters in many essential ways.
Selecting the right knife and keeping it sharp is
vital to safety and efficiency. Understand the
basic styles and designs to help you shop smart
for a knife that wil best answer your needs.
Recent additions to Buck’s family of hunting
knives include the Alpha CrossLock CT Tool (top)
for shotgunners, and 12 Omni Hunter fixed-blades
and folders (bottom). Buck’s patented Zipper
continues to be a favorite for many hunters.
THE VERSATILE TOOL One of the most basic and
vital tools of the hunter is the knife: setting up
camp, handling kitchen chores, field dressing and
processing game. For backwoods survival, the knife
is essential. Although it’s a basic tool,
improved design and construction make today’s
knives better suited to hunters’ individual needs.
For example, Buck Knives has developed several
innovative designs that provide hunters greater
ease of use and superior performance, including
the Alpha Hunters, with fixed-blades and liner
locks (see photo on facing page); and the new
3-function Alpha CrossLock PBS, which even has a
crosscut saw on one of its two blades.
FUNCTION BY DESIGN
A knife’s design is a key factor in its usability.
How well a knife performs has everything to do
with its design, construction and materials used.
The shape of the blade determines the knife’s
function. The composition of the blade steel
determines rust- and stain-resistance, as well as
overall strength and durability. Heat-treating
determines the hardness of the blade, a key factor
in blade’s strength and ability to hold an edge.
CJ Buck, President and CEO of Buck Knives, a
four-generation company, echoes the sentiments of
many hunters who believe a knife blade should be
hard enough to stay sharp until a job is complete.
BASIC KNIFE DESIGNS The two most basic
knife styles are fixed and folding blade knives.
Knives with folding blades are preferred by many
hunters because they fit a much shorter sheath and
are less cumbersome in a vehicle or riding a
horse. A folder also adds a great measure of
safety. Fixed-blades, although larger, are more
rugged. The photos and artwork on these pages
illustrate some of the many options and popular
designs.
EDGE RETENTION A good blade should hold an edge,
CJ Buck emphasizes. “It shouldn’t matter whether
you’re field dressing, skinning or butchering, a
blade should maintain an edge from start to finish
before it must be sharpened.
Then the blade can be sharpened at a more
convenient time, not right in the middle of
skinning a deer. This is a big plus when you’re in
sub-freezing temperatures or in a driving snow
storm.” SHARPENING TIPS: Every
knife needs sharpening from time to time. Follow
these steps to maintain a sharp, even edge. Buck’s
Diamond Sharpening Stones help you do a better
job.
- Establish the correct angle of 13 to 16
degrees — approximately the thickness of the top
of your blade.
- Keep the blade on the surface and use an
easy, clockwise motion with the edge facing
right, until the desired sharpness is achieved.
It is ideal to achieve the original factory
edge.
- Turn the blade over. Use an easy
counter-clockwise motion with the edge facing
left. Try to spend the same amount of time on
each side.
Remember: a sharp knife not only performs
better, it’s actually safer because it cuts
easily without forced or awkward motions. |
