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Folding knives make a great piece of collective to show off in front of your friends. These sharp, shiny iconic weapons are carried by outdoors men, craftsmen, men and women like us. If you have ever felt the need of asking why to carry this, we have the answer for you.

One of the main reasons behind the popularity of a folding knife is that it's one of the most functional tools on this planet. This little thing can come in handy even when you want to cut fruits!

Why a folding knife?

Impressing someone while cutting fruits sounds like a far-fetched idea, but when you have a sexy folding knife in hand it may just turn out to be true. So, if you want to avoid looking like a typical housewife while cutting fruits for your healthy body and skin, you may want to consider replacing your big old knife with a little folding one.

There is nothing sexier than seeing a man peeling an apple with his own folding knife. Get the job done, wipe the knife and simply put it down in your purse or pocket! It's really as simple as it sounds and also makes you look a tad sexier.

Are you traveling over the long weekend?

Getting a healthy meal while traveling can get very challenging at times but if you have got a folding knife in your bag than you need not look far. Just get some fresh fruits from the first fruit vendor you set your eyes on and get going!

Selecting the perfect Folding Knife

There are a lot of variations or options available when it comes to folding knives. They include single blade pocket knives, two blade pocket knives, three blade pocket knives (you get the drift), Swiss army knives and survival knives.

All knives are different in style and have their own beauty. When you are selecting a folding knife, it all comes down to your personal taste. Consider it like getting a new accessory of your own. It should suit your style, it should feel good in your hand and it should make you want to carry it everywhere.

How to cut fruits in different shapes by a Folding Knife?

The basic steps to cutting a fruit with a folding knife are-

As basic as it sounds, these set of steps will take you up much higher on the level of sexiness and people will be left wondering about your secret. You can always improvise on your own and cut the fruit into different shapes. Depending on the fruit, this is totally your call.

Where to get a Folding Knife?

Now you are probably wondering where to get the perfect folding knife from, right? Well, the best folding knives are those with a history of their own. Like those antique heirlooms that get passed down from generation to generation.

If you are not lucky enough to have that, you have to take special care because the knife you choose will probably be used by many of your generations. Before that, do ask your father or mother if they already have one with them.

Folding knives are available online and even at stores. Choose the best blade depending on the blade length, the edge, blade type, blade steel and handle material. Just so you know, a medium length, plain edge, and a straight -back folding knife will serve you the best in this case. All you have to do now is find the best online store & choose the weapon of your choice.

You also need to keep some other things in mind that turn out to be quite important later on. The opening and locking mechanisms of various folding knives differ from each other. Some have got manual opening mechanism, some have automatic while the others have assisted -opening mechanisms. Some of the most frequently used locking mechanisms are liner lock, slip joint, lock back, mild lock, frame lock etc.

Choose your blade by keeping all these things in mind.

Final Verdict:

A folding knife has been a useful tool for millions of years now but since we are not living in the stone age anymore, we can ease up a little bit while deciding which knife to keep in our pockets. Once you have made the purchase, you must also take care of your folding knife like the most precious thing you own.

You need to keep the blade sharpened at all times, though too much of sharpness can easily hurt you. It's easy to sharpen a straight blade but if your knife has a serrated edge, you need to sharpen it with a round file. All in all, a folding knife is a must -have item in your kitty so make that purchase now!

Camping is the most adventurous outdoor activity and we all love to explore the unexplored areas around us. We always like to go to a secluded place for camping and spend some quality time with nature.

This quality time is absolutely necessary to rejuvenate our bodies from time to time. The excitement of the adventures ahead gets the blood pumping faster. Not just the grown-ups, school kids often go off to camps during vacations. But we need to be well-equipped for every situation that may arise while camping.

One thing that is absolutely essential to carry is a pocket knife or a folding knife. If you are one of those camp lovers but you don't own the best pocket knife, you need to stop everything you are doing and read this.

History of the Pocket Knife

The oldest pocket knife dates back to around 600-500 BC. It had a single blade with a bone handle. The First Century Romans went a step ahead and created the very first folding knives. They were usually made of bronze and used friction to stay closed instead of locks. Such blades were found with the soldiers and explorers of that time. With time, the Romans came up with their very own version of Swiss Army knives that included a spoon, blade, spike fork, spatula and a pick.

The Vikings also used to carry folding knives or rather friction folders which used a catch to hold the blade open. The pistol grip Gully pocket knife were the rage during the 1600's and were used for fighting. On the other hand, the penny knife was the farmers' choice due to its low cost. Slip joint knives were introduced around 1660. They featured a back spring that held the blade in open position.

These blades started to be produced at a mass with the Industrial age.

Soon enough, pocket knives became the most important tool for soldiers. Every soldier carries one during the American Revolution. The term Swiss Army Knife' was created by the soldiers of US during World War II but the knife was actually developed in 1891. With time, the French and the Japanese introduced their own variations into the market.

Why is a pocket knife a necessity?

Tent, tent poles, tent footprint, sun shade, sleeping bags, air mattress, pump for the mattress, pillows, day packs, cots, mallets are some of the very important things that should be on your checklist when you make a plan to go camping. But there is one thing that must be your first and foremost priority- a pocket knife.

A pocket knife is an essential tool when you are going for camping or backpacking. People often carry various tools like a simple knife, fork, spoon, tweezers, can opener, bottle opener and many other items separately. What they don't realize is that they can minimize these extra items by buying a simple pocket knife. A pocket knife will serve all the functions of the above -mentioned tools and many others too.

You won't be required to carry big, obscene looking tools anymore if you replace them with a small and convenient pocket knife. It combines several tools in one. A pocket knife can be used for various purposes like-

Preparing food-

You can peel a fruit or use the knife for other cooking tasks as well. Just make sure that your knife is clean. You can sterilize it by dipping it in boiling water or by washing it daily.

Preparing fires-

When the firewood you collect is damp, your knife can prove to be your savior from the cold. You can use it to shave the wood and make some feather sticks. You can also use your knife as a striker.

General camp tasks-

A pocket knife will help you in many camping tasks like working with a cord when the rope gets stuck and need to be cut.

First Aid-

You'll definitely need a knife in case of an emergency like if you need to cut some moleskin or gauze pads to cover a wound.

Scissors-

Your knife will also serve the purpose of a pair of scissors.

Tweezers-

A pocket knife with tweezers will prove useful when you end up with a tick or splinter.

Safety-

It's nice to have some sort of weapon with you when you are out in the wild. You must have heard stories about the guy who fought off a bear with a pocket knife!

Can you really cut down a tree with a pocket knife?

Picture this- You are stuck in the woods all alone. The temperature is dropping by the minute and you need to get to shelter right now. Most of all, you need fire. There are trees all around you but you don't have an ax or even a knife.

Now do you understand why it's important to get a pocket knife when you go camping the next time?

Anyone can land in this situation and you need to be prepared for the worst. In the above situation, if you had a pocket knife it would have proved to be a life-saver. You will just need to get your hands on another tree branch and use it as a mallet or hammer to pound the knife into the tree. All you need to do is keep pounding with all the strength you have.

Final Verdict

Since you will be performing a wide range of tasks with the pocket knife you take with you on camping, you need to choose wisely. Survival knives will do the job if by some unfortunate incident you are stuck in the wild. So you need to find a knife that has balance in it. The weight and size of the knife must be kept to a minimum because of obvious reasons.

For standard family outings, you can go for a straight edge, full tang knife. But if you are out on a solo backpacking trip, you may want to get your hands on a serrated, curved, multi -blade knife that can be used for many purposes. And if you ever do cut down a tree with a pocket knife, don't forget to tell us about it!

It's a common saying that a fisherman without a pocket knife isn't really a fisherman. If you really think about it, fishing involves a lot of things that require little maneuvers that simply can't be time -taking. You need to get them done as soon as possible, with the littlest effort needed. From cutting lines to removing hooks, you need to have a friend at your side and that is a friendly folding knife that fits in your pocket.

A jack knife, which generally has more than one blade and a simple hinge at one end, has been a fisherman's best friend since time immemorial. If fishing is one of your favorite hobbies but you don't own a good knife, you need to change it right now. So let's get you started!

What kind of knife do you need?

Since you will be using your knife a lot, you definitely need a multi -blade. If you want you can get a Swiss knife too. First of all, you need to take a hard look at the kind of blade. For long, we have been using the basic plain edged knives but there are more options if you feel like expanding its usability.

It all comes down to the type of cut you need. You would either want your blade to allow a push cut (like shaving or peeling) or you want a pull cut (like cutting a rope). A plain edged knife is better at performing push cuts but it is not exactly capable of performing a pull cut. So a plain edged knife may not serve you the best here.

The other two options are a fully serrated edge and a partially serrated edge. In layman's language, serrations are the teeth embedded in the knife. A fully serrated edge comes handy in specific situations like sawing while a partially serrated edge can be used both ways. So a partially serrated edge is the best bet.

The length of the blade is totally your call, depending on your own palm length and your comfort. The type of blade also affects the knife's ability.

Types of blades:

Clip Point- These are one of the most popular blades because of the sharpness of its tip. Hence the name. These blades are best for everyday uses.

Drop Point- This is the best all-purpose blade you can find. The straight blade that slopes down at the end is best for all types of usage.

Tanto Point- This blade resembles a chisel (tool) and looks quite unique. It is best suited for push cuts.

Spear Point- It has an extremely sharp point that turns out to very useful in piercing. The blade edges have to be kept sharp.

Trailing Point- The blade has a curvy back which makes it quite lightweight. This one is perfect for slicing.

Hawksbill- As the name suggests, the blade resembles the curved shape of a hawksbill turtle. Not an everyday use but can be used for little jobs like opening a letter. So it's mainly a collectible.

Straight Back- This is the most traditional blade out there, the same types that we often find in our kitchens.

Sheepsfoot- This is the flattest knife you'll get; it would best serve those who want a beautiful weapon to show off.

Wharncliffe- This resembles sheep's foot quite a bit but if you look closely, you will notice that the blade curves when you get to the handle. This makes Wharncliffe a more useful blade.

Needle Point- The pointy needle part is good for piercing but it is also quite sensitive at the same time.

These are best for a little self-defense.

Pen- Generally found on Swiss Army knives, these tiny blades prove to be a great tool for small tasks.

Spey- Spey blades were once used to spay (sterilize) animals. They still prove good for skinning animals.

Keep in mind:

There are two things that greatly affect the quality of the blade. The first thing is the chemical composition of the blade and the second thing is the hardness of the blade. Different blades are made with a different variety of materials ranging from carbon, cobalt, chromium, nitrogen, magnesium, molybdenum, nickel, phosphorous, sulfur, vanadium, silicon, and tungsten.

The richer the carbon content in the blade, the better the edge. But the higher carbon content leads to the risk of corrosion. So, the need to maintain a certain balance to get the right carbon content is absolutely necessary. The second factor i.e. hardness is something that is decided by using a specially designed machine. Even though this is something that you simply can't decide on your own, you can always ask the seller.

There is never any harm in asking.Take care of buying blades that lie between the ranges of Rockwell 55 to Rockwell 60. The Rockwell Hardness Code is used as a function of heat treatment and the carbon content. Keeping a pocket -friendly folding knife is one trend that never gets old. This tradition has been going on for centuries now ever since the First Century Romans.

They created the first folding knives and this has been going on ever since that time. You need to carry this forward. It's always nice to turn a hobby into something that you actually care for. The next time you plan to go out for fishing, do check your things and make sure that you have got the perfect folding knife for the occasion.

Final Verdict:

Go a step ahead and tell your friends about this new-found knowledge. Who knows what they might have in store for you? Just try and take care of the above -noted things before you make a final decision on what sort of blade you want. Rest everything aside, your knife will be your very own. It will represent your sense of style and the kind of demeanor you always want to see around you. Treat your blade as a very own part of your body and you will never feel the need of calling it a knife. Next time you go fishing with your friends, apart from the fishing rod, the bait and the pints of beer that you take along with you, don't forget to take the fishing knife.

Going hunting without a knife is like going out in the rain without an umbrella. You'll enjoy the rain but you won't make the most out of it. You need to pick the best knife for hunting before you make any other plans to do so.

A good hunting knife is not so easy to find. But remember this once you make the right choice it is going to stay with you for the rest of your life. Knife Variations you should know about:

If you ask a layman about pocket knives, they will tell you about three basic types- a jack knife, a penknife, and multi -purpose knife. A jack knife is most popular among hunters and fishermen while a pen knife is good if you want more than one type of blade.

A multi -purpose knife has a lot of blades in it and serves various purposes of tweezers, scissors, can openers and even screwdrivers. While this basic knowledge is good to have, there are other variations of these knife designs that you must know about-

Lock Blade Knife- As the name goes, when the blade is fully open it locks itself in. You'll need to release the blade and press a lever for closing the knife. Such knives are generally used for heavy duty.

Slip Joint Knife- These knives don't have a lock but instead they have a spring that allows the blade to fold when pressure is applied to it. These knives are best suited for light use.

Friction Folder Knife- These are another type of non -lock blades. They make use of friction between the blade and the scales to keep the blade in open position.

One -handed opening- Such blades have a button installed that allows you to open the blade with just one click or press. These are the easiest knives available in the market today.

Features to look for in a hunting knife:

Everyone has a different opinion when you ask them about the best hunting knife. There is an endless list of styles, types, and characteristics to choose from. There are fixed blade knives, fold -up knives; there are many varieties of serrated blades, skinners, flayers and some knives even come with a pre -installed gut hook that makes dressing a lot easier.

Some blades are heavy while others are wispy. Some are made of high carbon steel while other are made of softer steel. There are just too many things to confuse even the best of minds.

Some hunters prefer a fixed blade knife to carry with them while some may even carry a foldable pocket knife with them. Choosing from a fixed blade knife and a foldable knife is completely dependent on your preference. If you go for a fixed blade, you may have to get a separate case for it while a pocket knife can go anywhere.

Choose a knife that does not have a built-in locking mechanism. You don't want the knife to accidentally fold up while you are using it. (Think of the mess!)A big sized knife can prove to be cumbersome for hunting purposes so choose a small sized knife. High carbon steel blades are easy to maintain while those with chrome -plating get dull with time and it gets very hard to get the edge back.

You will want a knife with an upward curve in its blade. This will make the job of skinning easier. The knife also needs to have a well-defined point. Such blades will be best for multi -purpose. Lastly, the handle must have sort of non -slip texture. Rough handles are less prone to accidents.

Taking Care of your blade:

Once you have made the difficult choice of the knife you want to own, it all comes down to knowing how to take care of it. If you are making an investment on a knife and you want to enjoy the benefits for many years, keep the following points in mind. Maintaining a hunting knife can be tiring at times but if you want to stay at the top of the game, you need to pay attention.

Firstly, keep the blade clean at all times. Wash it after every use and sterilize it as frequently as possible. Hunting knives are not be used as screwdrivers or for purposes other than hunting. This will only shorten the lifespan of your dear blade. Always be sure to maintain the edge of your knife, keep it as sharp as possible. Sharp knives are always easy to use. Store the knife in an area that is not humid and free from objects that may bang against it. Lastly, keep your hunting knife lubricated. This keeps the blade from getting rusty and unattractive.

Keeping the blade clean:

We have already explained how important it is to keep you hunting knife clean at all times. Now we tell you how to do it-

Even if you have simply held the knife, you must clean it before storing. Sweat can lead to rust.

Final Verdict:

Thoroughly disinfect and clean the knife after each use. You don't want blood and tissues stuck in the folding mechanism for your knife. The same goes for fixed blade knives too. Don't go by the looks of a knife, when you are gutting the prey, a smooth, slippery handle will make the job very difficult. So choose a sure -handed, perfect sized blade of your choice. Knives get dull no matter how you use them. So, no matter what type of blade you choose, always keep them razor-sharp. A blade without the perfect edge is of no knife.

A folding knife is also known as a pocket knife. Just as the name implies, it can be carried about in your pocket. It is very handy as it can be used for versatile tasks, such as, opening a tin or uncorking a bottle etc. It is generally carried about by men and women to be used for various purposes. A folding knife is a unique tool.

They come in a combination of various blades, which allows for its versatility.

Most pocket knives today feature a number of blades ranging from tweezers to nail cutters, screws etc. It is a 'handy man' tool that is very useful anytime of the day. You do not need to be told that folding knives today are essential for day to day activities, as they can be needed to do stuff at anytime.

They can be really stylish, depending on your budget and preference, you get to choose an appropriate blade style that is unique to you. However, it is a very convenient item to have around for most adults.

Types of folding knives

The types of folding knives available today are dependent on two factors. (1) The type of locking mechanism and (2) The type of blade shape on the knife.First,

let's take a look at the type of locking mechanisms.

Locking Mechanisms in Folding knives

The locking mechanism is very necessary because folding knives need to be capable of assuming three different positions (closed, partially open and wide open). They need to be firm when closed and wide open.

When partially open, they need to be a bit loose or flexible. The locking mechanism is the very key for its functionality. There are various locking mechanisms found on folding knives. A few common ones are listed below.

A slip joint locking mechanism is one of the most commonly used in folding knives. It uses a spring to keep the blade wide open. This way the blade can close to a certain level if pressure is applied. The spring allows for quick closing or folding of the knife with one hand.

The lock back locking mechanism seemingly replicates the stability of fixed knives. When the blade is wide open, it is held in place by a rolling lock plate. It can be closed gradually be applying pressure on the lock. This way, folding your knife is safe and steady but generally requires two hands to close.

Just like the lock back, the liner and frame lock mechanisms keep the blade securely open when it is in use. They are the most popular locking mechanisms in folding knives today. This is because they combine the stability of lock back and the ease of slip joint. They can be closed with one hand.

Blade shapes found on folding knives

There are a lot of blade shapes for folding knives available today. Your choice, however, is based on your usage, preference or budget. Types of blade shapes include the following;

The Drop Point and Clip Point Folding Knives are generally the most common shapes available. They are both characterized by a sharp point at their tip.

The Sheep's Foot, on the other hand, lacks a point. The sharpened side is straight while the unsharpen side is curved. It is very comfortable, especially for slicing.

The Gut Hook Folding Knives are rather unique. It is an ideal pocket knife for hunting and other uses. It features a sharpened semi -circle with a hook removed from the spine. It also features large cutting edges which are great for slicing and skinning small animals.

Benefits/Uses of Folding Knives in the jungle?

You would agree that a folding knife is a functional tool. This is why it is carried about by craftsmen, handymen and everyday men and women for various purposes. Apart from opening boxes, packages, and other daily uses, the pocket knife is a very handy tool in the jungle. Here are a few benefits of the folding knife in the jungle.

Camping: 

Going camping without a folding knife is a very wrong move. You need a knife for shaving, cutting and slicing your barbecue, cutting ropes etc. A pocket knife with tweezers can come in handy especially in wilderness camping when you are faced with a rogue animal. It is an essential jungle tool so make sure you do not leave it out when you're going camping. It will come in handy more times than you can count. You would also require this tool to build a shelter.

First aid:

A pocket knife can be a very handy first aid tool when you're out in the jungle. It can be used to free captives from booby trap nets or ropes. It is also used for cutting of bandages or tourniquet for first aid treatment. Since this tool is versatile, it can be handy at any time.

Protection:

Although pocket knives are not designed to be weapons, if you find yourself in a dicey situation while in the jungle, it may be just enough to protect yourself or at least slow down an attack until you can get help. You would agree that being out in the jungle is eventful and may come with surprises. This simple tool can be used for self-defense when the need arises.

Fishing:

Going fishing without a pocket knife is absolutely unforgivable. If your activities in the jungle include fishing, this tool would be highly useful. It can be used for cutting lines and removing hooks.

Peeling and slicing fruits:

You will definitely love to enjoy fresh fruits and veggies in the jungle. The folding knife can also come in handy when you need to peel and cut fruits.

Hunting:

Yes! This can work too. Especially if you use the gut hook blade. You can comfortably slice through and skin animals after your hunt. Getting a trophy from the jungle is really brave and this tool can help you accomplish the task.

Examples of folding knives used in the jungle

You do not want to go out in the jungle with a crappy knife. There are a lot of folding knives for wilderness and jungle survival. Some of them are listed below.

KA-BAR Mule Folder:

This is an ideal survival knife. It is very durable, features a 15 degree edge angle that makes it very sharp.

You can literally slash anything for fun with this knife. The handle is zitel and fits comfortably in the left or right hand of the user. It is portable and relatively lightweight (about 7.2 ounces) The length of the blade is 3 13/16 inches and the open length is 9 1/16 inches.

CRKT M21 Aluminum Folder:

This is another great outdoor jungle survival pocket knife. The steel blade can be sharpened easily when needed. It fears a 3 inches blade and weighs about 3.2 ounces. It also has two locks for safety and can be opened with one hand. It is a very handy, durable and easy to use.

TOOL LOGIC SL PRO 2:

This is a quality pocket knife that is also very durable. It features a loud signal whistle, a spark rod, and a LED flashlight. These features allow this tool to be versatile and very handy in the jungle.

There are a lot of folding knives available in the market. Each of them uniquely designed to suit different persons and uses. Your choice of knives depends on your preference or the type that suits you. In getting a folding knife for jungle use, you should, however, get a good quality tool that is durable and versatile.