While holding a fixed blade hunting knife in your hand, have you ever taken some time to take a good look at how beautiful the design can be? Or how it works to skin the game efficiently? Although it's true that most people are only concerned about how the knife works, examining it and assessing how the components function to do a good skinning job can actually make you more effective in the procedure itself. Let's run through some of the major components and who knows? You may be in for just a surpise.
(1) The Blade
We all know what's the blade of the fixed blade hunting knife for. For slicing, skinning, cutting, stabbing. Etc etc. But do you know that blades comes n may different styles, sizes and materials and each unique combination actually has an impact on how you use it? Generically there are 5 main types of blades, namely drop point, chip point, Skinning, Guthook and fillet Blades.
In the case of the drop point blade, it is curved and drops into the a point thereby giving added strength to the top. The blade's designed for efficiency and hence a relatively smaller amount of strength is required to achieve the same effect as compared to the other blades.
(2) The Knife Guard
The guard is essentially the part of the knife that holds the blade to the handle and is often part of the molded handle. It helps prevents the hand from moving up to the blade and therefore prevents injury.
(3) The Handle
Most of the hunting knifes handles are designed to provide a secure grip for safety and accuracy. It's the hunters onus to make sure that the grip is tight. Since different handles are made of different materials, it's important to ensure that you select something that comfortable and secure. More often than not, the composition of knife handles takes into consideration different issues such as shape, looks, durability and ease of use. Some examples of materials used includes leather, bone, stag, wood, wood, fiberglass, etc etc.
(4) The Pummel or Butt
Right at the end of the handle, you will find the pummel - a particular item made of metal that's used to prevent the end of the handle from wear and tear. In some designs, the pummels may contain a small storage compartment under them, catering to urgent situations while some may incorporate a built-in compass.
(5) Shank
The shank is none other than an extension of the blade, which is made of the same type of material. Modern technology fuses the blade and the shank together either using hammering or laser thereby giving the same piece of steel, strength and versatility. The knife guard and handle are subsequently affixed to the shank via rivets. This whole process binds the blade, handle and guard together to form a durable, strong and safe fixed blade hunting knife for the adventurous hunter.
Author Resource:-
James is a pro writer. For more details on fixed blade hunting knife, check out http://www.fixedbladehuntingknife.com