Whether you’re hunting or hiking, fishing or just enjoying a weekend picnic, the quality of your knife is critical. Choosing a good blade is not easy, but there are a few things to consider before you buy.
One important factor to consider is the edge angle. This angle affects how sharp your knife will be and how durable it will be over time.
Visual Inspection
Visual inspections are one of the oldest inspection methods, using our raw human senses to identify flaws. It’s an effective, affordable way to ensure product quality and compliance with safety standards.
You can perform a visual inspection on a variety of products and materials, from small parts to entire production lines. It can be used to test for corrosion, cracks and defects or to ensure that products are correctly labeled.
In food manufacturing, visual inspections are typically used to verify that packages are uniform and sealed properly, and that the contents are safe. They can also be used to check for foreign objects or contamination.
Traditionally, visual inspections were conducted by skilled inspectors, who often rely on their experience to determine issues. Today, automated visual inspection (AVI) uses computer vision and artificial intelligence to conduct these tests.
In the Field
Hunting knives are an essential part of any outdoor adventure. Whether you’re looking to kill prey, field dress them, or carve into wood to make tools and build structures, a good knife can make the difference between life and death.
One of the most critical aspects of a hunting knife is how sharp it is. A blade that is too dull is a serious safety hazard and can cause injury to you or the animal you’re working on.
When it comes to sharpening a hunting knife, you need to have the proper tools on hand. You should have a stone for edge touch-ups and a strop for maintaining an excellent edge.
You don’t have to be a sharpening master to keep your blade in good shape, but a little know-how goes a long way. Keeping your knife sharp in the field can save you from a lot of frustration and ensure that you’re ready to work when you arrive at your destination.
In the Shop
Generally speaking, knives that are made of carbon steel are easier to sharpen than those that are made from stainless steel. They are also rust resistant, which is useful for those hunting in rainy regions of the world.
A hunting knife is used for field dressing and processing game, so it must be ultra-sharp to do its job properly. Moreover, it should be durable enough to hold up to repeated use and sharpening.
Most commercial hunting knives are thick and made of steel that is incredibly hard to sharpen once they become dull. They are also prone to bending easily and losing their edge more quickly.
Some top knife companies make their knives thinner and use thinner steel to get the right balance between hardness and stiffness. This is a great way to improve the longevity of your blade and prevent it from becoming brittle and difficult to sharpen.
Final Words
The question of how sharp should a hunting knife be is an age old debate. Despite the advances in metallurgy over the years, modern knives remain essentially unchanged from their Bronze Age ancestors. The most notable changes include the inclusion of carbon or stainless steel to improve toughness, rust resistance and corrosion mitigation.
When it comes to the best cutting edge for your hardtail or field axe, there are few better than a high-end 440C stainless steel blade that has been treated to a light coating of black oxide. To ensure longevity, it is essential to store your fixed blade knife in a dry place away from moisture. This is best accomplished by using a sheath with a lanyard or a sturdy belt sheath. The aforementioned sheath should be made of leather or KYDEX for extra strength and a good grip. The aforementioned sheath should also be wrapped in a thick piece of plain paper to prevent the knife from sliding about during use.