How To Choose The Right Stalking Knife
When choosing the right knife for outdoor use and for deer stalking, the vast array of choice can leave you rather exasperated. Even taking a quick gander through the BushWear catalogue you will find an extensive selection to suit any needs but it can leave your head in a bit of spin as to what exactly to buy if you are just starting out. There are a number of points to consider such as make, size, specification and so on. Luckily that's why we're always on hand to give you the best advice.
Since one of our previous blog post was about safety, it is best to follow suit with some initial advice; It's very useful to be clued up when it comes to UK Knife Law. Nevertheless, whilst being aware is one thing, common sense always has to be exercised when carrying or planning to use a knife. Never be blase about carrying one, even if it is already second nature. This is how misunderstandings and arrests can occur.
The main point to keep in mind when choosing a knife is invest in quality. Everyone likes good bits of kit and it needs to be suitable for the task in hand. Nevertheless, this is not necessarily the same as an expensive knife and it and learn how to keep it sharp. If your knife is not sharp, don't bother. You may as well be flogging a dead horse.
Length:
Big does not always mean better! For most hunting purposes and when large game species are involved, it's good to use a blade 2.5 - 4 inches long (no more!). A smaller blade allows for more control and precision. Whilst a larger blade increases the chances of you cutting something you don't want when gralloching, including your fingers. A knife of a smaller nature is easier to manouvere and of course, easy to carry.
Style:
When it comes to style of knife, many of us prefer a drop point blade that has a convex back. It's excellent for fine punctures, as long as the blade is not too deep from the top to the bottom. This style is better for skinning than clip point blades (which has a concave back and a fine point), allowing you more control and reduces the chance of any accidental punctures, particularly the stomach.
Handle:
Synthetic handles offer the best combination of sure grip, warmth and economy. From choosing this type of handle what you will find it is also easier to wash and clean, compared to a wooden handle which can get soaked in blood and bacteria if gralloching. When choosing the type of handle you want to make sure you have an easy but firm grip and it's comfortable to hold.
Fixed or Folding:
A fixed blade proves easier to clean and is best for heavy duty. However, the downside is that they can be bulkier to carry and less safe in transport. It is entirely your choice if you prefer a fixed or folding but if you go for a folded knife then make sure it has an adequate locking system. Again whether it comes with a sheath or is left uncovered is down to you, but do think safety first when taking it out your rucksack / pocket or looping it onto your belt.
Type of Steel:
Knives made from quality steel will take and hold their edge better. They are easier to sharpen and more likely to stay sharp longer.
BushWear Recommends:
1. The Frost Mora Clipper Knife has been a popular choice amongst Bushcrafters and hunters for many years. It has a rust free stainless steel blade with a tactile rubber handle. You can choose between black or orange for the colour of the handle but we would advise orange for better visibility out in the field (just incase you misplace it). It's reasonably priced (£10.99), so if you do happen to loose it then its not to expensive to re-equip yourself. This knife has a blade length of 4'', a rubber handle and the sheath is moulded plastic.
2.The Buck Vanguard Rubber Handle Knife is the one for you if you are looking for quality and willing to spend a bit more. It's robust, will last you a lifetime and holds a great edge. The rubber handle is always grippy, no matter what is on your hands be it blood, water or grease. The brass ferrule at the butt of the knife is useful for a multitude of tasks but primarily ensures it has the perfect balance in the hand. It is a fixed blade, made from stainless steel and the blade length is just over 4 inches at 4.2''. It comes equipped with a heavy duty nylon sheath.
3. We couldn't forget one of our favourites (and own products) so I suppose you could say this is a slightly biased suggestion. The BushWear Bushknife in orange is one of popular products. It represents a level of quality that is not reflected in the price (£4.99). The blade is 4'', made of stainless steel and the plastic handle allows again, good visibility whilst outdoors and ensures a good grip even when your hands are wet. The sheath is a hardened plastic that comes with a very useful belt attachment. The blade does hold a good edge and at this low price it is probably easier to buy a new one rather than spend many hours sharpening it.
4. Hopefully the takeaway message from this post is clear... A sharp knife is a must and if you find you need to do a quick sharpen whilst out then the BladeTech Pocket Sharpener is small enough and handy to throw in your rucksack. If you prefer it comes with a sheath that you can attach onto your keyring or your belt for safe keeping. This sharpener is a carbide tool designed to sharpen all types of blades including scissors.
To end, at BushWear we hope we can provide you with some inspiration to motivate you to get started choosing the right knife for you, and of course the job at hand;
