| In the face of such a question, the only answer | | | | versatile knives should not be used for such |
| possible is a resounding "NO!" However, why is | | | | tasks. When prying on something, it generally |
| "no" the only answer here? Why can't you use | | | | means that the item is either rather heavy, or it |
| your bowie knife as a screwdriver? | | | | is jammed and stuck. While your knife might fit |
| Why can't you chisel or punch with the blade? | | | | quite well under whatever that object might be, |
| What happens if you attempt to use your knife | | | | you can rest assured that you do not want to |
| as a pry bar? In short, each of these uses, while | | | | put the blade there. Even a small amount of |
| seemingly innocent enough, can lead to serious | | | | pressure can actually bend the blade of your |
| damage to your blade and may even lead to | | | | bowie knife, leading to some serious problems. |
| injuries. | | | | Chisel - Chiseling is something best left to specially |
| Let's take the screwdriver usage as an example. | | | | designed tools. While your bowie knife might seem |
| Chances are pretty good that the tip of your | | | | to have the right size and shape, and might even |
| bowie knife is going to fit well into the head of a | | | | do a good job of it at first, you'll find that it can |
| screw, whether it's a flathead screw or a Phillips | | | | quickly become blunted and damaged through this |
| head. However, actually turning the screw requires | | | | type of misuse. You'll also find that use like this will |
| that you exert pressure on the tip of the blade. | | | | void the warranty on the knife, if you have one. |
| Unfortunately, the metal is not designed for this | | | | As you can see, bowie knives, while ideal tools for |
| type of use. Usually, what happens next is that | | | | a wide range of different uses, are not designed |
| the tip of the blade bends. You might even find | | | | for some purposes. The basic rule of thumb |
| that the tip snaps off completely is you are using | | | | should be that if another type of knife wouldn't |
| significant force. | | | | be right, then bowie knives would likely not be a |
| Let's look at using your bowie knife as a pry bar | | | | good fit, either. |
| to get an even better feel for why these | | | | |