| Surviving a camping trip or emergency in the | | | | abuse of field activities. Another reason not to |
| wilderness is much easier if you have a good | | | | use this type of knife is the danger of losing all |
| knife. However, choosing the right knife for your | | | | the emergency supplies stored in the knife handle |
| needs can sometimes be an overwhelming | | | | should your knife go missing. |
| prospect. Here are some tips and tricks to help | | | | The better the quality of a knife, obviously the |
| you when shopping for the best knife for you. | | | | better it will serve you. However, any knife is |
| Combat or military survival knives are not the | | | | better than no knife in an emergency situation. |
| sort of instrument you want to have for casual | | | | Simply looking for the best quality you can afford |
| camping. The attributes that make it an | | | | is best. There are several different terms that |
| effective weapon against others make it unsuited | | | | are used in the world of knives that can be |
| for wilderness use. Double-edged knives | | | | confusing to an amateur. “One piece”, |
| especially fall into this category. While perfect for | | | | “integral design”, “narrow tang”, |
| thrusting, they are inferior for other uses due to | | | | “skeletonized” – how do you know |
| their weaker blade, particularly towards the tip. | | | | which is what? The best knife should have |
| The second knife edge is unnecessary for most | | | | “a full tang” which is also called a “one |
| camping uses and leads to a greater chance of | | | | piece” or “integral design”. This just |
| injury. Large knives are also unsuited for most | | | | means the blade runs the full length of the knife |
| use. Unless you are flying over the jungle or | | | | and is covered to make the handle portion. If |
| some other heavily overgrown area, a large knife | | | | the blade material isn’t covered for the handle |
| such as a machete is not a good choice. If you | | | | it is called “skeletonized”. A skeletonized |
| are inexperienced with a large knife, they can be | | | | blade reduces the bulk and weight of the knife. |
| “unwieldy and difficult to use”. Even if | | | | When the knife has a “narrow tang” it |
| you do need a large knife, for more common | | | | means that the blade narrows as it enters the |
| uses, a second knife is usually necessary | | | | handle. The particular style of knife you choose |
| anyway. While hallow-handled knives are a good | | | | is not as important as ensuring that the blade |
| idea, they are not very practical. The way the | | | | extends the full length of the handle. “Full |
| knife is constructed, with a nut or glue holding the | | | | tangs are essential for maximum strength and |
| knife blade to the handle results in a tool that | | | | utility. |
| simply cannot hold up to the frequent use and | | | | |