| Choosing a bowie knife can be a difficult process. | | | | hunters skin their kills with ease. However, if this |
| There are so many different options from which | | | | is your intended use, you don't want a large blade. |
| to choose that it can be quite confusing. | | | | In fact, six inches is likely all you will need to get |
| You will need to decide if you want a traditional | | | | the job done correctly. |
| blade, or one of the more modern derivatives. | | | | Actually, if you chose to go with a longer blade, |
| You will need to determine what sort of handle | | | | you might find that it was harder to control. |
| you want, whether you want a full tang or a | | | | Control is vital when working with animal skins, as |
| rattail tang. You will also need to determine what | | | | one wrong move with the knife can ruin that pelt. |
| size blade is right for you. The bowie knife is | | | | Bowie knives can puncture holes in the hide very |
| available in sizes ranging from a modest six inches | | | | easily if you are not careful, so exercise care |
| all the way up to more than a foot in length. | | | | when choosing your new knife. |
| What's right for you? | | | | Of course, there is the converse of this. If you |
| Let's take a look at what a longer blade offers. | | | | intend to use your bowie knife for chopping or |
| Long bladed bowie knives are quite popular with | | | | hacking, then a longer blade is a good thing. The |
| those who simply want an impressive knife for | | | | extra length of the blade will help keep your |
| display. They are also popular with those who | | | | hands clear of whatever it might be that you're |
| need a good knife for utilitarian purposes. What | | | | chopping. |
| might such a knife do? Longer blades are ideal for | | | | You will also find that longer blades are thicker and |
| chopping things, such as light brush or vegetables. | | | | hold up to the abuse better. Thicker, longer knife |
| They're great for chopping meat, as well. A longer | | | | blades are perfect for tasks that do not require |
| blade gives you greater resilience and greater | | | | precise control, but do require considerable |
| force, but less control. | | | | durability and resilience. So, your intended use will |
| Do you plan to skin game with your knife? Bowie | | | | determine just how long that bowie knife actually |
| knives are well known for their ability to help | | | | is. |