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Knives are an important part of the history of mankind. These handy tools have made it possible to survive. They are more than simple cutting stones, fashioned from rock. They come in a large assortment of styles and materials. The utility knife is a very important tool to have. You can find many reasons to buy them. Here are a few to think about.

Multipurpose knives are much more than cutting tools. You can perform an amazing amount of tasks with them. Take the screwdriver, for example. Many of these knives have them available at your fingertips. You may be far out in the wilderness and need to assemble something. Your car may be broke down, many miles from home. Maybe a rubber fuel line or hose has broken.

When hoses crack or break, it will often be at the clamp. You can remove the clamp and cut the cracked portion from the hose. All you have to do, is reattach the hose and clamp. Your car will be back in service. A screwdriver is perfect for many other tasks, like prying. You may need a screwdriver at home. Maybe you cannot find one. Relax, you have one in your pocket. This is very convenient.

Do you always remember to bring knives and forks, when you travel? Suppose you are on a fishing or hunting trip. You unpack the food and there are no eating utensils. However, you have some in your pocket. This is one less thing to pack. In a survival situation, eating utensils are a welcome sight. They are good to have.

You may go fishing, on occasion. Suppose you have very good luck. Fresh, fried fish, is a very good meal. If you have fish cleaning tools with you, it is much easier. If not, you may have to eat beans. This is one more thing, you may not have to pack for the trip. Continue Reading

As ancient as mankind itself, the knife is the earliest form of weaponry for which there has been no substitute. Essential for survival, the knife was developed out of necessity and has evolved through the ages. From knives made of flint, to copper, to iron, humans have a unique relationship to this tool, creating it out of the strongest material available and adorning them with patterns and decoration. A knife is a personal possession that is valued for its craftsmanship and usefulness.

Perhaps the most recognized knife in the world, the Bowie Knife has an intriguing history. The story begins in 1831 when Jim Bowie brought a whittled wooden model of his ideal knife to blacksmith James Black. Several weeks later, Black had produced two knives. The second was a modified version of Bowie’s design. Bowie chose Black’s version as it had a double edge. Soon, Black was inundated with requests from customers who wanted a knife like Bowie’s. The knife’s unique shape and hallmark large blade became popular for its use as both a weapon and as a tool for fishing and hunting.

The knife also gained popularity as a result of a fight Bowie was involved in Texas with three men hired to hill him. Bowie killed his would-be assailants and the reputation of the Bowie knife was established. After Bowie’s death five years later at the Battle of the Alamo, both he and his knife became immensely famous.

Over the years, many knives have been referred to as Bowie knives. The term has become a generic one for any large sheath knife. Despite all the variations, it is said that for a knife to be considered a Bowie knife, it must be long enough to use as a sword, sharp enough to use as a razor, wide enough to use as a paddle, and heavy enough to use as a hatchet. Continue Reading

The blade is a very important part of the knife. While buying a knife with a good handle is very important, there is very little point in owning a folding utility knife that does not have a strong and sharp blade. The exact characteristics of the blade depend on its intended functions. If you intend to use the knife for self defense and combat situations, you should choose a sharp, strong and light blade. Most of us use knives for utility purposes. This gives us a lot of freedom to choose different blades for our utility knives.

Stainless steel is the most popular material used in knife blades. The folding utility knife often comes in contact with moisture, heat and pressure. In such a scenario, the blade must be made of a versatile material that can absorb the stresses and pressures. Stainless steel mixed with carbon is the most preferred choice for making blades today.

Rust is a very big problem as far as folding utility knives are concerned. You cannot use a rusted knife with a rusted blade for cutting vegetables or other such activities, can you? You also stand the risk of getting infected if you cut yourself with such a knife

This is the primary reason why steel blades went out of favor amongst folding utility knife makers. You can opt for blades made of materials like titanium if you are prepared to pay more. If you want the safest utility knife, just get one with a plastic blade. Needless to say, this knife will not retain its sharpness for long. This is a good thing if the knife is going to be handled by minors.