Difference between revisions of "Knives"

Latest revision as of 15:17, 10 September 2019

This is a collection of resources on how to handle knives.

Refer to Policies — Knives, Axes, Saws, Camp Stoves, Lanterns, and Other Camping Tools Standards.

Knife types

• Fixed-blade knife, e.g. Ka-Bar Becker BK2
• Simple folding pocket knife, e.g. Buck Ranger
• Locking knife, e.g. lock-back or liner-lock
• Slip joints, e.g. Swiss Army (Victorinox or Wenger)
• Multi-Tools, e.g. Leathermen

For a really great overview of all types of folding pocket knives, check out The Complete Guide to Pocket Knives (Art of Manliness).
Also see February 2016 (Scouting Life) Safety Tip: Knife Safety, which is a lot more than just safety (parts of a knife, different knife types) in a handy poster/infographic format.

Knife materials

• Stainless steel is easiest to care for, but can rust if not cared for.
• Carbon steel is easier to sharpen and stays sharp longer. It is more prone to rust, and stains very easily.

Knife use

• Never use the blade of a knife as a screwdriver or pry bar - it should only be used as a cutting blade
• Never use a multi-blade knife or multi-tool with more then one blade/tool or accessory extended
• Always fully open and if possible lock the blade/tool or accessory of a folding knife
• Always cut away from yourself
• Use the right tool for the job: a big knife for a big job, a small knife for a small job

Knife maintenance

• Make sure that a knife is clean before it is folded or put back in its sheath
• A sharp knife is safer then a dull knife.
• A knife that has lost it’s keen edge can be re-honed using a fine stone or ceramic sharpener and the fine burr edge removed with a leather strop
• A dull knife will need to have a new cutting edge established before it can be honed and stropped

Knife Safety Training

Knife sharpening

• https://www.buckknives.com/about-knives/knife-sharpening/
• http://www.artofmanliness.com/2009/03/05/how-to-sharpen-a-pocket-knife/