The knife is a crucial piece of gear which is often the first thing KNOW most hunters and fishermen pack into their bag. There are however, a lot of styles, features and materials YOUR one should consider before purchasing a knife for the job it is to KNIFE perform. Story by Mathew Hewetson
622 Endeavor – Clip Point / Serrated, Fixed Blade 12.7cm WHAT FEATURES ARE IMPORTANT TO YOU?
Fixed Blade: is sturdy, dependable and always ready for use have always been fascinated care to seal them in a wooden box sharp. A blunt knife is dangerous with knives. A funny statement with a clear plastic lid so the other as you shouldn’t need to force the Folding Knife: compact, safe to carry, most lock open to make to anyone other than kids couldn’t touch them, so in my blade when using it and this is when for safe use a hunter or a fisherman, as it mind I thought I had taken safety accidents can happen. Blade Shape: what shape best serves your needs (refer Ican get some worried looks! I recall precautions. 113 Ranger – Skinner, when I was 11 years old and were I have enlisted the help of Buck to following shape guide) Fixed Blade 7.9cm given a school project to bring in Anyway, growing up and enjoying Knives to better understand the wide One-hand open/close: essential when one hand is anything that we collected to present fishing and hunting meant my range of knives available, with their occupied to the class. Most kids brought in initial fascination with the knife extensive knowledge gained from has evolved into its daily use as an over 100 years of producing quality stickers, marbles, Matchbox cars or Thick Blade: for heavy-duty tasks bubble gum trading cards of some important tool that every good angler knives. They actually provide the kind. I distinctly remember the and hunter needs. “Buck Forever Warranty” on every Lightweight: feel unencumbered, easier in your pocket concern from my teacher, when I knife they sell, to be free of defects I own a lot of different knives, but Gut Hook: field dressing/skinning game rocked up proudly showing off my in material and workmanship for the every one of them has a specialist life of the knife. They will repair or pocket knife collection. Saw Tooth: cutting wood or bone job to perform. My bait knife is replace any knife that is defective. only for cutting bait, a filleting They were mostly given to me by Ergonomic Design: fits your hand knife comes out to only fillet fish, When choosing the right knife, Buck my grandfathers, so they meant a comfortably a skinner is for skinning deer and recommends to ask yourself the 395 Omni Hunter – lot to me as they each had special Folding, compact, stories behind them. I had taken so on. They all have one thing in following questions to help make heavy-duty, ergonomic common, they are all kept very your decision. design with a mid- lockback design
88 facebook.com/fishingingodzone facebook.com/fishingingodzone 89 JIGGINGKNIVES WHAT MATERIALS ARE CRITICAL TO YOUR USE?
BLADE STEEL:
A good blade combines good edge retention, rust resistance 345 BKS Vantage and ease of re-sharpening – Smooth, lightweight and 420HC is a stainless steel that provides excellent rust one-hand opening. Folding Blade resistance, ease of re-sharpening and medium edge 8.3cm retention 154CM is a custom steel with much higher carbon content, giving it a higher hardness rating and dramatically higher edge retention S30V is a high vanadium stainless steel with even higher edge retention HANDLE MATERIALS: Rubber, Micarta and textured handles provide a superior grip in wet conditions Wood and metal handles provide durability an aesthetics Composite handles provide fit, grip and durability
WHAT SAFETY FEATURES DO YOU EXPECT?
Do you prefer a knife that locks open? Locks open and closed? What type of locking mechanism makes you feel most comfortable? Fixed vs Folding. Fixed blades are heavy duty, easy to clean and easily accessed with a sheath. Folders are very safe; most lock open and wont accidently open in your pack or close on your hand. For a fixed blade, would you prefer a larger blade guard? Also consider the handle materials for a better grip depending on its intended use.
BE IN TO WIN! A BUCK 537 SKINNER KNIFE Thanks to Kilwell Sports, we have this Buck 537 Skinner to giveaway. VALUED AT This knife has a 4 ½” blade (11.4cm), weighs 5.7oz (161.6g) and is designed for easily skinning game while ensuring edge retention and is corrosion resistance. The handle is Rosewood Dymondwood and comes with a black leather sheath. $299!
To enter go to www.fishingingodzone.co.nz Winner drawn 1st September 2016
90 facebook.com/fishingingodzone facebook.com/fishingingodzone 91 BLADE SHAPES Another thing to consider when choosing a knife is the blade shape. What shape will work best for your needs? Below are the most common blade styles.
JIGGINGJIGGING KNIVES DROP POINT This blade is full bellied with a strong, thick point for heavier tasks. It can also be used as a general work knife. The top of the blade drops BLADEDROP SHAPES POINT down toward the tip, which minimizes accidental puncturing while Another thing to consider when choosing a knife is the blade shape. skinning. The drop point blade is strong and very versatile. What shape will work best for your needs?BLADE Below are the most SHAPES Another thing to consider common blade styles. MODIFIEDwhen choosing TANTO a knife is the blade shape. What shape will work Holding many of same features as the regular tanto blade, the angled DROP POINT pointbest is for modified your betweenneeds? the Below front edgeare theand themost bottom comm edgeon on blade this styles. This blade is full bellied with a strong, thick point for heavier tasks. It MODIFIED TANTO particular blade. Holds up to piercing, scraping, and prying with tough can also be used as a general work knife. The top of the blade drops materials. BLADEDROP SHAPES POINT down toward the tip, which minimizes accidental puncturing while Another thing to consider when choosing a skinning.knife is the The blade drop shape. point blade is strong andDROP BLADEvery POINTversatile. SHAPES CAPING What shape will work best for your needs? Below are the most TANTOThisAnother blade isthing full to bellied consider with when a choosingAlmost a knife scalpel-like is the blade in shape,shape. it has a common blade styles. VeryWhat strong shape for heavy will work duty bestuse. forHolds your up needs? to piercing, Below scraping are the and most MODIFIED TANTO pryingstrong, with thick tough point materials. for heavier Many tactical knivesmild drop utilize point, this blade with nearly a spear tip Holding many of same features as the regularcommon tanto blade, blade the styles. angled shape.tasks. It can also be used as a that is used for the delicate removal of DROP POINT point TisANTO modified between the front edge and the bottom edge on this ThisMODIFIED blade is full TANTO bellied with a strong, thick particularpoint for heavi blade.er Holdstasks. upIt to piercing, scraping,generalDROP and work POINT prying knife. with The tough top of the hide of the face of a trophy animal. SKINNER can also be used as a general work knife. Thematerials. top of the blade drops the Thisblade blade drops is downfull bellied toward with the a strong, The thick shape point makesfor heavi capinger tasks. knives It perfect DROP POINT down toward the tip, which minimizes accidental puncturing while Besttip,can whichsuited also forminimizes be skinning used as game.accidental a general The tipwork is narrow, knife.choices The while for top thebirds of widethe and blade curved small drops game. skinning. The drop point blade is strong and veryDROP versatile. POINT bellydown gives toward a nice skinningthe tip, which sweep minimizes that aids inaccidental getting through puncturing thick while TANTO layers.puncturing The downward while skinning. angled, Themore blunt pointCaping makes knives it harder tend to be slim and very Very strong for heavy duty use. Holds up to piercing,skinning. scraping The drop and point blade is strong and very versatile. makedrop anpoint accidental blade is slice strong through and the hide.light duty so they are not always a MODIFIED TANTO pryingSKINNER with tough materials. Many tacticalvery knives versatile. utilize this blade right choice if you only intend to carry Holding manyTANTO of same features as the regularshape. tanto blade, the angled MODIFIED TANTO point is modified between the front edge and the bottom edge on this PENHolding many of same features as thea regularsingle knife. tanto blade, the angled ThisMODIFIED is a smaller TANTO version of the larger "spear point" blade. Pen blades MODIFIED TANTO particular blade. Holds up to piercing, scraping, and prying with tough point is modified between the front edge and the bottom edge on this SKINNER are usually on pocket knives as a handy, all-purposeSERRATIONS blade. materials. BestMODIFIED suited for TANTO skinning game. The tip is Holdingnarrow,particular while many blade.the of wide same Holds curved features up to piercing, as scraping, and prying with tough belly gives a nice skinning sweep that aidsthe in materials.regular getting tantothrough blade, thick the angled Serrations give your Buck blade COPING TANTO layers. The downward angled, more bluntpoint point is makes modi fiit edharder between to the greater cutting power. Especially A narrow blade with a sharp, angular point, it is designed to be used for Very strong for heavy duty use. Holds up to makepiercing, an accidentalscraping and slice through the hide.frontTANTO edge and the bottom edge useful when cutting line and/or cables. SKINNER cutting in tight spots or curved patterns, much as you would with a prying with tough materials. Many tactical knives utilizePEN this blade on thisVery particular strong for blade.heavy dutyHolds use. up Holds up to piercing, scraping and shape. coping saw, only without the teeth. GUT HOOK TANTO PEN to piercing,prying with scraping, tough materials. and prying Many tactical knives utilize this blade This is a smaller version of the larger "spear point" blade. Pen blades TANTO CLIPshape. For great performance when field SKINNER are usually on pocket knives as a handy,with all-purpose tough materials.blade. Best suited for skinning game. The tip is narrow, while the wide curved The crescent tip makes the blade thinner withdressing a sharper game, point. a gut This or skinning shapeTANTOSKINNER provides good control for detail work and cutting in tight places. belly gives a nice skinning sweep that aids in gettingCOPING through thick hook is an ideal tool. We’ve paid COPING It is alsoBest wellsuited suited for skinningfor intentional game. punctures The tip is like narrow, new hol whilees in the your wide curved layers. The downward angled, more blunt pointA narrow makes blade it harder with ato sharp, angular point,Very it is strong designed for toheavy be used duty for use. careful attention to the angles on the belt,belly etc. Whilegives thea nice point skinning of the blade sweep is thateffective aids forin getting detail work, through it's notthick make an accidental slice through the hide. cutting in tight spots or curved patterns, muchHolds as up you to wouldpiercing, with scraping a sharpened edge, shape and size of the SKINNER PEN as stronglayers. as The the downwardthicker points angled, on drop more points blunt and point skinners. makes it harder to coping saw, only without the teeth. andmake prying an with accidental tough slicematerials. through the entryhide. opening and location of the hook PEN SKINNER Many tactical knives utilize this on the blade, making a Buck gut hook This is a smaller version of the larger "spear point" blade. Pen blades CAPING CLIP CLIP AlmostPEN scalpel-like in shape, it has a mild drop point, with nearly a are usually on pocket knives as a handy, all-purposeThe crescent blade. tip makes the blade thinnerblade with a shape. sharper point. This the best spearThis tip isthat a smalleris used forversion the delicate of the larger removal "spear of the point" hide blade.of the facePen ofblades shape provides good control for detail work and cutting in tight places. COPING aSKINNER trophyare usuallyanimal. onThe pocket shape knives makes as caping a handy, knives all-purpose perfect choices blade. for COPING It is also well suited for intentional punctures like new holes in your birds and small game. Caping knives tend to be slim and very light A narrow blade with a sharp, angular point, belt,it is designed etc. While to the be pointused offor the blade is effectiveBest suited for detail for skinning work, it's game.not duty so they are not always a right choice if you only intend to carry a cutting in tight spots or curved patterns, muchas asstrong you aswould the thickerwith a points on drop pointsTheCOPING tipand is skinners. narrow, while the wide PEN single knife. coping saw, only without the teeth. curvedA narrow belly blade gives with a nice a sharp, skinning angular point, it is designed to be used for CAPINGCAPINGPEN cutting in tight spots or curved patterns, much as you would with a SERRATIONSsweep that aids in getting through CLIP CLIP Almost scalpel-like in shape, it has a mild dropcoping point, saw, with only nearly without a the teeth. Serrationsthick layers. give The your downward Buck blade greater cutting power. Especially The crescent tip makes the blade thinner withspear a sharper tip that point. is used This for the delicate removal of the hide of the face of shape provides good control for detail work and cutting in tight places. usefulangled,CLIP when more cutting blunt line point and/or makes cables. it COPING a trophy animal. The shape makes caping knives perfect choices for It is also well suited for intentional puncturesbirds like andnew smallholes game.in your Caping knives tendharder toThe be toslimcrescent make and veryan tip accidentalmakes light the sliceblade thinner with a sharper point. This GUT HOOK belt, etc. While the point of the blade is effectiveduty sofor theydetail are work, not it'salways not a right choicethrough if youshape only the provides intend hide. t ogood carry control a for detail work and cutting in tight places. COPING For great performance when field dressing game, a gut or skinning as strong as the thicker points on drop pointssingle andSERRATED knife.skinners. It is also well suited for intentional punctures like new holes in your hookPENbelt, is an etc. ideal While tool. the We’ve point paid of the careful blade attention is effective to the for angles detail onwork, the it's not CAPING sharpened edge, shape and size of the entry opening and location of CAPING SERRATIONS Thisas is strong a smaller as the version thicker of points the on drop points and skinners. CLIP the hook on the blade, making a Buck gut hook the best Almost scalpel-like in shape, it has a mild dropSerrations point, with give ne yourarly Bucka blade greater cuttinglarger "spearpower. Especiallypoint" blade. Pen spear tip that is used for the delicate removal of the hide of the face of useful when cutting line and/or cables. bladesCAPING are usually on pocket a trophy animal. The shape makes capingGUTTING knives ANDperfectCLIP SKINNING, choices for Almost scalpel-like in shape, it has a mild drop point, with nearly a STRAIGHTknives BACK as a handy, BLADE all-purpose SPEAR POINT birds and small game. Caping knives tendALSO toGUT CALLEDbe slimHOOK and A ZIP very BLADE light spear tip that is used for the delicate removal of the hide of the face of blade. PakLite Field Master Kit – Skinner, Caper and Gut Hook Ring. duty soSERRATED they are not always a right choice if Foryou great only intendperformance to carry when a field dressing game,a trophy a gut animal. or skinni Theng shape makes caping knives perfect choices for single knife. hook is an ideal tool. We’ve paid careful attentionbirds toand the small angles game. on the Caping knives tendHandle to beMaterial: slim and420HC very Stainless light Steel with Orange Traction COPING Coating. Weight: 12 oz. (340.2g) CAPING sharpened edge, shape and size of the entryduty opening so they and are locati noton always of a right choice if you only intend to carry a SERRATIONS the hook on the blade, making a Buck gutA hook narrowsingle the knife. bladebest with a sharp, Serrations give your Buck blade greater cutting power. Especially CAPING angular point, it is designed to useful when cutting line and/or cables. = CUTTING EDGE SERRATIONS GUTTING AND SKINNING, be used for cutting in tight spots STRAIGHT BACK BLADE SerrationsSPEAR POINT give your Buck blade greater cutting power. Especially ALSOGUT CALLEDHOOK A ZIP BLADE or curved patterns, much as you woulduseful with when a coping cutting saw, line onlyand/or cables. SERRATED For great performance when field dressing game, a gut or skinning hook is an ideal tool. We’ve paid careful attention to the angles on the withoutGUT theHOOK teeth. sharpened edge, shape and size of the entry opening and location of For great performance when field dressing game, a gut or skinning the hook on the blade, making a Buck gut hook theSERRATED best CLIP hook is an ideal tool. We’ve paid careful attention to the angles on the = CUTTING EDGE Thesharpened crescent tip edge, makes shape the and blade size of the entry opening and location of GUTTING AND SKINNING, thinnerthe hook with on a sharperthe blade, point. making This a Buck gut hook the best STRAIGHT BACK BLADE SPEAR POINT ALSO CALLED A ZIP BLADE shape provides good control for detail work and cutting in tight GUTTING AND SKINNING, STRAIGHTplaces. It is BACK also wellBLADE suited for SPEAR POINT ALSO CALLED A ZIP BLADE intentional punctures like new holes in your belt, etc. While the = CUTTING EDGE point of the blade is effective for detail work, it's not as strong as = CUTTING EDGE the thicker points on drop points and skinners. 92 facebook.com/fishingingodzone facebook.com/fishingingodzone 93