The best pocket knife is a Swiss Army knife, which was originally named, Offiziersmesser, but proved to be too difficult for many people in the English speaking world to pronounce. It is most commonly known as the Swiss Army knife, and is equipped with many handy tools that can benefit almost any person. Let’s take a look at some of the functions one can expect from this product.
As with most knives, it has two blades, one of which is the main blade and a smaller one for other purposes. There is a corkscrew, a can opener, along with a bottle opener. You can choose between a flathead or Phillips head screw driver, a nail file, and scissors. It also has a saw blade, a regular file, and it has a hook to tighten shoelaces on your stomping boots.
As areas of technology progressed, some additional tools were added which include a few personal hygiene features. A pair of tweezers, and toothpick proved to be beneficial, and they added a scaler to help clean fish that were caught in the wilderness.
Along the way, they added more gadgets to this European wonder, like a magnifying glass, and a useful ballpoint pen. The magnifying glass became standard issue to start a campfire by focusing the sun’s rays through the glass to create sparks on dried leaves. This helped the soldiers stay warm, and provided a means of cooking food.
A few more items which can be found on one of the Swiss Army knife are a hex wrench with bits, and pliers. By using the hook and a pair of pliers, a person can easily make a shelter from the rain by using a rain slicker and string (or vines) to fashion a lean-to structure.
Computer technology added a list of other items which could be useful on this pocket device, and now you can get a 32GB Flash drive, along with a digital clock and an neat altimeter. They also added things like LED light, a laser pointer and music device for MP3. The hex wrench set often comes in handy for computer needs.
The 32GB Flash drive and Bluetooth technology were added in 2010, and makes this a very useful tool for traveling, even camping where a wireless laptop would be handy. In addition to these, there are plans to make a version that is flight-friendly for individuals who travel with the airlines. However, this model is not expected to have blades.
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If you have ever seen any of the Bear Grylls 'Born Survivor' TV series or the outstanding Ray Mears 'Extreme Survival' you will have noticed how both Bear and Ray always carry a good quality knife.
Knives have been used since the stone age when man made remarkably effective and sharp cutting tools from flint and obsidian. The knife is both a practical and versatile tool and a very effective weapon. They've been receiving a lot of bad press lately due to the frequency of violent knife crime in our towns and cities.
But knives are not bad, they are only tools. They are practical tools that, in the outdoors or a survival situation, you would be glad to have.
When camping out a knife can be used in any number of ways including:
- Cutting branches for fire wood
- Preparing kindling
- Cutting rope or string
- Making tent pegs
- Skinning rabbits
- Preparing food
- Almost everything…
It's always a good idea to choose the most suitable knife for the job. The swiss-army knife is a good example of a practical clasp knife that comes with a bewildering selection of tools for almost any situation. While the variety of tools provided by a Swiss Army knife can be appealing a good, strong, sharp knife blade is the essential requirement.
Knives that are good for camping and survival don't really need to be particularly large. Ideally the knife should have a stainless steel blade that will not corrode and will hold and good sharp edge. Your chosen knife may have a fixed or folding blade. Knives with folding blades should ideally lock when the blade is exposed to prevent accidents which can happen when a blade closes on the fingers. Your chosen knife should have an appropriate handle that is comfortable and the right size for your hand. The knife blade should have a good sharp point and the handle may have a strong rear bolster (the bit at the bottom of the handle) which can be used as a hammer.
If you select a fixed blade knife it will need a suitable sheath that, ideally, you can mount on your belt. To keep your knife blade sharp you will need a suitable whetstone. For fishing and hunting, you may like to use a knife that has a partially serrated edge, ideal for cutting through bone.
Whatever you choose a knife is an essential part of your camping equipment. While you may be arrested for carrying one in the city streets you would be a fool to venture far into the wilderness without one.
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