How to choose your knife or multi-tool
Knives prove to be a very useful tool for a variety of outdoor activities as well as for everyday use. This versatile tool, which has been around for at least five centuries, comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. different styles and designs, suitable for multiple uses.
For outdoor activities, a pocket knife can be used to prepare food, cut rope, make repairs and even save your life in an emergency. For everyday uses, they can be useful for simple cuts in different materials, even for heavier tasks. Here are the different types of penknives to help you choose the right one for you.
Leaf types
One aspect to take into account when choosing a razor is the number of blades they have. There are single-edged, multi-serrated and the ones known as multitools.
Single-edged penknives
This type of knife has a single blade. They are usually simple and very strong, suitable for many uses. Manufacturers make these knives to be very strong and durable for heavy-duty work. They may have a spring-loaded opening mechanism, which makes them very easy and quick to open. For those who are looking for a simple and sturdy knife, this type of knife is the one for you.
Multi-bladed knives
These knives concentrate the functions of several knives into one. They can have between three and four blades, suitable for different types of work. These tools offer great variety, but have the disadvantage of not being as strong and durable as a single-bladed knife.
Multi-tools
Multi-tools are implements that have more than just blades. Some models have saws, tweezers, toothpicks, nail files, can openers, scissors, magnifying glasses, corkscrews and more. So virtually every problem you can think of will be solved with a multi-tool. They are very useful and reliable and some models have up to 87 different tools. In the following In this article we present "The 5 best pocket multitools that will get you out of trouble".
Other types
It may be the case that a single razor cannot perform all the necessary tasks, so many people choose to carry several. However, for less demanding users, there will also be one that will suit most needs.
Pocket knives.
These tools are characterised by their folding knife blades. They therefore take up little space and are particularly suitable for everyday tasks and are also suitable for outdoor activities, such as hiking and backpacking. They are quite safe, as the blade is kept folded inside the handle when not in use. One disadvantage of this tool is that they are not as easy to use as a fixed blade knife.
Fixed blade knives.
The great advantage of these knives is that they are easier to use than folding knives and are also easier to clean. What is not so convenient is that being larger, they are also heavier and require a sheath for safe transport.
Knife safety
There are some features that knives have to protect users from accidents.
- Locking knife. This system allows the blade to be folded for convenient transport, but when in use it locks to prevent it from accidentally closing while in use.
- Quick opening. Some knives have a design that allows them to be opened with one hand. Their mechanism allows you to push the blade with your thumb to open it easily. There are even knives that can be opened with either hand, left or right.
- Assisted opening. The mechanism of this type of knife allows the blade to engage and open fully as soon as it starts to open. But not to worry, because they also have a safety mechanism that switches off the mechanism when the blade is closed. This prevents it from opening by accident.
Types of leaves
Depending on the uses to which the leaves are put, you will find different types. For camping and other outdoor activities, these are the most common.
- Dropped tip. This blade has a very practical shape. The main cutting edge has a sufficiently marked belly to allow long cuts, while the "dropped" tip allows you to control the work. It is useful for a wide variety of tasks. Its shape reduces the risk of accidents.
- Trimmed tip. This type of blade is ideal for drilling and perfect for precision work. The tip tends to weaken and is not as strong as blades with wider tips.
- Both. This type of blade is inspired by Japanese combat knives. Its angled tip and its strong point make it strong enough to be used for levering and piercing hard materials.
- Spearhead and needlepoint. This type of blade is almost symmetrical: the back and the blade have almost the same curvature. They are good for survival situations.
- Sheep's foot. It is practical for cutting ropes and for food preparation. Its straight edge from the handle makes it easy to cut.
Materials
An important characteristic that the leaves must have is that they must resist corrosion and stay sharp for a long time and at the same time be easy to sharpen.
When choosing the leaf material, it should be considered that even when the steel Harder steel is sharper, less resistant to rust and more difficult to sharpen. Softer steel, on the other hand, is easier to sharpen but is generally not very sharp.
Another material used for blades is the high carbon steel. They have good hardness, but are much more vulnerable to corrosion.
The knife handles can be made of different materials such as wood, plastic, rubber, stainless steel and aluminium.
The wood provides good grip, but is much more susceptible to water damage. The plasticAlthough it does not deteriorate due to humidity and is economical, it can be slippery.
The rubber gives good resistance to moisture and a good grip, but does not have high durability, while stainless steel and aluminium are durable materials but can be slippery.
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