For different types of hunting you need different knives. For example, for small game hunting a long, narrow blade is preferred, and to hunt for example, on large ungulates a knife with a wide, but not very long blade is desired. Blades of hunting knives are made of high carbon steel. The hardness of the blade is measured in special HRC units (Rockwell hardness), and depends on the amount of carbon in the steel. It is desirable that the hardness of a hunting knife was about 60 HRC, but in any case it should not be lower than 55 HRC.

Thus, we present three most common designs of hunting knives.

Drop Point

or “knife with decreasing butt line” usually represents a relatively thick blade, the point of which is located in the center of the plate – on the axis of the force application. At the top of the plate a false edge is often performed – formed by the blade descent without sharpening – either a full blade with sharpened top edge of the plate by about a third. Hunting knives of this type cut and prick pretty well.

They are ideal for hunting a big game. A form of hunting knife allows you to remove the skin from the gained animals quickly, moreover, unlike the special skinning knives, knives of this type are much more functional – they can fairly easy cut a big game.

 

Clip Point / Bowie.

It is also a very common design of a hunting knife blade. Clip Point blades have more bold point than the Drop Point. In this type of hunting knives, a narrower blade and the point, as well as at Drop Point, is close to the axis of force applying. These blades are not just for the traditional needs of the hunter, but also to perform various household tasks. In principle, the hunting knife with a blade can perform all Drop Point functions, however, is not as effective. This is a great option for those who prey once in a while. If you could take only one knife to the hunting, we would prefer Clip Point.

 

Skinner. Designed specifically for the removal of trophy animal skins

Hunting knives of this type have a lot in common with Drop Point – the same broad blade, the same rake, only it is even shorter and the upper edge of the blade is straight, without reduction to the tip, which is making Skinner not suitable for thrusting. In addition, very often the knives of this type are carried out without any point. These knives have a very narrow specialization – they are intended exclusively for skinning – to butcher with their help is not convenient – they are too short, and stick them to the carcass is problematic.

From the handle to a large extent depends of a hunting knife convenience. If you seem the knife handle for some reason uncomfortable – with all the advantages of a particular instance it is better to choose a suitable knife handle.