TEN THINGS TO LOOK FOR WHEN CHOOSING A POCKET KNIFE

Steel: A nice knife with crappy, lower steel is a waste of money. The Buck folder that I carried for years was made of 420 stainless steel, and the ability to handle was very good. My Benchmade Griptillian is made of 154CM.

Find out which steel will work for your needs, and this can help narrow down your choices.

Not too big: For years, I wore a large folding Buck hunting knife in a belt pouch. This buck climbed on my hip along the Mississippi River, (check out the book!) And did everything I needed. But, it occurred to me one day, that if I were going to wear a knife on my belt, it might just as well be a rigid blade.

A handmade Damascus pocket knives should be small enough to carry easily in your pocket, but be large enough to be useful. Do not get carried away by the idea of a large, bulky folder. It will soon prove inconvenient to wear.

No serrated edge: I do not see the value in a serrated edge. If you think you need to cut a seatbelt, a rope or something, then get a special knife with a serrated blade.

Otherwise, you will discover that the serrated edge is a special grind that does not wear so much. He will, however, take one of the most useful parts of the blade.

Ergonomic handle: Your pocket knife is your whittler. Make sure you can use the knife for long sessions. The handle should fit your hand, do not become slippery when wet and carry well in your pocket.

Not too thick: A thick pocket knife cannot usually be comfortably carried in a pocket. My personal comfort level is two layers thick. Anything thicker and the knife will probably end up in a belt pocket. If you are in an urban setting, you may not want to announce that you have a knife. A belt pouch is a gift.

Blade Design: You can get everything you want, so decide which tasks you can use the knife most often. My most used daily port knife is a swiss army handyman, with a three-inch spear point. My wooden pocket knife is often a stockman model, with three blades: a large pliers point, and a smaller foot of sheep and spay. It is an excellent small game knife and I use it to skin squirrels and rabbits.

Lockblade: I think that the locking blades are highly overrated and can give a false sense of security. I know of two cases where locks failed, resulting in serious injury. Nothing can completely guard against stupidity. But remember, a locking blade, no matter how well designed, is inferior, in terms of safety, to a knife with a rigid blade.

Price: You usually get what you pay for, but a quality pocket knife does not have to be expensive.

My father used pocket knives. He was a carpenter and farmer and used his knife several times a day. Dad was carrying a medium-sized Stockman knife, bought at the local tractor supply store. He felt no loyalty to the brand - if a knife did not work as he thought he would be relegated to a tractor toolbox. Dad probably never spent more than $ 15 for a knife and did not think much about his daily tool.

Stick with the name brand, quality companies, and you can find an inexpensive and practical knife.

Handle material: I like pretty knives. But a nice knife with a cheap blade is a waste of money. I love micarta for durability and deer for pretty. Decide on the importance of appearance for you.