5 Things All Hikers MUST Take Note When Choosing Hiking Knife - Perkin

Hiking boots, food, water, and tactical gear...

These are a few essential components of any hiking checklist. 

Talking about tactical gear, a hiking knife is the first thing that strikes your mind.

Since you already know how crucial a knife as a weapon is, this does not mean that your kitchen knife can act as a replacement for hiking knife in case you don’t have one. 

That said, investing in a quality hiking knife is essential. But, choosing the best one from a wide array of options available can be daunting.

So, here we are, with a list of all important things you need to pay attention to when choosing a hiking knife. 

Read on and find out. 

• The kind of hiking knife: Folding vs Fixed Blade

The first thing that you need to keep in mind before you actually begin your hunt for the most appropriate hiking knife, is the kind of knife you should choose. 

Although folding knives may seem to be an obvious choice because of their compact size and ease of usage, fixed blade knives are a great deal too. 

Fixed blade knives are more sturdy and durable than folding knives and are more accessible. They can go through immense wear and tear and remain as is. 

On the contrary, folding knives tend to break easily if mishandled. 

The main drawback of fixed blade knives is that they are difficult to conceal and carry around. But, you can always invest in a knife sheath if you are keen to buy it. 

We suggest you evaluate each of them thoroughly, weigh their pros and cons, and decide accordingly. 

• The material of the blade

What’s a knife without its blade?

As a blade is the making or breaking factor for any kind of knife, make sure that it’s of high-quality. 

When choosing a hiking knife, keep in mind that the blade makes chopping, hunting, and self-defence easy. Besides, it must be rust-resistant and should be able to retain the sharpness for a longer time, especially in humid weather conditions. 

Stainless steel is one of the most preferred steels for the hiking knife’s blade. However, there are other options too. Please do your research about each one and then make a final decision on the basis of it. 

• The edge of the blade

When talking about the edge of the blade, choose the one that is easy to sharpen and simultaneously, sustains sharpness. It can be either plain, serrated, or a combination of the two. 

Blade with plain edges is versatile and is basically used in food preparation. With it, one can easily spread cheese, cut meat, or even slice stuff. However, it does not remain as sharp as a serrated one after a long period of time. Plus, it cannot be used for hard tasks like rope cutting or building a fire. 

On the other hand, blade with serrated edges will provide you with a fine grip over the handle due to serration over that area and the blade shall become flat towards the tip. 

It’s best to choose the combination one as you get to experience the advantages of both. However, don’t forget to consider your requirements too. 

• Blade tip and shape 

The tip of the blade and its shape are yet another important factors to be considered when choosing a hiking knife. No matter the shape, keep in mind to choose a knife that has a sharp tip. A tipped blade is the solution for all your needs when in the wilderness, be it cooking, skinning, or digging. 

If we talk about the blade shapes, some of the common ones to look for are:

1. Drop point
2. Clip point
3. Spear point

While each of these solves a separate purpose, the key is to study their usage and then decide for yourself. 

• Handle material

Yes, the material of the handle too is an important consideration when choosing a hiking knife. It should offer comfort and a nice grip. 

A wrong handle is often the cause of injuries and accidents. So, if you don’t want to end up hurting yourself, choose a high-quality material. 

There are different material types to choose from like wood, metal, plastic, and bones. While wood is the most traditional type of material and attractive too, it is susceptible to scratches when not taken care of. 

Every type of handle comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Draw a comparison and select the one that best suits you. 

Conclusion 

Apart from the aforementioned factors, make sure to check the weight of the hiking knife too along with knife warranty and sheath.  

Now that you’re aware of all the things you need to consider, purchase the best hiking knife today!