6 Popular Types of Hunting Knives, Including Ceramic Folding Knives
Every hunter needs a reliable knife for cutting, slicing and stabbing. The multi-purpose tools are lightweight, easy to carry and easy to use, although you won't need every style of knife for every hunt. Here's a look at six popular styles, including ceramic knives, which come in many types and offer a superior edge that won't rust or dull nearly as quickly as steel.
Drop-Point Knives
These knives have a curved blade typically made from broad steel. With a drop-point, you can skin an animal with the entire edge of the blade, not just the point, without harming the meat. These tough knives can also be used to split bones.
Ceramic Folding Knives
A folding knife is one of the best multi-purpose tools you can carry on you, and most lock for safety. While not as strong as other styles, they are ultra portable and often have attachments, making them best used for small game. Ceramic folding knives are becoming the go-to option for many hunters as they stay sharp up to 10 times longer than conventional steel and their superior cutting edge is best for dressing and skinning game. While they cannot be used to split bone, they're great for straight cuts on boneless meat, fruit, rope, paper and skinning.
Skinner Knives
These knives are designed to remove skin without harming the meat using sweeping blades. Skinner knives are a good option for hunters who want to do the butchering themselves, although they are not durable or very versatile. You can also buy this style of ceramic hunting knives to separate flesh from skin.
Bowie Knives
Many people are familiar with the bowie knife, which is made for self-defense and hunting. The bowie knife can quickly skin or cut through bone, although they aren't legal in every state.
Gut Knives
These knives have a unique, elongated hook on the tip that's made for creating incisions in an animal without sacrificing meat quality. These specialty knives are not versatile, but they're a great back-up knife.
Ceramic Pocket Knives
Pocket knives are excellent secondary knives that are very versatile. Ceramic pocket knives have the same benefits as their steel counterparts, except they are easier to clean, weigh a great deal less, do not rust or pit and have a sharper edge.
Depending on the type of game you plan to hunt, it's important to carry a few styles of knives with you. It's also recommended to use a selection of both ceramic knives and steel, as ceramic knives cannot cut bone or sharp objects without chipping. Ceramic hunting knives are an investment, as they last much longer without requiring sharpening, but they should be reserved for the right job.
Drop-Point Knives
These knives have a curved blade typically made from broad steel. With a drop-point, you can skin an animal with the entire edge of the blade, not just the point, without harming the meat. These tough knives can also be used to split bones.
Ceramic Folding Knives
A folding knife is one of the best multi-purpose tools you can carry on you, and most lock for safety. While not as strong as other styles, they are ultra portable and often have attachments, making them best used for small game. Ceramic folding knives are becoming the go-to option for many hunters as they stay sharp up to 10 times longer than conventional steel and their superior cutting edge is best for dressing and skinning game. While they cannot be used to split bone, they're great for straight cuts on boneless meat, fruit, rope, paper and skinning.
Skinner Knives
These knives are designed to remove skin without harming the meat using sweeping blades. Skinner knives are a good option for hunters who want to do the butchering themselves, although they are not durable or very versatile. You can also buy this style of ceramic hunting knives to separate flesh from skin.
Bowie Knives
Many people are familiar with the bowie knife, which is made for self-defense and hunting. The bowie knife can quickly skin or cut through bone, although they aren't legal in every state.
Gut Knives
These knives have a unique, elongated hook on the tip that's made for creating incisions in an animal without sacrificing meat quality. These specialty knives are not versatile, but they're a great back-up knife.
Ceramic Pocket Knives
Pocket knives are excellent secondary knives that are very versatile. Ceramic pocket knives have the same benefits as their steel counterparts, except they are easier to clean, weigh a great deal less, do not rust or pit and have a sharper edge.
Depending on the type of game you plan to hunt, it's important to carry a few styles of knives with you. It's also recommended to use a selection of both ceramic knives and steel, as ceramic knives cannot cut bone or sharp objects without chipping. Ceramic hunting knives are an investment, as they last much longer without requiring sharpening, but they should be reserved for the right job.
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