About Pocket Knives

Gerber has been a leader in manufacturing knives and multi-tools for several decades, and has a history that traces back to the early 1900s. Gerber started out as an advertising firm in 1910. While working at the family owned business, Joseph Gerber mailed out two dozen knife sets to clients over the holidays. The knives became quite popular, and more were later made and sold in catalogs. When the knives had gathered a huge customer base, the Gerber family left the advertising business and started a new company named Gerber Legendary Blades in 1939. Gerber poclet knives became known for their tough molded handle featuring a rubber grip, as well as the utilization of high quality stainless steel to create the blade. The Gerber knife possessed the same qualities as a custom knife, but was offered at a more sensible price.

The Gerber Guardian is perhaps the most renowned Gerber knife, and was designed as a boot knife that had several unique features including a double edge blade finished in a non-reflective black sheen. The knife is perhaps most famous as the weapon of choice used by Lara Croft, Tomb Raider, and Sam Fischer from the Splinter Cell series. 

The term “tactical” gets thrown around somewhat haphazardly in the knife world, but what does the distinction actually denote? Typically when a knife is referred to as a tactical knife it is in order to highlight the versatile quality of the blade. While some blades are designed for a particular purpose, tactical knives are a jack of all trades.

If you are constantly using your knife to skin fish or some other specialized activity, it would behoove you to invest in a variety of task-specific knives. For general use, however, tactical pocket knives will do. No matter what knife you end up buying, it is always a smart idea to go with a trusted manufacturer like Boker or Gerber.

When it comes to choosing pocket knives, there is a litany of specifications to take into consideration. From the blade type to the manufacturer, every choice that you make will influence the quality and optimal use of your blade. One of the most paramount of these decisions is what material to pick.

There are several metals that you can choose from, but titanium is my favorite. Titanium pocket knives combine two characteristics that virtually every knife shopper is looking for: strength and lightweight construction. Often referred to as a “space age metal,” titanium is a sound choice no matter what you will be using your knife for.

Here is a short checklist of supplies and precautions for a hunting trip.

• Rifles and ammunition; depending on what you’re hunting you may be using a bow and arrows, regardless ensure your weapons are cleaned and you have adequate ammo.
• A good knife; I bring one of my Buck pocket knives with me wherever I may roam, especially on hunting excursions
• Reflective hunting clothing; you will need this to maintain visibility to other hunters in the woods.

In addition clothing, remember to bring:

• Extra socks
• Equipment for adverse weather conditions
• Hunting boots
• Hunting buddy; hunting alone is dangerous, all Hunters should be accompanied by at least one other Hunter.
• Water, rations; you will want water and rations for at least one night just to be safe.

I know from experience that hunting knives can be extremely expensive, which is why I was so thrilled when I found a great deal on Old Timer pocket knives. The worst thing is when you spend hundreds on a quality knife and then lose it in the wilderness.  This can be a real frustration for anyone who hunts or spends any time outdoors. Granted, I still don’t want to lose my knife but if I do it isn’t going to set me back a week’s pay.

What’s more, I used to constantly discover a dulling blade at the worst possible moment - when I’m out in the middle of nowhere.  Everyone knows how heavy a sharpening stone can be and no one wants to lug that around with them.  So it’s critical that the knives can hold a blade, which, of course, Old Timers do.

Rifle season starts in mid November here in my neck of the woods, and that means it’s time to place the “Gone Huntin’” sign in my store window before driving out to camp. I’d might as well send my wife a postcard as well; she won’t be seeing much of me for the next week or so. Still, I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself. A hunter who hits the woods unprepared is much less likely to bring home a trophy buck.

After taking stock of my supplies and gear this year, I discovered that I could use some spare Uncle Henry pocket knives. These fine knives are one of the most essential tools of the trade a hunter could as for, and the five-inch blade looks pretty cool when it’s unleashed as well. One thing’s for sure: if anything needs cutting at camp this year, I’ve got the situation covered.

For people who are using their knife outside, exposure to moisture and the elements is inevitable. With this is mind, it is important for outdoorsmen to choose a model that is resistant to water and has a reliable grip. Although titanium blades are strong and won’t rust, they can be pricey.

If you are looking for affordable rust-proof blades, consider trying stainless steel pocket knives. These knives are relatively cheap, but still offer dependable rust resistance. They are the perfect option for the recreational user who isn’t using their knife everyday.

When you’re shopping for reliable pocket knives, there are plenty of factors to consider. One of the most important is undoubtedly the blade material, which determines sharpness as well as durability. Carbon steel, one of the most prevalent blade types, is strong and sturdy but prone to rusting over time. Stainless steel, on the other hand, resists rust but possesses slightly less material integrity – it’s a bit soft.

That brings us to the titanium pocket knife, one of the most durable, reliable materials on the market. These knives are both lightweight and incredibly thin, making them ideal for fishing trips where you’ll be boning and filleting the catches yourself. A titanium knife isn’t susceptible to rusting, so it’s virtually guaranteed to last for as long as you’ll need its services.

The same people who love to spend their free time outdoors are generally those who take the most risks. There’s just something about the wilderness lifestyle that goes hand in hand with a spirit of adventure. Normally that blatant lack of inhibitions is a positive thing; after all, there’s plenty of hiking, fishing, hunting and camping to be done and little time to do it.

There are a few indispensable items that outdoors types would be remiss to leave home without. First and foremost, they should pack a first aid kit with bandages, antiseptics and other crucial materials. Just as important is the presence of survival pocket knives, which can be used to cut away clothing in case of an accident or to cut rope or twine. It’s not a bad idea to bring a hatchet along on the trip so you’ll have a handy way to cut firewood.

To sharpen a very dull knife, use first the coarse and then the fine side of the whetstone; to sharpen a blade in better shape, use only the fine side. Have badly chipped or serrated knives professionally sharpened.

Oil the surface of the whetstone lightly. If you can see the cutting bevel on the knife blade, keep the knife at this bevel as you work; otherwise, hold the knife with the blade at a 30-degree angle to the stone.

Holding the knife blade firmly at the bevel angle, push the full length of the blade gently but firmly away from you, at a diagonal across the stone. Lift the knife blade at the end of the stroke, turn the knife over, and repeat, stroking the blade away from yourself across the stone. Repeat, using alternating strokes on the two sides of the blade, for the same number of strokes on each side. These alternating strokes remove any tiny burrs caused by the sharpening. For very dull blades, follow this sharpening procedure on first the coarse side and then the fine side of the stone. Remove debris from the knife blade with a soft cloth.

To touch up the cutting edge of a carving knife, use a sharpening steel. With the blade of the knife away from you, pull the edge of the knife blade lightly down the length of the steel, stroking the entire length of the blade from handle to tip. Repeat on the other side of the knife blade. Stroke the sides of the blade alternately along the steel to produce the desired cutting edge; about six strokes per side are usually adequate, particularly for survival pocket knives.