Tag: survival knives

Supplies You Should Gather For Your Next Wilderness Adventure

When it comes to gathering supplies for your next wilderness adventure one of the most important survival gear items you should pack is a solid knife.  When it comes to choosing a solid survival knife there are seven key elements you should look into before making a purchase.

The first element to consider is the knife tang.  A knife tang is the part of the knives blade that extends down into the handle.  Knives that are full tang are considered the highest quality of knives.  A full tang means that the tang goes to the base of the handle.  Full tang knives offer support and extra strength to the knife. Be careful with cheaper knives that are not full tang as they have the potential to break off if too much strain is put on the knife.

Another important factor when it comes to purchasing a survival knife is the knives handle.  Knife handles vary a great deal from hard rubber to bone.  Avoid purchasing a survival knife that doubles as a storage container, compass, time piece or anything other than a knife.  The knife handle should be solid, hollow knifes are not appropriate to carry when it comes to a knife that could possibly be needed in a life and death situation.

Consider the metal that the blade is made from.  Popular options include stainless steel and carbon steel.  Many survivalists have a preference but truly this comes down to what you are most comfortable with.  Stainless steel is a nice knife blade metal option because it is basically indestructible.  The main complaint is that stainless steel blades tend to lose their edge more quickly than their carbon steel counterpoints.  Although the blade will stay sharper longer with carbon steel be sure to note that carbon steel is more volatile and is quicker to rust especially when used in the elements.

The blade design is another option that you will have a choice in when deciding what survival knife to pack in your outdoor survival kit.  There are three options to choose from; straight blade, serrated blade or a combination of the two.  This is a personal preference and will be best determined based on how you are going to use the knife.  Straight blades are easier to sharpen however serrated blades are better at ripping through tough materials.

Look into different length blades when purchasing a survival knife.  The average range will fall between six to twelve inches and is completely personal choice.  This keeps the knife in an easy to use and carry size. Anything larger than this and it becomes difficult to carry and use effectively.

Purchase a knife blade that is between 3/16 and 4/16 thickness.  Any less than that and you will have flexing in your knife blade.  Purchase a knife that the blade is thick enough that it does not allow for flex and that will be solid enough to withstand the abuse it will take if it is needed to chop wood or be used for prying.

When looking for survival knives consider the knife sheath.  There are three attachments to carry the knife on your person or that allow the knife and blade to be stored safely within a backpack.  A lower attachment straps the knife to your leg or backpack via a hole or attachment piece.  Survival knives can also be carried via a sheath that attaches around your belt or a lanyard attachment as well as a crossover strap.  Consider the most comfortable method to carry your survival knife that also allows for ease of access.  You never know what situation you will fall into when exploring on your next wilderness adventure.

KnifeMule.com is an online retailer specializing in a variety of specialty knives, outdoor survival gear and tactical gear including top brands such as Zero Tolerance, Boker Tree Knives, W.R. Case Knives and more.  For more information or to purchase outdoor gear and knives online find us at https://www.knifemule.com.

Essentials In Outdoor Survival Gear

With summer upon us the camping supplies come out!  With the camping supplies come the adventures the warm sun and summer breeze brings out.  With every camping trip and backpacking adventure the need to be prepared is always amongst us.  When it comes to packing for your outdoor adventures one can never be too careful.  Wilderness survival gear should be packed using great care; every adventurer should realize that there are extreme risks involved when it comes to the unknown that the outdoors brings with it.

When it comes to packing for an adventure the most important thing is that you are prepared for the unexpected.  Make the right choices when it comes to survival equipment as it may be the difference between life and death on your next camping excursion.  With the wide variety of survival gear available how does an inexperienced camper know what to bring on their first great adventure?  What is important verse what becomes a waste of space within your backpack?

The first thing any outdoor adventurer should do is to create a list of what is needed on where they are going, what they are doing and how they are getting there.  Different climates, as well as different terrains will call for a mix of different outdoor wilderness needs. This should be obvious; the desert needs different preparations than would a rain forest.

Some things that are needed no matter what the terrain or climate and should be in every pack include the basics such as fuel for a fire, a compass or other navigational tool, a way to purify water and a knife to assist in building a shelter.

Fire is needed for many reasons no matter what climate you are backpacking in.  Not only is fire a good source of heat but it is also important for lighting, cooking and possible water purification.  Consider purchasing slow burning fire sticks, magnesium fire starters, flint or waterproof matches. These are all great sources that will allow fire to be created and sustained in a variety of climates.

A compass or other navigational tools such as GPS or paper maps are important when exploring territory that is unknown or new to you.  When looking to purchase a compass be sure it is easy to use.  GPS systems are great tools that can be used to not only track the environment you are in but also used to track and identify where you are.  This feature often requires a subscription.  When it comes to a low tech gadget that will direction a compass is the best bet for backpacking adventures.

A system to purify water is also essential in outdoor adventures.  The human body can only be without water for between three days and one week.  Water is needed for the body to survive.  When you are lost in the wilderness the last thing you need is to become sick and dehydrated from drinking contaminated water.  Purchase water purification tablets and purification straws are without a doubt one of the most important items that should be contained within your survival pack.

For food and building shelter a knife is also an item that should be carried on any outdoor adventure no matter how long or short the adventure is scheduled to be.  Even the shortest of trips have been known to take a wrong turn into unexpected territory.  Be prepared for anything every time you camp or back pack into territory that is unique to you.

KnifeMule.com is an online retailer specializing in a variety of specialty knives, outdoor survival gear and tactical gear including top brands such as Zero Tolerance, Boker Tree Knives, W.R. Case Knives and more.  For more information or to purchase outdoor gear and knives online find us at https://www.knifemule.com.