For camping, it matters how you pack. The items must suit your comfort and requirements that may arise in the wilderness. An essential tip is to not overpack. That necessitates a proper consideration of the things to pack and something that can be left out. The camping experience becomes more accessible and fun with items, such as knives, that can be used in multiple ways and for different tasks. When you pack one or two knives in your camping bag, knowing how you’re planning to use them can enhance the ability to enjoy your camping experience. Read below to find out about the qualities that make knives a handy equipment for camping.
1. Protection
A blade’s ability to reflect light can act as a signal for fellow campaigners and a warning to ward off wild animals and other dangerous elements. Knives come to use primarily as gear for self-defence in an unknown land.
2. Strength
Carbon or stainless steel blade is an alloy mixed with other elements and ensures its sharpness and hardness. So when you’re doing some heavy-duty tasks like chopping some tree branches hanging over your tent, a fixed blade knife retains its sharpness and strength during a short camping trip. Although some may weigh a little more than a pocket knife, they are easier to clean and sharpen than a pocket knife.
3. Compatibility
A knife doesn’t always need to be heavy to do its job. A pocket knife, for instance, fits easily into the user’s pocket and is ideal for short hiking and backpacking tasks. It is compatible because the sharp blade folds back into the handle. Although lightweight and easy to carry, it is not as stable as a fixed-blade knife, and one has to be careful to not close the blade on the finger. Moreover, the knife’s folding attribute increases the chances of a mechanical failure and makes it tough to clean and sharpen.
4. Stability
When you’re already in an unknown situation, handling a folding knife is a risk many campers avoid taking. A locking blade or fixed-blade knife mostly assures that stability when in use. However, while a fixed-blade knife without a sheath can cause some accidental bloodshed, a locking blade folding knife might pose a danger with a mechanical failure, such that the blade gets stuck when you’re trying to fold it out in combat for self-defence. A camper has to take all necessary precautions to avoid any accidental damage.
5. Sharpness
You need a sharp blade when you are in the kitchen or when you go out hunting. It doesn’t just end with killing; you also need to skin the animal and dress it for consumption or preservation. You need a sharp and flexible knife to the skin, clean and gut a fish.
6. Durability
A knife’s handle is as important as its blade. It is good to have a knife with a comfortable grip to do the slicing and skinning without the knife slipping away from the user’s hand. There are plastic, wood, rubber, and metal handles that a user can choose from according to his comfort. Ideally, one should be looking for a handle that provides a good grip in all weather conditions.
Conclusion
Apart from the qualities mentioned above, one can also opt for varieties like knives with a safety holder to avoid kitchen accidents. After all, a user wouldn’t know what suits him best until he tries out some favourable options.