Nothing is more useful to hunters than a hunting knife. From splitting wood, lighting fire to self-defense, a hunting knife has many useful applications. My husband lives and breathes fishing at the ocean, and he has a variety of different knives for a variety of different purposes.
When you go out in search of a hunting knife, you will find a variety of them. If you want one with more strength, go for a hunting knife fixed blade or if you are looking for a knife that is easy to carry around, pick a folding hunting knife.
For different hunting knives, the blade length, the hardness etc. may vary but the manufacturing process involves the same steps. For all of those who are curious to find out about how survival knives are made, we are here for you. Following are the steps involved in making of a hunting knife.
Construction of the Blade
The blade is made from steel or stainless steel. The higher the amount of carbon content in the blade, the harder it is. When multiple knives are produced together, they are pressed in a punch press. The press compresses the rough blade to give it a smooth shape. However, in case of knives that are intricate, special methods such as laser cutting is used. Holes are drilled into the tang. While the blade is still soft, intricate designs can be made on it.
Hardening
Once the shape of the blade is formed, the next step is to harden it. By hardening the blade, the knife’s edge is sharpened. To harden multiple blades at once, they are placed in a ceramic tray which is then kept in an oven. Once the blades are heated, the tray is removed and the blades are placed in oil or water. This is the process of quenching which involves rapid cooling of the blade; it makes the blade brittle. Now the blade is reheated and then allowed to cool down. This process is known as tempering. These alternate heating and cooling cycles harden the blade.
Polish and Sharpening
Polishing can be done either by a machine or by hand. By polishing, the blade is given a smooth and even surface. After polishing is done, the blade passes through a series of grinding wheels which helps in removing the extra metal and giving it a sharp edge.
Honing
Honing is the operation of fine grinding. A fine grinding hone helps in producing a sharpened edge. Honing helps in providing a uniform sharpness to the knife.
Assembling the Stocks, Guard and Pommel
Once all the above steps are finished, it is time to assemble the stocks, guard and pommel to produce the knife. To smooth the stocks and blend rivet heads, a buffing wheel is used. The pommel is then fitted to the end of the tang which is then secured tightly with a pin. The process of assembly should be carried out smoothly since any mistake can damage the knife.
Conclusion
When the survival knives are being manufactured, quality control is carried out simultaneously. The quality control ensures that the product meets quality standards. The knives are inspected not just for the sharpness but also for the visual appearance.
Hunting knives continue to be the best survival tools for anyone who is thinking about exploring the wilderness. Also, there is so much variety out there that you can easily find a survival knife that suits all your needs. Hunting knives have evolved in the last few years in terms of shape, appearance, material used and will continue to evolve in the future.
Does your family have a favorite type of survival knife that they use for all sorts of outings? Let us know in the comments below!
