October 22, 2012
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Hunting Information for Minnesota: www.dnr.state.mn.us/hunting Hunting Information for South Dakota: www.gfp.sd.gov/hunting
A Difficult Challenge By R. Addy
You want to purchase a hunting knife, but you don’t know what kind to buy. Buying the wrong knife could ruin a perfectly good hunting experience, so before you go knife shopping, you need to ask yourself a few questions. What type of hunting will you be doing? Will you be going after large or small animals? Do you want a knife you can use when you’re not hunting? Answering these questions will help you choose the knife that is right for you. There are two basic styles of knives: fixed blade and folding. On a fixed blade knife, the blade is fixed in the open position permanently. For safety, the knife comes with a sheath. A folding knife has a pivot point and lock mechanism that allows the
blade to close at the handle. The knife is good for the occasional hunter, works well for everyday use and is easier to carry and store. However, it is not as strong as a fixed blade knife. Blade design is important, but what about the handle? Classic handles such as wood, leather and bone are nice to look at and are functional. However, newer materials such as rubber and other composite materials give hunters more control in adverse conditions, which means added safety. Clean your knife after using it. Even on stainless steel blades, the acid from your fingers can cause rust. Wash your blade by hand with soap and water and dry it immediately with a soft cloth. To remove stains, use a clean wine cork and a mixture of salt and vinegar. Apply light pressure when cleaning so you don’t mark the blade. Wash immediately with soap and water and dry with a soft cloth.
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