Posts Tagged ‘tactical folding knives’
Portable Protection
A few years ago, I was mugged by some derelicts as I got off the bus. People were too stunned to help and I sustained some minor injuries. Luckily, I survived and wasn’t hurt too terribly, but now I have to think about my personal safety when I leave the home.
A friend of mine had some advice for me to feel a bit safer when I’m going out to work, one of which was to carry folding knives with me. It’s not quite as messy as carrying a gun and completely safe, but it can still provide me with the protection that I need when I’m just trying to get out of the house.
On the Belt
Far too many really good hunting knives
have been lost because of really bad sheaths.
If there is a failure in the cutlery industry, it’s that knife sheaths and carrying cases are often nothing more than afterthoughts. It’s a shame to see a champagne quality knife in a beer budget sheath. Made the right way and with the right stuff, as much time and expense should go into the design, materials and construction of a sheath, as that of the knife for which it is intended. Made any other way, the sheath or carrying case fails to be an integral part of a larger paradigm.
Whatever material sheathed the blades of early man, you can bet it offered protection to both man and blade alike. It probably didn’t take too many generations of lost and damaged blades…not to mention lacerated body parts to make sure of that.
Leather has many features that make it a superior knife sheath material- not the least of which is its traditional use. Leather is available in many types and grades. And here’s the rub—some manufacturers go for the bottom line when selecting sheath leather. The bottom line being profit and the cost of sheath leather is one place where they can pinch pennies.
The best leather sheath material feels, smells and looks like what it is. A quality leather sheath, can provide many years of protection for both knife and it’s owner. In all candor, leather does have its share of problems. Over time it can stretch, stain, and rot if subjected to moisture. Even with the best care, leather can age and sometimes not too gracefully.
Obviously, there are good sheaths—and bad! Likewise, there are many ways to build a knife sheath. Whatever construction method is used, the sheath should not just hold and protect, it should also enhance your knife.
All knives need a good quality sheath. But hunting knives, because of the nature of their use require superior quality sheaths to protect them and you.
Sharpening Tactical Folding Knives
You can sharpen tactical folding knives by holding them at 22 degrees for a sharp knife or 12-15 degrees for a very sharp knife. The type of sharpening stone
used can also affect the sharpness of the blade. Many prefer to use a clamp-style system that has pre-defined angles to ensure accurate sharpening but any quality stone will do the job.
Traditional stones can be used to sharpen tactical folding knives and they are known as Arkansas stones, which come in soft (coarse) and hard (fine) varieties. Some prefer to use ceramic stones due to the fact that they do not wear like natural stones and they do not require oil like the Arkansas stone does.
Adding oil may be necessary to lift the metal dust off of the stone when sharpening tactical folding knives. If you use ceramic stones you won’t need to add oil as they can be cleaned with detergent. Never use soap or detergent to clean a natural sharpening stone.
When you are done sharpening a tactical folding knife you may want to use a technique called “stropping.” This is performed with a leather strap that has abrasive compounds in it. This can be used on a tactical folding knife that is still sharp, but not as sharp as it once was.
Self Defense with Tactical Folding Knives
Advance your self-defense skills to a new level by learning personal hand-to-hand combat with tactical folding knives. Tactical folding knives are specifically designed and manufactured for self-defense. The blade folds back into the handle and can be opened quickly using one hand with a thumb stud. Folding tactical knives also include blade locks to prevent the blade from accidentally closing and harming the owner. Best of all, tactical folding knives can be small and indiscreet so they can be safely carried in a handbag or pocket book or even hang from a key chain.
Modern Features Of Tactical Folding Knives
Tactical folding knives, also known as lock backs, or liner locks have a couple of modern features that have become popular since the late 80’s to early 90’s. A modern feature that many people enjoy is the thumb stud in the blade that makes it easier to push the knife open with the thumb. Pocket clips also have become quite popular for tactical folding knives due to the quick access they allow if needed in an emergency.
Save Space with a Money Clip Knife
For years I have carried a pocketknife with me everywhere I go. Some people may view this as unnecessary, but I actually employ my blade for a variety of tasks and use it many times a week. Lately, however, with the need to carry a Blackberry, my keys, wallet and other essentials, I’ve found myself running short on pocket space.
Getting a man-purse was out of the question, so I needed to find another way to relieve my bulging pockets. Last week I was in my local knife shop and found a money clip knife. This handy tool allowed my to combined my wallet and pocketknife into one item, and open up some much needed pocket room.