In the first part of this series, we covered the basics of survival knives—types of steel, blade designs, and how to choose the right knife for your needs. Now, it’s time to dive deeper into how to maintain and care for your knife, ensuring it stays sharp and reliable no matter the situation. We’ll also explore specialized knife designs that serve unique survival purposes.
Knife Maintenance: Taking Care of Your Lifeline
A survival knife is a tool you’ll rely on heavily in critical moments, so taking care of it is essential. A dull, rusty knife is more dangerous and less effective than a properly maintained one. By regularly maintaining your knife, you ensure it will perform when you need it most.
1. Cleaning Your Knife
After use, especially in harsh conditions, cleaning your knife is critical to prevent damage and corrosion.
- Wipe It Down: After each use, wipe down your knife with a clean cloth. For sticky substances like sap or blood, use a bit of warm, soapy water (never soak the blade). Dry the knife thoroughly before storing it to prevent moisture buildup.
- Preventing Corrosion: If you’re using a carbon steel knife, regular oiling is essential to prevent rust. A light coating of mineral oil or even vegetable oil can function as a protective layer. Stainless steel knives are more resistant to corrosion but should still be cleaned and dried to prevent long-term wear.
- Avoid Over-Polishing: While a shiny blade may look nice, over-polishing can remove the blade’s protective patina, especially on carbon steel knives. A patina (a light oxidized layer) can actually help protect the blade from rust.
2. Storing Your Knife
Proper storage is key to ensuring your knife remains in peak condition.
- Dry Storage: Always store your knife in a dry place. If you’re keeping it in a sheath, make sure the knife is dry before putting it away. Moisture trapped in a sheath can lead to rust over time.
- Leather Sheaths: Leather sheaths are great for durability but can retain moisture, which may promote corrosion. For long-term storage, remove the knife from the leather sheath or ensure both the knife and sheath are completely dry.
- Kydex or Nylon Sheaths: These materials don’t hold moisture like leather, making them a better option for wet environments.
Sharpening Techniques: Keeping Your Blade Razor Sharp
A dull knife is not only less effective but also more dangerous. It requires more force to use, increasing the likelihood of slipping and cutting yourself. Regular sharpening ensures your knife is always ready for action.
1. Understanding Blade Angles
Every knife has a bevel, the angled surface that forms the cutting edge. Maintaining the correct angle is crucial for effective sharpening.
- Common Angles:
- 17-20 degrees: This angle produces a razor-sharp edge, ideal for fine cutting and precision tasks but less durable for heavy-duty use.
- 20-25 degrees: This is the most common angle for survival knives. It offers a balance between sharpness and durability, making the knife strong enough for heavy tasks like carving or chopping.
- 25-30 degrees: This angle is ideal for heavy-duty tasks like batoning or chopping through thick branches. The edge won’t be as sharp, but it will be highly durable.
2. Sharpening Tools
There are several methods and tools for sharpening your knife, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.
- Whetstone (Sharpening Stone):
- Overview: A whetstone is a classic tool for sharpening knives. It comes in various grits, from coarse to fine, depending on the level of sharpness you need.
- How to Use: Wet the stone, then run the knife blade along the stone at a consistent angle. Start with the coarse side to remove any nicks or dullness, then switch to the fine side for honing.
- Pros: Provides a razor-sharp edge, great for maintaining control over the sharpening process.
- Cons: Requires practice to maintain the correct angle consistently.
- Diamond Sharpeners:
- Overview: Diamond sharpeners use a surface coated with diamond dust to quickly sharpen a blade. They are more aggressive than whetstones.
- How to Use: Similar to whetstones, run the knife blade along the sharpener at a consistent angle. Diamond sharpeners remove material faster, making them ideal for quick touch-ups.
- Pros: Fast and effective, especially for hard steel types.
- Cons: Can wear down the blade faster if not used carefully.
- Guided Sharpening Systems:
- Overview: Guided sharpening systems help maintain the correct angle throughout the sharpening process, taking the guesswork out of the technique.
- Pros: Great for beginners, as they ensure consistent results.
- Cons: Less flexibility in choosing custom angles.
- Field Sharpeners:
- Overview: Compact sharpeners that can be carried in your survival kit. Many come with a combination of ceramic, diamond, and leather strops for different stages of sharpening.
- Pros: Portable and easy to use in the field.
- Cons: Not as effective for repairing severely dull or damaged blades.
3. Honing vs. Sharpening
- Honing: Honing doesn’t remove material from the blade but realigns the edge. Use a honing rod or strop to keep the blade straight and sharp between major sharpening sessions.
- Sharpening: Sharpening removes material from the blade to create a new edge. This is necessary when the knife has dulled significantly, or the edge has been damaged.
Specialized Knife Designs: Knives for Every Survival Situation
While a general-purpose survival knife is a must-have, specialized knives are designed for specific tasks and can give you an edge in different survival scenarios.
1. Survival Knives: The All-Around Workhorse
- Overview: Survival knives are built to handle a wide variety of tasks, from building shelters to preparing food.
- Design: These knives often feature a full tang (the blade extends through the handle) for maximum strength and durability. They typically have a drop-point blade for versatility, allowing you to chop, carve, and even skin game.
- Best Used For: General survival situations, especially where versatility is key.
2. Bushcraft Knives: Precision and Woodcraft
- Overview: Bushcraft knives are designed for tasks that involve working with wood, such as carving, whittling, and trap-making.
- Design: These knives often feature a Scandinavian grind, which provides a sharp edge for carving wood and making precise cuts. Bushcraft knives usually have a simple, robust design.
- Best Used For: Bush crafting, wood processing, and tasks that require precision.
3. Tactical Knives: Built for Combat and Defense
- Overview: Tactical knives are designed primarily for self-defense and combat situations but can also serve practical survival functions.
- Design: These knives often have tanto or clip-point blades for strong, sharp tips that can pierce tough materials. Many tactical knives also feature serrated edges for cutting through rope or webbing.
- Best Used For: Combat or emergency situations where self-defense is a priority.
4. Multi-Tools: Versatility in a Compact Package
- Overview: While not primarily designed as knives, multi-tools offer a variety of tools in one compact package. They often feature small blades, pliers, screwdrivers, and other useful tools.
- Design: Multi-tools have folding designs that include multiple functionalities, making them useful for a variety of tasks, but their knives are usually secondary to the other tools.
- Best Used For: General-purpose tasks or as a backup in survival situations when space and weight are limited.
Choosing the Right Knife for Specific Tasks
As with any survival tool, choosing the right knife comes down to your environment and the tasks you’re most likely to encounter. Here are a few considerations:
- Do you need a knife for heavy-duty tasks like chopping wood? A survival or tactical knife with a thicker blade will provide the durability you need.
- Are you focusing on precision tasks like trap-making or carving wood? A bushcraft knife with a Scandinavian grind will give you the control you need.
- Do you need a compact, versatile tool for general survival tasks? A multi-tool or folding knife can be a good secondary option, though it won’t replace a primary fixed-blade knife.
Final Thoughts: Maintenance and Specialization Are Key
A knife that’s well-maintained and sharpened is your best ally in a survival situation. Regular cleaning, proper storage, and consistent sharpening ensure that your knife will perform when you need it most. In addition, having the right knife for the right task can make all the difference. Whether you’re carving a shelter or defending yourself, understanding the specialized uses of different knives will help you build a kit that’s ready for any scenario.