Every good hunter knows that when a knife starts to get dull, it makes working with that knife ten times as difficult. It is important to be able to feel a change in the cutting pattern of your knife so you know when the blade is beginning to dull. With this ability, you will be able to quickly figure out when it is necessary to sharpen your blade. With the right tools, you can do just that, but it takes more than going to the store and picking out the cheapest sharpening device. It takes ingenuity to figure the best product and material to purchase for your particular hunting knife. There are three main types of sharpeners for hunting knives: Arkansas Stone, Ceramic, and Diamond. Let's take a look to see how each of these types can aid you in sharpening your hunting knife.
Arkansas Stone sharpeners are the most common type used among hunters and wilderness types today. These sharpeners are cheap and easy to come by, and they've been proven to work for generations. When purchasing this stone, you will notice it comes in different grades, which describes the roughness of the stone. Using one grade over another will result in a differing sharpness of your blade. While many new-timers are looking to the newer sharpeners, many old school outdoorsmen consider Arkansas Stone sharpeners the best for their hunting knife.
If you are looking for something lightweight and durable, you'll want a ceramic sharpener. These consist of a block of wood with two ceramic rods on one side. These sharpeners will last a lifetime, but they are best suited to finishing a blade off or sharpening a hunting knife that hasn't been burdened with a high degree of dullness. However, many ceramic sharpeners come pocket-sized and are great to carry around on an overnight trip in the wilderness, where your knife won't get terribly dulled but will still need a tune-up every now and then.
The final type of hunting knife sharpener is made of diamond. Actually, there are only chips of diamond inlaid in the sharpener that give it its sharpening power, but it works great all the same. Not only do the diamonds give these sharpeners a high amount of durability, they also offer you speed when sharpening your hunting knife. The diamond sharpens effortlessly with each stroke against the blade. These sharpeners are relatively new on the market, especially compared to those made of Arkansas stone, but they have quickly gained a following that is growing to this day.
So there you have it, three types of sharpeners to choose from for your next trip in the wilderness. Each material has its own special qualities, so it is up to you to decide which you like to work with best. What is most important, though, is actually having a sharpener on you to keep your blade smooth and sharp. This will add to the longevity of your hunting knife and make your life a whole lot easier out in the wilderness.
~Ben Anton, 2007
When it comes to hunting knives, Puma is considered by most experts to be the elite, the cream of the crop, the absolute cutting edge in design, utility and pure class. Well-designed of the best quality materials, PUMA knives don't come cheap ? but they're quality all the way. Each blade is hand-ground, and each knife is assembled by hand. The materials and workmanship have made PUMA knives more than the best quality knife to have in the field ? they're collectors? items in their own right.
In 1953, the company changed its direction slightly to focus on manufacturing functional hunting, fishing, survival, sporting and outdoor knives. In 1956, PUMA designed what is probably its most famous knife ever, the PUMA White Hunter, for an East African hunting organization. For over 200 years, Solingen, Germany has been the source of the finest knives made anywhere in the world, and since 1920, the best of those knives have borne the name PUMA.
Why PUMA? PUMA knives are made from premium DI.4 steel, each individually drop forged and hardened to hold the keenest possible edge. Each model has a number and a name engraved on the blade, along with the year of its manufacture ? a bonus for collectors, who find it easy to date PUMA knives when assigning values. The handles are made of all natural materials, usually stag horn or bone, and every detail is made of the finest material available.
PUMA Knives for Hunting and Sporting The most popular PUMAs are those that have stood the test of time. Among the most well-known and prized are:
PUMA Bowie Knife Bowie is the ultimate name in hunting knives, with its wide fixed blade that makes it ideal for hunting, fishing, camping and self-defense. The PUMA Bowie is a full 11? long with a single-edged blade, a genuine stag handle, and a fully riveted tang. This is the knife that Jim Bowie dreamed of when he first commissioned the knife that bears his name.
PUMA Skinner Knife Skinning knives are a must for hunters, and the PUMA is designed with a blade long enough to give you the option of using a straight, curved or pointed edge to simplify the tasks you need it to perform. It also has a 5 ?? stag handle that's carved to fit your hand comfortably, and a finger guard to keep your fingers out of harm's way when dealing with a wet, slippery knife.
PUMA White Hunter Perhaps the most famous hunting knife ever designed, the White Hunter features a partially serrated blade that is shaped to make all the tasks you use a knife for easier. It's 11? long overall with a full, fully riveted tang, a built-in finger guard and a genuine stag horn handle. It was first released in 1956, and has grown more popular over the decades. The 50th Anniversary model is destined to be the ultimate gift for a collector of fine knives. It's a truly luxurious blade forged of Damascus stainless steel Rockwell tested to 55-60 hardness. The handle is of ebony with nickel silver bolsters, and the included black leather sheath is accented with nickel silver. To further increase its interest to collectors, PUMA is only manufacturing 50 of the 50th Anniversary edition worldwide. It's the gift of a lifetime for a serious knife collector.
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