The best knives: how to choose and what you need to know

Knife is an indispensable “helper” in many areas of life (in everyday life, hunting, tourism, survival, etc.), in addition, it can be used as sports equipment. Everyone knows that a knife is a cutting tool that consists of a handle and a blade. Few people do not know that this particular item was one of the first tools that cavemen mastered. Of course, in those distant times (the Paleolithic era), this instrument was different from its modern counterpart, in particular, it was made of shells, bones or stone. But the principle of its use has not changed over thousands of years: primitive people used knives for self-defense, obtaining food and seizing territories.

Eras passed, humanity developed, and along with it, the instruments themselves improved. Blades and handles of knives from rocks and wood was gradually replaced by metals: first copper and bronze, then gold, and ultimately iron. Today, the structure of this item is made of ultra-light and durable materials (for example, steel).

What are the best knives?

To date, purchase best the knife is not difficult. For this purpose, there are specialized stores (including online stores) that offer a wide range of different products in different price categories. But very often, buyers are interested in a specific product - “ the best knife", and sales consultants very often do not know what to offer.

It is indeed very difficult to answer a query like this, given the diversity model range and types of knives, as well as materials for their manufacture.

An experienced specialist in the field of edged weapons will say that the most best knives- these are those that fully satisfy the assigned tasks and required characteristics.

How to choose the right knife?

Choice of any knife better start by determining the purpose of its use. These can be knives for the following purposes:

  • household (kitchen);
  • combat;
  • hunting;
  • tourist;
  • multifunctional;
  • folding;
  • survival knives;

It should be understood that there are no universal-purpose knives, therefore, when the purpose of this tool is determined, you can move on to next question. The fact is that Which Regardless of whether it is a knife, it is a blade whose blade has a sharpened one or one and a half sides. But there are also daggers, the blade of which is sharpened on all sides, or stilettos, which have a specific blade shape in the form of a polyhedron with three or four edges. Their appearance completely determines their functionality, since daggers and stilettos are more suitable for ritual or decorative purposes. For professional purposes (combat), they must have permission.

The most important characteristics when choosing a knife are:

  1. type of material for making the blade. The most common material for making the cutting part of a knife is high-carbon steel of varying hardness, which depends entirely on the percentage of carbon content. Models highest quality made of steel with an index of no more than 2% (usually it is in the range from 1 to 1.5%);
  2. types of impurities in the base material. If carbon steel contains impurities of chromium, vanadium, nickel or other heavy metals, then the blade will have higher resistance to corrosion (rust), environments of varying acidity, wear, etc.;
  3. blade shape and geometry. These characteristics determine the cutting ability of the product, so special attention should be paid to them;
  4. material, type and structure of the handle. It must be made in accordance with the type and purpose of the tool, and also guarantee easy and safe work with this item. The most common materials from which the handle is made are hornbeam, oak, beech or walnut wood. Specialized knives have an additional anti-slip coating on top of the wood. Household knives often have rubberized or plastic handles;
  5. correspondence between the size and shape of the handle and the palm. In this case, the knife should be conveniently located when taking it with various grips, as well as when trying to comfortably take it “blindly”;
  6. knife sharpening . It is checked against the paper, and cuts are made in all possible ways.

The most common types of knives that are most popular are hunting knives, kitchen knives, and survival knives.

The best knife for hunting: what to look for

Hunting knives are a separate group of tools, the main task of which is to “assist” in hunting. They have a sharp blade, sharpened on one or one and a half sides, and are divided into several groups according to types, purpose, sizes and materials.

Helps determine which knife is better everything is suitable, according to the most well-known classification of these items:

  • general purpose, used for protecting and finishing off animals;
  • special-purpose, which are similar to household knives and are used for cutting up a carcass, skinning it, protecting against attack, for sport or industrial hunting, etc.;
  • special dual-use weapons, which are edged weapons. They are used for hunting (to finish off) large animals and in fishing, for cutting carcasses, protection, etc.;
  • hunting daggers, which are also bladed weapons and are used to defeat and finish off animals, and protect against attacks from large mammals.

Best knife for hunting, in addition to the basic requirements for characteristics, must have good cutting properties. The most convenient is the classic version of a hunting knife, which has a blade from 12 cm to 15 cm and is quite lightweight.

Experienced hunters prefer to choose their own knives, while paying attention to the following parameters:

  • the blade must be made of steel with a strength of 60 HRC, which is marked 440C. It is quite flexible and durable, easy to sharpen, and remains sharp for a long time;
  • The shape of the knife can have the following design:
  • drop point, characterized by a wide and thick design, with a sharp edge;
  • clip-point, which has a narrow and thin design, a pronounced sharp edge, often used in everyday life;
  • a skinner, which is similar in shape to a drop point, but has a rounder tip and may sometimes lack a cutting part. This model is only suitable for skinning;
  • the handle should be comfortable and durable, fit snugly to the blade, and fit perfectly into the palm. It must have an anti-slip coating, which ensures the safety of using the tool when working even with wet hands. The most the best material For the handle, durable wood (beech, hornbeam, birch bark) is considered. It should be completely straight, have no bends or stops, be fairly light and inexpensive. Modern knife companies also recommend handles made from synthetic materials micarta (imitating wood) and kraton ( polymer material resembling rubber);
  • method of attaching a knife to the handle. The most convenient are riveted handles, which, despite their greater weight, increase the strength and wear resistance of the knife as a whole;
  • sheath. Made from various materials (leather, fabric, wood, metal), they provide protection to the hunter from damage from the knife when not in use. Therefore, they must firmly hold the instrument in one place, be durable, compact and lightweight so as not to interfere with walking.

Survival knife: which one is better to choose?

A knife is a very useful tool when traveling and exploring. Quite often, its quality is the key to not only comfort in the wild, but also the life of its owner. The question arises: " Which knife is better Is everything suitable for survival?

If we do not take into account the interpretation of the meaning and use of this item by the military (a knife with a hollow handle into which additional items are placed to ensure survival), then good knife to survive must have:

  • a blade whose length ranges from 15 cm to 20 cm and width from 4 mm to 6 mm. It must be double-edged, one side must have a serrator. The blade material must be strong enough, it can be stainless steel, high carbon steel with titanium coating, or a mixture of zirconia and composite materials. The blade, like the knife itself, must be selected individually;
  • the handle must be connected to the blade using the mounting type, i.e. when part of the blade is “fitted” onto the finished handle;
  • mandatory presence of a limiter or guard, special recesses for fingers;
  • The shape of the handle is oval so that the knife does not rotate in the hand.

Most The best survival knife must be selected not only according to the listed characteristics, but also taking into account the area where you are planning a trip, since environmental factors (temperature, humidity) affect the wear resistance of the product.

The most famous manufacturers of quality knives for survival and hunting are Becker Knives, Benchmade, Fallknives, SOG, etc.

“Helpers” in the kitchen: which knives are the best?

Every housewife knows that “work” in the kitchen, like any other, should bring joy and pleasure. To do this, any kitchen must be equipped with high-quality equipment. Knives- These are indispensable tools during cooking, so it is very important that they are convenient, reliable and durable. Of course, the number of kitchen knives should not be limited to one or two, since each cutting action requires a specific type of tool.

Which knives are better all to use in the kitchen? First, you need to decide on the purpose of the item, since it is this that will determine the appearance and type of knife. The most popular are:

  • a knife with a long, wide blade that has a wavy or serrated shape, with a large handle - a bread knife;
  • knife, up to 45 cm long, with a wide blade, sharp end, smooth flat surface blades and a large handle - a knife for cutting hard foods;
  • a knife that has a small blade, a pointed end, a smooth blade surface and a large handle - a knife for peeling food (vegetables and fruits);
  • a knife with a wide blade, a large handle, quite heavy - a knife for cutting meat and bones;
  • a knife that has a blade that is sufficiently flexible with the same width along its entire length and has serrations - a fish knife.


Nice knives for the kitchen, they primarily imply ease of use, since they will be regularly held in the hands. Therefore, they should be of medium weight, comfortable for the palm. When choosing such kitchen items, you must “hold them in your hands” and evaluate them.

Second, the quality of the blade, its surface and sharpening. Which They may be? There are two main options here:

  • a classic metal blade that is laser processed and does not have any chips, scratches, gouges or protrusions upon close examination. The surface of the blade is shiny and smooth (except for the bread knife) along its entire length, while the surface of the part that will cut should ideally not differ from the rest of the blade;
  • modern ceramic knives made of zirconium dioxide, which are characterized by a longer service life, high density and low porosity of the material. Despite the fact that a properly used knife does not require sharpening, such tools are highly fragile, have higher prices, and today they are not universal, i.e. suitable for cutting a specific type of product.

The third thing that determines the high quality of a kitchen knife is the handle. It can be made of wood, as with most types of similar instruments. Or from polymer rubberized materials, which are characterized by anti-slip properties and high durability. Particular attention should be paid to the insertion of the blade into the handle. Good The knife is distinguished by the fact that the blade runs along the entire length of the handle, which guarantees its secure fastening.

In conclusion, it is worth mentioning the most the best knives of the world that have become real works of art. This is a Thom Browne cleaver, a Fallkniven A1 cleaver, and a Chris Reeve (Green Berets) hunting knife.

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Pocket knife in the form of a key

Pocket knife in the form of a key
A German pocket knife, which is slightly larger in size than a regular key, can be easily attached to a bunch of keys and not be afraid of unforeseen situations.

Knife pistol


Knife pistol
The knife can absolutely not be called either practical or functional. But it is absolutely original and unusual. Just imagine how armed you can be using a pistol knife. It may just be a fantastic weapon, but no one knows about it.

Bloody proof


Bloody proof
Simply an amazing chef's knife, albeit a bit criminal! Proof of this is the “traces of blood” on it.

Safety knife


Safety knife
Finally, there is a knife on the market that cannot be used as a weapon. And this is a really smart idea. Thanks to the rounded tip of the knife, it can be used in the cooking process, but it cannot hurt someone else. Invented a kitchen tool by John Cornock, which was inspired by the idea of ​​creating a knife after watching documentary film about crimes committed with a knife.

Knife in the form of a shotgun cartridge

Knife in the form of a shotgun cartridge
Simply a unique new product! A pocket knife in the form of a shotgun cartridge will become an original gift for the hunting lover. The length of the knife when closed is 6.5 centimeters. The blade is 4 centimeters long and made of stainless steel.

The most expensive knives in the world (decorated with emeralds and diamonds)


The most expensive knives in the world
In the famous film "Kill Bill" Uma Thurman traveled to the so-called eastern land in order to find the best steel in the world. It cannot be said with one hundred percent certainty that these knives are the best in the world, but the fact that they are the most expensive is for sure! A unique knife called the "Pearl of the Orient" is on sale for a whopping $2.1 million. An amazing price! This masterpiece is made by designer Buster Warenski, who is considered one of the most famous knife designers today. His knife is a real work of art. Its handle is encrusted with precious stones. In total it has 153 emeralds (10 carats) and nine diamonds (5 carats). The gold used to decorate the knife weighs 28 ounces. Perhaps the most surprising thing is that it took ten years to create such a knife!

Shark knife


Shark knife
The model is simply impressive with its shark-like shape. This is an absolute weapon for that moment when rage and anger are simply uncontrollable!



Wrist knife in the shape of a scorpion
Probably everyone who sees a person with such a knife on the street will run away like a real professional sprinter. This is a very dangerous thing! What could be scarier than this? The price of such a knife does not exceed $40. The knife can be made not only in the form of a scorpion, but also a dragon or a skull.



Universal army set of Swiss knives
Even the Swiss are going crazy! Generally, a Swiss Army knife can be described by one in a short phrase: minimalism and functionality. This means that every buyer will receive a bunch useful functions in one small, easy-to-use device. There is absolutely everything you might need, even a tire pressure sensor!

Lipstick knife


Lipstick knife
This lipstick knife will easily fit into a cosmetic bag or handbag. Compact and convenient lipstick knife has a small size. The length of the durable stainless steel blade is only 3 centimeters. Just open the lipstick and that's it - the knife is ready to use. The total length of this elegant and practical accessory is 7.5 centimeters.

Knife in the shape of an impala antelope


Knife in the shape of an impala antelope
Unique, original knife in Art Deco style. The handle of the knife features the head of an impala antelope with horns made of 14 carat solid gold. Stylish, very fashionable knife.

Sapphire knife


Sapphire knife
Knives made from sapphire are becoming increasingly popular among weapon lovers today. You can simply carry them inside the plane in your pocket or bag. These knives are not detectable by any kind of metal detector because it lacks any metal parts. Their blades are made from artificial sapphire, the same material used to create durable watches from leading Swiss brands. The handles are made of bone.
cutting objects were united into a single whole for the first time



Scissors and paper cutter in one set
It is not for nothing that the words “scissors” and “knife” have a common root. But it was only in a device called Freecutter that these two cutting objects were first combined into a single whole.

Celtic knife


Celtic knife
Thanks to the popularity of Irish culture, the so-called “Celtic cross” became known throughout the world. It is in the form of this figure that the Celtic Collector's Knife was created.

Safari knife Animal pocket knife


Safari knife Animal pocket knife
Animal pocket knife is a Swiss folding knife that cannot cut anything. After all, all its retractable parts do not have blades, but they are similar to parts of the bodies of different animals. So, by pushing them out, you design your own little animal.

Matryoshka knife Meeting Knives


Matryoshka knife Meeting Knives
Matryoshka can be not only a Russian souvenir doll. It could even become kitchen knife. Unless, of course, we're talking about about the Meeting Knives set, where the smallest knife fits inside a larger one, which fits into an even larger one.

Stone Age knife


Stone Age knife
This knife looks like it was carved out of stone thousands of years ago. However, it is a modern kitchen appliance made from high quality steel.

Knife for Christians


Knife for Christians
Apparently it's not very safe to be a Christian these days. How else to explain the existence of such a knife, stylized as a body crucifix?

Knife hanger

Knife hanger
And these are not knives at all, although they are very similar! It's actually a clothes hanger that just looks like it's a bladed weapon stuck into the wall.

Credit card knife


Credit card knife
CardSharp is a knife that can easily be carried in your back pants pocket. After all, when folded, it is completely harmless, and is most similar to bank card. But once you unfold it, this “credit card” turns into a bladed weapon.

Knife gun


Knife gun
And this knife clearly illustrates that edged weapons can also be firearms. After all, this folding knife is stylized as an ancient cannon.


Weapons are constantly evolving, thanks to new technologies improved models appear. Knives are no exception; they have stood the test of time. History knows many different forms of knives, and many of them are not as simple as they seem at first glance.

“Kukri”, the symbol of the people of Nepal, became famous thanks to the Gurkha regiments. Nepalese warriors supported the British in gaining control of India during the Indian Mutiny of 1857, using their knife skills in close combat. The fighting prowess of the Gurkha soldiers gave them a reputation as fearsome and fearless warriors, and their support of British troops led to the formation of official Nepalese regiments in the English Army. The Gurkhas and their knives became so famous that the British used posters of warriors sharpening their famous knives as propaganda to instill fear in the Argentine army during the Falklands conflict. Today, soldiers of the Gurkha regiments continue to carry a “kukri” knife with them even after retirement.

Kukri knives were usually 40-46 cm long and were more like a machete, as they performed a chopping function. From an ordinary farming tool of the Himalayans, the knife turned into a weapon. An interesting feature is considered to be a groove near the handle, which directed the victim’s blood in the opposite direction, as a result the hand remained dry. The larger the knife used in sacrifices, the more luck and goodness there will be in the village. If an animal's head is cut off in one motion, then this great luck.

9. Dagger for blocking blows (Men-gosh)


During the 16th-17th centuries, when it began to appear firearms, cold was becoming impractical. Light swords, rapiers, have replaced heavy swords knights. Shields also became unnecessary and were replaced with daggers for blocking blows (men-gosh). The talented fighter masterfully used men-gosh and the shield hindered him. In addition, the dagger not only protected, but was also a weapon in itself. Over time, the daggers themselves and the skill of using them improved and became more complex.


There were many different types of men-gosh, but they were all designed to provide security, block enemy blows and deliver unexpected blows. The handle was supposed to protect the warrior's hand. For example, the “sword breaker” dagger had serrations along the blade that could snag an opponent’s rapier and tear it out of his hands. Another type was the “trident”, with a special mechanism, after pressing which the blade tripled.


Jambia is a wide, double-edged knife that was worn as a symbol of belonging to a certain social class population of Yemen. Some men said they would rather die than let anyone see them without a dagger. Teenage boys receive their first dagger if they undergo circumcision. Nowadays jambia are used more as exhibits, but back in the 60s it was formidable weapon. Yemeni warriors held their daggers with the point down and aimed at the base of the enemy's neck in order to rip open his chest in one motion.

Some knives are often decorated with gold. Islam, Yemen's leading religion, prohibits men from wearing gold jewelry, but since the jambiya is a weapon, it is considered an exception. The dagger handles are made not only from precious metals, but also from rhinoceros horns, which provokes poaching. Every year, 1,500 rhinoceroses are killed in Yemen. Knife handles are made from horn, and the remains go abroad to Asian countries as materials for alternative medicine.

Although sai is associated with Japanese martial art, it originated during the Ming Dynasty and was brought to Okinawa from China. This piercing weapon looks like a stiletto without cutting edges. The saya blade is either round or hexagonal with a sharp tip. They used it to block blows from European “man-gosh” weapons. Sai was used to block blows Japanese sword"katana". In addition, an experienced saiyutsu master could easily distract the enemy’s attention with its help and even strike them. When Okinawa came under the influence of the Japanese government, metallic tools and weapons required special permission. The craft of sai was prohibited and went into the shadows. Even today, Saiyutsu classes do not like noise around them, and the use of weapons in sparring is prohibited.


The trench knife was especially common during the First and Second World Wars. In close combat, the Germans used the Nakampfmesser combat knife, and the British used their domestic knives. The US military produced several types of trench knives. Mark 1 had a flat surface with a double-sided blade, a brass or bronze handle with brass knuckles and spikes, which can also injure the enemy. Knives were used by soldiers who did not have a bayonet in their arsenal, but not only in battle, but also in everyday life.




The "Kris", a Javanese dagger, looks like both a weapon and a ritual blade. It was believed that he had magical properties. Several ancient specimens were made from meteorites that fell on the territory of the Prambanan temple over the course of 200 years. It is not surprising that it was considered a sacred object. The twisting blade of the knife resembles a snake from mythology, and the patterns with which the knife is decorated were perceived as a talisman. The alloy of the knife resembled Damascus steel in composition, and the patterns applied by the blacksmith protected the knife and its owner from all sorts of troubles.

4. Misericord (“Blade of Mercy”)


In the 14th century, the misericord blade became popular among French knights - a long thin dagger that easily passed between the plates of armor. It was practically useless in battle; it was not even equipped with special protection on the handle. It was used to finish off the enemy. The name of the dagger comes from the Latin words for “act of mercy.” When a knight was knocked off his horse and he was seriously wounded, to alleviate his suffering, he was finished off with such a dagger. Many used the dagger to intimidate a wounded knight in order to induce him to surrender or demand a ransom.


The wrist knife was used by the Turkana people of Africa. Locals They believed that domestic animals, such as cows, were a gift from God. Herds of animals often became the cause of inter-tribal conflicts. In addition, each tribe tried to expand its territory. In such conditions, valiant warriors carried spears, shields, and various types of knives, including a wrist knife. In addition, it was forbidden to kill a fellow tribesman with a spear, so internal disputes were resolved brutally with the help of wrist knives.
It was made of steel or iron, which was heated and shaped by striking stones. Such knives were most often worn by Turkana men on right hand, although in other tribes they were worn by both men and women. In addition to being a weapon, the knife was also used for other purposes, such as cutting down trees.

The sickle-shaped kuyan from the island of Java was considered a divine gift, a symbol of the harmony of the world and was popular among kings as God's viceroys on Earth. The kuyan was primarily used as a farming tool, but King Kudo Lalin stated that he saw the knife in a vision of the unification of Java. After the vision, he gathered all the blacksmiths and told them about the shape of the mystical knife. The result was a weapon in the shape of the island of Java, with three holes that symbolized the deities of the Hindu religion. After Islam began to dominate the island, weapons underwent a number of changes. Its shape was changed and became similar to the letter “shin”, and instead of three there were already five holes, as a symbol of the five postulates of Islam.




The kila is a ritual dagger that originated in ancient India and later became popular in Tibet, where it was called the phurba. Each element of the knife symbolizes something, and the whole thing symbolizes the incarnation of the Buddhist god Hayagriva, whose three faces are depicted on the handle. At that time they believed that the god Hayagriva helps to cope with evil spirits. The handle may have different shapes, with an image of a deity must be required. The triangular blade symbolizes ignorance, greed and aggression. "Kila" was considered a sacred object of shamans, and some of the specimens were made of wood. It was a ritual weapon against evil forces. The shaman poked a dagger into the rice in front of the patient, reciting sutras, driving away illness and evil spirits. It is not surprising that it costs incredible amounts of money at auctions.

About two million years ago, a particularly gifted member of the species Homo habilis, Homo habilis, needed to cut something and invented a knife. We've been through since then long haul. In the last forty years we have seen something of a boom around the making of increasingly beautiful and high-quality knives. This article contains 20 of the best knives, beyond any competition.

Busse Battle Mistress

Battle Mistress doesn't feature any radical new design. It's a ten-inch blade with a regular shape, but it weighs almost 900 grams, and is literally razor-sharp. It is the combination of weight, strength and extreme sharpness that makes this knife unique. Want to behead a rhino? Want to cut down a telephone pole? Or maybe you have a burning desire to cut wood into pieces? You can do this if you have strong arms and Mistress.

RussellCanadianBeltKnife

In 1958, Dean Russell, a knife shop owner in Canada, sketched a knife and chose the Grohmann workshop in Pictou, Nova Scotia to make it. His creation had an oval blade and a slightly curved, graceful rosewood handle. He called his ingenious creation the Canadian Belt Knife. A Russell knife could be used for gutting or skinning. It fit comfortably in any hand, it was fashionable to hold it in any position, and it was also conveniently carried in a belt sheath. There are many copies of the Russell knife, most of them bad. None of them will surpass the original - a true genius of engineering.

D.E. Henry Bowie

In the early 1960s, Daniel Edward Henry, like other blacksmiths, began making replicas of the bowie, a long hunting knife that had been produced in the mid-19th century. The quality of Henry's work was excellent. He was light years ahead of his peers in terms of sharpening, grinding, coating and graceful lines. Today, only the most ardent knife collectors remember his name, but we can all touch his invention.

Marine combat knifeKa- Bar

In 1943, the US Marine Corps equipped its personnel with knives made at the Camillus workshop and marked with the Ka-Bar trademark. Its digital symbol it was 1219С2. This knife had a 7-inch fin-type blade, a leather-lined blade, and a steel tip. This knife has become one of the most successful pieces of army equipment. U navy there was their own version, which was called MK-2, and envious soldiers tried to get both of them.

Leuku

One of traditional knives people of the Sami tribe who live in the northern forests of Europe. It is a wide-bladed tool designed to function as a hatchet, machete, and butcher knife. Its handle is always made of birch wood, and the knife fits almost completely into the sheath. Over the millennium, the leuku knife has not changed at all. The version with a seven-inch carbon alloy blade from Kellam Knives is quite good.

Leatherman Wave

The idea of ​​a multitool is no longer new, but throughout its existence it has consisted of combining a knife with other tools. The result was usually something with a low-quality blade and a sparse set of tools. Tim Leatherman changed that 25 years ago when he used folding pliers as a base and put the rest of the tools in their handles, creating something new and amazing. There are many other Leatherman multitools, but the Wave is considered the best. It's hard to even imagine what he can't do.

LovelessDropPoint

In the late 1960s, R.W. Loveless put the entire bladed weapons community on edge. He made knives for a living since the 1950s and gradually developed a model called the drop-point hunter. This small knife (its blade is no longer than four inches) with a small handle and graceful contours created a real sensation. The butt gradually lowers towards the tip of the knife, making it easier to gut the game without piercing the internal organs. Before this, knife makers used simple metals. Loveless chose an alloy for his knives called 154CM, which was designed for use in jet engines. Virtually rust-free and very durable, it won't get dull for ages. The drop point made by Bob Dozier (pictured) is one of many knives inspired by Loveless' knife.

RandallModel 3

Randall Made Knives, founded in 1937, is the largest and most famous designer knife workshop in the world. There are more than 20 Randall models, but W.D. Randall, who founded the company, considers model number 3 to be his best design. During the designer knife boom, every aspiring smith felt it was his duty to copy the Model 3 for two reasons: because it was much more fun to copy something beautiful than something ordinary, and also because the Randall store sold a lot of these copies. It may not be the most copied knife in the world, but it's close.

Ron Lake folding knife

Compared to making a folding knife, making a regular knife is like hitting a finger. Folding knives are a true test of a blacksmith's skill, both his ability to design and his ability to make. For over 30 years, Ron Lake has been one of the leading manufacturers of folding knives. He developed the Inter-Frame concept - parts of the handle made of fragile materials, such as ram's horn, are inserted into a steel frame, which allows you to use the knife without fear of damaging them. Lake knives use Tail-Lock - a lever on the back of the handle holds the blade in place and then releases it. Many of Lake's knives are quite fancy, they are all incredibly durable and the quality of their craftsmanship can't be beat.

Marble's Ideal

Webster Marble first introduced the Ideal Hunting Knife in 1899, and it was perhaps the very first knife made for sport hunting. Marble's Ideal was, as the name suggests, ideal, made of superb steel. A deep notch was made in his blade to reduce weight. Ideal was produced for a long time, from 1899 to 1974. Then it was temporarily forgotten until 2007, when it was again introduced to the public. Old Ideals in good condition with original sheaths are very expensive, with collectors willing to pay $10,000 for some examples - not bad for knives that originally sold for just $1.25!

Ulu is a knife unusual shape, used by North American Indians. With its help it is very convenient to chop, scrape and skin prey. The crescent-shaped blade is 3-4 inches (7.5-10 cm) long and the handle sits just above the cutting edge. Once you get used to it, you won’t agree to part with it even for all the whale oil in Alaska. Most ulu knives released for sale are souvenirs and cannot be used. If you want real ulu, you can find it at Knives of Alaska.

Schrade Uncle Henry

The Uncle Henry line, named after Henry Baer, ​​head of the Schrade company, appeared in the 1960s. Many types of knives have been released, but this three-blade folding knife has won the hearts of many knife lovers. It had a saber blade, a blunt blade and a spey blade. This is one of those amazing tools that will last you much longer than you would expect based on its price and size. Until the end, Schrade provided a guarantee for the Uncle Henry series - if it broke, they sent a new one.

Victorinox Swiss Champ

This knife, which has 30 tools in its handle, is the crown of evolution of the Swiss Army knife (the original version had only 4 tools). People usually laugh at these multi-functional things - until they timidly ask to use them.

GeorgeHerronModel 6DropPoint

George Herron began his career in the early 1960s by copying Randall, then switched to Loveless's style and gradually developed his own own style, which is now copied by many. In addition to practicality, Gerron had impeccable craftsmanship and an incomparable attention to line. The Model 6 is Gerron's version of the hunting drop point. You can see the Loveless influence, but the Model 6 is thinner and sleeker. The quality of Loveless's work varied, but Gerron's knives are not perfect.

DiamondBlade Goddard Traditional Hunter

If it weren't for the way it was forged, this knife would be just another decent hunting drop point knife. But he is not like the others. In 2007, Charles Allen, founder of DiamondBlade, introduced to the general public a series of knives treated with a process called Friction Forging, which he adapted for this purpose from welding technologies. The process involves placing steel under high pressure and heat, and the result is a blade that is harder, sharper and more durable than all others. The knives turned out to be so strong that the sheaths had to be redesigned so that the blades would not cut through them.

LoneWolfKnivesHarseyT3Ranger

Typically, folding knives are not used for hunting. Very few of them are large enough, strong enough, and quite difficult to clean compared to with a regular knife. But this knife is different from them. The length of the drop point blade is almost 5 inches (12.7 cm), the handle is very large and comfortable. Plus it comes in the most comfortable tactical sheath in the world. With this, a regular knife is no longer needed.

Knife Nessmuk

Nessmuk is the pseudonym of George Washington Sears, a man who canoed the Adirondack Mountain Range and wrote a book about it in the 1880s. He was perhaps the first writer to pay attention to the development of light equipment, which was reflected in the tools he carried: a small double-bladed hatchet, a double-bladed jackknife, and a knife that he himself designed and which was later given his name. This five-inch drop point blade has a wood or horn handle. If you're interested in purchasing one, the Bark River Lil' Nessy (pictured), available through A.G. Russell Knives is a fine example of a Nessmuk knife.

WoodsmansPal

This strange looking instrument dates back to 1941 when Fredrick Ersham put it up for sale after ten years of work on it. The original had a leather-lined handle and a D-shaped guard, like a dirk. U modern version the handle is made of hardwood and without a guard, otherwise it remains unchanged. You can use it as a curved garden knife, a machete, just a knife, a shovel or an ax. There's hardly anything he can't handle. It is not very expensive, quite light and durable.

Knives of Alaska Brown Bear

Actually, Brown Bear is a butcher's ax, not a knife, but oh well. It can be used as a knife, as a butcher's ax, or simply as a hatchet. Its 6.5-inch (16.5 cm) blade has a pair distinctive features: in front it is round and sharp, and at the base it has a hole for index finger, making it an ideal skinning knife.

Buck Model 110

Knife expert Bernard Levine puts it perfectly: "The Model 110 was the idea that made knife maker Al Buck a household name, and the Buck Knife name as familiar (and misused) as a photocopier." Model 110 appeared in 1963 and immediately made a splash - this folding knife with a handle made of brass and ebony was so durable that it could be used to do the same as a regular knife. They were sold with black leather belt sheaths because they were too heavy to carry in a pocket. Since its debut, it has undergone changes to make it stronger, thinner, and more comfortable. Over the past 45 years, 14 million copies have been sold.

A combat knife is designed taking into account its priority function - destroying the enemy.

The design of this weapon varies depending on the requirements of a particular special unit, but, ideally, a combat knife should meet several basic requirements that allow a fighter to use it in the most effective way.

In this article we will present ten types of the most famous and most popular combat knives, which are still in service with some armies of the world.

1.Navaja

This Spanish knife became a real symbol of revenge - it was used by hot southern guys to explain to the enemy who was really right here. The navaja was invented by peasants in order to circumvent the existing ban on long blades. The knife is unfolded manually; there is a lock on the butt, which became the prototype of the modern backlock.

2.Bowie knife


A typical weapon of the modern redneck, invented by a veteran of the Texas Revolution, Colonel James Bowie. This huge cleaver, with a cross-shaped guard, was loved to be carried by Crocodile Dundee in the film of the same name. A knife is not very convenient to use as a combat weapon - unless you are suddenly transported to the Middle Ages, where you simply cannot do without a sword.

3.Machete


And one more gift from sunny Spain: machete - a wide, long cleaver with a one-sided sharpening. Such a thing is equally convenient for clearing a path in the thickets and cutting off the heads of enemies. During the Vietnam War, machetes were widely used by American soldiers: army cutlasses had a hollow handle for a ground strike and a serrated handle.

4.Karambit


The knife is designed to solve only one task - killing the enemy. The karambit is equipped with a sickle-shaped blade with internal sharpening. The correct grip is reverse; for convenience, there is a special ring on the handle for the index finger. The blade is not long, so it is convenient to carry this murder weapon in your pocket.

5.Balisong


The famous “butterfly knife”, an indispensable attribute of every yard guy from the 90s. In the Philippines, balisong is actively used in knife fighting schools. Opening a knife is a separate song, performed by some craftsmen with truly circus antics.

6.Bolo


During the Philippine Revolution, the bolo knife experienced a real renaissance. This agricultural tool, useful for cutting down bushes, turned into a terrible nightmare for soldiers American army. The bolo has a reverse sharpening and a curved blade - in appearance it is something between a machete and a kukri.

7.Kukri


The famous kukri, the military weapon of the Nepalese Gurkhas, looks more like a medieval instrument massacre. The blade has an internal sharpening and a reverse bend; the owner of a genuine kukri tries to never part with the knife. For Gurkhas, kukri is a specific symbol indicating that the owner belongs to the warrior caste.

8.Tanto


The history of this knife dates back to the beginning of the Middle Ages. Tanto remained the last argument of the samurai: a shortened blade, conveniently hidden in a bamboo sheath, often decided the course of the battle on its own. The usual length of the blade is 30 centimeters, sharpening can be either single-sided or double-sided.

9.Quiken


The cutting edge of a quaiken blade can be compared to a razor blade. Quiken was and is carried for self-defense; the knife is ideal for concealed carry.

10. Spike knife


Most likely, the ancestor of the push dagger, or butcher knife, was the Indian Qatar. This weapon became popular during the Gold Rush - then the knife was considered the “last chance” of a gold miner. It's difficult to use for anything other than self-defense, but it does its job well.