Outdoor knives must withstand destructive use and endure various harsh environments.
1. The blade should not be too thin or too narrow, as this makes it prone to breaking or bending.
2. The handle should be an extension of the blade, with the blade running all the way through the handle—that is, the blade, handle, and pommel should be one integrated piece. This ensures the blade won’t separate from the handle when prying or chopping forcefully.
3. The knife should not be too short or too light. A short blade is impractical in many situations, while a light one lacks the force needed for chopping, making tasks more strenuous. However, it also shouldn’t be too heavy, or you won’t be able to wield it at all.
4. The knife should preferably be single-edged. The front half of the spine should be blunt, which can be used to break animal bones or extract plant fibers. (It can also easily smash your own fingers.) It’s even better if there’s a hook on the spine for cutting rope.
5. The handle should be made of wood or rubber, with anti-slip textures and ergonomic grooves. This prevents slipping when wet or oily and ensures a comfortable grip. There must be a guard between the blade and handle—knives without one are very dangerous when stabbing. The end of the handle should ideally have a larger metal piece, giving you an extra hammer to crack hard plant fruits. Also, the handle should be one-piece rather than two halves riveted together, as the latter can come off under impact, making the experience of using a blade without a handle almost as painful as gripping the blade itself.
6. The blade’s angle and shape are crucial. A very acute angle is sharp but prone to chipping. A wider angle makes the blade relatively dull. (If you’re very strong, I’m sure even the spine will work just fine for you.) Most importantly, carefully check the blade’s color when selecting a knife—if the blade has a bluish tint, do not buy it. (This results from poor cooling during manufacturing, causing annealing.) If there’s a saw-like section near the base of the blade, it will make cutting leather or canvas much easier. Blade shapes vary—single concave, double concave, slanted, left-handed, rounded, diamond-edged, and so on... Choose whatever suits your preference.
7. When choosing a knife, it’s better to opt for a fixed blade rather than a folding one, as the joint of folding knives is fragile. Dirt or rust can make them hard to open, and they may break at the joint when prying. Also, opening a folding knife with one hand can be difficult. If you really prefer folding knives, choose one with a locking blade that can be opened with one hand.
8. Never overlook the sheath when choosing a knife. The sheath must be sturdy, preferably made of leather or engineering plastic—this is extremely important. Imagine carrying a very sharp knife in a sheath no thicker than paper, strapped to your waist as you climb around in the wild... You might as well not bother.