Sword Fighting Principles

Physical Training: When we talk about the physical strength of our ancestors, they were the toughest creatures on Earth. Therefore, its crucial to focus on overall physical conditioning especially the back, abdomen, and of course strong wrists.

Trick: If you choose to fight fair, you are more likely to get yourself killed in no time. In ancient times, foul play was a common technique many sword fighters follow.

Confidence: Prepare your soul to be rough and tough.

Psychological Wellbeing: Focus on multiple mental aspects such as calmness or awareness.

Sword Fight Pattern: If you are following a certain pattern of using a sword, your opponents can quickly figure it out. Consequently, there is more probability of losing a battle.

Time and Distance: You may consider it quite simple yet the effectiveness cannot be overlooked. The perfect sword move is at the right time and appropriate distance to inflict maximum damage.

Caution: Overconfidence is no less than poison. You should have the basic common sense of not underestimating the enemy. You never know the trick!

If you are following these principles in a sword fight, you will probably accomplish the victory. These principles were designed several hundreds of years ago in the world of sports. Though even today they are just timeless and applicable in most situations. These are simple techniques to learn while a few others will be gradually understood with trial & error.

Important Sword Fight Directions

Stand Face Forward

Define the four quadrants including north, south, east, and west. Next, understand the other four sub-quadrants commonly known as octants. These include northwest, northeast-southwest, and southeast. You should know all of these directions on your fingertips. In total, they make up eight ways that mean you have eight different ways to employ your sword fighting techniques.

Standing Position

When it comes to a suitable standing position, keep the right foot forward and left foot in the backward direction. The distance between the two feet should be neither very less nor far. Subsequently, take a step with the right foot along bringing the left foot. You are moving towards the north.

Pivot Technique

Evaluate your stance using minimal effort and turn towards the strong side. This turn will require minimal effort compared to the weaker or non-dominant side. On the contrary, you will have a weak-side turn or back-turn. Once your right foot is in the forward direction, you should pivot back to the left and repeat the same for opposite positioning.

Zango and Hachi

Step in using the leading foot and turn backward in the original direction. This is referred to as Zango. Here you go with the two directions of movement. In this way, you can execute sword techniques in the other eight directions. Get yourself moving on a strong edge pivot to three. It will primarily redirect you to the north. The directions including 5,6,7 and 8 are somewhat different. From the position 4, turn 45 degrees to your dominant side by slipping your back foot. Perform Zango and the same goes for 7 and 8. Once you hit 8, you can conveniently go back to 1. Practice it as much as possible. If you are looking forward to some more exciting ideas, you may want to go backward instead of forward. The optimal combination of both results is another popular technique – Hachi Kata.                

What About Posture?

Proper posture is an important component of the martial arts that you can learn from the movements of the professionals. If you are not following up on the right posture techniques, you are more likely to get bound to weak points. This can even result in poor musculoskeletal alignment and injuries. Make sure to have adequate posture training.                                           

Fundamental Attack Moves and Defense

You will often come across 8 different angles with a sword including straight up and down, diagonally up to the right and left, diagonally down to the right and left, and diagonally up to the left and right strikes horizontally. From the theoretical point of view, all of these angles are possible. Yet, there are many variations when it comes to attacking angles.

According to many ninja or martial arts specialists, to win a sword fight you should perhaps choose an offensive approach instead of waiting for the time to do a counter-attack. It’s better to use your unpredictable moves first and do not give the opponent any change to trick your gameplay. At the same time, you should understand the fact that no matter how proficient you are on the offense you need to employ defensive moves at one point or another. Here we have listed a few major counters. Let’s take a look!

• Prolong the arm outwards and keep it away from the body. That way, you can deflect the downward diagonal cuts or high horizontal attacking anywhere from left to the right.
• Any attack from right to left can be deflected by swaying the arm across the body.
• If you are encountering any diagonal rising cuts, low horizontal attacks, or cuts focused to the right leg, you can simply drop the sword in the downward direction and brace it with sufficient space for absorbing the blow impact.
• On the contrary, low attacks from the left side of the body can be blocked by revolving the wrist so it stays outward and sweeps the attack apart.

Martial arts are practiced by Samurai across the world in many forms. The art has been innovatively created, adapted, and perfected to date. From unarmed combat techniques to dynamic sword fighting strategies, the more you explore the better you will learn. To know more about the weapons in demand for martial arts, you may want to take a look at A Little About Martial Arts Weapons.

The post Learn the Art of Ninja Sword Fighting appeared first on A Straight Arrow.

But every perfect and complete knife collection has to contain a specific knife, the hunting knife that’s more than just a member. It’s the star member. And if your knife collection is missing just that or you plan to add another one of these then now is the correct time to do so. And if you aren’t thinking the same, then here are a whole lot of reasons (read facts) that’s definitely going to convince you into buying a hunting knife.

• WHAT ARE HUNTING KNIVES?

Well, as obvious as it may seem from the name, these knives are the key to a victorious hunt. After getting the animal on ground, it’s very crucial that you have a proper knife to do the job whether you are aiming at trophy game or skinning the entire animal. Also, having a costly but high-quality hunting knife will make all the difference as the cheaper ones will get the job done but not for long. So if you want a hunting knife that will outshine others in your collection and still do its job well after years, make sure you invest in a pricier one.

• FIXED BLADE VS FOLDING BLADE

These two are the main differentiated types of hunting knives and let us tell you, they are very competitive. Each has their own supportive arguments and will give you a tough time deciding between the two.

1. Fixed Blade– This design is quite a trustworthy piece and will never fail under times of pressure when you need it the most. It’s also easier to clean. Thus, it undeniable provides strength and reliability more than the other type perfect for hunts or tough camping tasks.
2. Folding Blade– Folding knives are the best option if you are looking for something easy to use and convenient to carry. It’s compact and gets packed in its sheath nicely though it isn’t as strong as the fixed blade ones but there have been advancements over the years.

• HOW TO CHOOSE THE PERFECT HUNTING KNIFE?

Along with the two main categories of the type of blade, there are still a few other boxes that need to be checked before you invest in a good hunting knife whether it’s for the forest action or simply for your antique knife collection.

1. SHAPE OF THE BLADE:

• Straight-Edge Blade– These is handmade out of a one-piece sharp metal and provides you with a straight and consistent sharp cut.

• Serrated-Edge Blade– These blades are inflexible at the bottom and so can be used in substitute of a saw. So, if you want to cut through tough materials, this is a better option than the previous.

• Drop-Point Blade– These blades are thick and curved on both the faces and are the one to go for in case of skinning animals. In fact, it’s a favourite of all big game hunters.

2. HANDLE OF THE KNIFE:

Now, after deciding the type and the shape of the blade, as per your requirements, it’s time for you to turn your gaze to the handle. Ensure that the knife you are investing in has a good and strong grip so that it doesn’t slip from your hands whether you are cutting or stabbing.

3. KNIFE MATERIAL:

Though this depends on the purpose for which you are purchasing the knife, generally, if you are going for a hunt, choose one that has a corrosive resistance steel blade.

HUNTING KNIVES IN THE UK

There are various online sites that sell hunting knives all over UK but only a few of them sell quality products at competitive prices.  You can also get yourself a sheath that will ensure you don’t stab yourself with the knife. There are sites which not only sell beautifully designed knifes but also has authentic leather sheaths to go with it and all this at reasonable prices.

This best quality stainless steel knifes feel comfortable in your hand without any pinch points or sharp corners. There are also fixed blade knives that allow you to change the blade so you can take a selection with you or invest in a super convenient spring assisted knife that has the blade coming out just after the user gives a thumb stud or flip level.

So, having said all of that, you must now know why we are so keen on convincing you to buy the hunting knife and thus complete your knife collection (or maybe start on one). So boiling down to your tastes and preferences, follow this guide, choose the correct hunting knife and pursue your game.

The post What Makes A Knife Collection Perfect? appeared first on A Straight Arrow.

It’s repeatedly said that a dull blade is more unsafe and dangerous rather than a sharp or shrill one. Why so? Because the dull blade take more energy to use and when you push harder or forcedly knife on any material so yes there is a chance that it can lead to slip of knife and may cause any problem to you. Where else a sharp knife is easy to cut with the slightest effort and maximum control. Knives are an essential tool used on a daily basis, and pocket knives are very convenient to have on your person and mandatory to any outdoorsman. A pocket knife is used for many different reasons like to cut a rope, used for cutting a box or steel can but it can only be used when its edge is sharped.

That’s why it is important to learn how to sharpen a pocket knife or tips for sharpening a machete. Today, this article will make you learn the best way that how you can sharpen your pocket knife.

Pocket knives come in many different shapes and sizes with a diverse style of edges, as well as different types of blade steel, and that’s why there are different methods use the sharp pocket knife. They are different product sell in market cheap and expensive to sharpen a pocket knife.

Here are few we recommend

• [easyazon_link identifier=”B0734JT5X6″ locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Jew Boer Thin Diamond Knife Tool Sharpening Stone Square Plate Whetstone[/easyazon_link]
• [easyazon_link identifier=”B0016J5OFU” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Winco 12″ Fine/Grain Sharpening Stone medium[/easyazon_link]
• [easyazon_link identifier=”B01A5V67OG” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Sharpal 106H 10’’ Sharpening Steel[/easyazon_link]
• [easyazon_link identifier=”B01M1LC6OZ” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Dan’s Translucent Pocket Knife Sharpening Stone Whetstone[/easyazon_link]
• [easyazon_link identifier=”B004D4FH8E” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Fallkniven DC3[/easyazon_link]

Before you sharpen the blade you should know for what purpose the blade is being used whether it is being used for cooking purpose or for whittling. If the knife is highly expensive, William Henry Knives are a good example, you need a high quality sharpening stone as you may not prefer any cheap sharpening stone but if it’s a simple pocket knife there’s no need to get any fancy or expensive stone plate.

There are gazillions different styles of shaping stones. There is thin diamond knife sharpening stone, [easyazon_link identifier=”B00K98TOSC” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Winco 12 grain sharpening stone[/easyazon_link], Japanese water stone and stones with a different ranking of grit.

We recommend sharpening square plate whetstone to the beginners because it is easy to use and available almost in all home stores and also available online stores.

After you chose the right whetstone for your pocket knife another thing you must buy is mineral oil. Some specialists favor using dry whetstone, while others prefer mineral oil on the stone while they are sharpening a pocket knife. The lubricant can be of any type from water to oil. They are used to moderate the heat from the friction that is created during sharpening of your pocket knife. The lubricant is also used to for cleaning your knife after you grind your pocket knife blade on the stone.

So, the main two tools to sharpen your pocket knife are

• Sharpening stone
• Lubricants

Steps to sharpen your knife

1. A plain piece of cloth

First of all, take a simple piece of cloth keep it on a flat place and then keep sharpening whetstone on it.

Apply lubricant on sharpening stone

Apply a little drop of lubricant on your both sides of sharpening whetstone. It is your choice to use mineral oil or water; both can be used.

2. Position the blade at a Right angle

The right angle is 15 degree of your blade against the rough grit side of the sharpening stone. The angle depends on the size of your knife. The smaller of the angle, the sharper your knife blade. For pocket knives, 10-15 degree is the standard angle.

Start by placing your pocket knife blade flat on the stone and keeping the knife’s edge on the stone, move the back of your knife to the angle of 10-15 degree.

3. Glide the blade along the stone

Place your knife blade in the perfect position on stone. Sweep the knife downward and off the end of a whetstone.   You can bring it near you or away from you that depends on you. Simply repeat the same step on opposite side. Apply the moderate pressure, don’t get harsh while sweeping the blade, do it very smoothly in continuous motion.

Remember knife blades that are long or curved than your sharpening whetstone is needed to sweep down the blade at both sides ways of the stone to sharpen the entire blade evenly.

4. Repeat the step

Repeat this step 7-9 times until you get accomplished to have sharp edges of your blade.

5. Enjoy your sharpened pocket knife

Now your blade is ready to be used. But first, clean it with the cloth. Clean all the dirt from it and then use it.

6. Check the sharpness of your pocket knife.

   Hold up a simple piece of paper, and cut down a slice of paper with your knife. If the blade is sharp, it will easily glide through the paper which means the blade is well sharped. There is one more way to test the sharpness of the blade by holding your knife up to the light or sun and looking for the bright light reflection.

There are also many other ways to sharpen the pocket knife like one of the cheapest way is by using honing rod.

Honing Rod

Honing road is sharpening steel. Rods are also made out of diamonds or ceramic. Both of this material are dependable because of both sharps the blades very smoothly and quickly. And you get the same result as you get from sharpening stone.

• Place an old towel or simple cloth on a flat place.

Hold the rod by the handle and place its tip on the tip of cloth. If you don’t use any cloth so there are chances honing rod might get a slip. The honing rod should be straight at a proper vertical angle.

• Find your Right angle

Determine the angle at which you will hold the blade against the rod. 25-30 degree angle is suitable for pocket knives.

• Swipe the knife till the edge of the rod

Strongly grab the rod form handle, on the other hand, take your knife slowly at verticle position swipe the blade and use a light touch do not push the knife against the rod with a lot of pressure. Move the knife from vertical position from heel to tip as you swipe it down along the rod.

• Shift both sides to get sharpen a pocket knife

Switch both sides to get sharpen both sides of the pocket knife. Use smooth hand while swiping. After the knife is sharpened test it by paper or light which procedure is already mentioned above.

The post How to Sharpen a Pocket Knife appeared first on A Straight Arrow.

Read on as I show you all about stonewashing knives and how to do it!

What Is Stonewashing?

Stonewashing is a type of technique with your knife being washed in a tumbling of a vibrating container using soap, water, and abrasive material. And yes, the abrasive material is stones or rocks. Through following this technique, it will be able to create anything, from a matte that’s finely-textures down to a rough or scratched-up look that looks tough and cool.

The result of your stonewashing will depend on how intense the container is shaken down to the stones you use. Using smaller and finer materials will end up with your hunting knife having an even matte finish while using stones will end up with you having that rough and worn appearance that people want.

We’ll be focusing more on stonewashing using stones and getting that rough material.

How to Stonewash a Knife

Before stonewashing your knife, here are the supplies you need to prepare:

• Your knife
• Large plastic jar
• About ten rocks at the size of half of your thumb
• Nail polish
• Clothes dryer
• Large towel
• Dish soap and water
• Tools for disassembling and reassembling your knife.

Now here are the steps you can follow to stonewash your knife correctly:

1. Disassemble your knife according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Put nail polish on the parts of your knife that you don’t want to be stonewashed, such as the pivots. You can remove the nail polish with acetone or a nail polish remove right after.
2. Place the rocks in the plastic jar, as well as your blade. If you plan on stonewashing other parts of your knife, then do so separately, washing it one part at a time. Add a bit of soap and water and then secure the lid.
3. Wrap the jar with your large towel, securing it tightly, so the towel won’t unravel once you begin stonewashing your knife. I recommend you to use large rubber bands to secure it tightly.
4. Put the jar in your dryer on air tumble or air fluff, any setting that does not require heat. Let it tumble for about 20 minutes. 10 minutes is a light stonewash, while 20 minutes would be fairly heavy and enough.
5. Once the process is done, take the towel out of the jar and remove the blade, rinsing it off. Stonewash any additional parts needed and then reassemble the knife. Resharpen right after, and you’re done!

Tips on Maintaining Your Knife

Now that you know how to stonewash a knife, the next question is what else you can do to keep your knife looking and performing excellently. Here are some tips to follow:

• Take note that disassembling or customizing your knife will void its warranty. You can contact the manufacturer for more information about it. Make sure to stonewash it carefully to avoid any damage since you won’t be able to have it repaired.
• Resharpen your knife after stonewashing it to keep the blade’s edge ready to use.
• Before stonewashing, compress or remove the thumb studs with pliers or other forms of tools. Remove the coatings as well.
• Wash your knives regularly, at least once every week or after using it.
• Always use protection when washing your knives to avoid any injury, especially when dealing with large and sharp stones.

In Conclusion

When it comes to maintaining and caring for your knives, you’ll need to make sure that you do it right and with the proper equipment. Sure, it may seem like a tedious task, but in the end, the investment is worth more than paying a professional or having to purchase a whole new one. With stonewashing, you’ll save money and effort while trying something new that will keep your knives well cared for.

I hope that this article on how to stonewash a knife helped you become more knowledgeable about what to do to lengthen the lifespan and improve the performance of your knives. So what are you waiting for? Try this method of cleaning knives today and see what it has to offer!

If you have any questions or would like to share your tips and experiences on how to stonewash a knife, then comment down below. I would love to hear what you have to think.

Author Bio: Hi! My name is Victor, and I am a huge fan of DIY and handicrafts. As a creative, I love to help people out in the new and awesome projects they can do at home, blogging and sharing my tutorials and the best tools to invest in.

The post An Easy Way on How to Stonewash a Knife appeared first on A Straight Arrow.

What makes it cool? For starters, it’s developed by an American company that has been around for 3 years and has already brought 2 great EDC products, all supported by the users on Kickstarted. They know what we want and they design with users in mind. The knife weights less than 1 ounce and measures only 3.15 inches when opened. It has a combination plain and serrated blade made of 440C stainless steel. When it comes to business, the knife can be used for anything from cutting open boxes to stripping wires and carving wood. The main selling point is that it’s small, well designed, easily concealed and carried, but strong and versatile. 

It’s currently fundraising on Kickstarter and has already massively passed its goal. Now is your chance to get in on the action and get your knife at a good deal. The deals start at just $25.

The post B-2 Nano Blade – The Smallest Tactical Pocket Knife appeared first on A Straight Arrow.

Making sure that you select a Steel that will fit your specific purpose will ensure that you get the most out of your knife. Also, knowing the properties of different types of Steel is absolutely essential to ensuring the tool’s proper upkeep and preparation. In order to get the most value from your knife, it is important to have an understanding of how Steels and other materials differ from one another, as it will enable you to pick the correct blade for the job at hand as well as enable you to look after it properly.

What Makes Steel Different?

Steel blades differ based on the combination of various different ingredients used to comprise the blade. Each of these ingredients adds something to the blade, and Steel types are combinations which vary the levels of these elements.

The common elements found in knife Steel are these: Chromium, Carbon, Manganese, Copper, Cobalt, Molybdenum, Nickel, Nitrogen, Sulfur, Silicon, Phosphorus, Tungsten, and Vanadium. Differing the present levels of each of these elements in the Steel used will give you a different type of Steel that embodies the different properties of these elements.

The Properties Of The Elements

Chromium is mixed into Steel to combat corrosion and is found mostly in Stainless Steel knives as a major ingredient. While it is an essential component, too much Chromium can decrease the toughness of the blade. Copper is also used to combat corrosion.

Carbon is used to harden the Steel, increasing the blade’s lifespan. Having high Carbon levels present in your blade’s Steel will generally ensure that the blade wears less over time, however, just as with Chromium overly, high levels can decrease blade toughness.

Manganese, much like Carbon, is used to harden the Steel but can increase brittleness if used in too high a quantity. Tungsten and Vanadium are also used to increase the wear resistance of the Steel, and so these are the elements to look for in a knife that you need to last a long time.

The levels of Phosphorus, Cobalt, and Silicon present will dictate the blade’s strength, while Molybdenum acts to maintain this strength even at higher temperatures.

Knife blade Steel is a fine science which requires precise mixing. By using this breakdown of elements as a guide, you can make an informed decision when looking at the different mixes of Steel available to you to make sure that the blade you select is fit to your specific purposes.

The Different Types Of Knife Blade Steel

One of the main discussions usually found around knife blade Steel is Stainless Steel vs Carbon Steel, however, this is relatively misleading as it leads to the assumption that these are the only two options available on the market. In truth, there are many more varieties of knife blades available, though Stainless and Carbon Steel do make up the majority of commercially available knives.

Stainless Steel

ESEE-4 is a great Carbon Steel knife. Click on image for more details

Stainless Steel knives are probably the most common household name when it comes to knife blades, as the majority of kitchen knives are made of Stainless Steel. Stainless Steel knives are highly desirable to many due to their rust resistance, which is a factor brought about by their high levels of Chromium. This is the material from which some of the best bushcraft knives are made of.

Of course, there are many different subsets of Stainless Steel blades which contain varying degrees of different elements. Two notable examples of Stainless Steel blades are the 400 series and the AUS series. The 400 series ranges from 420 Steel – which is a low-end Steel with poor hardness and edge retention but exceptional rust resistance even from salt water – to the 440 Steels – which offer varying degrees of rust resistance and hardness.

The Japanese AUS series makes use of Vanadium to improve the wear resistance of the Steel and improve toughness. Importantly, it also makes the blade easier to sharpen.

Pros and Cons:

• Stainless Steel is exceptionally useful in situations that require rust resistance
• Typically poorer at retaining an edge and much harder to sharpen than other materials.

Carbon Steel

Spyderco Lil Lion Spy is a great example of carbon steel knife. Click on image for more details.

Carbon Steel knives are usually denoted by numbers marking their Carbon content. The 10XX series ranges from 1045 to 1095, with the last two numbers measuring the Carbon percentage (1045 containing 0.45% Carbon and 1095 containing 0.95% Carbon). While the Carbon content increases with the numbers in the series, the Manganese decreases, which in essence means that blades higher up in the series are more wear resistant but less tough, and while the lower end of the series does not hold an edge as well the higher end is much easier to sharpen and holds its edge much better.

The major drawback of Carbon Steel vs Stainless Steel is that while Carbon Steel is usually much tougher and more durable, it lacks the rust resistance of Stainless Steel, particularly higher up the series. For this reason, many of the higher end 10XX series knife blades will come with a resistant coating to ward off the rust. It is also important that these blades are stored properly to protect them.

Pros and Cons:

• Incredibly tough and resistant, holds an edge impressively
• Not rust resistant requires much more maintenance than Stainless Steel

Specialist Steels

Mission Knives 1717PS Mission MPT-A2 is a great example of A2 steel knife. Click on image for more details.

Tool Steels are Steels specifically designed and tailored to perform certain tasks. A notable example is A2 Steel, which is extremely tough and often used to make combat knives. The downsides to this Steel is its poor wear resistance and its propensity to rust due to low Chromium content. Some other examples of tool Steel are M2 Steel – very heat resistant and holds an edge well, but brittle at larger sizes – O1 and O6 Steel – extraordinarily good edge retention, but quick to rust due to high carbon content – and W2 Steel – an ultra-hard steel with great edge retention.

Pros and Cons

• Very good at meeting specific requirements for specialized jobs
• Expensive and tends not to cater to the general market

Alloy Steels are Steels that are comprised of element combinations which mean that they do not fall into either Stainless or Carbon Steel classifications. Perhaps the best example of this is 5160 Steel, which is 1060 Carbon Steel (0.60% Carbon) mixed with a small amount of Chromium. Though there is insufficient Chromium present to be truly rust-resistant, there is enough to make the blade especially strong and tough. These Steels are perfectly fine for most jobs, but – like tool Steels – are usually specifically rendered for a specific purpose that sits outside that of a common all-purpose knife.

Non-Steel Blades

Promate Scuba Dive Snorkel Titanium Knife is a great example of Titanium knife. Click on image for more details.

Titanium blades are very lightweight, flexible and tough. Problematically, these blades do not hold their edges well. For these reasons, blades from Titanium suppliers tend to only be used for diving, vanity pieces, and custom knives.

Ceramic blades are very brittle blades which offer exceptional hardness and edge retention, as well as having no Steel in them to rust. While this does mean that they are incredibly easy to keep, it also means that they are far less flexible than the majority of other materials available. This makes them perfect as diving knives, but a lot less useful in other situations.

Pros and Cons:

• Extraordinarily tough and great edge retention, easy to maintain
• Inflexible and limited in its use

What Factors Should You Consider When Comparing Different Knife Blade Steels?

Of course, knowing about the makeup of different types of knife blade Steel is just one part of the equation when it comes to making a decision about which blade to choose. In addition to this, you have to consider the work that you are planning to use the blade for, the storage facilities you have available, the conditions in which you will be using it, and – importantly – your own abilities knife care and maintenance.

For example, buying a Stainless Steel knife is perfect for the user who wants to get the most out of their knife without needing to worry as much about the upkeep and protection of the blade, and makes an ideal companion for damp or waterlogged situations such as camping and cooking. However, if your task requires a blade that will retain its edge for a longer period of time – such as survival situations – then Carbon Steel knives are likely much more fit for purpose.

The caveat of Carbon Steel compared to Stainless Steel is that it requires much more maintenance and protection due to its lack of rust resistance. This means that if you are unsure of your own abilities with maintaining blades or lack the proper tools and storage facilities for such a blade, you are safer falling back on a Stainless Steel blade.

Of course, as noted above, Stainless Steel and Carbon Steel are not the only options available on the market. However, they are certainly the most widely applicable options. Alloy Steels and Tool Steels are highly specialized to their purposes and do not have the flexibility offered by Stainless Steel and Carbon Steel.

Ceramic blades, similarly, are really fit to one specific purpose rather than a broad range of different purposes. For an all-purpose knife such as a survival knife, therefore, these materials are rather less than ideal.

The variety of Steels available for common knife blades is great, and there are a number of different combinations to suit specific needs and more general needs. Having an understanding of these tools should help you to make a properly informed decision and ensure that you get the right tool for what you are doing.

The post Complete Guide To Knife Blade Steel appeared first on A Straight Arrow.

For out purposes, we settle on this definition of a “laser” knife: this is an ultra-thin and lightweight knife that cuts through food easily and beautifully. Because the knife is so thin, the food it cuts offers very little resistance. Even when it’s not a peak sharpness, laser knives can perform better than other types of knives. There are a lot of laser knives in the market, and they are usually preferred by the most discerning of chefs.

[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”133″ identifier=”B00200L8XQ” locale=”US” src=”https://nqo.psw.mybluehost.me/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/21ww0CsrUlL.jpg” tag=”astraightar0d-20″ width=”500″]

The use of the term “laser” when referring to thin knives is a relatively recent substitution for the term [easyazon_link identifier=”B00200L8XQ” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]“gyuto” knives[/easyazon_link]. These Japanese-made gyuto knives are multi-purpose knives great for cutting meat, fish, and vegetables. They also retain their blade’s sharpness much longer. Gyuto knives are similar to French chef’s knives and are beveled on both sides (as opposed to other traditional Japanese cutting knives, which are beveled on one side only). Their lengths generally fall in the range of 210mm to 270mm.

Gyuto “laser” knives have a pointed tip for precision. From the tip, the knife rounds out to a belly that can be used for rock cutting. For a lot of people, the gyuto knife is a versatile all-around knife that can be used for a variety of function. It might even be the only knife you’ll need in the kitchen.

One of the most popular examples of gyuto “laser” knives is the [easyazon_link identifier=”B00200L8XQ” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Kotobuki 10-1/2 Gyuto[/easyazon_link]. Many claim that as your skill develops, you can get more use out of this knife. It is made of semi-stainless steel and can hold a great edge for a long time. When cutting food with the Kotobuki 10-1/2, it almost seems as if the knife is merely falling through the food and not cutting through it. Though it may be daunting to use at first, especially if you are not as experienced, you’ll get the hang of it soon enough and it can vastly improve your cooking experience. However, you do have to be careful with maintenance and sharpening.

The [easyazon_link identifier=”B00200L8XQ” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Kotobuki 10-1/2 Gyuto[/easyazon_link] also comes in different shapes. Cooks and chefs have particular tastes and opinions when it comes to the shape and dimensions of the knives they use, so you can try different sorts of gyuto “laser” knives to see which works best for and with you.

Other brands also make great gyuto knives. Richmond, in particular, has a collection of gyuto knives, which are called by the more trendy “laser” monicker. Gyuto “laser” knives have been around for a long time, and this is a testament to their efficacy.

Other resources: Bugout Bill Handheld Spotlight

The post What is a “Laser” Knife? appeared first on A Straight Arrow.

The smallest knife in the world is called the Nano Knife. It was first manufactured in the research laboratory at the National Institute of Standards and Technology at the University of Colorado. It is made from carbon, which gives added strength. The Nano knife holds the Guinness world record of the smallest knife. The Nano knife is very easy to hide because of its size. It is used in the laboratory to cut samples that have a thickness of 300 nanometers. Apart from being the smallest knife, it also has the sharpest blade and thus it is ideal to cut very thin slices of tissue samples, especially cancer or tumor cells. The Nano knife is currently being used in the medical field for cancer treatment such as Nano ablation surgery. It has also reduced the need for use of radiation for the treatment of cancer.

The smallest conventional looking small knife is [easyazon_link identifier=”B006R1UL5K” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Rough Rider Miniature Folder Knife[/easyazon_link]: 

[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”102″ identifier=”B006R1UL5K” locale=”US” src=”https://nqo.psw.mybluehost.me/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/31b2SWTUzqL.jpg” tag=”astraightar0d-20″ width=”500″]

Other types of small knives include the Swiss Army knife, butterfly knife, pocket knife, neck knife, micro knife and a folding knife. These knives have blades made from stainless steel and the handles can either be metallic or made from wooden material. These knives are usually hand crafted to add more perfection.

The Swiss army knife is foldable and also has a nail file, scissors, screwdriver, bottle opener, key ring and toothpick. It is thus a handy tool that is packed into one. It can thus be considered to be the smallest foldable knife in the world. The miniature novelty knife is the smallest pocket knife in the world. Its blade is made from stainless steel and the handle is can be metallic or wooden. It is often customized to specification.

The butterfly knife which originated in Philippines. They are called butterfly knives because they have grooved handles that hide the blade when folded in. Thus this knife is one of the best pocket knives that one can have.

The post The Smallest Knife in The World appeared first on A Straight Arrow.

Some swords are larger, others smaller; some are curved while others are straight. And these shapes and designs are not merely arbitrary. They are a product of hundreds of centuries of invention and innovation. A sword should be sharp and remain sharp. Besides, it should be tough enough to absorb the impacts and stress it is put through.

A sword should have a number of properties that includes the following:

Hardness, so that it can cut.

Flexibility – so that it is able to absorb impact shock without breaking.

Toughness – to enable it to bear repeated impacts without wearing out and shattering, and toughness greatly contributes to the performance of a sword.

Adequate weight – to give momentum to the cut so that it is not too heavy and hard to swing

When it comes to the properties enumerated above, it is extremely difficult to find all of them in a single material.

Steel

However, steel has been found to have a property that enables it to actually combine a number of usually mutually exclusive traits in a single part. It is possible to heat-treat steel to the conversion point and then cools it. When it is cooled very fast, it becomes extremely hard but brittle. On the other hand, when it is cooled very slowly, it is tough, but also soft and springy. Through the differential hardening process, it is possible to make a steel part which is extremely hard on the outside but remains sturdy but springy on the inside. This is ideal for making a sword.

Then, in addition, modern steels can be made extremely pure, be alloyed with different metals such as chromium, molybdenum, nickel, and so on that further change the steels’ properties without them losing the ability to be heat-treated. Since the ductile strength of the alloy is enhanced, it facilitates the making of a thinner part with similar strength. A good sword needs to be forged and tempered.

Modern coatings may be used to add other properties like for instance corrosion resistance as well as self-lubrication. Friction-reducing coatings such as Teflon can be applied to the non-cutting part of the blade in order to prevent the blade from binding. You can also use Ground Flat Stock as the base of your sword for durability and ease of procurement.

The Best Steel

Traditionally, Japanese carbon steel is typically the best multipurpose steel to use for making swords. Even most swordsmiths agree with this. This is due to the fact that it contains the proper amount of trace elements that gives it the ideal characteristics for an efficient sword.  A good number of top grade Japanese carbon steels contain roughly 3 percent trace elements, meaning naturally it would be stronger than other types of steel – actually even if it is thin.

The post The Best Steel for Swords appeared first on A Straight Arrow.

2004 – 36 Quai des Orfevres/36th Presinct – [easyazon_link identifier=”B000N4LC7I” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Police SS[/easyazon_link] With Custom Wood Overlay
2012 – Act of Valor – [easyazon_link identifier=”B00YUL1JZU” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Native Black FRN[/easyazon_link]
1997 – Alien Nation: The Udara Legacy – [easyazon_link identifier=”B000N4LC7I” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Police SS[/easyazon_link]
1997 – Anaconda – [easyazon_link identifier=”B000BT1G9E” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Delica[/easyazon_link]
1995 – Bad Boys – [easyazon_link identifier=”B001DZT21O” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Civilian[/easyazon_link]
1998 – Black Dog – [easyazon_link identifier=”B000BT1G9E” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Delica[/easyazon_link]
2012 – Bullet to the Head – [easyazon_link identifier=”B002ECY7XI” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Citadel[/easyazon_link]
1999 – Chill Factor – [easyazon_link identifier=”B000BSY9G2″ locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Harpy[/easyazon_link]
2002 – Clockstoppers – [easyazon_link identifier=”B000BT1G9E” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Delica[/easyazon_link]
2005 – Devour – [easyazon_link identifier=”B000N4LC7I” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Police SS[/easyazon_link]
2004 – District 13 – [easyazon_link identifier=”B000N4LC7I” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Police SS[/easyazon_link]
2003 – Dorm Daze – [easyazon_link identifier=”B001DZT21O” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Civilian[/easyazon_link]
1997 – Double Team – [easyazon_link identifier=”B000N4LC7I” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Police SS[/easyazon_link]
1999 – Entrapment – [easyazon_link identifier=”B000BT1G9E” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Delica[/easyazon_link]
1996 – Eraser – [easyazon_link identifier=”B000N4LC7I” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Police SS[/easyazon_link]
1991 – Exposure/A Grande Art – [easyazon_link identifier=”B000N4LC7I” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Police SS[/easyazon_link]
1999 – Fight Club – [easyazon_link identifier=”B000N4LC7I” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Police SS[/easyazon_link]
1996 – Flipper – Catcherman Black FRN CE
1992 – Gladiator – Mariner
2001 – Hannibal – [easyazon_link identifier=”B000BSY9G2″ locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Harpy[/easyazon_link]
1993 – Hard Target – [easyazon_link identifier=”B000N4LC7I” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Police SS[/easyazon_link]
1992 – Jennifer 8 – [easyazon_link identifier=”B000N4LC7I” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Police SS[/easyazon_link]
1995 – Johnny Mnemonic – [easyazon_link identifier=”B000BSY9G2″ locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Harpy[/easyazon_link](Modified blade only)
2004 – Le Convoyeur/Cash Truck – Spyderwrench
2006 – Mission Impossible III – [easyazon_link identifier=”B0089DFI6G” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Cricket[/easyazon_link]
1998 – Mr. Murder – Mariner SS PE
1993 – Needful Things – [easyazon_link identifier=”B000N4LC7I” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Police SS[/easyazon_link]
2001 – Ocean’s Eleven – [easyazon_link identifier=”B0199VGDO2″ locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Snap-It[/easyazon_link] Black FRN and Remote Release Black FRN Sheepsfoot SE
2000 – On the Beach – Frank Centofante II Black G-10 PE
2002 – One Hour Photo – [easyazon_link identifier=”B00069PYP6″ locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Merlin Black FRN SE[/easyazon_link]
1993 – Only the Strong – [easyazon_link identifier=”B001DZT21O” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Civilian[/easyazon_link]
1998 – Out of Sight – Jess Horn Lightweight Black FRN PE
2013 – Parker – [easyazon_link identifier=”B000N4LC7I” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Police SS[/easyazon_link]
1993 – Point of No Return – Standard/Economy SS SE
2000 – Sanctimony – [easyazon_link identifier=”B000N4LC7I” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Police SS[/easyazon_link]
2011 – Sanctum – [easyazon_link identifier=”B000BT1G9E” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Delica[/easyazon_link]
2008 – Saw V – [easyazon_link identifier=”B003YD5HUI” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Byrd Raven G-10[/easyazon_link]
1993 – Scam – [easyazon_link identifier=”B001DZT21O” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Civilian[/easyazon_link]
1995 – Screamers – Standard/Economy SS SE
1997 – Strategic Command/Executive Command – [easyazon_link identifier=”B000BT1G9E” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Delica[/easyazon_link]
1993 – Striking Distance – [easyazon_link identifier=”B00NUFS3II” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Worker SS[/easyazon_link]
2006 – Subject Two – Howard Viele Black Micarta SE
1995 – Sudden Death – Standard/Economy SS SE
1994 – Terminal Velocity – [easyazon_link identifier=”B000N4LC7I” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Police SS[/easyazon_link]
1998 – The Avengers – [easyazon_link identifier=”B000N4LC7I” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Police SS[/easyazon_link]
1994 – The Client – [easyazon_link identifier=”B000N4LC7I” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Police SS[/easyazon_link] Gary Blanchard Engraved
1995 – The Doom Generation – [easyazon_link identifier=”B000N4LC7I” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Police SS[/easyazon_link]
2013 – The Heat Rock – [easyazon_link identifier=”B0028S9M88″ locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Salt Black FRN PE[/easyazon_link]
2011 – The Hunter – [easyazon_link identifier=”B000BT1G9E” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Delica[/easyazon_link]
2004 – The Punisher – [easyazon_link identifier=”B001DZT21O” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Civilian[/easyazon_link]
2012 – The Punisher: Dirty Laundry – [easyazon_link identifier=”B003CH77WW” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Endura[/easyazon_link]
2008 – The Superhero Movie – [easyazon_link identifier=”B0089DFI6G” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Cricket[/easyazon_link](Blades Only)
2011 – The Veteran – [easyazon_link identifier=”B000N4LC7I” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Police SS[/easyazon_link]
2001 – Training Day – [easyazon_link identifier=”B000N4LC7I” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Police SS[/easyazon_link]
2008 – Traitor – [easyazon_link identifier=”B000BT1G9E” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Delica[/easyazon_link]
2001 – Watchtower/Cruel and Unusual – [easyazon_link identifier=”B003CH77WW” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Endura[/easyazon_link]
2013 – We’re the Millers – Kumo

The list has been originally compined by Josh Klaver aka Kiwigunguy.

The post Spyderco Knives in Movies appeared first on A Straight Arrow.

A Satin finish is a semi-shiny finish with a luster falling between bead blasted (matte) and mirror polish (high gloss). It is the most popular and typical finish on production of knife blades and it shows fine buffing lines with two directional finishes that give a better display of the bevels of the blade. It has decent corrosion resistance, but less than polish or mirror finished knives.

A Mirror Polish is a highly reflective finish typically seen only on high-end, custom, and handmade knives. It reflects like a mirror and is one of the most expensive knife finishes. It has high polish and smoothness, which make it corrosion resistant.

Bead Blasting is a non-reflective finish created by blasting the surface of a blade with various media such as beads or sand, which produce a rough surface more prone to surface corrosion. This looks great on tactical, combat, or fighting knives where reflection of a shiny blade is unwanted. It also compliments a knife blade that will then be hot blued, for a completely flat black finish.

Black Oxide, or blackening, is a conversion coating for ferrous materials that is used to add mild corrosion resistance and for an appealing black appearance. Black Paint, or powder coating, is the lowest quality blade coating. The paint gives the blade low reflectivity but has a high probability of scratching. A polished finish is similar to a mirror finish, but it is less reflective. It has great corrosion resistance and shows scratches easily. The stonewash finish involves having the steel rolled with pebbles and then smoothed. It hides scratches better than other finishes.

Coatings provide corrosion resistance, but they will scratch off eventually and at different rates, depending on the quality of the coating. Black, powder coatings, and titanium nitride are a few coatings that are available. DLC (Diamond-like-carbon) is one of the best black coatings and it will hold up longer than most other coatings. Coatings are not shiny.

Finishes and coatings will wear away with use over time. To prevent rust from accumulating, the knife blades should be cleaned, dried, and oiled on a regular basis.

The post Knife Blade Finishes appeared first on A Straight Arrow.

A lot of high-quality knives have been featured in the show. Though we won’t need to use these knives in a zombie apocalypse anytime soon (hopefully), they can still come in handy for a variety of tasks and activities.

Gerber DMF Folder

[easyazon_image align=”right” height=”28″ identifier=”B004DT26ME” locale=”US” src=”https://nqo.psw.mybluehost.me/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/31F93AGHe0L.SL110.jpg” tag=”astraightar0d-20″ width=”110″]This is arguably Rick Grimes’s favorite knife. In season 2 of the show, he uses this knife to pierce his finger and draw just enough blood to attract a walker wandering around on the other side of a fence. When the walker comes near enough, Rick stabs it through the eye with his trusty [easyazon_link identifier=”B004DT26ME” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Gerber DMF Folder[/easyazon_link].

Busse Team Gemini
Daryl Dixon is the show’s resident survivalist, so anyone taking notes on how to survive a zombie apocalypse should pay attention to Daryl’s gear. His go-to knife is useful, straightforward, and no-nonsense—much like Daryl himself. Daryl has been able to take down a lot of walkers in close range as well as survive in the wilderness with the reliable Busse Team Gemini.

Gerber Gator Machete Pro

[easyazon_image align=”right” height=”29″ identifier=”B004A1IXRC” locale=”US” src=”https://nqo.psw.mybluehost.me/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/21lCHAMcrQL.SL110.jpg” tag=”astraightar0d-20″ width=”110″]The only way to take out a walker is to aim for its head—a task for which Glenn Rhee is suited for with his trusted multi-purpose knife. It can be used like a knife, an ax, or a machete, which is great for all the different kinds of missions Glenn goes on. It is lightweight but lethal, which means it does not require much physical strength from the user to be effective. More details on [easyazon_link identifier=”B004A1IXRC” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Gerber Gator on Amazon[/easyazon_link].

Gerber Epic

[easyazon_image align=”right” height=”26″ identifier=”B0034JTARI” locale=”US” src=”https://nqo.psw.mybluehost.me/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/31FArWtqRL.SL110.jpg” tag=”astraightar0d-20″ width=”110″]Carl Grimes has been sporting this knife since he was deemed old enough to be ready. Though this isn’t the ideal knife for a seasoned zombie killer, it works well for Carl, who didn’t see much zombie combat in the earlier seasons. The knife is serrated and has a blunt tip. Though unsuitable for fighting walkers off, it is definitely useful in camping and basic but essential outdoor activities. More details on [easyazon_link identifier=”B0034JTARI” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Gerber Epic on Amazon[/easyazon_link].

Honorable Mention: Michonne’s Katana

[easyazon_image align=”right” height=”110″ identifier=”B00I4CXRXI” locale=”US” src=”https://nqo.psw.mybluehost.me/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/4116qTlRyPL.SL110.jpg” tag=”astraightar0d-20″ width=”73″]Though technically a sword and not a knife, Michonne’s katana deserves at least an honorable mention when talking about weapons used in The Walking Dead. The much longer katana enables Michonne to stay a safer distance away from the walkers she’s killing, though it has other uses as well. It has been used in amputating walker-bitten limbs to stop the infection from spreading. This awe-inspiring and impressive katana has certainly done well in keeping our favorite characters alive. More details on [easyazon_link identifier=”B00I4CXRXI” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]Michonne’s Katana on Amazon[/easyazon_link].

The post Knives Seen in the Walking Dead TV Show  appeared first on A Straight Arrow.

Knives generally are coated to provide anti-glare surfaces and provide wear resistance, as well as to add additional corrosion resistance. The materials used in powder-coating are color powder, powder-coating gun, electric Oven, toaster oven, or powder coating oven, air compressor, acetone, gloves, paperclip/wire hanger, cloth/towel, handle scale and dust mask or respirator.

The process begins by dissembling of the knife which keeps the blade and other hardware away from the powder. The residual paint and rust is removed by sandblasting. The handles are then cleaned with acetone. The oven is pre- heated to the temperature indicated on the powder coat container. The part being powder coated is then hanged and put in the oven for 10 minutes. The handles are then cleaned and the coating of the handles begins using the powder coating gun. The handle is put back in the oven and as it comes up to temperature, the powder will melt and change from a dry look to a wet look. The instructions on the powder container should tell you how long and what temperature to put it in for.

Carbon steel coating uses electrostatic spray process that causes powder particles to adhere to the steel. The coated steel goes through four stages to complete the process: melt, flow, gel, and cure. The powder is applied with an electrostatic spray gun. The powder is fluidized to separate the individual grains of powder and improve the electrostatic charge. It is then sent to the gun in a more fluid state. Because the powder particles are electrostatically charged, the powder wraps around the back of the part as it passes by toward the air off-take system. The powder-coated items are placed in an oven and heated to temperatures that range from 160 to 210 degrees Celsius. This gives the final solid, tough, abrasion – resistant coating.

Black Traction Coating uses an epoxy hybrid base containing polyester. It is electrostatically applied in its dry powder form, and it goes on the blade. The knives are then put into an oven and baked at over 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 17 minutes, depending on the thickness of the material.

The post Powder Coating Knives appeared first on A Straight Arrow.

Materials and Supplies

The lanyard is made with two lengths of paracord that come in different colors. If you want your lanyard to be in a single color, that’s perfectly acceptable too. You’ll just need one length of [easyazon_link identifier=”B00CL0T5OO” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]paracord[/easyazon_link] in the color of your choice. The length of the paracord you’ll be using depends on how long you want your lanyard to be.

The tools you’ll be using are a lighter, a pair of scissors, and a measuring tape. You also have your choice of attachments. You can choose snap hooks, key rings, or the like, but you can also create a loop at the end of the lanyard for your knife.

How to begin

If you’re using two colors, take one [easyazon_link identifier=”B00CL0T5OO” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]paracord[/easyazon_link] and hollow out about half an inch at one end of the cord. You can pull out the inner strands or cut them off with scissors. After this, insert one end of the other paracord into the hollow. To secure this attachment, you can melt it using a lighter.

To begin the knots, you can make a simple overhand knot at the point where you want the snake knots to begin. Another way is to find the midpoint of the paracord and thread it through the attachment you’re using.

Making the snake knot

Make a loop with the paracord on the left. Make sure that the loop is above the other [easyazon_link identifier=”B00CL0T5OO” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]paracord[/easyazon_link]. The paracord’s loop should circle up near the knot or attachment. Take the paracord on the right and thread it through the loop you just made, bring it over to the left and underneath the paracord on the left. Loop it over the paracord on the left then thread it through the first loop you made. Pull tightly and make sure that you bring the knot close to the attachment or the overhand knot.

After this, the pattern begins. Loosen the cord on the right of the knot you just made, creating a looped space. Take the other paracord that goes through the loosened space, and pull it over then through the loose space. Pull it tightly. Flip the paracord over and do the same thing. Remember to flip the [easyazon_link identifier=”B00CL0T5OO” locale=”US” tag=”astraightar0d-20″]paracord[/easyazon_link] every time you make a new knot. Ten knots should be fine.

Attaching the lanyard to your knife

There are different numbers of ways to attach your knife to the lanyard. You can use an attachment, or you can create a loop and the end of the series of snake knots. This can be done by threading the longer paracord through the inside of the knots and looping it around a hole in your knife’s handle.

For more information, you can check this video:

The post How to Make a Snake Knot Lanyard For a Knife  appeared first on A Straight Arrow.

Japanese anvil knives come in many shapes and nomenclature. We have the classic and the modern design. The classic anvil knife is manufactured from high-grade steel which is perfectly grounded and tempered. This type of anvil knife does not break easily or become loose. The horn is made from a solid steel while the body is made from the gun iron.

There other specialties of the anvils such as farriers, which had a bulge on one of the sides. Others have V-grooves while others have a narrow waist.  Those with a narrow waist are not good but may not be used for general work. The Japanese anvils are not as big as those found in Europe. The European anvils are double horned. We have the pyramidal and the conical type. The Japanese anvil has a rectangular block that sits on the ground.

The idea of anvil knife has existed for many years. The earlier versions of the knives were made from bronze, which unfortunately could not work since bronze was not hard enough. Perhaps better results would have been obtained if they were made from granite. Later, anvils were made from ductile iron. In some cases, blacksmiths made anvils by laminating plates and welding them together.

Other specialty anvils include the ancient Mailers anvil, Sawyers anvils, Armorer’s anvils, Jewelers anvils and several of types of stake anvils.

The first iron anvils came into use in the Iron Age. This opened the way for making anvils from wrought iron.  The anvil had a thin layer of steel welded on the face of the iron made anvil. The Japanese anvil are uniformly forged blade to help maintain an equal stress. This also helps the main making the material flow in an orderly manner to give the knife the desired shape. To get, the best results, the Japanese steel is forged by being hammered into the right shape when still hot.   This method of forging is referred to as wet forging, it is messy but allows the blacksmith to easily scrap the scale using a file.

Ideally, during the wet forging process, the blade will be picked up after successive blows to ensure that it attains the required shape. If there are stubborn scales, the temperature is raised at the point of which the scale forms before it is hammered again and a file used to ensure that all the scales are removed.  In some cases, the blade experiences warps. These are removed by grinding during the finishing process. The blade is then cut into the right sizes before they are forged into anvil knife.

The post What Is a Japanese Anvil and Anvil Knife? appeared first on A Straight Arrow.