Choosing a quality knife for hiking in nature and solving small household tasks is by no means as easy as it might seem at first glance. It is enough to make just one mistake for the tool to turn out to be a source of problems and a complete headache, and by no means a faithful assistant.
What should be the correct travel knife?
A real touring knife has to meet a few simple, but not always obvious, requirements. The tool should not be very large, compact and easy to use. At the same time, a tourist knife should by no means be expensive: it should not be a pity in case of breakage or loss. It is good if it is not foldable. There are many advantages to pocket knives, however, under even harsh conditions, the moving parts of the locking mechanism begin to clog and may even break.
What should be the blade of a tourist knife?
The length and shape of the blade of a tourist knife is a matter of taste alone. Of course, you should not rush to extremes. The blade shouldn't be too big, but it shouldn't be frankly tiny either. When choosing a blade profile, it is important to remember that a household knife is primarily needed in order to cut soft things.
The blade material should also be selected based on the tasks and conditions for which the knife is intended. Stainless steel blades dull quickly, but they are easy to sharpen and are less susceptible to the destructive effects of corrosion. Carbon steel blades are very lightweight and long-lasting, but rust easily and quickly when exposed to harsh conditions. Powder steel keeps sharpening well, but is the most expensive.
When choosing a material, a balance must be struck between the hardness and strength of the steel. The harder the steel, the sharper the blade will be and the longer the sharpening will last. However, it is extremely difficult to sharpen hard steels, they rust more easily, and most importantly, such blades break much easier. Soft steels do not have a shiny cutting performance, but they require less maintenance and do not break as often.
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