Choosing a knife is not an easy process. It's very hard to get it right the first time when it comes to selecting the finest knife for your needs, because you must not only know what you'll use it for, but also how knives are designed.
Beginners into knife ownership are more likely to make purchases based solely on intuition and personal preferences. However, such attitudes are frequently incorrect! In this blog post we will dispel the 5 most popular myths about knives and tell you what is really important for a basic blade. Armed with this information, you will be able to make an informed decision and get the most out of your purchase!
MYTH 1. Size is what matters most
In fact, compact products have been prized in every era. We can only speak for the average joe here, but in general, there were no such things as "ideal" blade lengths. Knives come in different forms and sizes, from 6 to 20 cm. Smaller sometimes wouldn't feasible, since the smaller model lacks the necessary blade area for a wide range of tasks. Larger - would also sometimes cause discomfort, tiring hand quickly, and making challenging to perform detailed tasks.
Generally speaking, undersized and oversized knives are blades of restricted application. In some cases, they are truly indispensable. However, if you're searching for the first knife, a more typical average model would tick the boxes.
MYTH 2: The more functions, the better
Here is the same is true as with the size: in many situations, multitools are absolute necessity. What they're really good for is for saving space. You will be amazed sometimes how many useful tools manufacturers managed to cram into tiny package!
However, in such sets, the knife is frequently just a addition to the screwdriver, fork and corker. This lightweight knife could be handy for simple household chores, but the usefulness of such a blade is restricted by its basic handle. It is far better, together with a multitool, to use a regular knife with a comfortable grip on the handle for a wide range of tasks.
MYTH 3. You don't need a bolster
A bolster is that thing which prevents your hand from slipping on the blade while you're working. Even if the handle is very comfortable, your hand still might slip when sweats, leading to serious injury. Many knives today do not have a bolster and it's ok for certain undemanding applications. However, if you want to use a blade for working in challenging settings (hunting, camping, fishing, etc.), it's safer to safeguard yourself and choose one with a bolster.
MYTH 4: The more expensive, the better
Again, this may only be true in some cases rather than as a rule. First and foremost, high prices are justified for collectibles. Not just replicas of legendary or military weapons - these are quite useful and not the most costly models. High price tags are usually put on one-of-a-kind items, such as jewel-encrusted swords and machetes, handmade knives based on games, etc. These are great as a gift or for interior design, but they're completely impractical in everyday life.
When it comes to pricing, keep in mind that many brands will absorb their marketing expenditures into the final value of the blade. Therefore, it is not the price that matters but rather quality of the blade and craftmanship.
MYTH 5: Hardness and durability are most important
Another very common myth, which in fact is a fallacy. There are three things to remember:
- The sturdier the knife, the heavier it is. Such blades are bulky, and the hand gets tired quickly when using them;
- A hardness value higher than 61 HRC is an overkill, which does not give the owner any obvious advantages unless in very restricted applications;
- sometimes flexibility has its own advantages. Flexible steels are resistant to breakage.
Therefore, it all comes to intended use . If you want a hard-wearing knife for challenging applications, it is better to choose a model with an increased hardness level (but not more than 61 HRC). However, if you plan to use the blade in everyday life, then a regular knife with a regular hardness will suffice.