Choosing the Right Pocket Knife
There are many different types of pocket knives available, and as with many other tools, if you don't have the right one, it's likely to cause problems. Here are a few tips for choosing the right pocket knife for your outdoor sport.
Hunting
Most hunting pocket knives are designed for skinning. If you want your pocket knife to be good for skinning, the main thing you should pay attention to is the blade shape. You want a rounded or drop point so that when you are “ripping” the skin, the point of your pocket knife will not dig into the meat.
Also, you'll probably want a fixed blade pocket knife, as folding blades have to many crevices to trap blood and mess in.
Camping
Choosing a pocket knife for camping can be tough, because you need a versatile pocket knife. For this reason, you'll often find that a Swiss Army pocket knife or multi tool may fill your needs best. Also, you may want to add a saw, hatchet, or machete to your pack before you leave, for tougher cutting jobs.
Fishing
You should probably get a fillet pocket knife for fishing. A fillet pocket knife is well designed for cleaning fish, and it can also cut fishing line well, which is the other main task for a fishing pocket knife. If you plan on fishing in salt water, be sure your pocket knife is designed to withstand the corrosion of saltwater.
Trapping
Trappers will generally want a skinning pocket knife, much like a hunting pocket knife. Tougher tasks are normally done with an axe, so a second pocket knife isn't normally necessary.
Boating
A boaters main need for a pocket knife is cutting line. You'll need a sharp pocket knife, that is easily accessible and quickly deployed, in case you need to cut a line in a hurry. Be sure that the pocket knife will stand up to wet conditions, too.