There are numerous aspects to think about when selecting the best survival pocket knife, but if you have a strong grasp of the basics, you should choose a pocket knife that fits your hand well, weighs little, and performs the way you need it to.
Making it through tough situations requires skill. It takes more than a day, or perhaps a week, of practice to reach a high level of proficiency.
The most beneficial outcomes derive from the time spent learning what works best for you via trial and error.
Today we’ll be talking about some of Sheldon’s best survival pocket knives, but they’re only one product line among many in their industry.
If you plan on going camping or hunting in 2023 and want a knife, read this article to the conclusion to see what considerations you should make.
Type of Blade
A blade that is both capable of doing certain jobs and not prohibited to carry is ideal. Survival experts recommend that the blade length of your pocket knife be between 2 1/2 and 5 inches.
Many places prohibit knives with blades longer than 5 inches; even if you’re in one of those places, you probably shouldn’t carry one.
The greatest pocket knives for survival have both a straight and serrated edge. Cut rope or create a shelter with the straight edge, and use the serrated edge for meal prep.
Making sure your survival pocket knife is compact enough to carry easily is a crucial component of choosing the right weapon for the job.
Your knife shouldn’t be so large and cumbersome that it causes you discomfort when you’re using it.
When it comes to survival knives, size is important since they aren’t there for show.
Blade Material
All-stainless-steel, carbon-steel, and titanium are the metals used to customize the finest knives. Compared to blades made of other materials, they last a lot longer.
The ideal material for a blade is one that is durable enough to survive frequent usage and is resistant to corrosion.
The best survival pocket knives are usually composed of heat-treated steel alloys that can withstand repeated usage for a long time.
Stainless steel won’t last as long before needing to be sharpened, but it won’t retain an edge as well as carbon steel either.
Consider the many aspects that determine blade quality before choosing a set of Shieldon knives.
Blades are often made out of steel alloys, and when the appropriate proportions of metals are mixed at high temperatures, you obtain knives that endure a long time.
The Knife Handle
Arguably, the handle is the most vital element of a quality survival knife. It’s the part of the blade you’ll grip with bloody, sweaty, or even freezing-cold hands. An excellent handle will be comfortable to hold and very tough – read reviews before picking one!
Although the knife’s blade is essential, survival knives’ other tools, such as a gut hook (for processing game) and a seat belt cutter, are more useful.
You should also make sure that your knife is constructed of corrosion-resistant materials and is coated with a protective substance.
The handles of survival knives are typically constructed of plastic or wood. Plastic handles won’t decay or shatter as wooden ones do, but some people still prefer wood since it feels more natural in their hands.
Plastic items are also more hygienic since they can be cleaned quickly and easily, making them a good choice in potentially dirty situations.
Locking Mechanism
Another vital characteristic of custom pocket knives is the locking mechanism. This function keeps the blade erect and prevents users from hurting themselves when it’s open. There are three primary types of locking mechanisms:
A metal pin within the handle keeps the blade open and secure. You may shut it by sliding your finger beneath the blade and pushing the lock piece forward to secure it. The majority of folding knives have this kind of lock.
Frame Lock
The blade stays in place once opened. To close it, you press down on a raised area on one side of the frame which releases another part of the frame and allows you to close the blade.
Flip Lock
This operates in a similar way to a liner lock, but instead of having a small metal piece inside the handle, there is a lever on one side of it. To close your knife, you slide your finger behind the blade and then push down on that lever.
Blade Maintenance
If you choose the improper mix for your blades, maintaining them may be a major time sink.
The goal is for your Shieldon knife to serve you for many years without requiring any maintenance or replacement parts.
Blade sharpening, oiling, and cleaning are just a few of the numerous preventative measures you should take.
Make sure you know how to sharpen your blade correctly before acquiring a knife, since a dull blade is more hazardous than a sharp one due to its increased propensity to slide and cause harm.
Make sure you know how to sharpen both tiny and large blades before purchasing a knife, since the two sizes need different methods.
Safety Issues
If you find yourself in a survival situation, you’ll want to have a pocket knife with a locking blade. The lock prevents the blade from accidentally folding on your hand, but if it’s not well-made, that lock could fail and cause the blade to fold up onto your fingers.
Most pocket knife makers will inform you that a little stylistic groove on the bottom half of their blades has remedied these safety difficulties. And this should give you every reason to be even more cautious in your pick.
Verify the safety features are up to par and perform as expected by conducting a thorough inspection.
The blade is kept safely in position by a locking mechanism. Know that not all locking systems are created equal while looking for a knife.
Consider purchasing a knife with a locking mechanism that holds up well under stress if you anticipate having to use it in an emergency circumstance where it may be wet or pushed about.
Top 3 Shieldon Folding Knives Suitable for Camping
If you’re looking for a knife to take on your next outdoor adventure, Shieldon has a number of excellent folding knives that will fit the bill perfectly. The following are some of our top picks that will help you survive in any situation.
Shieldon Bulbasaur Sandvik Pocket Knife
The Bulbasaur Sandvik Pocket Knife by Shieldon is one of the company’s best-selling folding knives, and it’s perfect for outdoor activities like camping and hunting.
Just by looking at it, you can tell that this knife is built to withstand circumstances that no hunter or camper would dare to face.
Its flat-ground blade makes it useful for a wide range of tasks in the great outdoors, particularly for slicing through resistant materials.
The blade of the Django-designed knife is constructed of stainless steel, and the handle is crafted from a durable but aesthetically pleasing material.
This makes the knife very durable and low-maintenance, making it ideal for emergency situations in the great outdoors.
Shieldon Relicanth EDC Knife
Whether you’re going camping or hunting, you can trust that whatever comes your way, this incredible blade will make short work of it.
Even though it’s very compact, it’s made from some of the highest-quality materials available, so don’t discount it just on appearances.
The knife may also serve as a tactical knife, making it a useful tool to have on hand in the event of an emergency or while seeking to advance in a wilderness setting. The G10 grip provides excellent hold and is easy on the hands.
In addition, the steel clip improves the knife’s stability in your hand.
Shieldon Dinoclier Empoleon Folding Knife
If you’re planning an outdoor adventure in the near future, this is another high-quality survival pocket knife customized by youngsters that should get you started.
It is one of the most durable pocket knives due to the high-quality raw materials utilized to construct the blade and handle.
Carbon fiber and gorgeous grooves provide an extremely secure grip that prevents the knife from slipping out of your hand, even when your hands are wet.
You also have access to one of the smoothest opening and closing mechanisms, which further enhances the safety of this knife.
You may always have confidence that this knife will not fail you in an emergency.
How to Prolong the Life of Your Folding Knife Blade when Camping
If you want your Shieldon knife to work optimally, follow these tips for keeping the blade sharp:
- You should sharpen your blade frequently, especially after cutting through hard materials like bone or wood. If you don’t sharpen it regularly, the blade won’t stay sharp for long.
- When cleaning your campsite or gutting a fish, always position the blade so that its edge is facing the ground. This will help to protect the blade from getting damaged if it hits any other objects.
- Store your knife safely. The blade can get damaged if you don’t store it properly. Store the knife with the blade closed and folded into the handle. This will protect the edge and locking mechanism.
- Instead of using a metal rod that will damage your knife, use a sharpening stone or file to get rid of food particles stuck between the teeth of a serrated blade.
- Don’t drop your knife. If you do, the impact can chip or crack it. This type of damage is often irreparable.
- Before you store your blade away, sharpen it with an oil stone. This will help keep it sharp and ready for when you need it again.
How to Assess a Folding Knife’s Condition Before Camping
Sharpening the survival knife is the first step in getting it ready for hunting. Shop around for a sharpening until you locate one that is suitable for your knife.
A whetstone may be used as an alternative to a sharpener if you’d prefer not to spend the money. Knives and other tools have been sharpened using whetstones for centuries. While this procedure is simple, it does take more time than using a sharpener would.
After you’ve sharpened your knife, give it a thorough cleaning and check for corrosion. Blades that have accumulated grime or rust should be washed with soapy water. After that, you should dry the knife well before continuing.
Apply a little coating of oil to the blade after washing it (knife oil or mineral oil). Be careful to give the whole blade and handle a good coating of oil by rubbing it in.
The oil will keep the blade from rusting in the field and will make cleaning the knife much simpler when you come back home.
You may now safely go out hunting and camping.
Takeaways
The ideal survival knife is one that you can carry with you at all times. There are several knives for various uses.
But if you can find a knife that fulfills your demands and isn’t too heavy to carry, go for it. Check out our website for additional information and have our team of specialists answer any of your inquiries.