“Everybody carries a little pocket knife. To say we will not allow anybody to carry one is somewhere between really silly and unenforceable”. This is a statement made by Airline Safety Advocate Bob Monett. The fast of this statement is seen in t reality that pocket knives being the most important and most common tools one may carry. These pocket knives or Swiss Army knives as they are usually referred to can be used in different situations such as turning a screw, to cleaning your fingernails, to more extreme situations such as hunting. Thus, it is necessary that one knows what to look for when choosing a pocket knife and know how to take care of them.
Our ancestors have used pocket knives in hunting as well as for protection and thus have been common longer that we can imagine. Nowadays, pocket knives can be seen being used in a multitude of applications. Slipjoints, pen knives, multi-tools, and lock blades are generally the four types of pocket knives. Slipjoint knives are the type of pocket knives which have a blade held by a spring that allows it to open and close freely instead of locking into place when in the open position. Slipjoint knives are the traditional type of pocket knives and have been used and carried by our grandfathers and before them. Pen knives, which are the second type of pocket knives on the other hand are the originally used to sharpen quill pens. As we no longer need to sharpen pens, this type of pocket knives are now used in other purposes such as opening letters, cutting strings, etc. they are also being considered as the smallest type of pocket knives as they contain only one or two compact blades.
One of the most popular Swiss Army knives is the multi-tools. Scissors, tweezers, bottle openers, and screwdriver blades are just some of the tools included in this kind of Swiss army knife. Given the multitude of tools included with this kind of pocket knife, they can sometimes become too heavy and bulky to be carried in ones pocket. Nevertheless, given the number of tools available with multi-tools pocket knives, they are still more useful compared to others. The last type pocket knife is the lockblade pocket knife which features one large blade that locks into place when opened. They look quite the same as the slipjoint knives except that the blade of these knives locks into place when fully opened.
With this number of types of pocket knives or Swiss Army knives, choosing which one to carry may be quite a daunting task. Nevertheless, knowing what you need in a pocket knife will aid in deciding which one to purchase. As such, the first important step in the selection of a pocket knife is to list the tools and options you want in a pocket knife. Then, you must decide your preferred size for a pocket knife that would include all the application you have listed. After which, you may visit your local store or browse online for available pocket knives. After selecting the type of knife you will purchase, it is important to check on the sharpness of the blade.
Keeping the blades of the pocket knife in good condition is the nest thing to be considered once the knife has been purchased. Swiss army knives blades should be kept clean and dry so as to prevent the knives from rusting and staining and ensure the knives longevity. Regular oiling of the hinge points to assure smooth and easy opening as well as sharpening the blades regularly are also a must. However, be careful in sharpening the blades with powered wheel as this may cause the steel’s temper to be ruined. Making sure one follows these easy steps will ensure the longevity of your pocket knife.
Pocket knives, whether they be simple slipjoints or more sophisticated Swiss Army knives, are indeed very important tools that can be useful in various situations. With the many different sizes, designs, colors, and types available in the market today, choosing the best one that would fit our needs is definitely possible.
James Richardson is an animal hunter from Dublin, Ireland. As the hunting season may last for days that he sometimes need to camp in jungles, he always keeps in his pocket his Schweizer Taschenmesser (Swiss Army Knife) for extra protection.
