| What are the Different Parts of a Bowie Knife Blade Used For? |
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| Written by Dylan Sabot |
| Saturday, 19 December 2009 08:58 |
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Your bowie knife is a quintessential element in much of your life. Those who use these knives for any period of time quickly find that they are indispensible. They serve general usage needs, are vital when hunting, camping or fishing and make astounding fighting knives (as they were designed for self-protection). However, understanding the features of the blade can be a bit of a quandary. What do all of those specific areas do, anyway? You'll find that different bowie knife models feature different uses. For instance, some knives include a saw-tooth edge along the spine of the knife. This is a modern development and hails from the Vietnam era military knives issued to helicopter pilots and foot soldiers alike. The saw teeth can help cut through wood, plastic and other materials, as well as being used for scaling fish or sawing through bone. However, novice users should beware these bowie knife models, as the saw can often get in the way of general use. Injury to the knife owner is not uncommon. Saw Teeth - You will undoubtedly encounter other bowie knives that feature a saw-toothed design on the spine of the blade. Ostensibly, this is used for sawing wood, or scaling fish. However, most users find that it actually gets in the way and can even injure the knife's wielder if they are unwary. If you choose to purchase a knife with this feature, be very aware that the saw-tooth portion might not be as handy as you first think. Spanish Notch - Some bowie knife models include a Spanish Notch, while others do not. The true use of this feature seems to have been lost to the mists of time, but today, it serves as a guide to show where sharpening should begin. Some people attest that the notch was placed there to help catch an opponent's blade, but most collectors and historians are skeptical of these claims. Guard - The guard, or quillions, of the blade serve several purposes, as well. You'll find that traditional blades have angled guards, with the upper guard angled forward toward the point and the lower guard angled back, toward the butt. These provide protection for the hand, as well as allowing the wielder to trap an opponent's blade (the upper guard only). The guard also serves to keep your hand from running off the handle and onto the blade when stabbing with the knife. About the Author: Dylan Sabot is the owner of an online bowie knife store featuring the jim bowie knife as well as lighters for camping. Kindly provided by MoneyHunter.org You are welcome to use this article on your own website, if you include the link just before this text. |