Fishing Frenzy

If it's time to buy a new knife, then you have a world of options at your fingertips. You can choose almost any size bowie knives possible, from a mere six-inch blade to a whopper that's more than a foot long. You'll also have a few other considerations to make about the knife before you purchase it. For instance, you'll need to know what sort of design you want; traditional, modern military derived and fantasy knives are just three of the options. You'll need to choose what sort of handle material you want, as well.

Actually, there is no single best metal for a knife blade. Choosing a particular metal for a blade is always a series of tradeoffs. For instance, if you want a blade that is resilient and takes well to spring heat treatment, then you might have to sacrifice some edge holding abilities. If you want a knife that will hold an edge like a razor for a long time, you might have to deal with some brittleness.

What type of metal should you choose? Actually, if you do any amount of research at all, you'll find that there are hundreds of types of steel out there that might or might not offer you any benefits. The best idea is to determine what you'll be using that knife for. For example, will you be using it as a utility knife, for hunting purposes only, or will you be using it in situations where your life might depend on the quality of the blade?

So, do you want stainless, high carbon or surgical steel in that blade? Stainless steel offers significant benefits if rust is a concern. However, high carbon steel comes in a lot of different varieties that are almost as rust resistant as stainless steel. Surgical steel offers an excellent edge, as well as a lower price point than stainless or high carbon metals.

Determine what you need from the blade and then compare the benefits and drawbacks offered by the different types of steel out there. You'll even find user forums online that can help you decide which bowie knives are right for your needs.