Global Sports: Swiss Army Knives - A Camping Need

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Swiss Army Knives - A Camping Need

By Lewie Whalberg


Your knife is the most essential item when camping. It has been a long time that man started using this essential tool. The original one was made of flint, shaped into an edge. Today, it has evolved from copper to bronze to iron or steel blades. And in the fine-grained sediment of a dry riverbed, in the Afar Region of Ethiopia, left long ago by an ancient people, lay the oldest relic of a knife ever discovered - dated to be 2.6 million years old. Styled from volcanic rocks, knives have developed into the tool it is today. Basically, knives were used for survival, in securing food and shelter. The oldest knives were formed by means of knapping, the propagation of force separating the sharp flakes of the rock. Some of the first knives were made from the stone, obsidian.

A knife functioned as a device for weaponry, consumption and hunting. During the 15th century, those who were not permitted to carry firearms, store their knives in a scabbard on their belts. They used their knives for eating. Knives were made into sets composed of three - one big knife for hunting, two small ones for peeling or cutting. These were stored in one scabbard. Then later as the blade developed into more of an eating utensil along with the fork and the spoon, the need for hunting sets disappeared.

Almost 10,000 years have gone by, that knives were formed out of wood, bone, stone, flint or shell. During this time, copper was discovered and became the main material to make knives. In at least 50 centuries ago, copper was replaced with steel. Today, with advancing technology, knives are made from ceramic, carbon fiber, or titanium.

Knife collecting is a huge business with collectors seeking the rare, unusual or unique design. They are categorized into hunting, military, camping, multi-purpose, sports, fishing and pocketknives. The most exceptional finds are usually seen in auction houses.

To keep your knives in the best possible working condition, store separately in leather sheaths to prevent rusting, keep clean and free of debris, and an occasional drop of oil on the joints of a folding knife will keep the action smooth in opening and closing. "Walks and Talks well", that is what the elders used to say about when your knife can still click. Never sharpen blades on a power driven grinding wheel, exercise great care when handling and keep away from children, don't carry it in the pocket with coins as these will scratch and damage the handle and bolsters.

My friend is a knife collector. He has all sorts of knives you can think of, but the most remarkable piece is his designed custom-made knife patterned with inlaid turquoise and coral. All the knives he collected are not only for display, he uses them too especially when he goes to camp. However, the turquoise and coral knife remains behind the glass.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment