Which knife is the right one depends entirely on what it is to be used for. For hunters and anglers, stable and especially sharp blades for processing their catch are the most important feature of their knives. For camping, outdoor activities, trekking, or forestry work, the presence of additional tools is also necessary so that the knife can be used as a versatile tool. The most popular tools in multi-purpose knives are: serrated blade, saw blade, corkscrew, Phillips and flathead screwdrivers, and bottle opener. Also very popular are multitools, which have a pliers integrated. Our tip: Regardless of which knife you choose, the blade of the main knife must be durable and easy to sharpen.
In fixed blade knives, the blade and handle are permanently connected and often consist of the same component. Fixed blade knives have the disadvantage that they are larger than folding knives with the same blade length and require a sheath for safe transport. The advantages of knives with fixed blades are that the blade can be longer than the handle because it does not need to be folded into it. Additionally, fixed blade knives are more stable than folding knives, which can be an advantage in vigorous hunting use (e.g., when processing wounded game). Finally, fixed blade knives are easier to clean because there is no need to clean between the handle scales or within the locking mechanism. Folding knives, on the other hand, are more versatile, often have various tools, and are especially more compact than knives with fixed blades.
Knives with fixed blades may have a blade length of up to 12 cm according to §42a Abs. 1 S. 3 WaffG if they are to be carried. If the blade is longer (as in the case of a stag knife), the knife must be transported in a closed container. The prohibition on carrying knives with blades longer than 12 cm does not apply if there is a "legitimate interest," which includes professional activity, cultural traditions, sports, or a socially acceptable purpose such as gardening or a picnic—and of course hunting.
The choice of knife should again depend on the intended use. For hunting, a knife with a fixed blade is generally recommended; however, when processing game, knives with various properties are often needed, which is why it can also be advantageous to carry different knives.
All knives have one thing in common: they will eventually become dull. Even high-quality knives become dull after frequent use and need to be sharpened and honed. With some practice, knives can be sharpened back to surgical sharpness with a whetstone, diamond steel, and a sharpening stone—an easier solution is certainly the use of a pocket-sized knife and tool sharpener. With this, the blade is drawn through dry several times and sharpened at a predetermined angle by two firmly locked sharpening elements. Mobile and suitable for utility knives, these small knife sharpeners are an excellent solution; however, for high-quality knives, we recommend wet sharpening on a whetstone or the services of a professional knife sharpener.
According to the Weapons Act, some knife constructions are classified as prohibited items, the possession of which is already punishable in the Federal Republic of Germany. These include switchblades, butterfly knives, and knuckle knives.
Switchblade: In a switchblade, the blade, which is hidden in the knife handle, falls out due to gravity or a flicking motion and then locks.
Butterfly knife: A butterfly knife is also known as a Balisong and is a folding knife with two-part, pivoting handles. The term Balisong comes from Tagalog and is a combination of the two words balí ("to break") and sungay ("horn"). The Balisong originates from the Philippines and, according to legend, was a working knife for fishermen. The characteristic flicking motion makes opening the knife appear very intimidating.
Spring knife: In spring knives, the blade hidden in the handle is accelerated and locked by releasing a spring. The prohibition on spring knives does not apply to those that open sideways, whose blades are not double-edged, and which protrude no more than 85 mm from the handle. Nevertheless, these knives are classified as weapons, and their possession is only permitted from the age of 18. Carrying allowed spring knives in public is an administrative offense.
Knuckle knife: A knuckle knife is a knife where the blade is attached at a 90° angle to the handle. The handle lies horizontally in the palm of the hand, while the blade emerges between the middle and ring fingers or between the middle and index fingers. This design allows for very small and compact knives. Knuckle knives enable particularly precise and energy-saving cutting from the wrist and are therefore very popular among hunters and similar professions, and formerly also among furriers, for processing, skinning, and butchering. Due to the grip position, especially in combination with a dagger blade, a powerful thrust is possible, which is why the prohibition is justified.
A good outdoor knife must master various tasks: cutting, carving, prying, and much more are just a few activities where the knife is indispensable. Important for non-specific use in the wild: versatility and robustness.
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