What once was a must-have survival tool has now become a part of Every Day Carry (EDC) of the modern man. We are indeed talking about knives. While in the past, the knife was mostly a weapon of hunting and defense, the modern day explorer has grown away from some of his primal instincts.
However, the need to cut twigs for the fire or sculpt a hole to collect water is still there. Also, do you remember the swiss with their name-carrying, swiss knives? Those gadgets had even a fork and a spoon within the case!
Going back to the stone age, knives were not so popular. Not that they weren’t useful, but the limited technology didn’t allow for such accurate sharpening and forming. Thus, axes were made.
These were larger and had a longer handle. Your modern day axe preserves the original shape but is able to cut, rip and cling onto surfaces. As a matter of fact, many nature travelers opt for a tactical axe in lengthier journeys.
Can you survive in the wild with just a knife? Famous survivalist and TV star Bear Grylls definitely thinks so. A few years back, Grylls launched his own line of survival knives in cooperation with Gerber. The best selling product is Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Survival Knife. The best part is that it’s so strong you can hammer it into tough wood. It’s best suited for backpackers and hunters.
Furthermore, men have taken knife crafting to arts. As if it wasn’t enough to be functional, knives also started looking good – maybe too good. Various sci-fi, warlike or fantasy designed knives are available on the market. At this point, it’s up to you to select the one that fits perfectly with your taste. Think about it as a way to impress your friends and co-workers.
From stone to high-tech alloys and from hunting to sculpting, knives receive an honorable place throughout history. Armed with the proper tool, the man becomes hunter and gatherer, survives and impresses. What’s your pick?