Favorite Tactical Folding Knives for Fall Hunts

Tactical folding knives are one of the most convenient and safest knives available. Simple and easy to deploy, they can be carried around in pockets, on your belt, or in a purse or bag, and possess a cover mechanism that prevents accidental use or injury. There are various types of folding knives, each suitable for different uses.

When choosing a favorite tactical knife for the fall hunt, it is necessary to choose one that has all the required features needed during the fall to hunt deer, raccoons, goats, and elk.

How to Choose

The primary use of a tactical folding knife for fall hunt is to skin and cut the hunted game, as well as to be used as a survival knife in hunting camps. Several factors should be considered when choosing favorite tactical folding knives. These factors include the knife’s size, weight, blade type, sharpness, strength, and grip.

You may choose a long or short blade folding knife, depending on what you intend to use it for during the hunt, but you must choose one that is sharp enough to cut and skin meat, as well as perform other outdoor duties. Also, your favorite tactical knife should feel comfortable in your hand and have a good grip even when wet.

Blade Steel

When choosing a folding knife for hunting, it is important to choose a knife with a blade made of solid steel that is corrosion resistant, retains good edge, and that can be sharpened easily. Look for blades with a high carbon content that makes it strong. Vanadium steel, such as used on the S30V, is also a strong blade steel with a high edge retention that wears very well.

Blade Type

There are different types of folding knife blades with varying optimal uses. The clip point blade is a curved-shaped blade with a very narrow sharp tip that makes it ideal for piercing and slicing. The drop point blade has a spine that slopes down from the handle to the sharpened edge, which gives a lot of surface for slicing and minimizes the puncturing of animal organs accidentally.

A gut hook blade has a sharp hook cut at the spine and is suitable for opening the hunted game’s abdomen without hitting any of the organs or muscle. A trailing point blade has a deep belly that is formed by the upward curve of the knife, and it is perfect for skinning and slicing. Another tactical folding knife suitable for the fall hunt is the spey-point blade that is great for skinning animals.

Handle Material

The handle of a folding knife ensures a tight but comfortable grip, so it’s important to choose a tactical folding knife with a high-quality handle. There are different handle materials available, but the most common include aluminum, celluloid, bone, and wood. Other materials include the G-10, titanium, Delrin, and stag.

Aluminum handles are lightweight, provide excellent grip, and are suitable for harsh conditions. G-10 handles are made of fiberglass, but they are strong, water-resistant, and lightweight, too, while handles made of titanium are highly durable and corrosion resistant.

Opening Mechanism

The opening mechanism of a tactical folding knife determines the comfort and speed with which the knife is deployed. There are three types of opening mechanism for folding knives: the manual-opening blade, the switchblade, and the assisted-opening mechanism.

The manual-opening blade is a classical method of opening folding knives, and it utilizes a nail or thumb to open. On the other hand, the switchblade automatically opens at the push of a switch or button, while the assisted-opening mechanism has an internal device that opens the blade on the application of pressure.

NOTE: You should review your local and state laws before purchasing and/or carrying a switchblade, as many states have regulations pertaining to this type of blade.

Locking Mechanism

There is a different locking mechanism employed by folding knives to lock the blade in place in an open position. A ring lock requires that a ring wrapped around the pivot of the knife be turned to a position that locks in the blade. A lever lock utilizes a pin that is inserted into a hole drilled at the blade’s base to stabilize the knife.

Final Thoughts

There are different types of tactical folding knives, and none is objectively better than the other. It all depends on the intended use and the hunter’s personal preferences, and most people base their preferences on the look and feel of a well-crafted knife.