{"id":705,"date":"2014-10-01T20:32:00","date_gmt":"2014-10-01T20:32:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.jameshatton.co.uk\/blog\/?p=705"},"modified":"2021-10-25T18:06:56","modified_gmt":"2021-10-25T18:06:56","slug":"introduction-to-using-a-knife","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jameshatton.co.uk\/blog\/2014\/10\/01\/introduction-to-using-a-knife\/","title":{"rendered":"Introduction to Using a Knife"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Quiz<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Which knife is legal?<br><em>Large (fixed) \/ small \/ lock \/ dodgy looking<\/em>    <em>*bring in examples<\/em><br><strong>Depends on situation but some knives are always prohibited e.g. butterfly<\/strong><\/li><li>Maximum penalty for carrying illegal knife?<br><strong>4 years in prison and a fine of \u00a35,000<\/strong><\/li><li>Valid reasons to carry a knife?<br><strong>To or from work \/ taking to an exhibition \/ used for film<\/strong><\/li><li>When is steel prone to staining?<br>Too much usage \/ <strong>damp <\/strong>\/ sunlight \/ cold<\/li><li>What is a full tang?<br>Double edged \/ <strong>blade metal through handle<\/strong> \/ sound of blade, over 3\u201d<\/li><li>Where should knives be put when transporting?<br><strong>Middle of a bag\/rucksack<\/strong><\/li><li>How old do you have to be to buy a knife?<br>14 \/ 16 \/ <strong>18<\/strong> \/ 21<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Knife Law<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The following points must be considered for carrying knives\nin the UK:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Illegal to sell a knife to anyone under age of\n18<\/li><li>Only legal knife to carry in public is a folding\nblade under 3 inches e.g. Swiss Army Knife<\/li><li>Can carry a fixed blade knife with a valid\nreason (lock knife is classed as fixed blade), length is irrelevant<\/li><li>Some knives are completely banned e.g.&nbsp; flick, butterfly, swords, daggers, hand\/foot\nclaws<\/li><li>Scout Policy:<ul><li>Knives\nshould be carried by an adult between sites<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Knives\nshould be stowed in the middle of a bag or rucksack when transporting<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>A\ncampsite can be considered public property due to usage (UK law applies)<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Knives\nshould not be carried unless they are going to be used and stored away when not\nin use.<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Knives\nmay not be worn with uniform, unless for religious reasons.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Knife<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I recommend the Mora 840 Bushcraft Training Knife:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"706\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.jameshatton.co.uk\/blog\/2014\/10\/01\/introduction-to-using-a-knife\/mora840knife\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.jameshatton.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/mora840knife.jpg?fit=628%2C616&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"628,616\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"mora840knife\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.jameshatton.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/mora840knife.jpg?fit=628%2C616&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.jameshatton.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/mora840knife.jpg?resize=157%2C154&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-706\" width=\"157\" height=\"154\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.jameshatton.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/mora840knife.jpg?w=628&amp;ssl=1 628w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.jameshatton.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/mora840knife.jpg?resize=300%2C294&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 157px) 100vw, 157px\" \/><figcaption>Mora 840<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Low Cost: can be purchased for \u00a310.95 at greenmanbushcraft.co.uk<\/li><li>Lightweight<\/li><li>Right-angled spine for striking sparks<\/li><li>High-carbon steel blade for sparks and easier sharpening<\/li><li>Good plastic sheath that clips knife into place<\/li><li>Finger-guard<\/li><li>5\u201d blade with Scandanavian grind<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Safety\/Techniques<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Keep knife in sheath at all times it is not in\nuse<\/li><li>Ensure nobody is within \u2018blood circle\u2019 i.e. 180\ndegrees around you<\/li><li>Avoid \u2018triangle of death\u2019 femoral artery: carve\nin front or off to the side<\/li><li>Thumbs are prone to being cut so keep them clear:\nFist-grip for knife<\/li><li>A sharp knife is a safe knife (less pressure\nrequired \u2013 less chance of slipping)<\/li><li>Typically push blade away from you<\/li><li>Use a baton that is forearm length and easy to\nmanage<\/li><li>Can reverse direction for chest lever grip<\/li><li>Can also use knee-lever technique by drawing\nstick toward you on the static blade<\/li><li>Can place thumb on spine (although inefficient)\nfor fine carving work<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Using a Knife<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>\u201cThe purpose behind the try stick is to demonstrate the skilful use of the knife as a wood carving tool, as well as to learn some of the practical operations that may be used in wilderness living.\u201d<\/p><cite> Mors Kochanski &#8216;Bush Craft&#8217; (1998) pp.34-41 <\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The &#8216;Try Stick&#8217; is the perfect way to start using a knife and picture below is adapted for Mors&#8217; book, which I recommend buying (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Bushcraft-Outdoor-Skills-Wilderness-Survival\/dp\/1551051222\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ISBN-13:  978-1551051222<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"530\" height=\"737\" data-attachment-id=\"708\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.jameshatton.co.uk\/blog\/2014\/10\/01\/introduction-to-using-a-knife\/trystick\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.jameshatton.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/trystick.jpg?fit=530%2C737&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"530,737\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"trystick\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.jameshatton.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/trystick.jpg?fit=530%2C737&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.jameshatton.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/trystick.jpg?resize=530%2C737&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-708\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.jameshatton.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/trystick.jpg?w=530&amp;ssl=1 530w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.jameshatton.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/trystick.jpg?resize=216%2C300&amp;ssl=1 216w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 530px) 100vw, 530px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Knife Care &amp; Maintenance<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Knives rust (even stainless steel) so keep dry\nand out of leather sheaths, which can attract moisture<\/li><li>Keep any moving parts well lubricated<\/li><li>Clean regularly \u2013 especially carbon steel.\nDiscoloration is a sign of oxidation, which precedes rust.<\/li><li>Avoid using for any purpose other than cutting\n(e.g. can opening) to prevent damage to blade<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Maintaining a sharp edge depends on the blade\u2019s <strong>grind<\/strong> i.e. shape as illustrated below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"827\" height=\"336\" data-attachment-id=\"709\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.jameshatton.co.uk\/blog\/2014\/10\/01\/introduction-to-using-a-knife\/knifesharpeninggrind\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.jameshatton.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/KnifeSharpeningGrind.jpg?fit=827%2C336&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"827,336\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"KnifeSharpeningGrind\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.jameshatton.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/KnifeSharpeningGrind.jpg?fit=827%2C336&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.jameshatton.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/KnifeSharpeningGrind.jpg?resize=827%2C336&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-709\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.jameshatton.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/KnifeSharpeningGrind.jpg?w=827&amp;ssl=1 827w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.jameshatton.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/KnifeSharpeningGrind.jpg?resize=300%2C122&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.jameshatton.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/KnifeSharpeningGrind.jpg?resize=768%2C312&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 827px) 100vw, 827px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There&#8217;s a really superb resource at Wiki How on how sharpen a knife:  <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Sharpen-a-Knife\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Sharpen-a-Knife<\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This was a supplement I prepared on the first introductory sessions to using a knife for the Explorers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[29],"tags":[38,14],"class_list":["post-705","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-outdoors","tag-bushcraft","tag-scouting"],"featured_image_src":null,"author_info":{"display_name":"james","author_link":"https:\/\/www.jameshatton.co.uk\/blog\/author\/james\/"},"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p89zH1-bn","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jameshatton.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/705","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jameshatton.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jameshatton.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jameshatton.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jameshatton.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=705"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.jameshatton.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/705\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1173,"href":"https:\/\/www.jameshatton.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/705\/revisions\/1173"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jameshatton.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=705"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jameshatton.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=705"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jameshatton.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=705"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}