Though all knife seems similar, there are some distinctive characteristics to differentiate them. Do you know the differences between hunting and combat knife?
There are many differences between hunting and combat knife in terms of usefulness, design, and efficiency. However, the main difference between Hunting knives and combat knives is their design and usage. While a hunting knife is convenient for hunting purposes, a combat knife is an excellent choice for individuals who are going to stay outside and ready to combat any situation for self-defense. Besides, there are other marginal yet considerable differences.
Therefore, this article will primarily focus on “Hunting knife vs. combat knife.” Besides, the readers will know some additional information and answers to some FAQs. So, let’s start.
Hunting knife and combat knife
Before jumping into the differences between Hunting knives and combat knives, it is vital to know about the knives first. So, this section will provide a short description of Hunting knives and combat knives.
Hunting knife
A hunting knife is an essential tool that people use while preparing their chased animals, for instance, cutting, skinning and boning. The blades of hunting knives are a bit bent or curved than other knives. Besides, these knives feature one thin yet very sharp edge.
Combat knife
A combat knife is mainly a survival tool. So, you can define it as a military or defense weapon that can provide you with the capacity for self-defense in any risky location.
Hunting knife vs. combat knife
It is challenging to distinguish between a Hunting knife and a combat knife if users don’t know what they are looking for in their knives. However, the main difference lies in the design of the knives, as there is no particular design or element that can distinguish them from each other.
I have mentioned below some of the differences between Hunting knives and combat knives. So the users can differentiate and purchase their needed one.
- Color: One of the main differences between Hunting knives and combat knives is color. While one may find combat knives in variant colors, hunting knives usually embrace nude or subdued colors.
- Grips: Hunting knives usually have rubberized grips, while combat knives feature synthetic and natural ones.
- Handle Design: There are a variety of handle designs found in both Hunting knives and combat knives. But there are some issues which may play a big deal for the customers to set their preferences.
The grip is one of the main priorities in the handle designs of hunting knives. Since these knives are made of rubberized materials, they are not slippery due to the roughness of the grip surface, even in wet conditions. Moreover, most hunting knife handles have finger grooves for proper grip.
Users will notice similar characteristics in hunting knives as well. Combat knives often feature handles that allow users to obtain a stronghold on the blade, but it feels less rough than combat knives. Besides, there may be no finger grooves on the handle.
- Guard Design: usually, combat knives have a long guard to protect hands in case of fighting with another knife. But not all combat knives feature guards. In contrast, hunting knives rarely feature guards since there is no such issue of fighting against another knife.
- Blade Design: There are several differences between the blades of a hunting knife and a combat knife.
Hunting knives are longer and harder to enhance their utility. They usually feature thinner blades for better slashing and piercing. But it is not suitable for prying. Hunting knives have a coat on the blade that makes them corrosion-resistant. Besides, these blades reflect less for better capture of desired animals.
In contrast, Combat knives are less sharper, softer, and shorter than hunting knives. But combat knives are a bit heavier than hunting knives. They don’t feature sharp edges on the blade. Besides, Combat knives do not have a coating on the blade to keep it sharper for a long time like hunting knives.
- Material of the blade: Material is another distinctive feature of hunting and combat knives. Most of the time, hunting knives feature stainless steel. Since stainless steel has a high proportion of chromium which prevents corrosion, stainless steel is highly corrosion-resistant. Moreover, these knives remain sharper for a long time with minimum care.
Another characteristic of stainless steel is that it is not as heavy as carbon steel. Therefore, it will provide the users with greater flexibility to move. But if you don’t prefer stainless steel, don’t worry. There are also hunting knives made of different materials.
In contrast, most combat knives come in Carbon steels that provide increased hardness to the knife. Combat knives use shorter blades than hunting ones to retain the hardness. However, carbon steel materials are more reactive and can break over time. So, try to keep these blades dry for higher durability.
Frequently Asked Question:
Why do combat knives have holes in them?
Most combat knives have holes in their blades. Manufacturers do it purposefully to decrease the weight of the knife. Since combat knives use carbon materials that are heavier than stainless steel, a hole in the blade helps to reduce the blade’s weight. So, the users can flexibly move them.
What is the best type of knife for hunting?
Many brands make top-notch hunting knives. I have mentioned some of the best types of hunting knives below:
- Kershaw CQC-11K
- KA-BAR Becker Campanion.
- Buck 113 Ranger Skinner Knife.
- Spyderco Bill Moran Drop Point.
- Benchmade Meatcrafter
Final verdict:
Though hunting and combat knives look similar, leaving consumers puzzled about which is the correct one, several little variations can considerably assist customers. Considering this fact, the article has mainly focused on “Hunting knife vs combat knife.” I have tried my best to provide the readers with numerous information regarding Hunting knives and combat knives, which will help customers to differentiate between them. I hope you found the article informative, valuable and practical.