Men of valor and prestige have always been associated with knives and swords. The tales of heroic deeds and legendary warriors from every culture are centered upon conquests made by a threat of the blade. This is still evident in the modern practices of equipping men with survival and self-defense knives. There are not many instruments that have survived the rise and fall of every dynasty and civilization since the early stone ages. Interestingly, knives and domestication of animals are two of the most common techniques adopted by man regardless of continent or nation.
Even though assorted civilizations adopted the technology at different times, knives are a prominent feature in the evolution of every culture. Knives are a basic tool that gives the most functionality to mankind. There are many different types of blades and daggers popularized in various parts of the world. However, the main factor of value in all of them is their utility, and the ability to get the job done. While we all agree that size is not everything, many knives are still popular by the virtue of their dimensions.
Do Knives Make a Man?
This question is not fair to the man neither to the knives. It is like asking whether the Damascus shortswords made the Ottoman warriors fearsome or their innate strength was responsible for it. An equitable answer would be that both the man and the weapon have different merits but they combine to become a fearsome force of nature. Therefore, a weapon does have an impact on the outlook and impressions of a warrior.
This can be easily gauged by the pop-culture trend of a magical weapon for the protagonist which wins the war and ends the conflicts. In real life, the morale of a warrior is very much dependent on the weapon he wields. Additionally, a hunter is only as good as his first strike. If a weapon fails then the wielder has no choice but to admit defeat. This is the main reason that weapons have such significance in our cultures throughout history.
Most Masculine Knives to Collect
Being macho is more than just owning the biggest blade. Here are the best virile blades on the market for your collection. All these categories have descended from many generations of heroes and have been adapted to fit the needs of the modern era.
Bowie Knives
These formidable blades became popularized during the nineteenth century. The blood-stained American civil war saw the emergence of bayonets and gunpowder. However, there was a need for smaller blades that weighed less than a short sword but inflicted more damage. Thus, the bowie knife came into being. This full-tang and long tactical dagger is multipurpose and can be used in all kinds of emergencies. Many knife-makers have introduced Damascus steel Bowie blades, which only enhances its allure.
Survival Knives
For the hunter and survivalist in you, these knives are the most appropriate. Although they might look similar to bowie knives, they have more variety in shapes and sizes. The sturdy handle of the survival knives is just as useful as its blade. You can hammer a tent, baton firewood, and use it as trekking support without any fears of its breaking. Carve wood, set up camps, and skin animals with only this knife as your main companion!
Pocket Knives
A pocket-sized guardian wherever you go is the perfect self-defense implement. Men are the ones to defend themselves and the people around them if any emergency arises. You can pass this test by simply carrying this useful tool or proudly displaying their collection in your home. Many varieties of pocket blades are widely available. Select from a wide range of butterfly, OTF, switchblade, and folding knives.
How to Fashionably Carry Knives
Many knives usually come with a sheath and a belt clip so you can carry them at your hip, like a trusted companion. However, this accessorizing is only suitable for Bowie or large survival knives. There are other avenues to carry your compact blades with great comfort and style. You can keep the pocket and self-defense knives in your bag, satchel, or pocket. This will keep them hidden and ready to answer any surprise attack. There are more accessible options of hiding them in your boots or carrying them around your neck as well.
An important thing to note is that neck-knives usually have a lanyard and are smaller in size. They also come in a sheath or are either folding or OTF in nature. Due to these characteristics, it is highly improbable for accidental injuries to occur. But you should still be careful while wearing such an implement so close to your most vulnerable body parts. Boot blades are a safer alternative for the fashionable knife wielders. The knife sheath is an important factor to consider in this situation as well. Make sure your boot has enough space before shoving a knife inside it.
How to Collect High-Quality Knives
There is no specific trick to collecting the best knives possible. All you need to do is determine what category you would like the most and what period it might belong to. Many knife collectors only prefer survival blades made by the best militaries in the world. Many other aficionados gather ancient Damascus and other battle blades with full tang blades. The hunters and survivalists lean towards Bowie blades while the history buffs usually like to collect Kukri and other historically significant knives. Pick the category you want to collect and start your research.
If you want to collect antique knives, head over to antique knives collection guide.
This doesn’t mean that you can’t pick other categories as well. This is your collection, so feel free to add any knife you cherish. You will have to pay attention to the care and maintenance of your knife collection as well as the quality of your acquisitions. Keep in mind that every high-quality blade comes with specific instructions on washing and upkeep. You can buy the real stuff by testing it in person at your local weapons workshop. The more convenient option would be ordering it online. SwordsSwords is your one-stop-shop that guarantees quality, timely delivery, and a wide range of your favorite knife designs. Start your collection today!
