Affordable Pocket Knives: 5 Summertime Uses

Personal Lantern Model: TT7100CP See details Market price: $60.00 Our price: $48.00 save 20%

As young boys, the first pocket knives my brother and I owned were a gift from my father (against my mother's wishes, which, of course, made them all the more special). Their handles were black, fashioned out of smoothly-finished wood and boasted two folding stainless steel blades -- one large, one small. Upon laying hold of them, I remember the two of us quickly agreeing to etch our names into the handles using the other's knife. Mildly obsessed, the knives didn't leave our sides for nearly a week, as we happened to be camping in the woods. And it was no trouble finding countless uses for our new blades, as I'm sure is the case with all boys loosed in the wilderness. 

Similarly, avid knife aficionados know the uses for a pocket knife are endless, and an exhaustive list would quickly prove the knife is among the most useful and versatile tools on the planet. So, as we find ourselves in the midst of summer, in homage to my first knife, here are five of the best summertime uses for an affordable pocket knife.

1. Whittling. This is simply the craft of deliberately carving or shaving off pieces of wood in order to fashion an instrument, design, or shape. Whittling was actually one of the first things I ever learned to do with my knife. My father started us simple, whittling sticks into spears, arrows for makeshift bows and, of course, the ever-needed marshmallow roasters. Then, once my grandfather got ahold of us, the trade morphed into crafting more elaborate creations like animals and people.

2. Fixing. Knives can be used for a variety of things when it comes to repairing or improving objects. For instance, a knife can scrape away rust, paint, glue, labels -- you name it. A good blade can also remove burrs from metals. A knife can always shorten objects (but hardly ever lengthen them). And a pocket knife is a great substitute for any tools you might not have on hand like a screwdriver or scissors.

3. Building. One of my all-time favorite uses for a knife is building contraptions. A knife offers you everything you'd ever need to complete a project. Whether you're cutting rope, sharpening sticks, smoothing wood, or even carving words or designs, a blade will certainly play a role in helping you fashion just about anything.

4. Safety. Pocket knives also come in handy for a variety of First-Aid uses like cutting bandages or dressing, fashioning slings or tourniquets, or even just digging out plain-old splinters. A stainless steel blade is also an excellent tool in case of emergency. For instance, if you need to mark a path, leave a message etched in something, cut someone free from a seatbelt or rope, and in the worst-case scenarios, a knife can used for self-defense against animals or people.

5. Food. Many people often overlook the fact that, in addition to using a knife to eat with, you'll  need one to prepare your food. And let's face it, if you're camping or hiking, you probably haven't packed along that block of knives in your kitchen. That's why always carrying a quality blade is so important. From peeling fruits and vegetables to cutting pieces of meat or fish to slicing other foods like cheeses or breads, a reliable pocket knife will always improve the efficiency of your food preparation.

Again, these are just five general and simple uses for an affordable pocket knife this summer. If you're not prone to or keen on carrying around a folding knife all the time (yet), you'll be surprised at how often a trusty blade will come in handy when you do. The convenience of a pocket knife is in the name -- fitting comfortably into your pocket -- meaning you can take it just about anywhere without extra hassle, and it's still ready for anything.

Sidenote: Parents, if you have the notion to buy your child a pocket knife like my father did for me, I encourage you to also instruct him or her on the appropriate uses and safety techniques for handling one. 

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