Choosing a knife and multitool by their properties

A cutting edge is basically a very narrow wedge. The thinner the wedge, the more easily it slides into the material – but the more delicate it is too. The way the blade tapers towards the edge is called the grind. With the so-called Scandi grind, one wide, flat bevel runs straight down to the edge. It guides well in wood, carves precisely and is comparatively easy to sharpen. A thicker spine, on the other hand, withstands more stress.

The steel is a compromise as well. Very hard steel holds its edge for a long time but can lose small pieces of the edge under hard blows or twisting. Tougher steel is more forgiving but dulls faster. Carbon steel is usually easy to sharpen but rusts if it stays wet. Corrosion-resistant steels – often called “stainless” – need less care and are the better choice in damp or salty environments.

By the way, a sharp knife is safer than a blunt one. With a sharp blade you need less force, and the blade slips less often. That is why sharpening is part of looking after a good knife.

First think about what you need the knife for: carving, cooking, repairs or a bit of everything? Shape and size follow from that. For all-round camp work a medium-length blade with a point and a straight edge is practical. Overly long blades are hard to control and unsuitable for fine work. Buying a knife that is too big is one of the most common mistakes.

The handle should sit securely in the hand even when wet and with gloves. A guard or finger choil stops the hand from sliding forward onto the blade if you push. A fixed blade needs a sheath that holds the knife securely so it does not fall out when you bend down or climb.

Folding knives are compact and sufficient for carving if their blade locks securely, meaning it clicks firmly into place when open. There are various locking mechanisms. What matters is that the lock holds reliably and can be released deliberately. For forceful work, fixed or securely locking blades are a must.

A multitool combines pliers, screwdrivers, a small blade and often further tools such as a file, saw or scissors. For repairs – a loose screw on a pack, a bent part on a stove, a wire that needs straightening – it is often more useful than a big knife. Its small blade, on the other hand, is less suited to carving or rough woodwork.

With a multitool, make sure the individual tools lock in place. A screwdriver or blade that folds shut under pressure can injure you just like a folding knife without a lock. Many people carry a small knife and a multitool to cover both jobs. In the emergency bag at home, a multitool is often the more versatile choice.

The rules on knives differ greatly from country to country and sometimes even from place to place. They can concern blade length, knives that open with one hand, fixed blades and locking mechanisms, and carrying in public, at events, on public transport and on flights. On flights, knives are usually not allowed in cabin baggage – ask the airline.

So check the local rules before buying and before every trip. What is allowed in one country may be banned in the next. A knife you do not need right now is best carried closed away in the pack rather than ready to hand on your belt.

This text is not legal advice. Laws change and are interpreted differently. And quite apart from the law: a knife is a tool for camp work, not for self-defence or intimidation.

Always cut away from your body and keep the hand holding the wood behind the blade. Make sure nobody is within your reach – imagine a circle as wide as your outstretched arm plus knife, which no one may enter. Work seated or standing firmly, not while walking. After use, put the knife back in its sheath or fold it closed instead of leaving it lying around.

Keep knives out of reach of small children. Older children learn to handle them only with instruction and supervision, ideally with a small knife with a rounded tip. For a cut, press a clean cloth onto the wound; with heavy bleeding call the local emergency number (112 in the EU) immediately.

Care includes cleaning and drying the knife after use, protecting carbon steel from rust with a little oil and sharpening the edge regularly. Do not misuse the knife as a lever or screwdriver – that is what the multitool is for.