Choosing a knife

A knife is an invaluable item in an emergency situation.. A serious traveler always carries at least one knife.. However, knives are dangerous and can be used as weapons.. They must be handed over when traveling by air. (anti-terrorism measure) and never flaunt in tense situations.

Knife selection

A multi-blade folding knife is a useful tool, but, if you only have one knife, you need something durable, versatile blade, which will perform all intended tasks efficiently and conveniently for you, from cutting trees to skinning animals and peeling vegetables. Some knives have a compass built into the handle., some have hollow handles, so you can put an emergency kit there. But those possibilities are fading away., if such a hollow handle breaks, and the compass may soon start to show the wrong direction, when cutting hardwood with a knife. If you lose such a knife, you also lose the emergency kit - it is much better to keep the kit in a separate bag on a belt or on a sheath.
You are capable of life support only then, when your knife is working.

Your knife is such an important survival tool., that you simply must always keep it sharp and ready to go. Don't use it for, why it shouldn't be used. Do not throw it into trees or into the ground. Keep your knife clean, and if you don't intend to use it for a while, lubricate and keep in sheath.
Traveling in closed areas, make it a habit to constantly check for your knife. It should become an automatic reflex, especially after going through a difficult section. Checking all pockets and possessions should become second nature.

Folding knives

A folding knife can also be a suitable tool., provided that it is securely locked in the open position. Always carry a knife with you. A blade in a wooden handle is usually more comfortable.: it does not slip in a sweaty hand, and if the handle is made from a single piece of wood, she rubs corns less than others.

Knife handle

Handle is perfect: solid round piece of wood, the shank of the blade passes through it and is fixed at the end. If the handle breaks, then the shank can be wrapped with a rag, rope, twine.

Sheath

The scabbard must have a secure clasp for attaching the parang and a loop for attaching to the belt.. Some scabbards have a front pocket for a whetstone..
There is a danger that, that the blade will cut through the edge of the scabbard. You have to get used to taking only the edge, opposite cutting edge.

Knife sharpening

Any sandstone can sharpen tools - gray sandstone is best. Quartz, although less common, good too, you can use granite. Rub two stones against each other, to make them even. It is very good to have a double-sided whetstone, which has one side with a large grain, for rough sharpening, and the second fine-grained, for finishing the cutting edge. Double-sided stone carry in the pocket of the scabbard. Sharpen on its rough surface first, then guide the edge on the smooth side. A good sharpening is, so that the edge does not dull for a long time and does not jagged.

To sharpen a knife, grab the handle with your right hand. Make circular motions clockwise, while evenly pressing the blade with the fingertips of the left hand while moving the blade away from you. Keep the blade angle constant. Keep the stone wet. Stone crumbs on the blade will be an indicator of the angle of inclination for you. DO NOT press the blade while moving it
to your side. This forms burrs. Reduce finger pressure when finishing. When sharpening the other side, rotate counterclockwise.

Cutting edge section: too sharp angle, blade can be serrated, too obtuse angle, dull and wear out quickly.