Narrow Blades verses Wide bladed knives

Narrow Blades verses Wide bladed knives

What’s the difference?

To help illustrate this article, I choose to use as examples, one military knife and one knife intended for outdoor enthusiasts.

Extrema Ratio NFG Fulcrum Military Knife

FKMD RIMOR wilderness knife

FKMD RIMOR is a wide bladed knife

361 grams knife only

 

Extrema Ratio (ER) Fulcrum NFG is a narrow bladed knife.

385 grams knife only.

Therefore a difference in weight of only 24 grams is inconsequential in terms of transportation.

Both of these knives feature tangs which are approximately the same thickness of about 6mm or ¼ inch.

There is no outwards curvature on the ER knife and the cutting edge is therefore straight. The tip of this knife is also straight.

Conversely, the FKMD knife features both an outward curved blade portion and a slightly inwardly curved blade portion closer to the hilt of the knife. It may be apparent to the hunter that a outwardly curved blade will fare much better during tasks of skinning as apposed to a blade which only features straight edges. The reason being one of comfort and allowing good technique in order to avoid unnecessary puncturing/damage to the hide.

Of course it is possible to use a straight edged knife for skinning however, this is like using a crow bar to dig a hole, it can be done but not as efficiently as a shovel.

Immediately we can see the different end use applications of the FKMD knife and it's intended market.

The ER knife looks like a Military knife simply because it is one. The enlisted personnel is unlikely to be hunting except under the most extreme circumstances and the Fulcrum NFG's features reflect this. A simple straight edged knife for foolproof quick sharpening in the field (in fact, a sharpening plate is integrated as part of the scabbard system). A western styled Tanto tip for added strength and reduced chances of breaking a tip. This sort of blade may be used for: simply levering, penetrative strikes; chopping and of course cutting. It features a small set of serrations in order to facilitate rapid cutting of fibrous materials. Having a narrow blade width also means the actual Real estate of the carry system will be narrower by default compared with a wider bladed knife. This is of importance when numerous objects may be strapped to a pack or ones body and not of such an issue for a outdoor knife, where one is usually carrying a pack and a knife but not much else strapped to their body (even a knife can be carried within the pack to minimise the risk of getting things caught up manoeuvring in dense bush land.

Can these knives swap roles?

It is doubtful in a practical reality. The ER NFG features the ability to cut wire, 

Cutting barbed wire, no problems for the Extrema Ratio NFG.

there is no such thing for the FKMD RIMOR. That means if you want to cut wire carrying the RIMOR you must carry an additional tool with you. You must also carry a sharpening device if one plans to exist for extended periods away from civilization. Again, this is not necessary with the ER NFG as it forms a "One stop" solution for the soldier and last thing they want is to be carrying extras like sharpening stones etc. with their modern day kit. The ER NFG would be extremely unsatisfactory for any hunting purposes with the exception of fishing; due to the straight edge of the blade.

Is one Better than the other?

Certainly I would not suggest that their intended roles be swapped unless it be absolutely necessary. In other words one doesn't have a choice for a cutting instrument.

I've used the NFG for fishing. Actually, it was used to stun and kill the caught fish, simply because the knife inside its scabbard forms quite a small club that can be easily wielded in the absence of an appropriate stick! (the scabbard is rigid FRN and stainless steel).

The RIMOR inside itճ scabbard is not suitable for the same task because it does not provide the mass necessary for such an action. I have yet to take the RIMOR hunting as I have numerous dedicated hunting knives however, I would say with a little bit of discomfort, the RIMOR could be used for skinning and gutting animals if need be although a smaller easily wieldable hunting knife would be ones best bet.

So in summary, there really isn't one knife which can do all. Where one may excel in "Urban/combat survival" it may be lacking in other features which would be more appropriate for wilderness survival/wilderness usage. It's a good idea to put away biased opinions and likes, simply to own a tool if it isn't really appropriate for the intended end use. That's just my opinion and of course ignores the collectors out there who collect simply because they like what they collect and donմ have to justify their motives to anyone except themselves (or wives or husbands or boyfriends or girlfriends LOL).

My personal preference (when hunting and camping and having to walk in some distance carrying everything) has always been towards a medium sized hunting knife (fixed blade) 

Linder (made in Germany using Japanese ATS-34) ATS34 Super Edge 2 Hunting knife, superb utility knife good for general camping as well.

and a sturdy folding knife, 

Built like a tank, Extrema Ratio RAOII folding/come fixed blade knife

More than capable of weekends away, the Extrema Ratio RAOII roller lock knife

preferably a lock back knife. 

Neito Large lock back folder

What type of distances are we talking about? I'd say approximately 10Km round trip maximum. It may not sound very far but negotiating 10Km of trackless bush carrying a bow and a pack can take some time and effort, so one needs to be thorough with what they carry.

The situation and environment will dictate what I choose to carry. For example: fishing on a deserted island in the tropics, I would choose differently again.

Addendum

Maybe this article is exactly what you want, in that you will now have a valid excuse to purchase several different knife types in order to satisfactorily kit your self out for your various different excursions. :)!

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