Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by John Lovell on June 1, 2010 at 21:24

Except for knives that are used strictly for slicing (onions, balogna) I believe every fixed blade knife should have a blade guard, just like I believe every rifle should have a safety. Blade guards on fixed blade knives allow the user to keep his right (or left, if he is a lefty) index finger. If the knife is just for "show" it may not need a guard, but if you are going to use it the blade guard is essential. If the knife is being used to cut a tree limb or a rope or poke a hole in something then you are using force, and if your hand slips, well, need I say more. If you are butchering game you are bound to get blood on your hands --- and wet blood is as slick as cooking oil. Full guards are unnecessary (unless the blade is double-edged); if fact they get in the way when working in close quarters, such as butchering. Hunting/camping knives made with no blade guard are so because (1) the maker is lazy, (2) the maker is cheap, (3) the maker has no regard for the welfare of the end user. I employ several different materials to make bladeguards; stainless steel, nickel silver, brass, bronze, slices of antler (elk is especially good), and ivory (both elephant and mammoth). Now for the exception: if the full-tang blade has a deep recess (like a half-circle) between the tang and the blade, such that your index finger cannot easily slip past that point and onto the blade, then a separate guard is not needed.

Permalink Reply by Terry Waldele on June 2, 2010 at 1:50

Hi Wako,
Thanks so much for your thoughtful and detailed comments. You've helped me a lot in sorting out my "guard vs. no guard" issues.
Re-Guards,
Terry

Permalink Reply by Terry Waldele on June 2, 2010 at 2:18

Hi John,
Many thanks for your response to my discussion. I wholeheartedly agree with you that every knife needs some kind of blade guard. As you noted, a deep recess will keep the index finger from slipping easily onto the blade, but having had the experience of opening up one of my fingers on some sharp sheet metal when my hand slipped, I prefer a full guard just for some extra insurance. (For example, you never know when you might have to use your knife for sawing or digging [i.e., thrusting], which is a disaster waiting to happen if your knife doesn't have a guard.) IMHO, the SOG Vietnam era Bowie's full guard is probably the most ergonomic, versatile and organically stylish blade guard of all, although there are others that run a close second.
Re-Guards,
Terry

Permalink Reply by Halicon on June 4, 2010 at 13:07

Yes, if you're not carrying any medical equiptment a simple scrape or nick can risk your life out in the woods.

Since the F1 is a Swedish knife made with a special purpose I feel that I have a responsibility in clearing up some of the confusion of why such a good knife doesn't have a guard.

It is a military knife, officially made on request from the Swedish military and is now being used in most gears worn by military personnel over here.
The intended useage for this knife is within arctic conditions, so having brass or any metal guards is out of the question, it also removes weight which is a constant worry-wart for anyone in the mil.

Most military personnel operating in arctic climate also wears tactical gloves or something to protect them and provide better grip, combined with this I can only assume the risks of the tiny guard failing and a cut happening is zero to none, especially with it's Thermorun handle material.

I'm no specialist in knifemaking however so the value of the knife and such is not my topic to reply to.

Permalink Reply by Terry Waldele on June 5, 2010 at 1:16

Hey Halicon, how're things? Just wanted to thank you for your comments on the Swedish F1 Pilot's Survival Knife's design for arctic conditions and for that reason, it has no appreciable guard. Having worked in the Alaskan Arctic, but not in the military, I infer from your comment that a metal guard is undesirable because in freezing weather, your skin would stick to a freezing-cold guard. If that's not it, maybe I'm missing some other reason for the F1's minimal guard. If so, please enlighten me.