Almost every hunter and outdoorsman needs a knife to handle tasks while out in the woods. These tasks include everything from knives used for cutting twine, field dressing and even cutting down small trees.

But how do you choose the right knife? First, let's define some major types of knives.

Folding and LockbackThese are knives that fold into a compact size when not in use. These are specifically designed to be compact and portable.

Fixed BladeThese are knives that are made to be rigid with no moving parts (in most cases). These are typically used for more demanding tasks. They are larger and less compact usually requiring a sheath for your protection and carrying when not in use.

Saw BladeThese are general purpose utility knives used for cutting down small trees and brush. You might use one of these to clear a camping site.

Depending on the intended use, select the correct type of knife. For instance, if you need a knife for field dressing deer you would likely select a fixed blade knife with the length of blade you think is necessary. There are also folding knives that can be used for this purpose. It comes down to size, sharpness and rigidity in this case.

Also, be aware of the type of grip on any knife you are considering. Fixed blade knives typically come with a grip that is designed for strong gripping pressure. Folding knives come in many variations and incorporate a grip type handle into the folding mechanism.

In a follow-up article, I'll discuss the very important aspect of knife ownership - knife sharpening systems.

You can find out more about hunting knives and sharpeners at Knives Plus Knife Sharpeners. All information in this article copyright SyndromeSoft LLC.