Can I Use My Bowie Knife as a Pry Bar?
Thursday, 03 December 2009 08:46 | 
Written by Dylan Sabot |
In the face of such a question, the only answer possible is a resounding "NO!" However, why is "no" the only answer here? Why can't you use your bowie knife as a screwdriver? Why can't you chisel or punch with the blade? What happens if you attempt to use your knife as a pry bar? In short, each of these uses, while seemingly innocent enough, can lead to serious damage to your blade and may even lead to injuries.
In the face of such a question, the only answer possible is a resounding "NO!" However, why is "no" the only answer here? Why can't you use your bowie knife as a screwdriver? Why can't you chisel or punch with the blade? What happens if you attempt to use your knife as a pry bar? In short, each of these uses, while seemingly innocent enough, can lead to serious damage to your blade and may even lead to injuries.
Many people make the mistake of using bowie knives for purposes for which they are unsuited. For instance, if you choose to use your knife as a screwdriver, you'll encounter some problems. This will likely lead to a bent tip, or might even snap the tip off your knife altogether. If this happens, you will either need to repair the blade, take it to a professional cutler for repairs, or reshape the blade as is.
Pry Bar - If you think that your bowie knife would make a great pry bar, you're wrong. These knives are not designed with this use in mind. While you might have no choice in the matter, you should make this type of use a thing of last resort. If you do attempt to pry things with your bowie knife, you'll find that you can damage the tip or even bend the blade of your knife. This will require expert precision to repair and might even break the blade off.
In addition you should never use your bowie knife as a chisel or a punch. Both of these uses require specialized tools to accomplish, and bowie knives are not such tools. While they might be used in an extreme emergency, do not expect your knife blade to hold up well under this type of mistreatment. In fact, you can bend or break the blade quite easily doing this. You can also injure yourself severely if the blade were to slip.
If you do manage to bend the blade or damage the knife in some other way, and it is not covered under manufacturer warranty, you will need to find a skilled blacksmith or cutler to repair the knife for you. As these skills are not quite as common as they once were, this can be an expensive, time consuming process.
In the face of such a question, the only answer possible is a resounding "NO!" However, why is "no" the only answer here? Why can't you use your bowie knife as a screwdriver? Why can't you chisel or punch with the blade? What happens if you attempt to use your knife as a pry bar? In short, each of these uses, while seemingly innocent enough, can lead to serious damage to your blade and may even lead to injuries.
Many people make the mistake of using bowie knives for purposes for which they are unsuited. For instance, if you choose to use your knife as a screwdriver, you'll encounter some problems. This will likely lead to a bent tip, or might even snap the tip off your knife altogether. If this happens, you will either need to repair the blade, take it to a professional cutler for repairs, or reshape the blade as is.
Pry Bar - If you think that your bowie knife would make a great pry bar, you're wrong. These knives are not designed with this use in mind. While you might have no choice in the matter, you should make this type of use a thing of last resort. If you do attempt to pry things with your bowie knife, you'll find that you can damage the tip or even bend the blade of your knife. This will require expert precision to repair and might even break the blade off.
In addition you should never use your bowie knife as a chisel or a punch. Both of these uses require specialized tools to accomplish, and bowie knives are not such tools. While they might be used in an extreme emergency, do not expect your knife blade to hold up well under this type of mistreatment. In fact, you can bend or break the blade quite easily doing this. You can also injure yourself severely if the blade were to slip.
If you do manage to bend the blade or damage the knife in some other way, and it is not covered under manufacturer warranty, you will need to find a skilled blacksmith or cutler to repair the knife for you. As these skills are not quite as common as they once were, this can be an expensive, time consuming process.
About the Author:
Dylan Sabot is the owner of an online bowie knife store featuring the Cold Steel bowie knife. Additionally, Dylan is also the President of an online butane lighters store.