Your wallhanger dagger probably shines just like the day you brought it home, even if you displayed it in the open air, subject to all the high humidity of summer and the ravages of the rest of the seasons. That’s likely because it’s designed to do just that. You couldn’t use it for live practice, […]
Author: budk
Crossbow Shooting Tips for Accuracy and Success
The learning curve required for proficiency with a crossbow is shorter than vertical bows, including compound bows as well as recurve bows and longbows. They are also more forgiving. That said, becoming proficient with a crossbow remains a skill, and one that requires dedication and an investment in time. Here are some tips to help […]
Why Steel Alloy Is One of the Most Important Determinants of Quality in a Sword Cane
You might have your eye on a cool sword cane, but don’t just make a snap judgment and buy because you like the looks. In order to be actually usable, swords must be made with an appropriate steel alloy. It is this more than any other thing that determines quality in a sword, cane or […]
Use Cases for a Machete Knife
The popular image of a machete knife might be corrupted into the use of one as a macabre weapon, but the truth is that machetes are incredibly versatile bladed tools with an impressive array of use cases. For hundreds of years they have been a tool of choice when it comes to a wide range […]
Popular Folding Knife Deployment Mechanisms and Methods
Folding knives can be opened in a lot of different ways, each of which will impact the knife’s utility for a given task. This post will cover some of the more common methods of folding knife deployment. The Nail Nick The nail nick is the oldest deployment method commonly used and is still nearly universal […]
Dissecting Sword Speciality by Blade Profile and Pattern
Just like a knife, you can tell a lot about a sword by its blade profile. Fundamentally, these are both bladed tools, and the maxims by which you can determine utility don’t disappear just when you zoom out (or in, for that matter). Case in point, just by looking at the pattern of a sword, […]
Preserving Historically Significant Bayonets
Let’s say you have a militarily significant bayonet such as an M1 bayonet, or something even older like an M98 butcher bayonet. These military collectibles are relatively rare, historically valuable, and when properly cared for, hold their value well. The keyword there, however, is care, qualified by “properly”. Here are some tips to keep your […]
Lock Picks: An Essential in Survival Training
In survival training, most people think of knives, fire starters, and water filters as the core gear. But there’s another tool that can be just as important in certain situations: a lock pick set. In real-world emergencies, you might encounter locked gates, storage sheds, or abandoned buildings containing critical resources like food, water, or shelter […]
Getting (and Keeping Rust) Off Your Machete or Knife
A machete is a tough tool that you might make a habit of using around the yard to keep it clear, or in the bush when you’re scouting, hiking, camping or just cutting shooting lanes. This means two important things: the machete is going to see some hard use, and by nature of clearing vegetation, […]
The Value of Hidden Weapons for Modern Self-Defense
Today personal safety is never guaranteed. Whether walking alone at night, navigating a parking garage, or living in an unpredictable neighborhood, being able to protect yourself can mean the difference between vulnerability and survival. Hidden weapons, those small, discreet tools designed for self-defense, have become increasingly popular for people who want security without drawing attention. […]