Wednesday 27 September 2017

Best Kitchen Knives 2017

Whether you want to slice veggies, fruits or prepare meat for your lunch, one thing is certain – you need good kitchen knives. If you have bad quality kitchen knives, you will struggle to cut the ingredients for your meal, and will waste a lot of time. Plus, you might cut yourself. So, be smart, treat yourself and invest in good quality kitchen knives.  They'll last a lifetime of use and pay for themselves in no time at all.

 Chef's Knife Size Price
Henckels, Professional S 20 cm/8 inch Check Price
Wusthof Classic Ikon 7-Inch Santoku (Editors Choice) 18 cm/7 inch  Check Price
ZELITE INFINITY Santoku Knife 18 cm/7 inch  Check Price
Paring Knife Size Price
ZELITE INFINITY Paring Knife (Editors Choice) 10 cm/4 inch Check Price
Victorinox - Paring Knife 10 cm/4 inch Check Price
Richardson Sheffield Sabatier Trompette Paring Knife 10 cm/4 inch Check Price
Serrated Utility Knife Size Price
 ZELITE INFINITY Serrated Utility Knife 14 cn/5.5 inch Check Price
Victorinox CP843 11 cm/4.4 inch Check Price
DALSTRONG Serrated Utility Knife (Editors Choice) 14 cm/5.5 inch Check Price
Boning Knife Size Price
V Sabatier Boner (Editors Choice) 15 cm / 6 inch Check Price
Wusthof Classic boning knife 16 cm/6.3 inch Check Price
Victorinox C673 Straight Boning Knife 12.7 cm/5 inch Check Price

 

In this article, we bring you a buyers’ guide and the best kitchen knives on the market, so that you can make an informed decision and buy just the kitchen knives available.

Kitchen Knives - What to Look For?

Even though there are many types of kitchen knives, there are general things such as solid construction, sharpness, good weight, etc. that make a good kitchen knife. That being said, here are some features to consider when choosing a kitchen knife.

Kitchen Knife - Construction

When it comes to construction, we have stamped and forged knives.

Stamped knives are made with the machine. The blade is made from a continuous sheet of stainless steel and then the handle is added. After that, the knife is sharpened and refined. This knife is much less sturdy and durable compared to its forged counterpart, but it is cheap.

On the other hand, forged knives are produced with heat. Basically, heat is applied to a piece of stainless steel and then the knife is shaped. These knives are resilient and much stronger, but they are also much more expensive than stamped ones.

Kitchen Knife - Weight

A good kitchen knife is neither too heavy nor too light. However, there is not a general rule for choosing a knife of the right weight; this is totally up to you. You need to experiment with different knives so that you can see which knives are better for your hand - lighter or heavier ones.

Kitchen Knife - Balance

Clearly, balance and weight go hand in hand. A well-balanced knife is the one that you can have control over. This means the knife's weight should not fall too much on the one side.
Handle

The next thing to take into account is the comfort. So, you want to get a knife with an ergonomic handle. That way, you will do kitchen tasks with peace of mind, knowing that the knife won’t slip from your hand. Also, if you spend many hours in the kitchen, you need a comfortable knife to work with, otherwise you won’t be able to focus on your work.

Kitchen Knife - Material

If we're talking about higher end models, you'll encounter carbon steel, high-carbon stainless steel, and stainless steel kitchen knives. While stainless steel knives are durable, sturdy and easy to sharpen, those made of carbon steel are even stronger but less durable. Knives made of high-carbon stainless steel are the best of the three since they are more durable than carbon steel knives but also stronger than stainless steel knives.
If we're talking about mid-priced models, perfect for everyday use and small tasks, you can use ceramic knives. They are lighter than stainless steel counterparts and are extremely sharp. However, you cannot sharpen them on your own, so you’ll have to take them to a professional and pay him to do that.

Kitchen Knife - Ease of Use

With all the things we have said so far, it is clear that you need a knife that is easy to use. That way, you will cut, slice, chop, and mince food much faster and easier, while also not having to worry about your safety.

Kitchen Knife - Maintenance

You can have the highest-quality knife, but if you don’t take care of it, it will soon become useless. To avoid that happen, do take care of your knife. This includes regular sharpening, drying, hand washing, etc. You can go to this link to learn more about keeping knives' performance and quality at the top level.

Kitchen Knife - Storage

Last but not least. You need to find the perfect place for keeping your kitchen knives within easy reach and on safe. We suggest you buy a magnetic wall holder if you have enough room on your wall. If not, look for other knife racks. Just make sure you don't put your knives in the drawer with other kitchen utensils, as this will decrease their performance.

Types of Kitchen Knives

Some people think that they need to have few kitchen knives, and do all types of kitchen tasks with them, but that's wrong and expensive. Why expensive – you ask. Well, when you use one knife for cutting fruits, veggies, cheese, and meat, it is more likely to break, since it is not meant for all those different tasks. Different types of kitchen knives (chef's knife, serrated utility knife, Paring Knife and boning knife) exist with good reason, and that is to help you make the most out of food preparation. So, in order to buy good quality kitchen knives, first, you need to learn which types you actually need. So, below, you will read about most common types of kitchen knives.

Chef's Knife

Chef’s knife is the chef’s most important tool, because it is designed to handle diverse kitchen tasks with ease, including mincing and chopping veggies, disjointing large batch of meat, as well as cutting meat.

The Chef’s knife has an 8 inches long blade that is 1 1/1 inches wide. Of course, there are some variations in the size.

You should know that there are two basic types of this knife – German and French.
A German chef's knife is designed in such a way that it's continuously curved along the whole cutting edge. On the other hand, the French knife has a straighter edge all the way to the end and then it is curved to the tip. Both types are great choices, it is a matter of personal preference which one you will choose.

Besides that, there are also Japanese gyuto, Santoku knife, and Chinese chef’s knife. While the Japanese and Santoku knives aren't very different from the basic types, the Chinese chef’s knife definitely is.

What makes a good chef’s knife?

  • Size 

As mentioned, there are some variations in the size of a chef's knife, but the best choice is a standard 8-inch blade because it feels nice in your hand, is versatile, and easy to control.

  • Weight and Balance 

Before opting for a certain chef’s knife, make sure you try a few of them in order to find the one that best suits you. While some lighter knives are easier to handle, heavier ones deliver better results, due to more force.

Of course, the weight of the knife impacts its balance. In order to find the perfectly balanced knife, hold it. If you cannot hold it with confidence, because it weighs toward the blade or handle, the knife is not a good choice.

Henckels Professional S Chef’s Knife

Henckels Professional

View on Amazon

Coming from well-known Henckels, it is not surprising that this knife is our top choice. With a stainless steel blade and a remarkable edge, this unit is like a dream come true. This unit is forged and as such brings sturdiness and good balance. Thanks to the riveted handle, you will hold this knife with confidence.

Wusthof Classic Ikon 7-Inch Santoku

Wusthof Classic Ikon

View on Amazon

The Wusthof Santoku knife makes simple work of cutting through just about anything, thanks to its design. This unit is made from high-carbon German stainless steel, and is laser-controlled, giving you excellent performance and precision. Double bolsters ensure you get a well-balanced knife, while triple-riveted handle gives you a good grip. The knife comes with a lifetime warranty because it's just that good.

ZELITE INFINITY Santoku Knife 7 Inch

ZELITE INFINITY Santoku Knife

View on Amazon

If you are a chef, then you won’t have second thoughts on buying this top quality Santoku knife. The ZELITE INFINITY Santoku Knife has everything a professional needs – top performance, perfect balance, sturdiness, minimal slicing resistance, and a striking look. Of course, the knife also has a hefty price tag, but it is well worth it.

Paring Knife

Compared to chef’s knives, these are smaller and shorter. They make a great choice for smaller cutting and peeling tasks, due to their plain edge. Paring knives vary in size, but they are usually somewhere between 6 and 10 inches long. These knives are very affordable, coming in £30-£50 price range.

What makes a good Paring knife?

Since these knives are small, they should also be lightweight, giving you a total control when slicing, dicing, and mincing. So, look for a paring knife that delivers that. Furthermore, a good paring knife excels in precision and comes in handy in those situations where you need to pay attention to the details, such as slicing fruits in order to decorate your meals.

One thing to point out is that you have to keep your paring knife as sharp as possible in order to preserve its performance. Also, don’t ever put your knife in the drawer, since its edge will get damaged. It would be best to store your knife in a knife block.
What we also want to mention is that you should not wash your knife in the dishwasher, because a paring knife is small and can get lost inside of the dishwasher. Instead, hand wash it the second you’re done with it, dry it, and apply vegetable oil on the blade. Even though this process is simple, the result is a long—lasting and sharp paring knife for years, so don’t be lazy to do it.

ZELITE INFINITY Paring Knife 4 inch

View on Amazon

Much like previous ZELITE INFINITE knife on this list, this one also offers a top-notch performance. It is made of premium Japanese steel, and has a 4-inch long blade, being the perfect choice for various slicing and cutting tasks. Of course, the knife is durable, so you won’t have to buy a new one in years. With Tsunami Rose Damascus Pattern, this paring knife is easy on the eyes, and will surely add a modern touch to your knife set.
A triple riveted, rounded handle gives you a firm grip and comfort needed in the kitchen, so that you can prepare food safely and quickly. With all its amazing features and a reasonable price, this unit is hard to beat.

Victorinox - Paring Knife 10cm

Victorinox - Paring Knife

View on Amazon

Is there anything worse than struggling to slice your favorite fruits and veggies? Luckily, there is this Victorinox Paring knife that puts you in control of your food. Not only is this unit extremely sharp but it is also very precise. With this little guy in your kitchen, your fruits and veggies will look perfect, and you’ll never again stress about that. The classic black handle is comfortable enough so that you can use the knife without getting distracted by the pain in your palm. On top of all, the Victorinox paring knife comes at an unparalleled price, making it one of the most affordable knives on this list. Without a doubt, this unit provides a great value for the money, and you just can’t go wrong with it. Now, that’s what we call a good quality paring knife.

Richardson Sheffield Sabatier Trompette Paring Knife

Richardson Sheffield Sabatier Trompette Paring Knife

View on Amazon

If you are looking for a good paring knife that makes easy work of filleting, this is your best bet. The full tang construction ensures you strength and a bit of flexibility. With a sharp blade and edge, this knife also delivers accuracy. It is made of Martensitic stainless steel, therefore it is easy to sharpen, which promises a great performance for a long time.
Even though this knife is lightweight, it is still well-balanced, so you won’t have any difficulty when using it. The icing on the cake is a contemporary styling, making this knife very beautiful. It seems to us that this little unit really has it all.

Serrated Utility Knife

This is one of the most versatile kitchen knives, thus it is perfect for everyday tasks (cutting fruits and veggies, herbs and bread). The serrated utility knife's blade is usually between 4 and 6 inches long and is made of stainless steel or ceramic. This knife is the combination of a paring knife and a chef's knife, bringing the best of both worlds.

What makes a good utility knife?

  • What will you be using it for?

Since there are different sizes of this knife, you should choose the size of the blade based on the kitchen tasks you plan to do. If you want to cut smaller fruits and veggies, and mince herbs, then a 4-inch blade would be fine. However, if you want to cut meat and bread, you need to buy a knife with a 6-inch blade.

  • Serrated or straight-edge 

There are two types of utility knives – those with a straight edge blade or serrated blade. The first one is a good choice for slicing fruits and veggies, while the serrated blade is great for cutting meat, and baked goods.

  • Comfortable handle 

Since you will be using this knife every day, it should come with a comfortable handle so that the knife won’t spin in your palm. The handle should be either D-shaped or oblong. In addition to that, look for the knife with a non-slip coating.

ZELITE INFINITY Serrated Utility Knife 5.5"

ZELITE INFINITY Serrated Utility

View on Amazon

With a 5.5" long blade, this serrated utility knife is a good choice for all kinds of kitchen tasks, from cutting meat and sausage to slicing tomatoes and bread, to slicing fruits.
Thanks to an ergonomic handle, and extraordinary look, the ZELITE INFINITY Serrated Utility Knife is a must-have.

Moreover, with rust, stain and corrosion resistance, and edge retention properties, this knife guarantees durability and a high-level performance for years to come. Add to that a lifetime warranty, and you can see why this knife is one of the best on the market.

Victorinox CP843 Tomato Utility Knife

Victorinox CP843

View on Amazon

Now, here we have a top-notch utility knife, designed with small tasks in mind. This knife is 11 cm long so it’s ideal for slicing fruits and veggies. It doesn’t have a sharp tip, so it is much safer for everyday tasks. Victorinox delivers sharp and durable knives, and this one is no exception.

DALSTRONG Serrated Utility Knife

DALSTRONG Serrated Utility Knife

View on Amazon

Here we have another serrated utility knife, ideal for slicing tomatoes. Coming from Dalstrong, this unit is made of high-quality materials, is light and sharp. No doubt that you will love using it. On top of all, its classic design makes it a great addition to every kitchen.

Boning Knife

A boning knife is a must-have for a home chef who needs to cut through bones and ligaments. As the name itself suggests, this knife serves for de-boning. A boning knife has a thin and flexible blade so that you can reach those small spaces on the beef and pork. There are also stiffer boning knives, and these are ideal for fish and poultry. The blade is usually 5 to 6 inches long.

What makes a good Boning Knife?

  • Width

When choosing a good boning knife, you have to take the width into account. Narrow boning knives are great for cutting around ribs and chops, while wide ones are much better for chicken and pork.

  • Blade 

There are a curved blade and a straight blade. The curved one gives you precision needed when cutting very close to the bone. On the other hand, a straight blade is designed for intricate cutting.

When it comes to the size of a blade, keep in mind that the smaller blades are flexible while bigger ones are stiffer.

Sabatier Boner by Richardson Sheffield

V Sabatier Boner

 

View on Amazon

If you don’t want to spend a lot of money on a boning knife, but still want a good quality one, then this is the way to go. Costing less than £20, this knife will surely be a wise investment. It is well-balanced, sturdy, but also flexible, making it a good choice for deboning. In addition to that, the knife will perfectly fit into your palm, giving you safety. Thanks to its design, you will use it with ease. As for the looks, the knife features a stone finish so that the marks won’t be noticeable even after months of use.
The knife is dishwasher safe, but we recommend hand washing it so as to prolong its life.

Wusthof Classic boning knife

Wusthof Classic boning knife

View on Amazon

Coming from Wusthof, this boning knife delivers flexible performance. The blade is 16 cm long and is pointed, so you can easily de-bone ham, chicken, and use this knife for removing fat. The knife is very sharp so be careful when using it. It is also well balanced, making it one of the best boning knives out there.

Victorinox C673 Straight Boning Knife

Victorinox C673

View on Amazon

Compared to the previous two products, this one has a large handle, thus it's a bit easier to work with. Made of ice-tempered high carbon stainless steel, this knife ensures years of use, giving you a top-notch performance along the way. The unit looks classic, and as such makes a great gift for your favorite home chefs.


Final Thoughts

We wrote about most important things when it comes to kitchen knives, and we hope that this article moved you in the right direction. Whichever type of a kitchen knife you want to buy, just make sure to follow our tips. Good kitchen knives make easy work of slicing, dicing, carving, cutting and de-boning, so get them to see and feel the difference. Don’t forget to sharpen your kitchen knives on a regular basis, to keep their performance at the maximum level.



source https://www.bladespro.co.uk/blogs/news/best-kitchen-knives-2017

Tuesday 12 September 2017

Building the Ultimate Survival Kit

Fact: the world will end at some point. Hopefully it will come to pass in a few billion years with the sun swallowing the earth in a spectacular fireworks display. By that point the human race will have colonised thousands of other planets and will experience the event by way of a live stream rather than 1st hand.

If we’re unfortunate enough to experience a cataclysmic event before then or even a minor survival situation, then you can increase your odds of survival significantly by ensuring you have access to a prepared and well provisioned survival kit.

Unfortunately disasters can often occur during periods when we least expect it, during such times being prepared will often have a significant impact on your ability to survive the situation. Chances are you, like myself and many others, have been told by many authority figures, including the government, to have essential survival items at hand. You probably thought about it, agreed it was a good idea, then went back to watching Game of Thrones. Maybe you live in a high risk area, somewhere that is prone to fires, hurricanes, earthquakes, or in the case of the UK the adverse weather conditions are probably the most immediate concern. With that in mind you might have stockpiled some water, maybe some canned food & lentils, and stocked up on candles, batteries and torches.

These items will likely get you through most minor disaster situations. But, what if the unthinkable happens? Horrible situations are unlikely, but they can happen. From tsunamis, to earthquakes, to terrorist attacks, to floods, to volcanoes. The range of disasters that can happen are almost uncountable and can all pose serious challenges to your continued existence.

Chances are that you’ll never have to exist in a world where every day is an epic fight for your continued survival, but let’s imagine an apocalyptic setting, taking a few proactive steps now could literally make the difference between life and death later. At the worst case, you’ll end up buying a few bits and pieces that you’ll rarely use and invested a few hours of your time. In the best case or worst case scenario, your preparation will mean you won’t become a statistic, you won’t starve and you won’t become a victim of a roaming scantily clad biker gang in 2025.

How to Build the Perfect Survival Kit

This is not your run of the mill survival kit or something which you might take away with you camping. This is fire and brimstone end of civilisation survival kit which will allow you to survive, even prosper, in all sorts of dangerous and adverse situations. While it’s pretty much impossible to account for every survival eventuality, or even please every arm chair expert (there might be something you want to see included, in which case include it), but with the things in this kit, you’ll be far better prepared than 99% of the population, and even better prepared than someone that bought a commercially available kit.

In researching the requirements for this survival kit guide, I’ve liaised with several experts in the field as well as tried to take an objective view of the numerous other guides available, taking the best parts and discarding the chaff. Where appropriate I have cited my references and tried to reason why an item is a must have .

The Pocket Survival Kit

A professionally put together pocket survival kit will likely only have a minor impact on your potential for survival in an apocalyptic scenario, but it also has the distinct advantage that it will fit in your pocket, which means you can always have it with you. Having this simple piece of kit with you before you head out your front door is a great idea. Ideally, a pocket survival kit will be part of a larger survival kit which will always be with you. 
A pocket survival kit is made up of a few simple items:


• A waterproof container to house the kit
• A candle
• Compass
• Fishing line and hooks
• Flint/striker or other non-match based fire starter
• Matches
• Plasting bags
• Safety pins
• Sewing Kit
• Signaling mirror
• Snare wire
• Water purification tablets
• Wire saw


When you’re away from home, your primary concern will be having access to water and being able to keep warm – which is why this kit contains multiple methods of creating a fire, as well as ways of making water safe to drink (boiling or tablets). This kit is ideal to carry with you everywhere, it very portable and contains several essential must have items. But, for and of days event, you’re going to need a more serious pieces of kit.

This list will be long, and where appropriate we have provided the reason for including the item as well as our recommendations as to what to buy. Not all items require an in-depth explanation, we trust that you understand that a sleeping bag is for sleeping and that sleeping in a tent without one can be a very uncomfortable experience.

 

The Survival Backpack

Backpack – Your backpack is perhaps one of the most important pieces of kit you can buy, it needs to be lightweight, sturdy, waterproof and comfortable to wear for long periods of time. It needs to be able to put up with the wear and tear of prolonged use and large enough to carry all of our essentials. I strongly recommend purchasing a pack which is MOLLE compliant or that has external webbing, this will allow you to attach extra pieces of gear to the outside of the backpack when appropriate. I would personally recommend any of the options below:

 

Torch – A torch can illuminate your surrounding on an otherwise dark night, as long as you have access to charged batteries. At a push a torch can be used as self-defence weapon and even to focus sunlight for creating a fire. It’s a very useful tool, but one which become less useful as time progresses, depending on batteries. It’s worth looking into low energy LED torches or hand cranked versions, which will significantly extend their usefulness.

 Duronic Hurricane 4 in 1 Rechargeable Wind-Up

Compass – It perhaps goes without saying but a compass is really a no brainer, they are inexpensive, small and will allow you to orientate yourself with ease. Make sure you select one which is decent quality. A lensatic compass is a great choice.

 

Maps – The more information you have on your surroundings, the easier it is to navigate. If the worse happens and you need to flee your normally familiar surroundings, you may need to travel quite far and GPS might not be available. In these circumstances several high quality maps will be invaluable and will be worth their weight in gold. Buy as many as you can that cover your immediate area and surrounding areas. Store them in a waterproof ziplock or map bag.

A First Aid Kit – Functional first aids are widely available from many stores, most are perfectly capable triaging minor wounds and injuries, but I would suggest supplementing the content to make sure it includes the following items, latex gloves, tweezers, pain killers, bandages, needles, sutures, antiseptic and anti-diarrheal.

 

 

Knives – A good knife is incredibly important and should be part of any survival kit. A well-constructed, reliable and sharp knife can be used in many scenarios, from hunting and cooking to wood gathering and self defence. I would suggest buying a fixed blade full tang knife with a straight edge, as these types are generally stronger and more maintained. Additionally look to buy a multifunctional knife which can be used for other scenario that require more specialised tools, for example opening a tin can with the blade of a knife is possible, but it’s more easily accomplished with a tin opener attachment on a multi-functional tool. This knife can also act as a backup in case something happens to your primary knife.

Peasant Fixed Blade Survival Knife

Peasant Fixed Blade Survival Knife

Crowbar – If you’re thinking about survival situations, chances are you’re thinking about the wilderness, but you’re probably missing out on a lot of potential resources if you don’t consider the cities. A crowbar is key to forging for equipment and food within a city and can quite literally be a lifesaver. In a pinch, it can also be used as climbing equipment.

Hatchet – If you need to build a fire, make traps, build a shelter or gather wood for any other reason, having a hatchet can make your job much easier. It’s worth bearing in mind that while pocket saws are lighter, they are not as durable, and sharpening a serrated is not a trivial job, as such I would still recommend a hatchet over a saw.

Field Tool Tomahawk Survival Axe

Hatchet

Firearms – This is probably a fairly controversial choice, but it’s difficult to address a doomsday survival kit without even considering weapons. If you live in the UK you’ll probably find it incredibly difficult to get your hands on a gun legally and rightfully so. If this is the case then consider air rifles or more traditional hunting tools such as bows or hunting catapults.

Folding Shovel – Small in size and designed for digging, there is no replacement for a shovel if you want to dig a fire pit, put in shelter foundations or even cook food on.

 

Water Purification – Iodine tablets offer one of the most compact purification systems available, though they are not sustainable long terms and are not a good solution if you need to purify water for a large group of people. It’s worth investing a proper water purification system that you can set up at your base camp.

 

Water Storage – As you’re travelling around you probably don’t want to lug around 20kg of water with you. Buy a water flask. For your base camp buy a seal-able food grade container which is suitable for containing liquids.

 

Sleeping Bag – Get a sleeping bag which is suitable for the weather conditions you might encounter. It’s good to have something small and portable, it’s worse to be cold when trying to sleep, make an appropriate choice.

 

Collapsible Tent – Modern day tents are engineering marvels and are capable of being extremely small and portable while collapsed, yet also be warm and spacious when erected. There a ton of buying options available, so finding something to meet your budget and requirements should be easy.

Fire – You absolutely need multiple methods of starting a fire. Buy some strike anywhere matches, a multi pack of disposable lighters, a magnesium block and striker and a solar lighter. These will likely keep you lighting fires for years to come, if not decades.

 

Fire starter – Cotton wool and wire wool makes for an excellent fire starter.

Climbing Rope – You can never have enough rope. Climbing rope is perfect for climbing, given that it’s rated for both weight and shock. Invest in at least 100ft of rope and a few quality carabineers. It might be a good idea to prepare the rope with a carabineer attached in order to allow for quick deployment and less fuss. Climbing rope can be used to reach hard to navigate places, to make a quick exit or for securing equipment.

General Use Rope – You’ll want to have as much general purpose rope as you can afford to carry. It’s brilliant for building shelters, creating traps, holding equipment together, keeping items off the ground and individual strands can be used for sewing. There are for more uses than I can possibly list here. I would very much recommend 550 paracord, it’s cheap, compact and very strong.

Knot Tying Guide – Unless you’re a former boy scout, fisherman or outdoors enthusiast, chances are your knot repertoire is rather limited. Even if you know several types of knots, there’s no harm in knowing more, especially when you find something that meets a particular use case. Buying a small laminated knot tying guide is an incredibly cheap way of getting access to a variety of knots.

Clean Socks/Underwear – It’s very likely that you’ll end up wearing the same clothes for many days at a time, in which case you’ll find your clothes quickly become soiled, wet, damaged and looking worse for wear. I highly suggest that you have clothes that are used as day wear and a separate set of clean clothes which you use for sleeping in. Try very hard to keep your sleeping clothes clean, dry and in good condition. If you do this you’ll find slipping into your clean, soft, warm and dry clothes at the end of the day is a highlight and something you’ll begin to look forward to.

Food – While it’s not sustainable to live off prepacked food long term, it’s worth having a stock of emergency supplies which can tide you over until you establish a sustainable food source. Long lasting foods come in many forms, from tins, freeze dried meals and dried beans through to nuts, chocolate and other calorie dense foods. Ideally you’ll want a selection of food types, including items which can be eaten without any form of preparation (tins), items which are nutritious but require preparation (dried beans) and items that are very calorie dense and are therefore portable and can be eaten on the go. Avoid food waste, anything which you can’t eat can and should be used to bait, composting or other purposes.

Appropriate Clothing – Dress appropriately. Have a range of clothes for all sorts of weather conditions. If the climate is hot, ensure you have light layers which minimise your skins exposure to the sun. If the climate is cold, having multiple layers of clothing is better than having one thick layer.

Bandannas – Despite perhaps not being the coolest accessory to have, bandannas can still serve a functional purpose. They can protect your head from the sun and when soaked in water they can help cool you down. They can protect your mouth from dust and in emergency act as a bandage or act as a sling.

Gloves – Whether you live in a hot climate or a cold climate, you’ll need gloves. If the weather is cold then the need for gloves is obvious. In a warm climate, or really any climate, having gloves can quite literally save your skin. If you’re putting together shelters, chopping wood and handling rope and you’re more used to using a keyboard and mouse, you’ll find that you can blister pretty easily. Given time you’ll gain callouses and harder hands, but in the mean time you’ll want to be able to continue with your work, which is where a pair of quality work gloves can keep you working.

Waterproofing – Having several heavy duty rubble sacks at hand can mean you can easily waterproof a rucksack, store wet clothes or even put together a temporary shelter.

A Survival Book – Even if you’re an expert at outdoors survival, having a handy reference guide can be a great help. Get one that fits in your pocket and I can guarantee you you’ll reference in more than once.

So that’s it, that’s the survival kit which will help you survive the apocalypse. I’m sure many people will have an opinion that differs, maybe something is too heavy, or there’s too much stuff or even to little stuff. If you want to pack something else, pack it, if you want to leave something out, then leave it out. There is no right and wrong answer. Customise the content to meet your own personal requirements, location and climate.

Best of luck and I sincerely hope you’ll never need to use this survival kit.



source https://www.bladespro.co.uk/blogs/news/building-the-ultimate-survival-kit

Sunday 20 August 2017

Bahco Laplander Review: Top-Quality Folding Saw in the Spotlight

Are you looking for a top quality folding saw for bushcraft or pruning? Basically, you have a lot of factors to consider. Primarily, you need to take regard of the convenience. This is difficult to find, especially now that not all folding saws are well-balanced or hassle-free to grip.

Moreover, it is also crucial to take into consideration the size of the saw in relation to the measurement of your hand. If you are purchasing online, it is easy to find out if the product you are interested in will give you no worries in user comfort. You can simply check out what its previous buyers have to say.

Most importantly, you should also look for a folding saw that is control-fitted. This is regarded as the ideal selection if you want to attain utmost ease in operating the equipment.

Apparently, with the aforementioned factors, the market has something to offer in advance – Bahco Laplander Folding Saw. You will see the reviews of the product not only in tons of websites but also in forums.

It is also obvious that when you review the feedbacks, you will obtain only high praises from its previous and existing owners. Nonetheless, you may want to learn more about the product. This is not a problem since the following excerpt will introduce you to the high-quality equipment in detail.

What Is Bahco Laplander Folding Saw?

 Bahco Laplander Review

Bahco Laplander Folding Saw is considered to be among the top omnipresent tools for pruning or bushcraft available today. At present, you can even consider the product as a legendary option. Why? This is due to the fact that it does live up to the hype you are seeing online.

By looking at it esthetically, you will already find that the product has an attractive design. Although it is not common to describe a folding saw based on its appearance, you will still find the folding saw oddly attractive compared to its rivals in the market.

You may even deem the folding saw as the best-looking one you will ever find. You can also compare it to a folding knife that puts together every tool you need.

However, more people care about the performance of the saw, which it will not fall short in. Many have described Bahco Laplander’s operation to be seamless and highly rated in various feedback sections online.

Expectedly, it comes with a 7.5-inch blade, which makes it a highly sizable tool. In truth, you can even put it in your pocket, providing ease when you have to move from one place to another. Although the tool is lightweight, you will be surprised that its performance can compete to any folding saw’s feat in the market.

Do you know that you can use it as an alternative to your hiking tools that are practically heavy? Truthfully, there is a possibility that it can replace an ax in a way since it can be utilized in many situations.

If you will check out the construction of the material, it can actually work alongside a large knife, and you will not even find any difference. There is more to its attractive design – build that gives way to quick and easy execution of tasks.

You will also love the fact that the blade of the product can be detached and replaced at the same time. You can basically use a Philips screw in order to unscrew the pivot.

Stunningly, it can chew through logs. You may be hesitant at first, but when you try it, you will be more than surprised. In record time, you can eradicate a three-inch wood without physical hazard. You can even decimate most materials with reduced effort.

How Is the Folding Saw Used?

Bahco Laplander, making short work of firewood

You will be using Bahco Laplander in order to cut logs or branches, particularly coming from small to medium trees. If you are working on a medium tree, you may use the folding saw in order to decimate five-inch diameter of logs.

It is actually impractical if you will use the seven-inch blade in order to cut through bigger branches. Moreover, you may need other tools to do such task.

Bahco Laplander is also sold as a piece of equipment to cut through not only wooden logs but also bones and plastic. The XT toothing of the product is very fine and sharp, which means you can cut materials in any direction possible.

In other words, when you pull, you will still be able to cut the material. Alternatively, pushing also provides you the same result. Apparently, regardless of the angle of cutting, the output is good.

If you do not try taking on large logs, you will not have issues about the blade sticking to the material. So long as you do not go beyond its capacity, the work will be done easily and quickly.

When the saw is folded in or out, the blade will be locked securely. In other words, it will not simply cause cuts to the operator. For instance, when it is folded in, you will not worry it from closing over your hand.

Observing the performance of the folding saw will help you learn that the tool does not stick much. It rarely does. This is considered to be due the design and coating of the blade.

Carrying the folding saw is also very easy since it comes with a wrist and belt leather lanyard. Having it with you at all times is now possible despite the rugged activities you will go through.

As claimed by its manufacturer, the rubber coating was added to the tool so that you will not have problems using the folding saw even in wet conditions. Extended use will not be an issue as well.

You may use the tool for survival, bushcraft, and hikes among others. If you are searching for a folding saw that is compact, lightweight, dependable, and tough all at the same time, this product is a good choice. Besides, it will provide you ease of use and quicker execution of the task.

What makes the folding saw more amazing is that you do not necessarily have to swing it. In other words, the risk of the blade bouncing against the material you are cutting is eliminated. Even if you position it at an unlikely direction, it will still provide a fine cut.

What Is the Build Quality of the Equipment?

The build quality of the Bahco Laplander Folding Saw is remarkable. When folded, its length is nine inches or 23 centimeters. Basically, a heavy gauge steel has been utilized in order to construct its seven-inch blade.

You will also notice that the teeth have been hardened for extra durability. As for the reduction of friction, Bahco Laplander made it possible to add a coating to avoid corrosion. This will make cutting through wood, plastic, or bone much easier.

Despite the fact that the tool is considerably light, you will feel that it is constructed solidly. When you fold it in and out, you will notice that it is meant for long-term use.

The blade of the folding saw is also matched with a comfortable-to-use handle. Do you know that Bahco Laplander made it possible to create the handle for both small and large hands? In other words, you do not have to worry about sizing at all.

Furthermore, the material used for the handle is high-density plastic and will not easily shatter. Even if you use the item continuously, you can anticipate the blade to keep on operating without a discrepancy in its performance.

The rubber coating of the folding saw also makes it reliable for an extended use and good grip. Regardless of the weather or environment, the grip technology of the material is paramount. Besides the material’s grip, you will also find a palm swell found new the saw end.

The construction of the Bahco Laplander Folding Saw will not be complete without the safety lock, which is meant to keep the blade secure both when in use and folded in.

You will also love the fact that there are no crisp detents or phosphor bushings found in the tool. It also has a pivot, which can be unfastened for the replacement of the blade. As anticipated, the pivot of the folding saw is a screw and a bolt.

Top Features of Bahco Laplander Folding Saw

There are various features that this folding saw can offer. Apart from the fact that it has a high-quality build, there are various reasons why most people purchase this product. To give you more details about its attributes, given below are the following:

Material Compatibility. You will not have issues when it comes to working with the Bahco Laplander Folding Saw, particularly if you are pertaining to the material to cut. It can cut both wet and dry wood. As mentioned above, it may also cut through bone and plastic.

Regardless of the material you have to decimate, the blade has a special chromium coating that will keep it from rust.

User Comfort. You will find the folding saw very comfortable to use. It is highly balanced. It also has a handle made for easier grip. Every factor necessary to comply with the operator’s convenience has been complied with by the product.

You do not even have to worry about the sizing since the tool is designed for both large and small hands. You will find it comfortable to hold even if you will use it for extended period of time. This was proven even by the reviews from its previous and existing owners.

Some customers even described that holding the folding saw gave them a weird feeling of actually doing a lot of things easily with the tool.

Razor Sharp Cut. The folding saw is designed with sharpness, making it easier to use and safer to operate at the same time. It will provide you a quicker execution of task. It requires minimal energy in every cut.

You can use its blade to cut in every direction you prefer. So long as you do not use it in extremely thick logs, it will not stick to the material.

Prevention of Notches and Dings. You will also find the folding saw highly usable if you want to get really low when cutting wood. It has a very thin stock, which means that it is versatile enough. Warping and torque can be totally resisted by the material.

This is also proven by reviews, stating that the folding saw does not collect many notches or dings, which are commonly found on a blade’s edge when used.

The fact also implies that the folding saw can be used as a gardening tool apart from strenuous activities. Despite being perched on a branch in a perilous manner, you will still be able to cut tree branches with much safety and considerable reach.

Easy Maintenance. Bahco Laplander made it possible to create a folding saw that is very easy to maintain. Normally, craftsman and gardeners sharpen their tools using conventional tools. With the product, you will be able to make the task easier by replacing the blade.

You simply have to loosen the screw, detach the blade, put in a new blade, and tighten the pivot. The replacement blade is quite expensive with a price point ranging from £12 to £20. Nonetheless, there are reasons for this, such as the advanced features and intensive manufacturing of the components. It is your discretion where to buy one and what type of blade to use.

Pocket-able Tool. The folding saw can be brought with you anywhere minus the inconvenience since it can be pocketed. You will not even feel it is in your pants, especially now that it weighs next to nothing. You may describe the folding saw as a highly unwieldy tool as well, unlike its rivals.

This is considerable if you need to take a walk and get a few logs. Bahco Laplander also developed this tool in order to support people who reside in farms or require frequent cutting of small limbs or saplings.

Trusted Manufacturer. You can be certain that there will be no issue when it comes to the source of the folding saw; Bahco has been present as early as 1886. Its founder, Johan Petter Johansson, was the one who invented and patented the adjustable wrench and modern plumber wrench at around 1890.

From then on, Berndt August Hjort offered to secure the marketing rights for Johansson’s products. After 64 years, the company got its present name. The present parent firm of Bahco today is Snap-on Incorporated.

For approximately 130 years, the manufacturer has been recognized for producing top-quality tools.

Cost-effective. Everything you need from a folding saw is found in Bahco Laplander’s product. In other words, there is no reason for you to neglect considering investing in this product. Although others may claim that the price of the folding saw is equivalent to purchasing a larger saw, it is a great steal if you want a long-term tool.

You also do not need a bigger cutting equipment if you are only executing small tree cuttings every now and then. Besides, who would not want a folding saw that you can bring almost anywhere?

Pros of Choosing Bahco Laplander Folding Saw

There are various reasons why you should consider buying Bahco Laplander Folding Saw. Apart from its exceptional features, there are also advantages that will encourage you even more to take regard of the product.

To provide you its top pros, given below are the following:

Lightweight. The lightweight profile of the product makes it a must-have for people who often need to cut small to medium branches or perform gardening tasks. It is also a top option for survival kits since it will not cause inconvenience when being carried.

Paired with its light construction is the compact design of the product. Despite the fact that it is light, you will not have problems in getting all necessary folding saw capabilities from it. Truthfully, it even exceeds expectations.

Useful for Various Situations. Even if you check out yourself the reviews regarding the product’s performance, you will find only the best feedbacks. For most previous and existing owners of the folding saw, the tool is easy enough to use for getting the job done.

Some also stated that they will no longer be going to an outing without carrying the folding saw. If you want to fill in your scout pack, complete your survival kit, or collect gardening tool, this is a great option.

Seamless Cuts. The folding saw has the capability to cut through dry and wet wood with ease. Take note that reviews also stated that even if you use it for both hard and soft woods, you will not have any issue. Other users even described the folding saw’s mechanism to be similar with slicing butter.

Less Fatigue. Many users have also commended Bahco Laplander for providing a folding saw that eliminates constant stress on the hands of the operator. Regardless of sawing several branches, you will only have to exert a little effort.

With such advantage, even your kids will be able to work with you when necessary using the tool.

Safety Features. You do not have to worry accidentally cutting yourself or anyone near you while working with the folding saw. It has a self-locking mechanism, which means that the blade will not simply swing by itself when not in use. Once folded in, the blade will be secure accordingly.

It also cuts despite putting it in an awkward direction. This is totally different if you are using an ax for cutting branches or saplings.

Cons of Purchasing Bahco Laplander Folding Saw

Apparently, no product is perfect. This is the reason why even the folding saw coming from Bahco also has flaws as reported by its users. However, you must know that its shortcomings are not major problems, which make the tool no longer usable.

Given below are the following:

Limited to Small or Medium Timber. It is true that the folding saw is not applicable if you will work on thicker or larger logs given it only has a seven-inch blade. As mentioned earlier, it may not be applicable if you will work on wood with more than five inches in diameter.

Nonetheless, this con is overshadowed by the fact that the folding saw can cut through a variety of materials other than wood. For instance, it can slice through bones and plastic components.

Easily Wearing Powder Coating. Many users have also complained that the blade’s powder coating does not stay too long. The material is actually added in order to decrease friction when cutting through logs.

However, this may be the reason why Bahco made it possible to provide its users an option to replace the blade of the folding saw.

Competitors of the Popular Folding Saw in the Market

Similar to other top-quality folding saw options, Bahco Laplander also has several competitors on the market. It is obvious that the product concerned outperformed its rivals, but, still, it is important for you to compare the items for a cleverer evaluation. This is also a means of guaranteeing that you have chosen Bahco for a great reason.

EverSaw Eight-inch Folding Hand Saw. This is made for backyard pruning but can also be applicable for bushcraft. It is made of a top-quality carbon steel blade. Moreover, it has medium razor teeth that come with a triple-cut design. You can anticipate it to provide sharp sawing and highly smooth cutting.

It has a full length of 17 inches. EverSaw also developed its folding saw with an efficient handle that is comfortable to use, either by right or left hand.

Nonetheless, this product does not have the finesse of Bahco. It may still perform well but may fall short in terms of lightweight profile and friction reduction.

SOG Specialty Knives & Tools F10N-CP Folding Saw. If you are looking for a folding saw meant for hiking, backpacking, and camping, this is a tool that will stand up to the test. It comes with a high carbon steel blade with a length of 8.25 inches. Its blade also has a black powder coating, making it more esthetically pleasing.

Despite the sleek design of the product, there are complaints in terms of its performance. It has poor ratings in terms of locking mechanism and edge retention.

Conclusion

Given the reviews of Bahco Laplander Folding Saw, you will definitely see that it is a product to seek. It has the distinction of being an all-encompassing product. Despite the fact that it has complied with the top preferences of users, it still pleased its customers necessarily.

Although it was debated that the folding saw may be as expensive as a larger tool, it will still be a great buy if you need a long-term pruning and bushcraft assistant.

From its construction to efficiency and convenience of use, the folding saw cannot be beaten at present.



source https://www.bladespro.co.uk/blogs/news/bahco-laplander-review-top-quality-folding-saw-in-the-spotlight