The first handcrafted human tool was the knife. Made of rock, millions of years ago, knives remain part of present day lifestyles. The Yarborough Knife of the Green Beret is as much a part of Americana as Rambo knives. Camping, fishing, hiking, hunting, cooking, woodcarving, spiritual practices, U. S. Special Forces, painting, and movies all incorporate use of a knife.
Knives were historically, and remain implements for spiritual, superstitious, cultural, and utilitarian use. To defend the dead in the afterlife, Anglo-Saxons buried their dead with knives. Knives are a part of Tibetan Buddhism. Surgeons use the scalpel. An electrician’s knife is part of the tools of the trade.
Every five years, a National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation is conducted by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Among the findings in the most recent survey were that 12.5 million people hunting a wide range of animals in the United States. These hunters spent $22.9 billion. Knives among outdoorsmen attest to the practical utility of knives in the out doors.
People from all walks of life have to recognize that a knife can serve a variety of purposes. People realize that basic knowledge about knives, including anatomy, are important in understanding potential uses, and improving skills.
The culinary trade includes a range of knives as basic necessities. Both specialty and fine cutlery knives are widespread. A quality piece of cutlery can go a long way towards honing culinary skills. Everywhere, people educate themselves about the basic knife anatomy, including blade, handle, bolster, tang essentials.
Knives are part of the American landscape. There is the U. S. National Park Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site in North Dakota. The National Knife Museum, founded in 1981 by the members of the National Knife Collectors Association, and located at the Smoky Mountain Knife Works In Sevierville, Tennessee exhibits antique knives.
Rambo knives, fine cutlery, hunting knives, Special Forces knives, and all knives in between are a part of the American landscape. From all walks of life and from all generations, including blade smiths, collectors, dealers, auction sites, knife shows, knife organizations, the knife and the American public, continue a legacy.
