How to choose your next knife and how to keep it sharp – Outdoor News
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My dad used to say that only a dull knife would cut you, but I found out the hard way that that isn’t totally the case when I borrowed my grandpa Eli’s knife and attempted to whittle a stick and quickly sliced the top of my thumb.
Still, a good knife, whether in the butcher block on the counter or in a sheath on your hunting belt, is best used when it is as sharp as John Rambo liked them.
Brad Rebeck, of Wisconsin roots, saw people buying knifes when they didn’t really know what they were looking for. So instead of coaching them all up, he decided to try to create a knife brand that was heirloom quality without the price that would last decades.
“I sold cookwear for a company in several states,” he said. “It was fine, but not really for me. It was at a barbecue festival when I saw a commercial brand of knifes that was selling a set for $3,000. That’s when I knew people could get quality cutlery for far less money.”
That’s when Rebex Cutlery was formed. It’s not that it’s the only brand out there that makes quality cutlery at an affordable price. There are others: Buck, Gerber, Benchmade, Henckels, and many others that make cutting a steak or backstrap easy.
But what does someone look for when making a sometimes rather pricey purchase that gets used not just in the field but at the dinner table?
“Many companies, me included, can’t afford to have the blades made in the U.S.,” he said. “And I really wanted to. So, Germany is the place to go to get the materials needed to make a quality knife at a reasonable price.”
Rebeck started small – really small – at a gun show in Viroqua, Wis.
“I still rely on sport shows to sell my cutlery,” he said.” “You need the organic growth until the brand gets traction.”
Many companies opt on either hunting knifes, or home cutlery, but there aren’t a lot that focus on both applications.
“There really is no reason not to produce both,” he said. “Cleavers are some of my best sellers – not just for hunters, but for general consumers, too.”
What about Damascus knifes?
Sure, they are slick looking, but do their looks justify the price?
“A standard German steel has a Rockwell hardness of 56,” he said. “While a Damascus knife has a hardness of 62. They not only look great, but they also hold their end longer, too.”
But holding an edge also means once the blades get dull, they are harder to sharpen. Rebeck said to run your knife through a honing steel after every use, which can extend the time by a lot, before needed to perform a hardcore sharpening.
“I’m an old-school guy in terms of sharpening knifes,” he said. “Give me a stone and some oil and that gets the job done correctly. Ask chefs; they never use the style that are powered.”
Brands like Work Horse, Horl, Buck, and many others make competent models.
Aside from the blade, the handle is a very important element in good cutlery.
“I still think wood is the best,” he said. “Not just for cosmetics, but for the grip.”
Of course, other brands make compelling reasons why synthetic grips are better for grip when wet or cold, but that is more of a personal preference.
Picking out a set of knifes for the kitchen, or a couple specialty versions for the field, can be a daunting task. By following the tips above, you can not only have a tool for life, but perhaps for future generations, too.
BENCHMADE
The 15006-01 Steep Country was meticulously designed to hit the sweet spot of hunter preference.
A versatile, tough-as-nails fixed-blade built to perform throughout any season on a variety of species and cuts, the Steep Country’s durable Santoprene handle provides generous grip in slippery conditions, including during inclement weather or field dressing.
HORL is a unique two-piece knife-sharpening system made of solid wood (timeless oak or walnut) and industrial diamonds.
A powerful magnet holds the knife in place while you effortlessly roll the diamond sharpening surface along the blade. It’s great for kitchen beginners and expert home cooks alike and delivers professional-level sharpness at home.
The design created a new sharpener category that only now is taking hold in the USA after years of compelling use in Europe. Also available in the ORL3 Cruise that’s body is made from repurposed plastic collected in Southeast Asia.
WORKSHARP
The Professional Precision Adjust Knife Sharpener is an exciting, guided sharpener from Work Sharp.
Solid, smooth, and accurate, it has a supported V-Block Knife Clamp to firmly hold blades in position with a solid main chassis, and the sturdy base has pre-drilled holes that allow for permanent mounting if desired.
The guide arm is infinitely adjustable from 15 to 30 degrees, and a Digital Angle Indicator is included to ensure precise results.
All the moving parts are smooth and well thought out for easy, intuitive use.
BUCK
The classic 102 Woodsman is a true hunting knife, designed with a fine clip blade perfect for fish and small game.
Features include full tang construction, a finger guard integrated into the blade, thumb grip ridges, and a deep choil.
Overall length: 7 3⁄4 inches (19.7 cm). Includes a genuine, leather sheath. Imported sheath.
REBEX
Rebex’s 15-piece GERMAN Steel kitchen Chef knife set offers professional knives with a handsome wood block and includes: 8.5” Chef Knife, 6” Boning, 9” Bread Knife, 7.5” Santoku Knife, 5.” Utility Knife, 3.5” Paring Knife, 6 Pieces 5” Steak Knives, Kitchen Shears, and Honing rod.
The thoughtfully made blocks have two open spaces to add on two more knives. Also made in a Damascus version.
Source: https://www.outdoornews.com/2025/02/16/how-to-choose-your-next-knife-and-how-to-keep-it-sharp/
