((So, I decided to write this post so that my partners on both Tyelko’s and Aina’s accounts would have something to reference for what their muses would be seeing when I refer to a weapon as a hunting knife. Then It occurred to me that it might also be useful as a reference to mun’s who have muses who are hunters but no practical experience with hunting. If anyone has any requests on other related topics they would like to see, let me know!))
There are two basics knife-styles that a hunter would be carrying as dressing and skinning implements.
The first, pictured above, and most common is a gut-hook style blade. It is so named, obviously, for the hooked semi-circle that is ground into the spine (which is the proper name for the non-cutting side of a one-edged blade). The hook makes this knife the perfect field-dressing knife. By inserting the hook into the belly, the shade keeps the knotch locked into the skin making it very easy to simply drag upwards or downwards and create the initial long-belly incision. With a traditional blade, it is tricky to keep your hand angled to keep tension on the interior of the skin for ease of cutting without knicking any of the internal organs which can pollute the meat. The gut-hook eliminates that problem. Many gut-hook knives will also have a serrated portion near the tang (the tang is the finish of the blade that extends into the handle material of a knife or sword) of the spine.
The second most common dressing knife is pictured in the second photo. It is called a trailing-point blade. Aptly named because of the curve of the spine that gives an upward arch to the blade point. This extends the belly (which is the proper term for the cutting-side of a one-edged blade) and creates a longer cutting face while keeping the blade lightweight. This makes them very good slicing and skinning knives. This type of blade is best used only for these purposes as the curve of a trailing-point blade makes the tip weak and prone to breaking.
It is highly likely that your hunter would also be carrying a traditional spear-point double-edged knife as well, as these are the most versatile and give the best range of control and application.
The length of the knife that your hunter is carrying will be determined by the type of game they are hunting. Blade-length is important. No one hunts deer with a foot long gut-hook. That is just ridiculous and would actually be nearly impossible to use in the dressing of a deer carcass. If your hunter is after fish, rabbit, bird or any other small game it would be cumbersome and ineffective to use any blade longer than six inches at a maximum. The ideal length would be 3-5 inches. Deer hunting usually involves a six inch blade. Elk or bear or other very thick-hided animals will sometimes require larger blades— think Bowie knife. Most hunters, however, use bowie knives for non-dressing purposes. Or just because they look cool. Because they do look really cool.
((Both of the above knives can be purchased at MountainHollow.net))
smarternight liked this 
bydoommastered liked this 
bardofwaterdeep liked this 
beruthielthequeen liked this