Handle your knives safely

Knives are an essential item that you should always carry in your hunting pack. After centuries of use, they have become a daily necessity for hunters in the bush and around camp.

Most knives are quite versatile and can be used to perform a number of tasks. Hunting knives are generally built for a specific purpose, which is to prepare hunted animals to be used as food. Most hunters will carry multiple knives that are used during the hunt for skinning, cutting meat or boning out large muscles.

A sharp knife is a safe knife. Using a blunt knife requires a stronger grip and more force to make the cut, rather than allowing the sharp blade to do the work. The extra force you need for a blunt knife can easily result in the knife slipping away from you.

Pig doggers require a specialised knife that is used to quickly and humanely dispatch pigs that have been bailed by their dogs.

Although knives can vary so much in design and function, they all present similar safety concerns that hunters need to be aware of.

Here are the top knife handling safety tips for hunters:

• always handle your knife with care
• use a razor sharp knife
• always use the right knife for the job
• cut away from your body, never towards it
• if you drop your knife, let it fall; never attempt to catch it
• never run with a knife in your hands; it must always be secured in a sheath when not in use
• make sure the lock on a folding knife is working properly
• only use a knife in a well-lit area so you can see what you are doing.