When going hunting or fishing, we prepare in advance for departure, a few days before that we collect all the necessary equipment: a gun, a fishing rod, tackle, a hunting knife or a fisherman's knife. And when going on a quiet type of hunting, most people take it more lightly - a basket in their hands, a kitchen or an old penknife, and go! It is not for nothing that mushroom picking is called "silent hunting" - it is, albeit quiet, but hunting. Accordingly, it is necessary to prepare for it as carefully as for hunting game or fish - to purchase a mushroom hunter's knife - a mushroom picker's knife. Someone does not use a knife at all, preferring to simply pull mushrooms out of the ground, but why carry kilograms of garbage home, waste time and energy on mushrooms soiled during picking. For drying, mushrooms cannot be washed at all! Therefore, they must be collected as cleanly as possible. Like it or not, we need a mushroom picker's hunting knife.
How to choose a mushroom picker knife - basic requirements
Choosing a mushroom picker knife is quite simple if you know the decisive characteristics of a mushroom knife:
- Blade made of stainless steel. In order not to worry about the corrosion of the blade and not to bother yourself with excessive care for the knife after its use, it is better to stop at "stainless steel".
- A knife for picking mushrooms should have a thin, not wide blade. With this blade it is convenient to cut mushrooms close to the ground. A thin blade allows tolerably cut even with a blunt cutting edge.
- To collect mushrooms, of course, you need to use a well-sharpened blade, so you should not rely on Chinese models of unknown manufacturers. Such knives quickly lose their sharpness and are difficult to correct.
- It is better to choose a mushroom knife with a handle made of moisture-resistant non-slip materials, such as rubber, polymers, stabilized wood, or well-oiled traditional wood.
- To make it easier to find a knife in the grass, it is good to use knives with a bright handle, sheath or lanyard.
A folding knife or a knife with a fixed blade - it does not matter which one you like more. A folding knife is smaller and lighter than a fixed blade knife with the same blade length. It can be folded up so that in the event of an unforeseen fall, you do not injure yourself. Folding knife avoids the sheath on the belt. When not needed, it can be clipped to your pocket. A fixed blade knife is more reliable than a complex folding knife, as it has no moving parts that can become clogged with dirt.
There is also a specialized mushroom picker's knife, which differs from a regular knife in a sickle-shaped blade, the presence of a brush for cleaning mushrooms, and often a specific ergonomic shape of the handle.
A mushroom picker's knife is as important as a hunter's weapon. It will not only allow easy harvesting without damaging the so-called mycorrhizae, which are responsible for the further reproduction of mushrooms, but also useful when preparing dinner outdoors or for processing wood. The mushroom picker's knife has its own specific requirements, so it is better to initially pay sufficient attention to this issue.
The use of a knife allows not only not to injure the part of the stem of the mushroom connected by the earth as much as possible, but also greatly simplifies the collection of species growing in families, for example, oil. Indeed, instead of trying to pull out a whole group of legs at the same time, it is better to carefully cut off delicious hats.
mushroom knife
Perhaps, lovers of going to the forest for mushrooms will be surprised that it is better to use a special knife, and not an ordinary table knife. But professionals are not surprised by this. Those who are serious about this kind of activity know what to look for when choosing a knife. Namely, it is important that the tool:
- It was made from stainless steel. In general, this item can be skipped, but then you have to be prepared that the blade will sooner or later become covered with corrosion and you will have to devote a lot of time to cleaning and processing it;
- It had a narrow blade. Such a knife will provide convenient cutting of mushrooms close to the ground;
- It had a well sharpened blade. For this reason, you should not take the first knife that comes across or products of frankly poor quality;
- It has a comfortable handle made of moisture resistant material. Rubber, some types of wood and polymers are excellent for this.
Another tip is to choose a mushroom picking knife with a brush and a brightly colored handle. This will allow you not to lose it among the thick grass.
Design
Currently on sale you can find a wide variety of knives for mushroom hunting. There is no single design; these can be tools with a folding or fixed blade. The blade can be straight or, conversely, slightly curved. The same applies to the handles.
Most mushroom pickers agree that the folding option is less convenient because it requires a lot of manipulation. Moreover, it is not always convenient to lay out and assemble the knife with one hand, because in the second, as a rule, there is a basket. But products with a fixed blade are much easier to use. But for your own safety, you should never neglect the scabbard. Most often they are hung around the neck. For some models, the scabbard has a special mechanism that, when laid in them, the knife is tightly fixed. This provides additional protection for the picker.
If we talk about standard characteristics, then the preferred tools are blade lengths in the range of 7-10 cm and its thickness in the butt zone - 2 cm.
Types of knives
The mushroom picker's knife is a tool that everyone chooses to their liking. For some, it is more convenient to use a neat little tool, while others like a more brutal option. Moreover, in the most modern models, even a compass can be built into the handle.
When choosing a knife from foreign manufacturers, you should pay attention to Morakniv and Opinel. Their models are compact, light weight and comfortable shape. In their lines you can also find a mushroom picker knife equipped with a brush. It will allow you to quickly clean the prey from small debris. As a rule, the brush is located in the heel of the handle or on its side. Her pile must be hard.
Manufacturers try to take into account all the nuances. So you can meet models with non-standard at first glance, the shape of the handle in the form of a "pear", which provides a very convenient location of the knife in the hand. And you can also notice that some types of tools have a rounded tip of the blade, which greatly reduces the risk of accidental injury.
Russian Bulat
A well-known type of Russian-made mushroom picker's knife is called "Russian bulat". Unlike models of foreign manufacturers, its peculiarity lies in a special brutal appearance. Its blade can be made of Damascus steel or using a technology that involves welding several sheets of metal. Therefore, often the knife has a characteristic pattern on the blade.
Mushroom knife “Russian Bulat” The length of such a tool is 23 cm, the thickness of the blade can reach 3.4 mm. With these parameters, the product is durable and resistant to impact. It can be used not only for cutting mushrooms.
The handle is characterized by high ergonomics, it fits comfortably in the hand and does not slip at the slightest opportunity. The material for the manufacture is birch bark. A hole must be made in it, through which you can hang the knife.
Mushroomer
Knife “Mushroom picker” Another representative of Russian-made products is the small mushroom picker knife. Unlike damask steel, its total length reaches only 20 cm, of which 9 falls on a metal blade. Despite its compactness and modest size, the knife has good strength. This is due to the fact that the hardness of the blade is in the range of 60-64 units. The small mushroom picker can also be used for fine woodworking.
How to make a mushroom knife with your own hands
Buying such a tool for hunting mushrooms in a store is not difficult. A wide variety of models and affordable prices will allow you to choose products for every taste. But there are people who prefer to make tools, including knives, with their own hands. In this case, we can offer the option of making a mushroom knife from a piece of a band saw.
Everyone knows that the saw is characterized by sharp teeth, and it is one of them that will become the pointed end of the future knife. To do this, a metal part of the tool is cut out of it, according to the required dimensions. Holes for connection with the handle are made using a drill. It is necessary to clean the blade of rust, if any, and treat it with an anti-corrosion agent.
The next stage is the direct manufacture of the handle. A piece of any wood will do for this. The shape also needs to be thought out for yourself, it can be more straight or curved. Two dies are well dried, sanded and give them the desired shape. In order to connect all the parts together, it will also be necessary to make holes in them.
It is worth noting that the handle must be given a water-repellent effect. Any oil will do this. It is enough to hold the knife over the hot steam for a while and then liberally grease its wooden part. Now the product will lie firmly in the hand and not slip. The knife is ready, it remains only to carefully sharpen it.
If it comes to hunting for some animals or birds, then hunters, first of all, acquire fishing tools - a good gun and knife. After that, there is training and development of the ability to use these dangerous devices for hunting. And only then, under the guidance of a well-known hunter or an experienced seasoned hunter, you can get out into the forest, shoot the animals.
When it comes to talking about what kind of knife should a real mushroom picker buy, then most often this happens impromptu in a hurry just before going into the forest. But this is a real omission!
In order not to get into trouble, each mushroom picker needs to choose the right knife and already, then use it for quiet hunting.
Why do mushrooms need to be cut?
If we recall past times (not everyone can do this) and turn to the history of mushroom picking in Russia, then no knives were used. Mushrooms were mainly collected by children and old people. Adults at this time were engaged in household chores and field work. Therefore, no one gave knives to children, and they cost a very decent amount, which the peasants simply did not have. Therefore, the children had to simply tear the mushrooms with their hands.
What happens when the mushroom body is uprooted? First of all, the connecting threads connecting the fruiting body of the fungus with the main part of the organism - mycorrhiza are damaged. And in this place mushrooms will no longer grow. However, given the fact that the population of Russia was not numerous and not so dense on a unit of territory, and there were much more forests and fields, this practically did not affect the general state of mycorrhiza. In our time, when the swamps have dried up, and the rivers have become shallow in the forest, every little thing has become important. Any intervention in a small piece of the natural ecosystem is perceived by nature very painfully. Therefore, in order to maximize save mycelium, it is necessary to carefully cut the fruiting bodies edible mushrooms and don't touch all the ones you don't need. Remember that the mycelium is not a factory, but a living organism.
How to choose a knife suitable for silent hunting?
Usually, among most mushroom pickers, there are few who attach importance to the knife. They just take the first knife they see with them so as not to regret losing it in endless forests. Well, that happens too. However, any knife needs to be prepared in advance for quiet hunting: it is necessary to sharpen the blade sharply, the handle should not be very small. The knife must be firmly and securely in the hand.
It is imperative to cut tightly and nearby growing mushrooms. These are such types of mushrooms as mushrooms and boletus. And their legs are not so tasty as their hats.
For mushroom hunting, good and convenient cutter knives are put on sale. The knife-cutter in a light plastic sheath is hung around the neck (or attached to clothes with a clip) so that the handle of the cutter “looks” at the ground. The knife is easily removed from its sheath with a simple push of a button. The cutter is inserted into the sheath with a characteristic snap. The handle of the knife should be of a bright color - yellow, blue, red, so that the fallen knife is clearly visible in the foliage. A folding knife should be designed so that it easily and quickly flies out of its sheath.
What else does a mushroom picker need a knife for?
A mushroom picker needs a knife not only to cut mushrooms from time to time. There are many other useful things that can be done with a penknife. For example, to make a special horn from a long branch to rake up the foliage without leaning towards the ground. A knife will help organize a fire for cooking or warming. With the help of a knife, bread is cut well, and cans are opened. This tool is indispensable if you decide to stay in the forest for a long time.
Safety regulations
Like any other uninhabited area, the forest is fraught with a lot of the unknown, and sometimes unsafe. You can stumble upon a random person or animal. It should also be remembered that all knives are melee weapons. And very often, instead of cutting mushrooms, people inflict wounds on themselves by accident. It is worth remembering that the knife is not a toy.
Knife at home
We really need knives at home to process freshly picked mushrooms from the forest. Knives for cutting meat in this case are no longer suitable. Good sharpened kitchen knives used for cutting vegetables. The thickness of the blade should not be very thin - no more than one millimeter. First, the mushrooms need to cut off the stem from the cap. Mushrooms do not tolerate processing with a blunt tool; sharpening at an angle of no more than 15 degrees is necessary. For drying and frying, the mushroom cap is cut into thin slices.
The knife has been a faithful assistant to man since time immemorial. Therefore, probably, a lot of structures have been developed that are adapted for various operations. The main thing in it is the blade and the handle. The cutting part should not bend, and the handle should lie comfortably in the palm of your hand.
When they developed the "Mushroom picker" knife, and this is a relatively recent invention, they took into account all the features that will be convenient when a person goes on a "silent hunt".
Mushroom lover
Of course, you can take any without bothering, but it is often not sharp enough. A specially designed "Mushroom picker" knife will quickly cut off all the hats of mushrooms, and you can quickly poison yourself further in search of a new clearing if there are earthen mushrooms, or a tree or hemp dotted with a family of these elastic mushrooms, which are not always amenable to a kitchen knife.
Milk mushrooms and butterflies often also grow so densely that one cannot do without a special knife. And in this case, the mushroom picker knife will help. He does not remember the legs, does not crush them, but cuts them evenly so that there are no burrs.
There is nothing to say about noble mushrooms. Everyone first admires the grown white or boletus, and then carefully and carefully cuts it off.
It is more convenient for the dense and elastic legs of such a mushroom than the “Mushroom picker” knife, nothing has been invented yet.
Design
It can be foldable or fixed blade. This man chooses at his own discretion. In the forest, you can stumble and fall on a sharp knife. Those who are not sure of themselves will choose folding. Although opening it every time a mushroom is encountered, and the second hand is occupied with a basket, is not very pleasant. But if it is equipped with a button to open the blade, then such a knife is quite suitable.
knife requirements
- The thickness of the blade at the butt is at least two mm.
- Knife length - 7-10 cm.
- The steel from which the blade is made also matters. If it is stainless, then the mushroom leg at the cut point does not turn black.
- The handle should not slip in the hand, so wood is often used for its manufacture, which is wrapped with birch bark. The latter does not slip in a wet palm.
- If you choose a bright handle, then such a knife is easy to find on the ground if it falls. And you can attach a bright lanyard. Knives for mushroom pickers are available with holes for them.
The sharp knife "Mushroom picker-2" from will also help to cut off a long stick, into which it will enter, like butter, in order to stir up fallen leaves without bending over each time. The curved blade cuts the mushroom in one motion.
Knives "Russian Bulat"
There is no fundamental difference between damask steel and Damascus steel. Any blade with a pattern can be called both damask and Damascus. And according to the technology, bulat is distinguished as cast or welded. In Russia, damask steel, as a rule, is understood as cast damask steel, which is formed during the smelting of the initial components. After that, a beautiful pattern is obtained on the steel.
Welded damask steel is obtained by forging several sheets of steel. Suppose they were taken eight, when re-forged, they are folded in half and sixteen layers are obtained, and this is repeated many times. As a result, various patterns are formed on the steel. Most often, steel treated with this technology is called Damascus. Thus, Russian Bulat knives are made using these two technologies.
Separate types of knives
According to the manufacturer, his knives are perfect. Russian knives have a very masculine appearance, brutal and, unlike European ones, have a simple finish and shape. For the manufacture of the blade, either Damascus steel or steel 9 XC is used. Knife "Mushroom picker 9 XC" is hand forged. It takes a blacksmith at least half a day to make it.
This, among other things, explains its price and quality. It is impossible to repeat the knife, each of them is unique, and their sizes do not always match. But this is the result of manual work. A separate blank is taken, which is compacted by the blows of the blacksmith and forms a sharp blade. It will not dull for a long time and will cut, not saw. This is what the manufacturer says. Part of the blade is left unpolished as evidence of handiwork. The same evidence is the tapering of the thickness of the blade from the handle to the spout and its uneven width. It is a favorite knife of fishermen and hunters. The knife, according to the manufacturer, is so versatile that it is suitable for cutting food, for cutting game, even as large as a wild boar or elk, and fish, in order to make notches on a tree. When not even the first animal is skinned, the knife without additional sharpening goes without pressure and effort, very softly. This is all information from the manufacturer.
Knife "Mushroom picker-2" hand forged is used for cutting and cutting meat, for chopping vegetables, the cut of which is very smooth. If you cook soup in nature, then it copes with all operations perfectly.
He even copes with the ribs of a wild boar. He cuts the pulp of chilled meat gently and without tension, does not saw, does not crush, but, the blacksmith emphasizes, cuts. The knife does not feel any resistance. It is difficult to blunt it, almost impossible. His grip is universal. Handle stabilized from This is how the manufacturer characterizes his knife. And I want to believe it! But what is it really?
Knife "Mushroom picker": reviews
Unfortunately, the majority of customer reviews of Russian Bulat knives are negative. There are complaints that the handle is poorly made, the blades themselves are blunt and rust, the blades are set crooked. As one of the angry buyers put it, this is handicraft. After receiving the knife, many say that it should be returned to the manufacturer and demanded a refund, and they are considerable. Of course, there are other opinions, but they are an order of magnitude smaller. It is obvious that now few people will believe advertising, which beautifully talks about the merits of the products of the Russian Bulat company. Indeed, many buyers have an extremely unpleasant aftertaste that they are simply and primitively deceived. That is how, not at all flattering, characterize the knife "Mushroom picker 9XC" by its owners.
Picking mushrooms is a fascinating and interesting thing, for some it is a kind of hunting or an additional source of income, for others it is a way of uniting with nature and relaxing. One way or another, with the onset of the season, thousands of mushroom pickers rush into the forest in anticipation of getting trophies.
Like every fisherman or hunter, a mushroom picker has his own equipment: rubber boots, a raincoat, a basket for mushrooms and, of course - mushroom picker knife. In choosing this tool, many prefer to stop at the first one that comes across. kitchen knife, which is not a pity to lose in the forest, which is not always right decision, because a specially selected mushroom knife can make the process of picking mushrooms more comfortable and enjoyable.
What should be a mushroom picker's knife?
- To prevent the knife from crushing and breaking the fruit leg, its blade must be sharp enough.
- The optimal thickness of the blade at the butt is up to 2 mm, this allows you to delicately cut the legs of the mushrooms.
- Compact models of knives with a blade length of 70 - 100 mm are more preferable.
- A knife with a stainless steel blade is unpretentious and durable, and the mushrooms at the cut point do not darken as much as when using a carbon steel knife.
- The knife should have a handle that is comfortable for long-term holding and does not slip in the hand.
- A brightly colored handle or lanyard will allow you to find a fallen knife in the grass or on a coniferous carpet.
A knife with a fixed blade will become universal, convenient for cutting and processing mushrooms. With this knife, you can perform a number of other tasks, for example, cut a special stick from a long branch to rake the leaves without bending down to the ground, cut food at a halt.
An example of mushroom picking knives are:
Folding knives are also quite popular among mushroom pickers. As a mushroom knife, you can use a knife from the workshop of Dmitry Chertov, the advantage of these knives is the opening of the blade with a button, the rigid fixation of the blade and the ability to use the knife with one hand.
Opinel knives are also a great option for a mushroom picker. Their advantages are light weight, reliable knife lock and low cost, which, given the frequent loss of knives by mushroom pickers, is of great importance.
A good mushroom knife is universal tool, which is able to cope with a variety of tasks - cut lunch in a forest clearing, prepare twigs for a fire, and of course cut and process mushrooms. Such tools are knives "Mushroom" and "H26" produced by ZZOSS. Their advantages are a compact size, a solid construction, a comfortable handle that is not afraid of moisture and an optimal blade shape - everything that is needed for proper mushroom knife.
You can’t do without a knife even at home when processing freshly picked mushrooms. Here, a small vegetable knife, such as the “Vegetable Small” from AiR, will be the best assistant.
"On the picture. Small Vegetable Knife (AiR)”
A good mushroom knife will serve you for many years, performing the tasks assigned to it as efficiently and safely as possible.
