It may be
thought advisable to add a button-hook, a corkscrew, and a large blade;
but that is not my recommendation, because it increases the size of the
knife and makes it heavy; now a heavy knife is apt to be laid by, and not
to be at hand when wanted, while a light knife is a constant pocket
companion.
Sheath Knives, to carry.--They are easily carried by half-naked,
pocketless savages, by attaching the sheaths to a leather-loop, through
which the left forearm and elbow are to be passed. A swimmer can easily
carry a knife in this way; otherwise he holds it between his teeth.
Substitutes for Knives.--Steel is no doubt vastly better than iron, but
it is not essential for the ordinary purposes of life; indeed, most
ancient civilized nations had nothing better than iron. Any bit of good
iron may be heated as hot as the camp-fire admits; hammered flat, lashed
into a handle, and sharpened on a stone. A fragment of flint or obsidian
may be made fast to a handle, to be used as a carpenter cuts paper With a
chisel; namely, by holding it dagger-fashion, and drawing it over the
skin or flesh which he wishes to cut. Shells are sometimes employed as
substitutes for knives, also thin strips of bamboo, the sharp edges of
which cut meat easily. (See "Sharpening Tools.")
Night-glass.--Opera-glasses are invaluable as night-glasses, for, by
their aid, the sight of man is raised nearly to a par with that of
night-roving animals; therefore, a sportsman would find them of great
service when watching for game at night.
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