Blog posts and interviews
The Fascination of Bowhunting
Introduction
Bowhunting is an ancient form of hunting that dates back to the beginnings of human civilization. Over the centuries, the technology and equipment have evolved, but the basic idea of hunting game animals with a bow remains unchanged.
In this context, bowhunting is permitted and common practice in many European countries and many African countries. Unfortunately, Germany is still excluded from this permission. Citing projectile energy, it has not yet been possible to agree to allow bowhunting in Germany. The exact wording from the 1975 protocol is:
“After shooting with a bow and arrow has now been perfected to the point where one can shoot over greater distances with high accuracy, bowhunting should also be banned because of the often insufficient effect of such a projectile and the associated animal cruelty.”
Back to nature
Today's equipment has nothing to do with the bows and arrows of our ancestors. The bows used are mostly compound bows, which require several pounds of draw weight to string them, thanks to a sophisticated gear system. The arrows are also custom-made with hunting tips that mostly have multiple edges.
However, the way of hunting has remained the same over the centuries, and you have to get very close to the game. This is probably one of the main differences from hunting with a rifle.
For this, special camouflage clothing is necessary, which not only covers the body but also hides the hands and face. Only in this way is it possible to get close enough to the game.
The Challenge
One of the best, most successful, and most famous bowhunters contacted us. His problem: Dull hunting tips.
We were happy to take on this challenge and used the opportunity to conduct an interview about his latest buffalo hunt in South Africa.
He tells you what he experienced there and how the hunting tips sharpened with our equipment helped.
HeinzKnives:
Hello Ruan, thank you very much for taking the time to talk with us. We saw the video of your buffalo hunt and were speechless. Was that your first buffalo?
Ruan:
Hello everyone, always happy to help!
Yes, that was my first buffalo, it had always been a dream, and I am very happy that I was able to make it come true now.
HeinzKnives:
We met back in 2019, and you gave us a little insight into bowhunting back then. How long do you think one has to practice before one can trust oneself to go bowhunting?
Ruan:
It varies greatly. The average hunter who shoots well with a rifle will also quickly be able to shoot good groups at 20m with a bow and arrow. Until the first hunt, you should practice a lot to be able to shoot from all possible positions. The hunting fever with a bow and arrow is also something completely different – mainly because you are so close to the game.
HeinzKnives:
The buffalo was certainly one of your absolute highlights. But you have also been active in Hungary and France. Would you say that the tolerance towards bowhunters in Africa is higher than in Europe?
Ruan:
No, in countries like Hungary, France, or Spain where bowhunting is integrated, the professional hunters are just as open to it as in Africa. Many even very gladly lead hunters with bows and arrows, as it is a nice change for them.
HeinzKnives:
Good equipment is certainly an important building block for successful bowhunting. Can you briefly explain what is needed and how important sharp arrowheads are?
Ruan:
A modern compound bow also includes a sight, peep (hole sight), arrow rest, and stabilizer. And to release the arrow shot, you need a release – those are the basics…. Optionally, the list is endlessly long.
Sharp hunting tips are essential. The complete killing effect of the hunting arrow depends on razor-sharp blades that cut through blood vessels and vital organs. This causes a rapid drop in blood pressure as well as a pneumothorax. This leads to death in a few seconds.
HeinzKnives:
You sharpen your arrowheads at least partially with our sharpening stones. Can you recommend this without reservation, and would you also recommend our equipment to other bowhunters?
Ruan:
Yes, I use a ceramic stone and stropping leather from HeinzKnives, and I am very satisfied with it.
HeinzKnives:
Where is your next trip going?
Ruan:
I have just returned from Canada where I harvested a black bear with a bow and arrow. The next bowhunt is planned for January, then it goes back to Hungary.
HeinzKnives:
Are there also game species that you would not hunt with a bow?
Ruan:
Yes!, I would not hunt a lion with a bow and arrow, as they very often attack after the shot – that would be too dangerous for me. Otherwise, I would harvest everything from rabbits to elephants with a bow and arrow.
HeinzKnives:
Then we thank you for the great interview and wish you much Waidmannsheil and all the best on your next trips.
Conclusion
Ruan is an absolute professional in his field, and wanting to harvest a buffalo with a bow, you first have to dare. It is all the more important that the hunting tips are properly sharp. We are happy to have been able to help him in this regard.
Anyone who wants to hear and see more of Ruan, we recommend the YouTube channel “Bogenjagdprofi”.
If you would like to know more about us and our sharpening stones, feel free to visit us on our website www.heinzknives.de
All the best and much Waidmannsheil on all paths
Your team from HeinzKnives
The material makes the difference
Introduction
Knives and the associated steels are as versatile as their owners. The requirements for a knife often determine which steel is used. A straight razor has a different composition due to its edge shape and area of application than the knife of a butcher.
Fortunately, we have a good hunting friend and range neighbor whose detailed introduction including his career path would require its own article. For this reason, we keep the introduction brief.
An outspoken expert and authority in his field
Prof. Dr. Michael Pohl is the head of the Chair of Materials Testing at the Ruhr-University in Bochum. In this capacity, he not only gives exciting lectures, but also clarifies damage cases around the topic of materials with his institute. If a ship's hull breaks somewhere or an aquarium bursts in Berlin, his phone rings. His absolute specialty is the hydrogen embrittlement of steels.
We were lucky to conduct a small interview with him on the topic of materials and were very happy that he took the time for us.
HeinzKnives:
Hello Michael and thank you very much for taking the time for us during the stressful driven-hunt season. As a hunter, you surely also have some knives in use. How do I recognize a good knife in terms of the material?
Michael Pohl:
There are approx. 2500 standardized steel materials. The selection for knife steels is huge and that is exciting. Aesthetics and functionality have different weight for the user in the decision.
HeinzKnives:
Does the manufacturer have to prove the alloy of its steels in the “user manual” or is there actually no way to recognize the individual components of the blade?
Michael Pohl:
On the knife blade, you usually find a material designation in addition to the manufacturer's name. This can be a five-digit material number, a short designation from one of the many national or international standards, or also a product name. This is very confusing, but can be easily found out via internet research.
The rulebooks then contain exact information about the alloy components and the heat treatment, with which the optimal steel structure is set.
HeinzKnives:
Do you choose your knives with a view to the material or is the appearance and shape in the foreground for you?
Michael Pohl:
For the usability of a knife, besides the edge retention, also the corrosion resistance belongs to me. These are unfortunately two requirements that are difficult to combine, we will come back to that.
For the joy of this important companion in hunting, of course, the appearance through recognizably good craftsmanship also belongs. Although there is no longer a technological reason for the use of Damascus steels, they are a visible expression of high blacksmithing art. It is a great joy to have a knife that arose from the cooperation of a materials expert with a Damascus blacksmith.
HeinzKnives:
We have dealt a lot with knives and the sharpening of blades. Would you say that our sharpening stones in combination with the stropping leather are suitable for all knives and deliver a good result in terms of sharpness and edge retention?
Michael Pohl:
The combination of abrasive sharpening and smoothing polishing have always been the preparation steps in metallographic examination methods. So it is correct to proceed in the same way with the preparation of a sharp edge.
This applies equally to the “black” as well as the “silver” steels.
In the Siegfried legend, it is described how a sword made of simple carbon steel is martensite-hardened and tempered, and how the sword-sweeper then processes the blade. After the thermal transformation of the steel into martensite, the material structure is extremely hard and finely structured.
If one wants to make such a blade out of stainless steel, the V2A steels patented by Krupp in Essen in 1912 (“Experimental Melt 2 Austenite”) are completely unsuitable for this. This austenite is not hardenable. It required the development of martensitic chrome steels. The chrome, which passivates the surface against corrosion attack, also has the property of combining with the carbon of the steel and forming carbide precipitates, which behave ceramic-brittle. Especially on a very fine edge, this leads to microscopically small chips. So the edge becomes a “saw”. Purists are horrified by the thought, I see it relaxed, such edges are very sharp.
HeinzKnives:
Do you have another very special tip for our young hunters regarding the selection of a good knife?
Michael Pohl:
I enjoy watching the hunters' handling of their knives and learning from the experience. One breaks the life-breaker with his folding knife, the other approaches with the “machete”.
But: The tool must be maintained. It must be sharp.
Dear Michael, thank you very much for the exciting and educational interview. We wish you all the best, much health, and much Waidmannsheil on all paths. We look forward to a joint Bock hunt in the coming May.