ARIZONA handmade knife by RUSLAN KNIVES, order to buy in Ukraine, steel N690™ 60 HRC cryo

Ironwood (ironwood) - Ironwood - Iron tree

Ironwood - Ironwood - Ironwood (  Ostrya virginiana  ) is a small deciduous understory tree. It is recognized by its birch-like leaves, light brown hairy bark, and yellowish-green inflorescences. Ironwood trees are attractive in the landscape with their pyramidal, rounded crown and ability to grow almost anywhere. As an understory tree, ironwood does well in deep shade conditions, and it also grows equally well in full sun. 

WHAT ARE MICARTA AND G10, AND HOW DO THESE COMPOSITE MATERIALS DIFFER FROM EACH OTHER?

For decades, Micarta and G10 composite materials have been the undisputed leaders in the knife industry, in particular for the production of handles of various complexity. The materials stand out for their availability, ease of production and processing, as well as high strength, wear resistance and unpretentiousness in maintenance. Both materials are composite, their basis is a polymer resin, which is supplemented with layers of captive fabric of various types.

Micarta-G10-Сomposite-materials-photo-2

Micarta material is an electrically insulating material consisting of a polymer film (based on cresolaldehyde, phenolaldehyde, xylenolaldehyde resin, or resin from a mixture of phenolic raw materials). It is glued using various electrically insulating papers, fabric (mainly flax of natural or artificial origin), or other materials of similar structure, there are also options made of fiberglass and carbon fiber. The color of the material depends on the resin and fabric base used in the gluing. Micarta is a relatively soft material and requires careful manual processing. Therefore, it is used in the production of handles for more expensive knives.

Micarta is registered as a trademark of the American company Industrial Laminates / Norplex, Inc. (Norplex-Micarta). Its domestic analogue can be considered a material called "Getinax", which is mainly used as a base for printed circuit boards. The material also has a sheet-like pressed structure, which consists of a paper base with the addition of impregnation from phenol-aldehyde or epoxy resin.

Linen-based micarta has a more attractive optical effect when the fibers are sanded. After sanding, the surface can be polished or sandblasted. In the first version, the surface of the material will be smooth, silky, warm and pleasant to the touch. In the second, the material becomes rough and has a matte finish, in addition, it holds securely in the hand and does not slip.

Key features of Micarta:

• increased water resistance;
• excellent resistance to temperature changes;
• strength to mechanical processing;
• dense structure that does not absorb odors;
• the microrelief of the material does not slip in the hand even on a wet surface;
• a tight fit to the blade, which leaves no gaps at all and prevents food residues and harmful microorganisms from accumulating.

G10 is a lightweight, hard and fairly rigid composite material with a textured surface, which is mainly used in the manufacture of handles of both folding pocket knives and fixed blade knives. This material is created by placing several layers of fiberglass, thoroughly impregnated with epoxy resin, in a special vacuum press, where, under the influence of compression and heat, the resin finally hardens, preserving the structure of the fiberglass.

G10 material is characterized by good impact resistance, wear resistance, moisture resistance, as well as ease of processing and maintenance. The material can be painted in various colors, including layers. The surface of G10 can also be polished to a glossy state, or have a rough anti-slip structure, under the influence of a grinding machine, or sandblasting.

Key features of G10:

• high stability of basic properties during temperature fluctuations;
• withstands high impact loads, compressive and tensile loads;
• high overall hydrophobicity and resistance to chemicals;
• weighs relatively little, in relation to the overall strength and density;
• low electrical conductivity;
• can take different forms.

Composite materials G10 and Micarta have almost the same composition and external similarity. At the same time, G10 material has higher fire resistance, although it is not a non-combustible material, has higher compressive, bending, impact and tear strength, and is also simpler and more budgetary in production. At the same time, G10 is inferior in terms of "tack" in wet conditions, and also, tactilely, feels less "natural".

Asian buffalo

This is one of the largest animals belonging to the bovine family. The body length reaches 3 m, the height at the withers is 2 m. Large males can weigh a ton or even more. The horns of these animals are in the form of a crescent moon, directed in different directions and slightly backward.

The color of the animals is gray. The wool is not thick and moderately long. On the forehead it forms a small tuft. The body of this animal is massive, powerful, the limbs are strong, muscular. The hooves are large and cloven.

The head resembles a bull's, with a more massive skull. The eyes and ears are small. The tail is thin, long, with an elongated tuft of hair at the bottom.

African buffalo

It is slightly smaller than its Asian relative. Its height is up to 1.8 m at the withers, its body length is 3 m. It weighs slightly less.

The African buffalo is black or dark gray in color. This animal has pronounced sexual dimorphism: females are much smaller than males. Females also have a less powerful physique. Their horns are shorter and thinner.

The African buffalo has unique horns. Their bases in adults are fused, forming a kind of shield of bones. It is so strong that a rifle bullet cannot pierce it. The horns at the base diverge to the sides, bend down, and then with the same smooth bend go up and inward. Young individuals do not have such a shield of horns.

The African buffalo has very poor eyesight. It receives information from the surrounding world through its highly developed sense of smell and hearing.

In normal circumstances, the animal roars and snorts. In extreme circumstances, it moos loudly.

Lifestyle

The buffalo grazes at night. It spends the day in the shade of a tree, in a swamp, where the temperature is lower. It sleeps or chews gum. Often a puddle or hole can be a shelter from the heat. It needs a daily watering hole. During the day, the animal needs up to 40 liters of water. In this regard, the buffalo never moves further than 4 km from water.

Females with calves are especially sensitive. They are constantly on the alert, showing their anxiety. When alarmed, the buffalo raises its head and throws back its horns. A quiet sound is enough for the herd to flee from danger. In case of serious danger, the animals can reach speeds of over 50 km/h.

Buffaloes are reluctant to enter the water. However, they are good swimmers.

Buffalo habitats

Back in the 19th century, this animal was common in sub-Saharan Africa. Today, buffalo populations can be found in Southern and Eastern Africa, where human interference in the biosphere is least noticeable.

Buffalo can live in savannahs, tropical forests, mountains (up to a height of 3 km). The animal feels best in savannahs, where there is year-round access to drinking water and juicy food. Buffalo does not live far from water bodies. Due to human extermination, the animal is most attached to protected areas: there you can meet herds of hundreds of individuals.

Demeanor

In the north of Tanzania there is a national park near Lake Manyero. It is here that the largest population of these herbivores is found. The animals are attracted by the spacious pastures located in the green zone between the lake and the mountain slopes. Some adult bulls do not associate their lives with the laws of the herd, preferring an independent existence. The large size and large strong horns are a sufficient reason to feel safe.

Important decisions for the herd are made by high-ranking females, and controversial issues are resolved in the form of a special form of voting. Closer to lunch, the herd settles down to process the morning feed. Sometimes the leading females raise their legs, turning in the direction, while the others carefully follow them. As a result, the herd moves further in the direction chosen by the "majority of those who voted."

At this time, it is time for procedures related to personal hygiene. Local species of woodpeckers and herons are happy to provide their services in cleaning the skin, in exchange for insects collected under the fur. Thus, the birds help the buffaloes regulate the populations of parasitic insects capable of carrying pathogenic microbes. The immune system of an adult buffalo allows it to cope with almost all common diseases. However, weakened individuals can become victims of parasites.