small game knife

[Redleg11b]

I am thinking about getting a smaller knife specifically for processing small game. Right now all I have is a Loveless designed semi-skinner from Lone Wolf and a few more tactical style fixed blades and folders. I would prefer a small fixed blade. I have been looking at the Case sharp fingers, Cold Steel bird and trout, and similar. Any recommendations along those lines (small and compact with a blade of 2-2.5"). I also have a Mora, but that stays packed with my camping gear.

 

[patience0830]

Great eastern cutlery makes some fine slip joint options. I have a Knives Of Alaska Cub that works great. Not the smallest, but tough and with a grippy when slippy kinda handle.

 

[Bradsknives]

Benchmade (Hunt Series) Hidden Canyon - 2.6" CPM-S30V Steel Blade.

ESEE CR 2.5 Camp Lore - 2.5" 1095 High Carbon Steel Blade.

 

[obijohn]

Been awhile, but I usually go to my pocket knife for small game. Last time I processed squirrels was with a SAK, don't recall the model.

 

[DanO]

Buy another MORA, one of the shorter utility knives with orange in the handle. Can't go wrong with those and if you lose it, it's no sweat.

I keep a 3" Mora blade that I put a put an Ash handle on. The ash was from a significant mountain to me in NE Georgia. I also keep an AMERICAN MADE Schrade folder with a locking saw for small game.

 

[rhino]

An ESEE CR2.5 or Izula would make a great small game knife.

Most pocket knives with thin, sharp blades work great for the actual job (like brother obijohn's SAK or the tiny folder I used in high school on squirrels), but then you have to clean squirrel guts out of it.

 

[patience0830]

An ESEE CR2.5 or Izula would make a great small game knife.

Most pocket knives with thin, sharp blades work great for the actual job (like brother obijohn's SAK or the tiny folder I used in high school on squirrels), but then you have to clean squirrel guts out of it.

I carry shears these days for parting them out and gutting them. No guts and hardly any blood on my knife these days.

 

[bwframe]

I carry shears these days for parting them out and gutting them. No guts and hardly any blood on my knife these days.

That's a good tip. What brand/model game shears?

 

[Redleg11b]

The cleaning the knife part is why I want to stick to a fixed blade. The shears sound interesting though.

 

[bwframe]

The cleaning the knife part is why I want to stick to a fixed blade. The shears sound interesting though.

I got my Leatherman Charge Ti shortly after they came out with the model. Called my buddy to come help drag out the buck I had taken. He came tromping in as I was finishing field dressing the buck with the cool gut hook and sharp blade. He looked at the leatherman and said, "oh, that's gonna be a problem." It took hours to get the blood, fat and hair out of it.

 

[patience0830]

That's a good tip. What brand/model game shears?

Mine are Wusthoff. Best ones I've used were an old pair of gerbers that were riveted together so you could tighten them up with a hammer.

 

[winchester]

i like the old gerber miming. great old knife. there are a set of 4 on ebay now for $25 buy it now.

 

[Bhart89]

I'm loving my Esee4 but from a cost and weight perspective I think the Mora (pick your flavor) can't be beat.

 

[Expatriated]

The ESEE CR 2.5 is what you are looking for. Absolute best knife ESEE makes.

Designed by by a serious hunter for hunters. It’s perfect for what you want.