What knife do you prefer for field dressing a deer?

[oldpink]

Youre right, he didn't deserve that knife. Or probably the woman thoughtful enough to give it to him.

No doubt.
It makes me cringe to think of that mental giant using a bench grinder to "sharpen" an upper tier knife like a Tree brand Boker.

 

[ISP 5353]

I have field dressed deer with a lot of different knives, but my favorite for the job is a Buck Vanguard. Just about perfect for the job.

 

[Bradsknives]

Yep
It reminds me of when I was a kid and I met another kid down the road who had just received his first ever pocket knife, a cheap Barlow, as I recall.
His dad had deliberately dulled up the blade because he believed that his boy would be less likely to hurt himself with it.
At the time, my dad just told me that was nonsense, because you're far more likely to cut yourself with a dull knife while using it for its intended purpose than with a sharp one.
The reason for that should be obvious.

This reminds me of an old saying......" A dull knife won't cut anything, but it will cut you."

 

[rhino]

This reminds me of an old saying......" A dull knife won't cut anything, but it will cut you."

It hurts more when it's dull too!

 

[kludge]

The last couple years I have used a Mora Companion. I like it but it's too something... It's a bit too long, a bit too wide from edge to spine, the grip is a bit too big for manuverability.

I'm tempted to find a filet knife and shorten it.

 

[clfergus]

The last couple years I have used a Mora Companion. I like it but it's too something... It's a bit too long, a bit too wide from edge to spine, the grip is a bit too big for manuverability.

I'm tempted to find a filet knife and shorten it.

You might just need one of these then....Part of Rapalas hunting line.

View attachment 51475

 

[indiucky]

The biggest thing I've ever done or helped field dress and skin was a squirrel. Sooner or later I need to learn how to do on a bigger critter!

Thirty years worth of Indy street walkers in your walk in freezer and you nary field dressed a one of them??????

"I thought I taught ya better than that Boy..."

 

[oldpink]

Thirty years worth of Indy street walkers in your walk in freezer and you nary field dressed a one of them??????

"I thought I taught ya better than that Boy..."

I remember Jay Baker of Q95 back in the 1980s making a sick joke about this guy.
He said that Nike had come out with a new line of sneakers called "Air Gein" that came with extra traction soles so that they wouldn't slip and slide in that wet graveyard dirt.

 

[Hookeye]

Did my deer today with a Jeff White Bush 3.
Was plenty sharp and fast.
Blade a bit too big and the handle too straight/thin.
Proly a great do all survival type knife, but I prefer something a bit more specialized.
The old beater I have used for a couple of decades is just too perfect.

 

[farmerdan]

My favorite is a buck alpha, fixed blade. I have quite a few buck knives and I really like the steel used on the alpha, easy to sharpen and does a good holding an edge. We process our deer and my wife prefers an old case trapper I have for most of the work.

 

[clfergus]

Anyone use a cold steel Pendleton mini hunter?

 

[Chase515]

Anyone use a cold steel Pendleton mini hunter?

I wish it had a orange handle.

 

[rabidsquirrel]

Ive used a spyderco endura the past few years and havent had yet to resharpen it, besides touching up the edge with a honing steel. I have also used a spyderco ladybug successfully, though its much more proficient with squirrels. I'll second folders are a PITA to clean out though.

 

[oldpink]

Ive used a spyderco endura the past few years and havent had yet to resharpen it, besides touching up the edge with a honing steel. I have also used a spyderco ladybug successfully, though its much more proficient with squirrels. I'll second folders are a PITA to clean out though.

I agree about most folders, at least those of the conventional style, being a royal pain to clean out.
However, the Buck Folding Alpha Hunter (especially the version with Santoprene scales) is all stainless construction that allows water to flow all the way through the frame, making it a snap to clean thoroughly by simply submerging the whole thing in hot soapy water.
Take a look at one and you'll see exactly what I mean.

 

[Cam]

I agree about most folders, at least those of the conventional style, being a royal pain to clean out.
However, the Buck Folding Alpha Hunter (especially the version with Santoprene scales) is all stainless construction that allows water to flow all the way through the frame, making it a snap to clean thoroughly by simply submerging the whole thing in hot soapy water.
Take a look at one and you'll see exactly what I mean.

+1! I have a couple of these and they are pretty good. I have since picked up a couple of fixed blades made by a custom maker local to my area......just haven't scored in the woods yet to try them out!

But yeah, if you like a folder, I would confidently recommend the Alpha Hunters!

 

[den57]

I have been using a Case XX Arapaho since the early 1980's. I have put it to use on Whitetail, Elk and Pronghorn.

case arapaho knife - Bing images

 

[stocknup]

When an accurate cut is required.......I use one of these
View attachment 51583

 

[Hookeye]

I took my clunker knife out today, figured we'd pop a rabbit or two.
Kicked up one, no shot. Cuz didn't kick up any. We got pretty wet.
'67 Ruger 10/22 sporter w Leupold 2.5-8X............just got taken apart and oiled up.
Man I hated getting that wet, kinda pricey rig........factory checkered......but I bought it to hunt.........so it did.

This knife has done dozens of deer, countless rabbit, geese, dove and various other critters. Was a knife a bud's dad put together, and given to me when I shot my first deer. Has had blade reshaped, new guard and oak scales. Oak was a coworker's flooring job, guard a chunk of brass I shaped w a file....all glued together with some special epoxy from work (new but past expiration date). I baked the scales and made half holes to the inside, which corresponded to holes in the blade handle area, so it has epoxy hidden rivets kinda sorta. The rebuild was in '90.

[/IMG]

 

[Hookeye]

Am not a knife maker, was married and money tight back in '90.............couldn't afford a Gerber 400S so took my giftknife and redid it (was like a Buck Kalinga originally).
Came out halfway decent, have loaned it to buds when their gear proved less that decent.........all seem to have liked it. That big chunk o' brass really gives the knife a solid feel. It just works so well in the hand, zips through deer rib cartilage like nuthin'.

Handle is wide enough to offer decent push for that task, without hand pain, but not so big as to cause fumbling for fine work.
Really if the blade was a half inch longer the thing would be perfect.

Yeah, photo snapped with it laying on my cat's bed. She proly figured with that sharp blade around she was close to being turned into a rug.

 

[Hookeye]

I have been using a Case XX Arapaho since the early 1980's. I have put it to use on Whitetail, Elk and Pronghorn.

case arapaho knife - Bing images

My buddy has the Pawnee...............freakin' scary sharp!