119 & 110 - Not the best for deer hunting?

On the old Woolrich hunting coats the left-hand breast pocket was covered by a flap and it had some compartments that were probably intended to hold a few spare cartridges.

It was handy because the Buck 444 fit one of those little slots tight and stayed perfectly. Always smart to have a small spare.

I think the 110 is justifiably getting a lot of support here--not because it does everything perfectly, but because it's light and compact on your belt and it does almost everything very, very well.

The 119, not so much. Great design, big and strong, looks good on the belt when camping......but gutting deer? Not so good......big, thick, wide and not handy.

And clip blade vs. drop point? The problem there is that people who haven't really gutted a lot of deer think the gut is so fragile that you just have to touch it with a blade to get a surge of toxic waste spurting out and spoiling your meat. Actually, the gut is fairly tough and you have to be pretty clumsy and ham-handed to get yourself into trouble that way.

Good discussion.
 
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Great Story BG, I'm glad someone knew what they were doing.

I've always used the 110 for my field dressing chores. I figured if my Dad, my Brother, multiple uncles and aunts, cousins, and friends trusted a 110 for these jobs, why shouldn't I. I was taught how to gut deer with a Buck 422, then again with a 102, finally when I shot my first deer, I was taught with a 110. Then it was my turn to step in and give it a try, and I used a 110. The blade cut to perfection, no nip on the guts and the whole job was done in under 10 minutes, back to the hunt. My first job of gutting went so smoothly that I was voted in to do the rest of the gutting for the day, I ended with a perfect 3 for 3, no cuts to me, and no guts. I could still take the hair off my arm with this old 110, it served well and earned a permanent spot on my hip for the hunting season, I may not always use it, but it'll be with me.
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Frisky said:
After studying the 110 closer, fat and crud getting deep within it should not be a problem, as you guys point out. Now, SAKs look like they could be a nightmare for field dressing. I have a Fireman that has the seatbelt cutter I mentioned. They also have the Hunter with a similar blade but call it a gutting blade. That or the SAK Dual Pro might be good dressing knives, but I bet Buck knives would stay sharper longer. The SAK belt cutter on the Fireman looks like the ultimate design to zip open the abdomen. The entire tip is rounded over and can't possibly puncture the guts. Wipe the blade off so nothing gets inside the knife and switch to a regular blade for the rest of the field dressing process. Anyway, that's my plan for the next deer. A friend gave me a Fallkniven WM1 and I promised to use it on a deer. That's why I'm gonna hold off on getting a Buck 110. I guess another reason I shunned the Bucks was grip material. I like rubber-gripped knives when the weather really gets cold (I'm in MN) and also for a good grip even in hot weather. I'm not that experienced at field dressing deer. Most of my knife work was skinning furbearers. The last deer I field dressed was no problem until I got the guts out. I stared at the gut pile and asked myself, I wonder what would happen if I made a tiny incision here? Anyway, I made a mistake making that tiny incision but dragged the carcass away from the mess, lol! I didn't contaminate the meat but got a bit gun shy about clip points, even though the knife I was using was great until I goofed around with the guts. I suppose that proves it's not so much the knife as the user.

Joe
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Frisky,,,,
The slab handles of a 110 have fine grip ability. Many of us here have expressed a desire to have rubber handles on one as well , but Buck hasn't done that as yet. One or two here have made their own.

With the broad handle of the 110 you should always know the orientation of the blade. I had a little trouble with that once when I tried a 118 fixed blade.

A rounded tip may not poke through a gut, but it sure will slice through, Ask my bil :).

A new 110 at Walmart has been running under $30 drive out. Considering it will last the rest of your life and probably your grandkids, go ahead and spring for one. A good investment. Strangely enough, my original 110 is now worth more than I gave for it.

During the gutting process, you won't or shouldn't get any fat down inside. Nor during quartering and skinning. Just on the blade. Is one reason I simply put the 110 in the cooler with the meat and clean it up with hot water back at camp. Thus having the extras along.

We have also started using wipes, similar to baby butt wipes. Can get them by the case at Sams. They do a great job of cleaning up a knife, and hands. One of the better evolutions we have made over the years. They come in handy for all kinds of dirty deeds. The latex gloves do good as well. And no, I haven't tried the condom over the handle of a 110 as some weird buddy suggested once..:eek::rolleyes:

I should write a book....:rolleyes:
 
BG42EDGE said:
And clip blade vs. drop point? The problem there is that people who haven't really gutted a lot of deer think the gut is so fragile that you just have to touch it with a blade to get a surge of toxic waste spurting out and spoiling your meat. Actually, the gut is fairly tough and you have to be pretty clumsy and ham-handed to get yourself into trouble that way.

Good discussion.
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Woo Hoo!!! I wanna hear the stories this next season about a sharp blade and stomach bladders :eek::D
 
300Bucks said:
Pack,

She weighted just under a million pounds, after the last load went up the hill......that white stuff is some type of artifical foam placed around by the Colorado board of toursim to enhance hunters visual experience. After all CO is a ski destination......

The next day, when up on a hill in the background, I looked that way and a Bald Eagle was sitting on the rib bones keeping the ravens at bay. I have heard ranchers call them those "white-headed buzzards". Winter was coming, meat it meat.....
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I know about the million pounds... :D Still waiting for some of that artificial stuff to happen when I am out. Will be a novelty for me.

I need to type up my buzzard story :D Was quite comical at the time.
 
Frisky said:
Thanks for the stories and info. I guess you guys convinced me to get a 110!

Joe
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Joe,,,,
Not to talk you out of a 110, but if you go to the Buck website (link up top here) and find the WEB SPECIALS tab on the left, they still show the 426 in both black and orange.

Those are the same blade as the 110, just in the lighter plastic handle and physically the size of the 110.

You can't beat the price. And something to consider, shipping is free for an order over $50. Thats only three. Just a hint, if you buy just one, when you get it, you will order more.:D:D Just sayin... You would be surprised at how many of us bought a bunch of those and how many. Talk about a great gift!! :eek::eek: Give em away!!! NOT...lol

Actually both granddaughters have one :D
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And yes, they both will gut and quarter their deer, as well as help process and package.
But every now and then, baby girl will snatch up my 110:D

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Oh yeah...I mentioned the tree limb choppers... baby girl is getting after those forearms.

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Hawkeye5 said:
Boy, Larry. That is a Buck advertisement to be proud of.

Jeff
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I didn't even notice the 110 their Daddy was using. Is nice to be Grandpa,,,my turn to sit back and watch the kids. Back to gopher status.

We do have some fun times out there. :D:D

Thanks...
 
RAZORBLADES said:
They made quick work of that buck ,boy i'd say thats not their first buck skinning lesson!
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You would be correct! Dad and the girls got it ready for the rock. Grandpa, that would be me :), actually did the skinnin with the 3/4 ton. Thats what makes it go fast.
 
Thanks Pack Rat. Earlier, I was looking at the plastic versions. I like light weight knives in the field. I don't know why, as I hunt 200 yards from my car, lol! I'll go check the 426.

Joe
 
Frisky said:
Thanks Pack Rat. Earlier, I was looking at the plastic versions. I like light weight knives in the field. I don't know why, as I hunt 200 yards from my car, lol! I'll go check the 426.

Joe
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200 yards for one like in 300$ pic is a seriously long haul. I have gotten lazy, my truck is about 15 yards away from my stand. :D

The 426 will do you good, but might loosen up over the long haul. Maybe someone that has used them for 30 years will kick in with some comments.
 
If the knife is sharp one little tip can easily puncture the stomach and the result is spray. I've seen it happen too many times. People may gut a deer using a 3" blade or a broadhead which proves you can use the wrong tool and still come out ok. I wouldn't care to use a knife smaller than a 110. I don't have nothing to prove I just like that size with a different blade shape. I really like the photos guys, even though I don't do mine head up. I've seen it done that way. Out here wer'e like Craig and play the ball where it lies so to speak. Then pack everything out. DM
 
I have used a john deere gator and a softball before,it works pretty good ,I just like using knives for the whole job,the rock and softball do work well though.I made a quick knife once out of a 30-06 case,and a fella in camp actually used it to try and dress out a deer,it worked ,but not great by any means.
 
RAZORBLADES said:
I have used a john deere gator and a softball before,it works pretty good ,I just like using knives for the whole job,the rock and softball do work well though.I made a quick knife once out of a 30-06 case,and a fella in camp actually used it to try and dress out a deer,it worked ,but not great by any means.
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I will have to remember the 06 case thing...You kin to McGiver? :D

We usually have a 4 wheeler sitting around, but I was always fearful of it spinning the wheels and throwing dirt back on the deer.

Ya gotta get ya a baseball :D Thats about the size of our rock, which I noticed the son in law had the rock and wire in hand in the pic. :D

I guess I could post those pics.
 
I use golf ball, orange one for WT neck... Play it where it lies, elk, you skin the up side back and make a blanket of hide on ground, pull vitals out and away, roll elk over and skin out other side the same way. Start cutting off pieces big/small enough to carry, lay them on the second half hide to keep clean. Remember to keep evidence of sex attached.
Carrying pieces up hill is bad, but clay soil after a snow melt or rain is worse. In sage country its like wearing mud snowshoes. And it seems no matter where you park or camp the last 200yds is always uphill.
300/ch
 
300, Thats just the way I do them. Put the quarters in game bags and take them to the nearest Juniper which I've done some trimming and hang them in the shade. Put a quarter in my pack and head to camp. Get more help with packs and head back for more fun. Once, when packing out a nice bull Elk we returned for the last two quarters at dark to find the skeletal frame had been lifted and carried away, not drug! Upon, shining our flashlights around we put the pieces together and at the exact moment both of us came to the same conclusion and started singing the 'Star Spangled Banner' at the top of our lungs. While we loaded those quarters and got out of there. The next morning we slept in and at around 10am I headed back over to see where he'd carried an entire Elk's skeleton weighing around 100lbs.. I found it about 100yds. from where we had hung the quarters. The spine was in pieces with several vertebra missing and the ribs snapped like twigs at each vertebra. With not enough meat left on it for ants. Bears are powerful. DM
 
Ratty-great story and pics-girls are dressed kinda nice for skinnin deer:)


DM, sure am glad we only have black bears around here-generally not an issue for us.
 
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