Anyone ever use a folder to field dress a deer?

Thats actually what brought me to this site. I have used a Buck Alpha folder on more than 70 deer over the last few years. It really isn't that hard to clean, I just scrub it good and let it dry overnight. Then I'll oil it up in the AM and head back out. Only trouble is that over half the blade is gone now from sharpening over the years. Decided I'd switch to a fixed blade and found the site while looking at ESEE. I've since grown quite fond of the Busse family. My fourth Scrap/Swamp is on the way as we speak.
 
Yes I have used an Spyderco Endura, a Kershaw DOW, a Buck 110.....several other folders. Normally I am helping track a deer for someone and I just have my folder on me and they "forgot" there knife or they just dont have one (which makes no sense). But I have used a folder several times, it kind of sucks cleaning out stuff but I havent noticed a real problem with performance.
 
I used a Buck 110 for years with no issues at all.


Then, of course, I discovered Bladeforums, and so I have moved to ESEE, Swamp Rat, Busse....ETC.

The main knife I used last winter as a deer blade was a Randall Model 28, and I was downright impressed with its lowly 440b/c stainless steel. I like the super steels myself, but honestly, if you cant get it done with something like this, then you are doing something wrong.
 
I did my first few deer with a Gerber Magnum folding hunter circa 1980, but it was always a real PITA to get all the gummy tallow out of the groove after it cooled and hardened. I once dressed a doe with a Schrade stockman, but I certainly wouldn't recommend it.

I carry a fixed blade in my pack when I hunt as well as a folder clipped to my pocket. The fixed blade is dedicated to dressing deer and the folder is for everything else.
 
I to use a folder to feild dress and skin deer my favorit for the job is a spyderco endura ffg, I have had no troble cleaning it.

But for hogs I perfer a fixed blade.
 
Did a couple with a no name lockback.

Does anyone use or recommend a Cold Steel Master Hunter? I've been looking hard at one. I like the VG-1 and the blade size seems about the same as an RC-4 without that heavy powder coating.
 
Buck 110 for many years and then tried the Loveless style fixed blades I found were to big for the actual dressing part. So what I settled on is a 110 I keep in my Cat quiver and a CS MasterHunter that does everything save for the poop shoot scoop which the 110 or facsimile there of does. keepem sharp
 
I have used a Benchmade Ambush. Worked great. Cleaned up nice.

I plan to use a cheapo I got at a Whitetails Unlimited banquet.
 
As a dedicated hunting / dressing knife? No. I've used many folders for dressing out deer and hog, just to see if they could. A Victorinox Classic SD will dress out a whitetail deer with little problem.

cziv: I've used the Master Hunter and it works as advertised, that is, it's a good hunting knife. The VG-1 holds a good edge.
 
I used a 50/50 edge Spyderco Endura to dress deer before. The serrated edge does a great job of cutting through the breastbone.
 
The only knife i ever dressed a deer with was a folding hunter, Schrade "Old Timer" 25OT. regards Henry
 
Ages ago, late 60s, early 70s, Gerber made a sweet little folder with a thin blade and walnut handles. I dressed out more than a few deer and elk with mine, then took it to Nam with me in 1970 and brought it home. Darn thing is worth a mint now as a collector so it sits in my gunsafe. BTW, flying home from Nam, the Gerber folder had to be in my checked baggage. However, my Gerber custom 'killer' with a ten inch, very sharp blade was a-okay in the cabin. Go figure.
 
Folders are all I have ever used to field dress deer. I've seen dozens and dozens field dressed with small stockmen and trappers. For the past few years I have used the smaller Cold Steel Voyager and it works great. Get home and use a little hot water soap and an old tooth brush for about ten seconds and done ready for the next one. I've never even thought of using a fixed blade to field dress but there is nothing wrong with it as long as it get the job done.
 
Bucklite 422 for me. I have misplaced it since before last deer season, and ended up using an old fixed blade LL Bean knife that is more than likely made by Kershaw by the look of it. Trying to either find the Bucklite or another. I keep it sharp and sharpen and clean it when done. Great satisfaction to see a guy struggling with some dull oversized piece of junk, and take that 3 inch Buck blade out and just zip right through everything. I prefer the 422 over a 110 because it is easier to clean and I can work better with the slightly smaller blade. Used my Schrade Old Timer single blade trapper on a buddy's deer one time because it was all I had and he "forgot" his knife. It worked, but needed some work afterward.
 
I used to hunt with an old hog hunting guide who dressed and skinned all his hogs and deer with a Case Trapper spey blade that was probably over 30 years old. It had the original CV steel blades, too. He could carve a thanksgiving turkey with that thing. He'd laugh at me and my buddies with our big hunting knives and premium steel.
 
I've cleaned the last couple mule deer with my Buck Alaskan Guide folder in s30v. I like it.
 
I've never cleaned a deer with a fixed blade. Usually use some type of stockman(Case, Schrade, Buck, or Boker) They all worked fine. I just wash them up at the first creek I come to. Use the same knife on turkey, fish,or small game.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top