Best Fiddleback for Field Dressing and skinning big game?

RobKevlar

RobKevlar

Joined
Dec 4, 2012
Messages
265
So I bought my nephew a KPH and I'm super happy with it. I now need to get my mother a knife. Her birthday is in May so I have some time. I'm really new to the knife scene so I want to hear everyone opinion on the perfect fiddleback for a 60 yr young avid hunter. She is my nephews hunting partner so of course they both need Fiddlebacks on their hips while beating the brush.
 
I have looked at every model of Fiddleback Andy has ever put out. I am not into the trapping trade anymore, and I really don't do the big game scene anymore either so skinning is not a primary concern for me personally...you can skin small game with pretty much any sharp knife. But if I were choosing one for big game I would think the KPH would be the best one. Does she need a smaller knife due to her age or having smaller hands?
 
I really agree with Brian on the KPH. After having it in hand, the balance, blade shape and weight would be my pick. Second choice would be the Bushboot. There's no need for a larger blade when dressing anything from whitetail and smaller.
 
Rick Lowe said:
I really agree with Brian on the KPH. After having it in hand, the balance, blade shape and weight would be my pick. Second choice would be the Bushboot. There's no need for a larger blade when dressing anything from whitetail and smaller.
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I don't have a Bushboot yet, but that is the one I really want next for several reasons. They look similar in size to the Hiking Buddy and I watch my wife handle her HB on a regular basis, and going by blade shape and size was going to suggest it if his mother needed a smaller knife. Thanks for chiming in with your input on that, it just more confirms my desire to get one. I agree, my father used a folder with a 3 inch blade to dress every whitetail I ever saw him shoot.
 
KPH would be a fine choice. I was also looking at the Recluse for her...I kinda have motives for this I want to expand my Fiddleback collection (Family Collection) Just trying to fish for opinions here. The one thing I can say for sure is it will have a Rick Lowe Sheath!
 
I think many of Andy's designs would fit just fine. I have personally used a Hiking Buddy, Hunter and Bushfinger for whitetail field dressing and skinning/deboning. So far, my favorite is the Bushfinger. Good enough tip, nimble in the hand, just enough belly. I have also looked at a Recluse for many years but haven't acquired one yet.
 
I have a bunch of models with a lot of belly. The Hunter is a good one. The KPH is designed to skin. Nessmuks are good for that as well. I got a picture once of a guy who used a HB to skin a deer. He was happy with the performance.
 
If the two of them hunt together, one KPH should be enough.

You might consider the Bushboot as the companion knife for your Mother. Most hunting is done with small game, and the Bushboot has a nice size and shape for dressing small game. Don't know about the ergonomics of the handle for a woman's hand. You'd have to check with someone else on that, but it is an attractive blade, and that's important too.

Best wishes. Nice idea.
 
I agree with others, since your nephew has a KPH, look for something that compliments the KPH and give that to your bother. For 3" blades, look at the Bushboot, F2 and Hiking buddy. Though something bigger like the Recluse, Ladyfinger or Hunter might work better.
 
I have a full height grind Bushcrafter which makes an excellent skinner as well as being fine for other tasks.
 
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