best knives to take deer hunting?

For a deer hunting knife I like a fixed blade drop point about 3-5” long (better a little too short than too long), with a handle that is comfortable and provides a secure grip even when covered in blood. I also like some type of guard (either a separate guard or part of the handle itself) to prevent my hand from slipping on to the sharpened edge (this is important since you will be working by “feel” inside the chest cavity). The handle should also be easy to clean.
Features that I avoid include: gut hooks, serrations, and blade choils. These features are not needed and tend to cause the blade to hang up.
It is always a good idea to carry a spare knife (I usually carry a locking blade folder as a spare).



-Frank
 
Hello Chris,

One thing I've found out over the years is that a knife, just like a weapon is a purely personal choice. I like a 3" fixed drop point blade with a handle that won't slip when covered with blood. Some guys like them smaller and some bigger and a few friends and hunting partners of mine prefer folders to fixed blade for their compactness. I also carry a Becker BK-7 for camp chores and the heavy work, but have butchered a hog and a deer with it and it did well enough. Just a little large for my liking for game chores.

Which weapon have you decided on? If you havn't already done so, check out some of the Bowhunting sites online. There's some great info out there for the beginner bowhunter. Be specific though. Most sites are geared towards hunting with compound and if that is your weapon of choice, there's a lot of info waiting for you about the weapon and hunting. If you're inclined to do it the hard way like a few of us are, then check out The Leatherwall or The BBS

Good luck on your hunting adventures!
 
Yep, 60#s is almost overkill on deer. My wife's recurve at 45# puts arrows through our blacktails here in California. My 54# longbow zips them right through hogs and deer without a problem. Shot placement, a razor sharp broadhead and optimum arrow flight are your most important factors for clean killing shots.

The BBS also has a lot of other sections for compound hunters, check it out. The Bowsite is an excellent site as well.
 
For skinning I like 3-5 inch drop point.
Like the Marbles Loveless Sport 99.
Fairly Cheap and works great.

Cheers,

Hal
 
I have sold a few combat style knives to bow hunters who are not allowed to carry a back up firearm with them in the field. They tell me a seperate folder is carried for actual game dressing but when facing a black bear with a fresh wound a 10in stout fighter is prefered to a 3in skinner. Might sound hypothetical, but I have read of some blackpowder hunters fending off wounded game with knives when the rifle failed to stop em. As to what type to process game, I would offer that size doesn't really matter. Sharp does. I just got back from a hunt and watched a guy go through about 4 knives in camp before getting the hide off a medium size deer. I finally got frustrated and whipped out the Sharpmaker and put an edge on his Buck folder so he could finish up. These guys just didn't think sharp mattered :rolleyes:
 
Greetings all from the Great State of Montana !!!

I prefer to carry one of Rob's knives + my trusty Khukri.

I like a Khukri because it is so danged versatile...you have three different blade sharpnesses in one blade. Different sharpnesses for different tasks.

I have gutted, skinned, and quartered a Elk with just my Khukri. Practice Practice Practice
 
Yep, we have the bow only restriction during bow season here in California. The couple of close encounters that I've had with Mtn. Lion (one was stalking me early one morning) and Bear (eye to eye in thick undergrowth) could have gone bad for the hunter (me) if they'd decided they wanted a piece of me and my one arrow didn't stop them. At the time all I carried was my bow and both situations happened in one season so I picked up a stout solid tanged and bone handled German bowie and carried it after that. Now I carry the Becker and if I'm packing in, I've got the Khukuri and a staff as well. Backup is a good thing, even if it's only a "better than nothing" weapon.
 
My son asked me question last night..."Dad..Why do you carry a .45?"...I responded with ..."because I cannot carry a .50...actually son, I carry a .45 because I love you and you, your brother, sister, and your mother."

That seemed to answer the question. Has anyone else had that question?
 
Has anyone else had that question?
Click to expand...

Yep, well........one very similar. My 17 year old daughter sat down while I was doing some sharpening and cleaning chores. I had the shotguns broke down along with the .45 and was going to clean them and got side tracked on sharpening up the wifes kitchen knives, the Khuk, some broadheads and my main carry pocket knife. Anyway, she asked, "why do you do these things?" I gave her pretty much the same answer that you gave your son. She got the same answer years ago when she asked why I hunted. Teenagers are dense sometimes, but I think she got it. Maybe.
 
A partner of mine uses a knife very similar to that one for his skinning jobs. He likes it. Could even be the same knife. Mines a little older. Picked it up for $.25 at a garage sale many years ago and it did the job and still does. The blade was all beat to heck when I got it but it sharpened up with lots of patience and work. The other knife (top in photo) was a gimme at the same sale. Neither knife is visibly marked.

oldknives001.jpg
 
I love Bob DOZIER's hunting knives. They are of perfect design, and cut beyond belief!
For less expensive choices, the Marbles rock, and both versions of the Spyderco Moran are top shelf. Grohmann Russel knives are inexpensive, and have been used up here for years, with excellent results. Go with the flat ground models, they cut much better.
I am thinking about using a scandinavian design from Ragweed Forge one day as well.

Hope this helps.
 
Even though I own knives from Chris Reeves,Randal,and a few no-name customs I have been using a Buck Vanguard for hunting for several years now.It has a 4" drop point blade and hold a good edge.It is offered with wood or rubber handle,with or without a gut hook.I chose the wood handle without the gut hook.I have used mine to dress and skin several deer and even black bear.I have never had a problem with edge holding on this knife.It is very comfortable to use.It comes with a nice sheath as well.if the going gets tough this knife also handles chores such as firewood and other camping chores.It is super for hunting as well as camping.Solid knife at a affordable price,usually $50.00-$70.00 depending on the version you choose.
 
I agree, the Vanguard is a good knife. I've used one a couple of times when I had lost my favorite knife and it felt ok in the hand with the rubber grip and did what it was supposed to. Held a sharp edge too. Another good brand with an excellent steel is Helle. That's the knife that I lost. Danged if I can remember the model, but it was perfect for me. Gonna replace it someday.
 
Well, I changed my mind. I visited the Spyderco booth at the N.Y. Custom knife show a couple of days ago and had a hands on experience with the Moran. I have to say I think I'm sold on the sheath. It's really well designed and looks like it could clip to anything. So, I think that the Moran is for me. I think a knife with a plastic handle and kydex sheath overall would be much easier to keep clean than the Buck's leather sheath. That might be an important trade off against the Buck's superior grippy surface.

Any thoughts?
 
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