Bird Knife

I've always used game shears on my birds and only use folders on game in emergency only. I prefer a fixed blade for processing. That's why I like Buck 1XX knives. No where on the knife for anything to leach into.
 
I like my folders but I agree.
I look forward to hunting as I get good reason to use some awesome fixed blade knives. Besides I think they are more nimble.

Not to say I haven't used a folder on game.
 
besides my EDC that I will still carry ...

but specefically for the birds ... I carry Knives of Alaska Jager knife ... a great bird and trout sized fixed blade knife ... and a Lakota Phoniex folder (made by Mcusta for FoxRidge Outfitters some years back) ... have carried those two for 25 years probably ... with occasionally a Case Mini Trapper Stag ...



as you mentioned with doves or quail there isn't much need for a knife ... but for pheasant and the nice big quail we get in some areas here I take the legs too ...

our pheasant and quail season won't open until Oct. 26th ... but dove opens Sept. 1st ... good luck and safe hunting.

the Buck knife I will use some is a Buck Mini Alpha folder in ATS34.
 
The 539 is a nice fxd blade for birds. It feels very nimble.
 
Great, a lot of suggestions and favorites.
Yes, with quail, I clip the legs & wings and pull the rest out the vent.That season opens in Nov. here. A little more work than doves. I have used the wire cutters on a Leatherman or Buck Tool to clip all parts and this works like scissors. A thin clip point seems to work better at digging out shot and organs in the cavity than other blade I've tried. In the mid 70's I used a 307 Wrangler and a 107 Scout. Both worked well on fish. To me, I get more muck in the blade well when cleaning fish than birds. Still, I see that point.
Just getting out with my dog and getting exercise while putting a few meals on the table is a wonderful time. I flush everything else off my mind. And those days are worth a lot. DM
 
David Martin said:
Which makes a good bird knife?
I'm going to carry one of these on the first few days of September.
I hope some of you are going for upland birds and will have success.
Have you given any thought as to the bird knife you'll carry? DM
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Pretty fancy! Did you make those red scales? It seems like the old bird knives had a gut puller “hook”. Does anyone use those anymore?
 
Post 7 has a photo of the model 321 bird knife. My 110 screwed together came with those red micarta scales.
I don't think I need a lot of blade length for a quail, dove or grouse knife. Nor much strength. A correct shaped 3" blade could do it.
This is more finesse work. If the birds were larger like a Cornish or Turkey then I would need some strength in the knife. Nor do I need a high
end blade steel. I just need it sharp to push it through the wing joint. If I had plans to use it for double duty then ok. DM
Old Hunter Old Hunter , likes his 118.
 
Bird Knives (like David is illustrating with his choices) have different uses just like other hunting knives - so one size or pattern doesn’t fit all uses. The “Gut Hook” as seen on the Buck 321, is used by inserting the hook into the birds vent and pushing up into the internal organs, the hunter then twists it around to hook all the organs and pull them out. This keeps birds that are hunted in warm weather from spoiling while being carried in your game pouch as you keep hunting. The cooler it gets the less necessary it becomes (Dove opens here on Monday - it could be 80 or it could be 95. The Bird & Trout style fixed blade knives are great for waterfowl and bigger birds such as pheasant - I prefer the classic design of the Buck 102 for that use. For very large birds (Wild Turkey) I have found the old Buck 121 Fisherman to be ideal - long and flexible aids in going deep and breasting all the meat from the bones. If it doesn’t rain on Monday morning I’ll be out dove hunting. OH
 
On quail and dove Ive always used what was in my pocket. It's been anything from a Case trapper to a Buck 112 to a Swiss Army Knife. I miss opening day of dove. It used to be a ritual for me. I am not a very good shot, but always enjoyed the fun and friends.
 
@oh I always wondered the purpose for the hook as during pro essing its rathe simple to just pull them out. Never thought about it for field dressing. But wouldnt that tear the entrails enough leave a mess inside and spoil it justas bad?
 
Usually for dove and quail or other small birds I use a large Stockman or a Trapper knife. There’s not much cutting but they do the job. But I have used a 110 and had no problems. I prefer around a 3 inch blade that’s thin/slender and a good elongated point. I’d like to get a Buck slimline trapper would be perfect.
 
Along the same subject; I'm curious if any of you have found hook worms while processing doves? DM
 
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