Choices, choices, choices, for deer season. Let's hear from the hunters.

resinguy

resinguy

Joined
Feb 19, 2006
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People seem to enjoy these threads, so here we go. Last year was my first as a hunter. I was fortunate to take a doe by bow, and used a SYCO Scrapmax 375 for field dressing and field butchering. As this season approaches, there are many choices, again, for field carry. (For a guy who doesn't really use knives very much, I certainly do have a lot of them :rolleyes: )

Here are 10 possibles. Note that that the knife will not just be used to open up the cavity for simple field dressing, but I will be doing some basic butchering out in the field, as well. The Scrapmax 375 did a fine job. Last year I pulled off 20# of the major cuts. The rest of the carcass was left for the scavengers.





1. SYCO Scrapmax 375
2. SYCO Scrapmax variant
3. Busse Basic 4 LE Anorexic
4. Swamp Rat 1st Gen Vex in D2
5. Busse Elmax Steak Knife
6. Busse CABS LE
7. Busse BAD
8. Busse Cultellus
9. Dozier K-1 Utility
10. Burt Foster Blue Collar Hunter

No doubt that any of these would be adequate to the task. Please tell me, as a hunter, why you think one might be better than another.

Discuss!

(I will be happy to entertain questions, either here or by EMAIL, not PM, but please don't make purchase offers. Thanks)
 
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Just by looks of the overall dimensions of the knives pictured, for me, that steak knife would be the bees knees. It just looks like a wickedly nimble cutting machine. I've wanted one for a long time but I just don't know anything about the characteristics of elmax.
 
Any of the above would do well 2,3and6 would be best in the field imo, due to reach and leverage. Occasionally you will need to cut deeper, or through bone.
 
I say the scrapmax 460. A little more blade is better for the butchering/processing portion of the task. There is a big trend to small 3ish inch hunting knives. I personally like a 5-6" blade for whitetail because it does it all really well. Anything will do for a field dress but a little more length makes short work of the processing (not that it can't be done with a tiny knife). If I were going after elk or moose I'd go with a 4-5" knife for the field dress and an 8-10" blade for the processing.

My personal favorite deer knife is my hg55. But I just got a scrapper 5 infi I'll try this year.
 
Man. First time I've seen a Scrapmax variant. Niiiice. Top three choices for me would be Vex, Max Variant, Cultellus.
 
First of all, congrats on a successful bowhunt your first year Guy. That's great man.

I think out of your line-up, that ScrapMax variant looks really interesting. Thin stock for the slicing duties, and a nice drop point profile for clean gutting and leg splitting. Should do anything you need on deer-sized game.

These three did great for me last year, so I wouldn't discount the 3" steak knife either




ETA: Looks like while I was getting a post together the variant picked up steam! :)
 
Ive gotta go with the basic 4 LE. It's skinny enough to be super slicey, light yet sturdy, I've used it for this exact task.

As far as field dressing deer, you don't need (much) more from a blade. It'll do everything you ask, even if you don't ask very nice, and not need much, if any effort to stay sharp. I got through all the bony places I needed to get through with ease.
 
Well no, haha unless you just need an excuse. I think the scrapmax 460 would do great and is my pick out of your lineup without a doubt and is certainly capable of getting the job done.
 
The B4 would be my clear choice from those you have, I have and will continue to use this very knife on all manner of game here, mostly deer but I undressed a few hogs for elof_alv's sheath making ;) this season as well. As knife for these (and frankly most field tasks) I can't fault it at all.
 
I thought you might say as much Andy ^. I really hope Jerry makes a run of B4 Anorexics in the Battle Grade SR-101. That would be a multiple 'must buy' for me.
 
Yeah, I am a bit predictable on some knife related issues... ;) And YES I would love a B4 in SR101..... :D As you would recall I love my RMDs BUT my HRLM gets more time cutting up critters than the RMD (I think the RMD is a better all round "tool" however)... so many great choices makes it all very hard... ;) ;)
 
Andy the Aussie said:
Yeah, I am a bit predictable on some knife related issues... ;)
Click to expand...

LOL. Me too. When it works, it works. :thumbup:

And YES I would love a B4 in SR101..... :D As you would recall I love my RMDs BUT my HRLM gets more time cutting up critters than the RMD (I think the RMD is a better all round "tool" however)... so many great choices makes it all very hard... ;) ;)
Click to expand...

Man ain't that the truth. I let my HRLM go, but dearly love the drop point RMD.

ResinGuy: I've only seen one (I think) of the scrapmax variants come up on the exchange. Was that a show knife or how did you score it?
 
nemesis said:
Well no, haha unless you just need an excuse. I think the scrapmax 460 would do great and is my pick out of your lineup without a doubt and is certainly capable of getting the job done.
Click to expand...


Now I understand. You meant #2. I was confused, thought you were referring to another model, not pictured. This one would be a Scrapmax 425 variant.


Andy the Aussie said:
BUT my HRLM gets more time cutting up critters
Click to expand...


hmm, well, I've got one of those, too...


Hard Knocks said:
ResinGuy: I've only seen one (I think) of the scrapmax variants come up on the exchange. Was that a show knife or how did you score it?
Click to expand...


There were 3(?) of these at KC this spring. DD had grabbed it up, but was kind enough to hand it off to me, knowing that I like the skinnies.


Of course, one should take two knives into the field, right?

Keep it coming, folks. Thanks.
 
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