Cleaning up squirrel, turkey, etc.

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Hey guys. Well, i brought out a mora clipper the other day and skinned a squirrel for my buddy. It chipped, not a biggie, but i brought it up in the general forum just to see what people would have to say about it. What i wasn't impressed with was that as extremely sharp as it was, it didn't make my job any easier. I normally carry my JK when i'm out in the woods, but the only hesitation i've had with it, after getting over the "new" knife jitters (not wanting to ding it up, hurt it, etc.) i still feel weary over the wood handles. I however can vouch for the construction of the knife and how much of a beating you can give to them. I've never used or owned a wood handled knife and used it on game, i usually use synthetic handled knives for cleanup ease and no worry of staining. What do you think would happen if i got squirrel skin/hair/meat on the handle/blade and it sat for an hour or so? What about the sheath? The mora has a plastic sheath so i just threw it in the sheath and put it in my pack and cleaned it 30 or so minutes later in the sink. But my concern is for the blade (01) and the handles (maple burl). The mora has a stainless blade and plastic/rubber handle. This is my first year hunting squirrel so i'm new to which knives to carry, etc. I know as thick as my JK is (3/16"), it surely is a slicer. I thinned the bevel out a bit, and the edge is at 15* each side. Will the salts/blood stain the wood? Will they rust or stain the blade? Well, not so much staining i'm worried about, i think character and looking back at it will be a welcome sight. I love the handles and have spent some time retfining the knife (smoothed the blade out to a smooth, mirror finish but it now has a patina on it, and smoothed out the handles, which actually made the knife grippier somehow...) and don't want to have an ugly blood stain on the handle. I'm just wondering if any of you have experience with this stuff. If it's fine, i'll (if you don't mind me posting in your forum) be taking the JK out on my next airgun outting. I wanted to do some batoning with it (i didn't like the idea in the beginning, but this knife is a beast and i know it will take it) for some smaller wood for a fire to cook the skinned squirrel. Last time we were out we took one, made a fire and cooked it. But i was really wishing my JK was there. So, any thoughts would be appreciated. I'm kind of wishing i had requested a kydex sheath, but on the other hand i like the leather. Decisions, decisions, decisions!

 

[bkduckworth]

I've used carbon steel knives hunting for years and have never had a problem. I just wipe them down in the field and clean/oil the blade back at camp or at home. At worst, you'll develop a patina.

Brandon

 

[JK Knives]

I think some warm soapy water should clean it up just fine. Always feel to free to post here, I don`t get much chance to hunt anymore, so I enjoy hearing about others getting out.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

I've used carbon steel knives hunting for years and have never had a problem. I just wipe them down in the field and clean/oil the blade back at camp or at home. At worst, you'll develop a patina.

Brandon

Haha, patinas are welcome. especially earned ones! I forced a patina after i cleaned the knife up nice and smooth because it kept rusting. I was moreso worried about the wood staining. And all right john, next hunt i'll post some pics.

 

[Mr. Sogetsu]

I don't think it would be a problem, but I never left blood on wood handles that long. I think if the wood is dried out, then it could start absorbing into the wood some. Maybe experiment with handle blanks/similar prepped wood?

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Well, i'll be using my JK for the next squirrel i take, and i'll get pictures. I think i'll just wet an old washcloth and put some water in a big ziploc so i can wipe everything off. Good solution .

 

[frontiertom]

Well, i'll be using my JK for the next squirrel i take, and i'll get pictures. I think i'll just wet an old washcloth and put some water in a big ziploc so i can wipe everything off. Good solution .

Buddy, I think you have hit on a good solution to your problem there for now. I guess what you really need to ask yourself is, did you purchase that knife to use or to look at? I really don't think you will be able to hurt that blade or handle! A couple of good coats of polyurathane or varnish on that handle will solve any problems with anything leaching into the wood! Just remember to start out with thin coats and then build up to thicker or full stregth! Start out cutting your varnish or poly with whatever paint thinner that particular product calls for! Like one part varnish or poly to two parts thinner! You want the first coats to be like water. After it has dried real good, rub it down with 00 steel wool until it is nice and smooth then, put another coat on! The more coats you put on it, the more it will look like you are looking through and coat of glass, like a piece of fine furniture, and the tougher it will be. This will age your wood with time, and the color will change as time goes by! Hope that helps you some, and let us all know what you decide, and send some pics!
Later!