Curious about ghunting klnofe preference

Ben Dover

Ben Dover

Joined
Aug 2, 2006
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Several recent threads about the use of folding knives for field dressing of big game have made me curious.

I own several folders that I would consider acceptable for the task. A Gerber Magnum Folding hunter, Spyderco Militaries in S90V and M-4 and a Manix ll in Maxamet. I've used the Gerber and the S90V Military on elk, and they performed well.

How many of you have used folders for deer size and larger game? How many haven't actually done it, but have seriously considered it?

I'm particularly curious about folders OTHER than Gerbers and Buck110s.
 
I usually use my Hinderers (2 XM 3.5's) and Cold Steels (AD10 and Ult Hunter) for working up game in the field. My dad always used a folder hunting so I just adopted the practice. I have a few fixies but none that I would consider good or great hunting knives. Thinking about remedying that soon though. I use a pack and carry a number of blades, a Hinderer is almost always in my pocket when hunting though. They are easy to disassemble and clean out but even work fine all ganked up just not very smooth. I will sometimes use a BM Crooked River, an old Gerber 600, or an 0566 (or any # of ZT's) just depends on what I'm hunting. For deer and smaller game I have a couple mini barrages that work pretty well and carry small. I've used those on bear also.
 
It doesn't take a particularly special knife for hunting chores, just SHARP. I used a Case Barlow (two blade) for years and very comfortable using just about any middle to larger sized sharp traditional for this purpose. I used a Schrade 250T (Buck 110 sized) for a number of years too and especially liked having the two large blades available for hunting purposes. I have never shot an elk or moose, but I see no problem with using these knives.
 
I don't hunt, so I never cleaned game. However I do fish and I have gutted and cleaned fish with several non dedicated knives.

The general consensus (and I fully agree) is that using a folder for game/fish processing chores is a BAD IDEA. Because crap gets inside the mechanism and unless you dissasemble the knife, it will be very very difficult to clean it properly. If I were to do it with a folder, I would chosse one with open back construction (stand offs) so I can flush it afterwards. If I were forced to choose one, I would probably choose the Spyderco Military or Paramilitary.

Mikel
 
M Mikel_24 That is the consensus view overall. But I have never particularly had a problem cleaning a traditional folder or one you can not easily dissemble following using it for hunting or skinning chores. I have done a lot of skinning furbearers. I can't say that I have cleaned many fish in my lifetime as I am a catch & release guy. But I could see some lingering odor on a knife after using it for fish. I would use a dedicated knife for fish unless it was occasional use.
 
22-rimfire said:
But I could see some lingering odor on a knife after using it for fish.
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It is not a scent that particularly atracks females (human, that is), le me tell you...:D:D:D

Another problem is fishscales!!! They cram everywhere and are difficult to pull out. The get lodged in there for real!

As much as I like folders, using cutting tools for real tasks have led me to appreciate the simplicity of a fixed blade with a comfortable not-too-featured handle.

BUT I have no doubt folders have been used for game cleaning with great success. For instance, the Buck 110 is an iconic folding hunting knife!
 
Why would you use a folder on fish and game if you had a choice of a fixed blade?

To me, and YMMV, it seems a bit senseless to use a knife that has all kinds of hidden areas to get filled with blood, fish slime, and potential pathogens of raw game. Even a humble Victoriox paring knife is a step up from a folder. I've cleaned a ton of fish in my life, and cleaning of the fixed blade is just swishing it around in the lake/creek/ocean that I just caught the fish in.

The only folders I have are small slip joint pocket knives that I carry for any odd cutting of string, opening packages, or other light duty. For all other cutting, messy or otherwise, I keep a fixed blade handy. Just makes life easier.

This comes under the heading of, 'you can, but why would you want to'.
 
Mikel_24 said:
It is not a scent that particularly attracts females (human, that is), le me tell you...:D:D:D

Another problem is fishscales!!! They cram everywhere and are difficult to pull out. The get lodged in there for real!

As much as I like folders, using cutting tools for real tasks have led me to appreciate the simplicity of a fixed blade with a comfortable not-too-featured handle.

BUT I have no doubt folders have been used for game cleaning with great success. For instance, the Buck 110 is an iconic folding hunting knife!
Click to expand...
I also like the simplicity of a fixed blade. These days, if I hunt deer, I carry a small bird & trout sized fixed blade and a traditional folder. The detail work is what gets ya where you can't see what you are cutting. Fish scales are something I have almost zero experience with as I believe all of the fish I have cleaned (and there weren't many) have been trout.

Why use a folder for hunting chores? In my case, that was all I had. I didn't own a fixed blade knife until I hit the 40 year old mark more or less. Just never saw a need for a fixed blade back then.

The Buck 110 is an iconic hunting knife to be sure. A hunter model is also used which tends to be a large one or two blade traditional.
 
I've used my Spidiechef to clean fish. It's pretty easy to clean afterwards.

In the coming soon category the Siren is a new folder meant for fishermen.
 
i have used several bucks and kershaws (folders) to field dress and process whitetail deer - only because i did not have my fixed blade on me for one reason or another.
i far prefer a fixed blade for cleaning purposes. I dont like taking my knives apart to clean.
field dressing deer sized game is messy - skinning, not so messy, but can be very rough on the edge when cutting through hair and joints
 
I have used folders in a pinch, but prefer fixed by a large margin.

You do not want residual gunk stuck in your knife, as it will turn rancid. Fixed blades and sheath clean much easier and more thoroughly.

Just my experiences anyway.
BBDF50CC-5E7F-4606-98DA-17C47E6BDA2C.jpeg
 
Ben Dover said:
How many of you have used folders for deer size and larger game? How many haven't actually done it, but have seriously considered it?

I'm particularly curious about folders OTHER than Gerbers and Buck110s.
Click to expand...

I've used a Buck 110 in 420HC, a drop point Buck 110 lite in 154CM, a Case trapper, and a Havalon. Of them I think I prefer the drop point Buck 110. I can split the sternum with either of the 110s (my preferred method for cleaning deer, I don't split the pelvis though) but won't with the trapper. I taught my buddy now to clean an antelope, he had some sort of Kershaw flipper (IIRC) on him, so that's what did the work.

I never had a problem cleaning my knives afterward. I use really hot soapy water and brush. I clean out the channel with a bit of paper towel and I'm done. I'm particularly fond of the nylon sheath the Buck 110 Lite came with as I can just throw it in the wash with the laundry.

I have, and sometimes still do, carry a fixed blade while hunting; but these days I'm most likely to have that trapper or some Buck 110 variant. While the havalons can be useful I don't particularly care for them.
 
I have used the CS Ultimate Hunter for everything from cardboard, to whitetail, to wild boar. I've also used a stretch and the Crooked River. I would have to say I like the Ultimate Hunter the best, then the Stretch, then the crooked River. They all excel but the ease of cleaning is best with the triad imo. I actually prefer it to my fixed blades. Only way to figure it out is to try it!
 
I have cleaned over a hundred deer and just as many black bear with my folding knives. I also have fixed blades and I like them too and a hatchet for breaking joints. A folding blade is not an issue for me. It's not hard to put my knife under a high pressure hose/spigot and clean it out.
 
I've field dressed a boat load of deer and other game with my Buck 112. You don't need a large Knife to field dress game. Of course if it's big blade you like by all means do so.
 
For one thing I don’t roll my knife in the game or fish like I’m breading a piece of chicken to fry. If you are letting the crud dry and sit for several hours I’m sure it would smell and be hard to clean. I wash frequently during the process before the blood, guts or slim drys. It takes a bit of care and common sanitary practices to keep it clean. If you’re afield take some jugs of water and soap for final cleanup. I’ve used my Buck 110s for 30+ years field dressing deer all kinds of game and cleaning fish and it has done a great job and it has never smelled. It can be done with millions of users since 1964 there’s a reason why the Buck 110 is iconic.
 
3.5-4" fixed blades are my hunting knife of choice... I usually carry a Bark River of some flavor - Gunny, EXT-1, Rising Wolf are my 3 favorites.
 
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