Deer hunting TRADITIONAL fixed blade suggestions

[Whetstone39]

I am looking for a new traditional fixed blade for deer hunting this fall, which will be used almost exclusively for that purpose, field dressing deer (if I am lucky ). Not quartering or butchering, just field dressing.

A little background: my dad passed away in 2015, and he was always integral to hunting with my family, even later in life when he wasn't really participating. I lost interest after he passed, and haven't been hunting since, but now I have rekindled my desire to hunt with my family again.

I have many fixed blades currently, and a lot of them function perfectly in this role, but I am looking for something new, to start a new era, to build new memories. I haven't looked at traditional knives for this purpose in a long time, so I was hoping for some input from the Porch on what you may have used and liked, or disliked.

I don't have any real firm requirements, field dressing a deer is not that difficult of a task. Maybe a blade length of less than five inches. It will not be used for any kind of bushcraft, maybe rarely to cut an errant (small) branch. So I would prefer thin stock, something that slices very well. Stainless or carbon steel, I like both. Convex or v-edge, both are easy to sharpen. Definitely in a traditional style, which I know is a bit of a broad requirement, but I think we have a fairly good idea of what is not traditional when we see it . Natural materials for the handles are preferred: stag, horn, wood etc. I also very much like stacked leather handles. I prefer leather sheaths to synthetic, but I am open to kydex as well.

When I attempted to do this myself, it was fairly daunting. A Dozier Yukon Pro appealed to me, as did knives from Case, GEC, Hess, Cross, and a score of others. I had over 2 dozen on my list before I gave up looking, and decided it might be better to seek advice from the vast knowledge here first.

Thank you in advance for your guidance and suggestions.

 

[chuck4570]

One hundred people well give one hundred opinions, so I’ll throw mine in. I’ve gone through many knives looking for the right one, all will do the job but for deer I prefer a Buck 118, just seems right to me.

 

[Grateful]

My suggestion would be a Buck Vanguard.

 

[OLd_gUY]

Might this be of some help? Awful sweet. On pre-order @skblades https://www.skblades.com/product-page/the-ranger

Pre-Order: June 24 through June 30, 2019
Ship date: July 1, 2019
Blade Steel: D2, Blade Grind: Hollow, Guard: Aluminum, Handle: Burgundy Micarta, Pommel: Aluminum
Blade Length: 3.625", Overall Length: 7.85"
Sheath: Black Leather
Warranty: Buck Knives Forever Warranty
Free Shipping!
OG

 

[black mamba]

Very hard to go wrong with this old favorite of a pattern, from either Schrade or Western. Both have just over a 4" blade.

Schrade #497L

​

Western #L66

 

[Whetstone39]

One hundred people well give one hundred opinions, so I’ll throw mine in. I’ve gone through many knives looking for the right one, all will do the job but for deer I prefer a Buck 118, just seems right to me.

My suggestion would be a Buck Vanguard.

Might this be of some help? Awful sweet. On pre-order @skblades https://www.skblades.com/product-page/the-ranger

Pre-Order: June 24 through June 30, 2019
Ship date: July 1, 2019
Blade Steel: D2, Blade Grind: Hollow, Guard: Aluminum, Handle: Burgundy Micarta, Pommel: Aluminum
Blade Length: 3.625", Overall Length: 7.85"
Sheath: Black Leather
Warranty: Buck Knives Forever Warranty
Free Shipping!
OG

Thanks for the replies, all 3 look good to me, and I don’t think I have a single buck fixed blade currently

Would love to hear some more suggestions as well.

 

[Whetstone39]

Very hard to go wrong with this old favorite of a pattern, from either Schrade or Western. Both have just over a 4" blade.

Schrade #497L

​

Western #L66

That western is gorgeous Jeff, thank you for the suggestion.

 

[JJ_Colt45]

A +1 on the Buck Vanguard ... I have far more expensive and even custom knives that do the job ... but I still really like my Vanguard for field dressing deer.

 

[Daedric Panther]

I’ve never been hunting (But I kinda want to start this year, since I’m moving up to Washington in the fall) but if you want a traditional fixed blade, I’d say maybe the classic Buck 119

 

[315]

How about something from the the Helle line??

 

[FSU1992]

I have used all kinds of knives as my cleaning and hunting knives and recently decided to get something a little more expensive that I would really enjoy. This is the one I chose from Behring Made, it’s a carbon steel “Alaskan style”.

 

[Whetstone39]

A +1 on the Buck Vanguard ... I have far more expensive and even custom knives that do the job ... but I still really like my Vanguard for field dressing deer.

I’ve never been hunting (But I kinda want to start this year, since I’m moving up to Washington in the fall) but if you want a traditional fixed blade, I’d say maybe the classic Buck 119

Thanks for replying, both look great.

 

[Whetstone39]

How about something from the the Helle line??

Thanks 315, that would work as well and they are beautiful knives. A question on the Scandi grind: with the zero degree edge, if used enough, do you need to eventually regrind the bevels to achieve the same zero degrees? Or is there a secondary edge bevel on the Helle knives?

 

[Whetstone39]

I have used all kinds of knives as my cleaning and hunting knives and recently decided to get something a little more expensive that I would really enjoy. This is the one I chose from Behring Made, it’s a carbon steel “Alaskan style”.

That is a beautiful knife, and a maker I am not familiar with, thank you for replying.

 

[screened porch]

Thanks 315, that would work as well and they are beautiful knives. A question on the Scandi grind: with the zero degree edge, if used enough, do you need to eventually regrind the bevels to achieve the same zero degrees? Or is there a secondary edge bevel on the Helle knives?

Mors Kochanski says you always lay the bevel flat on the stone to sharpen a scandi. Many like to tip them up a bit and add a more obtuse micro edge bevel for fear of chipping.

 

[Grateful]

To add to my previous post in my opinion and based on my hunting experience the Buck Vanguard is the perfect deer hunting knife.

 

[Whetstone39]

Mors Kochanski says you always lay the bevel flat on the stone to sharpen a scandi. Many like to tip them up a bit and add a more obtuse micro edge bevel for fear of chipping.

Thanks for the information, much appreciated.

To add to my previous post in my opinion and based on my hunting experience the Buck Vanguard is the perfect deer hunting knife.

Thanks for the follow up Grateful, they are very attractive as well. How do you like the sheath?

 

[DrHenley]

I don't have a Buck Vanguard, but I do think that is a good happy medium for skinning deer. Every type of blade has it's pros and cons. I like blades a bit longer than the Vanguard, but that's just me. The upswept blades have more belly for the actual skinning, and are pointier, but are not at a comfortable angle to use the point (you have to break your wrist down to use the point) and are prone to catching on intestines when opening the body cavity. Clip points usually don't have a lot of belly unless they are upswept. A relatively wide drop point, but with a good sharp point gives you enough belly for skinning, but puts the point in line with the handle making it more comfortable to use the point, and the lowered point is not as likely to snag on intestines.

 

[Grateful]

Thanks for the information, much appreciated.



Thanks for the follow up Grateful, they are very attractive as well. How do you like the sheath?

The sheaths are good quality. Nice looking and very serviceable. I feel like they are safe to wear. They hold the knife well and if you were to slip and fall I think they offer good protection from cutting or accidentally stabbing yourselve.

 

[sunknife]

I'll 2nd the suggestion on the Buck Vangard. I used one with a gut hook for years on at least a couple dozen deer. Made for a good skinner as well as a field dressing knife. Traded it to a friend a couple years ago cause I wanted to use something
'prettier'. lol
Lots of knives will do what you need in the field on deer, the Vanguard is an all around good pick in my experience.