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Favorite critter cleaning knife?

Joe Houser

Joe Houser

Joined
Aug 24, 1999
Messages
3,135
I used this restored Buck model 104 Camper from the 1940's to butcher my deer this year. I think Hoyt Buck would have been proud of how the knife performed. :)



Anyone else have any luck filling a tag/testing a Buck knife? ;)
 
Kinda makes me wish you guys would have a more creative list of handle options of your current line of fixed blades. That is one sweet looking knife.
 
I used my ag110 to feild dress and skin a small buck on opening weedend, it went through the breast bone like it was butter. After all that it was still sharp enough to shave hair off my arm. Really didn't expect any less of a result from that knife did you?
I am very pleased with my ag 110.
 
Joe: Looks like a nice Mule Deer. As we all know, dressing out a deer requires knowledge and skill on behalf of the "Blade Operator". Nice job. I'm leaving Sunday for an elk hunt in Colorado. I'm taking a variety of knives, long under wear, a down parka, and a little something to "intake" to cut the evening cold. So, stay tuned - only if if we're successful!!!!
 
Well,
I don't know if its my favorite yet, but it is definately in my top 10! (thanks again John)
She works great on geese (canadian) ;)
Its hard to pick a favorite when they are all great!


 
Congratulations Joe! Looks like a whitetail to me but then I'm just a dumb Easterner.... ;) :)

I have not had anything within bow range yet. Our bear season opens the 19th and regular deer season the following week. Nearly 8 days at hunting camp, yippee!!!

I don't have anything as fancy as a 1940's era Camper but I can't wait to try out some of my new blades on game.... 110BP, 277 and 889. If I had to pick a favorite among knives I have used, it would be my 110x with jigged red bone scales:

 
How come everyone is talking about seeing a picture of a deer and all I see is a picture of a couple of knives? I'd like to see the deer, too. Any way, to answer your question, I made meat this year with an in-line blackpowder shooter, 3x4 point (26" inside measure) Mule Deer at 105 yards. I did the field dressing chores with a Buck folding Alpha Hunter in camo. I had a 119 in my backpack, but I didn't need it. Did the skinning with the Alpha and butchering with a Buck 118 and a 121. I wanted to try out the Alpha and was very happy with it's performance, but my favorites will always be the 103 for skinning and the 118 for everything else.

Jack
 
I agree with Jack on one point, the 118, bless it's soul, was and is the perfect elk boning out knife. Deer also. Just the right curve and length. 103 for skinning, 303 to open the belly. The 118 for everything else. Always looking for a older, 440, user as a spare. Use a old 313 for everything smaller. 300$'s :thumbup:

HonkerRusty - It was not cold in Colo. this week. Layering was the word. Needed lots of T-shirts or just tough it out and stink...
 
I'm in a high mountain valley in south central Colorado and as I write this it's 14 degrees outside. Normal for this time of year. We don't consider it cold until we leave the tipi in the morning and hear a pitiful wimpering and find a small dog, standing on three legs and frozen to a fire hydrant by one, thin icicle!

Oh, and I used a 301 to butcher an apple the other day.
 
I'm chained to my desk right now, but my basic hunting pair are a Master Series Vanguard (BG42) and a 560 titanium handle folder with BG42 blade upgrade. I use the Vanguard on big jobs and the 560 for medium to small work. I like the classic 110 clip point blade shape to get into small places while the size works well on deer.

I would really like to see a lightweight 110 style knife with a high-grade aluminum handle. Something optimized for easy cleaning, light weight, and those great 110 ergonomics.
 
Joe Houser said:
I used this restored Buck model 104 Camper from the 1940's to butcher my deer this year. I think Hoyt Buck would have been proud of how the knife performed. :)
Click to expand...

Joe - I am curious about that 104 camper. What years were they made? I also like that handle, what is the material that used in the 40's?

Woody
 
After reading all the posts so far, I have this strong urge to get one of each of the knives mentioned and try them out!!
Well....all of them except for the 303/313....:rolleyes: :D I was wondering if Mr. 300 series actually used any of them on game. You did not let me down! :D
I have to admit, I once used a stag handled 305 to field dress 3 wild sheep. That tiny knife did the job!
You will only see the 104 Camper in Buck catalogs from before about 1955. The name was changed to the "Fighter" then, and its shaped was altered into something that looks The handle of choice on the Camper was Lucite, a plastic developed by Dupont i believe. The cool thing about the one I posted is that the company that Hoyt Buck bought his lucite from, is still around and that is where i got the handle material for this 104. It just seemed right.

Here is a clickable picture of the deer and yes, it is actually a whitetail.



Good luck on your elk hunt! Looking forward to hearing the stories when you get back.
 
OK Joe, The good guy glove is thrown down, being a straight arrow, wearer of white hats, supporter of the "American way", backer of NRA and holder of a almost exact copy of Goose's scout card here is the picture.
Elk gutting 101 teaching Deer only young guys to get out the king size guts. I should of got a close-up but I can have signed statements of evidence it's a "303" in hand.
Except for a folding saw to split pelvis. 118 and 121 to "de-bone".

I have to use a 300 or it just wouldn't be right......:D

P.S. Dad gum good Buck, and with a bow too.
 
My favorite is a bg-42 sambar stag with nickle bolsters that Joe had re-worked to fit my huge paws,so far its been seeing some heavy use and Whats greatmis nobody wants to use it because its awkward in their hands.lol,I love this knife,great whitetail Joe,is that your champion bow?
 
RAZORBLADES said:
My favorite is a bg-42 sambar stag with nickle bolsters that Joe had re-worked to fit my huge paws,so far its been seeing some heavy use and Whats greatmis nobody wants to use it because its awkward in their hands.lol,I love this knife,great whitetail Joe,is that your champion bow?
Click to expand...


Could you share some pics? I am interested to see how it was reworked (and I LOVE the combo of NS bolsters, stag and BG-42, it is my dream knife.)


Thanks,
John
 
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