First use on deer - Buck 113

Old Hunter

Old Hunter

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Jul 12, 2012
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I bought a Buck 113 this past August at Dick's Sporting Goods in Jacksonville NC. I had been looking at the fixed blade 113 for about a year - I liked the blade design for a deer skinner but was unsure of the size of the grip (about equal in size and style to a Buck 112 Lock-back). I was afraid it might be a little too small and thus uncomfortable to grip while cleaning one or two whitetails. On Tuesday the 16th I got my chance, dropped a 100 lb.+ whitetail doe at 0748 - got it to the cleaning rack by 0900 and got started skinning with the 113.

First let me state - my fear of the handle design being too small was unfounded - this is a very comfortable knife to grip while skinning and while cutting meat off the bone. The blade design is terrific; I discovered long ago that short is good when skinning the smaller sized big game such as whitetail deer. The blade worked nicely while skinning, the deep belly is nice for curving cuts while separating the hide from the animal and it worked equally well while removing back straps, tenderloin, as well as the hams and shoulders. The blade kept a keen edge for the entire process - I didn't touch it up at all, wanting to know how quickly it would dull - it is still sharp enough to start another cleaning job and probably sharp enough to do the entire job without being touched up. The handles are sealed, no water or blood was able to soak into the wood.

I will definitely place the coveted "Old Hunter's stamp of approval" on the Buck 113! I give this one a "go buy it" recommendation if you are a big game hunter. Even if you are not a big game hunter this is a cool looking skinning knife, well thought out and well built.
Old Hunter

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Nice write up Old Hunter. I'm gathering up my butchering stuff today. Hope to get out hunting Friday and Saturday.
 
Good info Old Hunter. I used mine to dress a small button buck last year and it worked great. I am lazy and let the processor skin it for me nowadays. Would have loved it in my teens though. I can see where it is a practical all around deer knife.
 
Thanks,I don't have one of these,but i've always wanted to know how well it would work,I want the alaskan guide model,but there is no way i'm gonna pay $179.99 for one!
 
Nice review,my friend.You just gave me another reason to buy a new Buck,not that I need much encouraging:D.
 
nice animal I was just butchering yesterday too. Good to see you wearing gloves, we are starting to have CWD among a few other diseases in my area, I don't want to be the guy that learns they can be transmitted to people.
 
Gents, glad you all enjoyed my review - I am looking forward to skinning another (hoping for a big buck) with this knife.

Diced, my doctor is as much a hunter as I am, we are both in our mid-50's and have hunted for years and talk about hunting at each office visit. He asked me last year if I wore gloves when cleaning - when I told him no he had a fit! He told me that doctors don't even understand everything about what causes a pathogen to cross from an animal to humans or how to treat them - he really laid it on me. I bought several pairs of the Hunter Specialty latex gloves to begin using this season - they really were not as much in the way as I thought they would be - just a little slicker when wet than my hands would be - but gripping the knife is no issue at all. OH
 
Hi OH,

Thanks for the review & the shot of your Buck in action! I love the gloved hands, but you left your watch on....LOL.

jb4570
 
I generally use the nitrile gloves, and buy them from medical supply. They are a bit more expensive but cheaper than the small packs of gloves in the hunting section. They are not as slick when wet/bloody, and are much stronger. I use them for changing oil and messing with solvents etc too. After you get done field dressing the animal the glove makes a little glove bag for the heart. Zoonotic disease are poorly understood, and many pathogens (RNA viruses especially) can mutate to make the jump humans. Coons and fur bearers worry me more because they have a higher rate of rabies and other diseases known to infect humans. Hope you get to use the Buck on a buck. I still have a either sex archery tag, am on vacation but the weather is not cooperating. Duck season opens this weekend here though so the crappy weather will be good for that.
 
russde said:
$139.99...just sayin'
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I think Razorblades is in Canada and gets to pay extra as a result.
I expect he was right about his quoted price.

Have say I really like the grind on this knife. I do wonder why they need the brass bolsters. An all G-10 handle would reduce weight I think and still be an attractive knife especially with three 1/4 inch nickel silver pins . Just a thought for future editions.
 
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Boy that is one sweet knife. I myself keep looking at the Ag one. I dont need it but it is sweet looking.
 
Flatlander1963 said:
I think Razorblades is in Canada and gets to pay extra as a result.
I expect he was right about his quoted price.

Have say I really like the grind on this knife. I do wonder why they need the brass bolsters. An all G-10 handle would reduce weight I think and still be an attractive knife especially with three 1/4 inch nickel silver pins . Just a thought for future editions.
Click to expand...

Yup, I should have checked his location before spouting off my google-fu 'wisdom'. Sorry Razor...at least you have Anne Murray and Michael Buble?
Agree with you on the all G-10, my guess is they used the brass to bring the dedicated 110 and 112 customers a little 'feels like home'...
 
Carried the Buck 113 again today. I have discovered the fly in the ointment - it's the sheath. The sheath is a slip in design; when I first started using it the grip of the leather to the knife was tight - it has loosened up to the point that I am afraid I may loose the knife (not a problem when hunting, I can carry it in my pack) but for taking to the field without a pack I am concerned. I do prefer the sheath style that came with my older Buck 102 and 105 - the design with the flap over the top of the knife and a secure snap (similar to a issue holster for a M1911A1). OH
 
Oldhunter,you can fix that easy,first take the knife and coat the blade with light oil,then soak the sheath and knife in warm water for 15 minutes,take it out and use your thumb to mould the sheath to the knife,then set it aside to dry with the knife in it.When you are done drying,take the knife out and clean it good,and coat the sheath in sno seal,it will hold your knife super tight after that!good luck!
 
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