Fisk Sendero

[Will York]

I’d been looking for a utilitarian version of a Sendero for awhile and just got this one from Gulf Breeze Firearms in Florida. Had never handled one, and thought if I liked the design in hand I might want to try it as a small game knife. So I didn’t really want to pay for engraving and damascus, although I love Jerry’s work in both categories.

I’ve owned some of his larger pieces in the past, and one thing I like about the mid-size Fisks is that most are so light--a feature I also really appreciate in a small utility hunter. So I was hoping this one would be light as a feather, and wasn’t disappointed--at just over 3 ounces it’s like a weightless extension of my hand. It’s ground to an extremely thin, hair-popping edge, and I was especially happy to find this one in sheep horn, my favorite natural handle material on a user as keratin doesn’t get slick when wet. This package should be excellent for processing anything up to whitetail size, and for field dressing it would serve well even on larger game.

Just a very nicely designed piece for easy carry and prolonged use—looking forward to trying it. Thought I’d mention the find as I’ve not seen much on “user” Sendero’s, and function is always among the most personally interesting aspects to me.

Enjoy…

 

[Kevin Jones]

That's a very nice and older (mid-late 90s) example of the Fisk Sendero.
One of the most copied and ergonomically correct hunting/utility knife designs in existence.

We sometimes hear of Sheephorn shrinkage. Even in spite of it's age, there doesn't appear to be even a hint of shrinkage there.

Congrats and put it to good use my friend!

 

[2knife]

Nice Will! Where did i just see that one? Was it in one of the Voyles auctions?
David

 

[Chris Montgomery]

Very nice. I agree with Kevin about it being ergonomically perfect in design for a hunter. I prefer this size for all hunting use. It works well on all size critters I have delt with including big bull elk. With Jerry's heat treat you should be set. Enjoy with much success.

Chris

 

[Will York]

Nice Will! Where did i just see that one? Was it in one of the Voyles auctions?
David

I don't know, David--found it on the Dealer forums from a new dealer here, Duke McCaa of Gulf Breeze Firearms (forum name gbfirearms). Happy with their service, by the way.

Kevin--thanks for the kind words and for the background. I appreciate the info very much.

Chris--I agree, for field dressing and skinning/caping, this size is fine for anything up to moose size. I like a little more length of blade when boning out elk and larger animals in the field, but short of that kind of processing this blade is perfectly adequate. Wouldn't want to baton this one through the pelvis of a large carcass to cool it out, but that's not usually something I'd recommend doing with a knife, anyway.

 

[Chris Montgomery]

I agree Will. I dont usually bust the pevis. I usually separate the hams from the pelvis at the joint and hang the quarters to cool. Too many bears to get after it if left within reach where I hunt elk. Either way you do it enjoy.

Chris

 

[Will York]

Absolutely--never hang a whole carcass in bear country. I've hunted elk for many years in New Mexico, Colorado and Montana, but most of my whitetail hunting has been in South Texas. Years ago we started boning out immediately after a kill and putting the meat directly on ice because it's often too hot to hang a carcass in deer season there without risking spoilage. But if I'm going to be in camp for several days in cold weather and ice isn't available, I've been known to open a pelvis to hang a whitetail carcass, and I do have knives that are strong enough to do the deed without concern. Wouldn't try it with most production knives, though.

 

[Ben Seward]

Fine acquisition, Will. Looks like a pleasure to use. The Sendero handle is a favorite...feels great however you grip it.

 

[Will York]

That it does--thanks, Ben.

 

[JParanee]

Very nice Will

There is a reason they are so sought after

 

[Will York]

Very nice Will

There is a reason they are so sought after

Had to figure--glad to find out for myself.

Anything this light, ground to such a fine edge, is a great start. The handle gives it a precise feel that complements the package very well. I like the handle on his Gamemaster, too. A more rounded butt to tuck into the palm and lay a finger along the top of the handle, and more comfortable if you need to drive the point into something with a palm strike--both nice features in a larger knife. But on something this small and light, those are not priorities. I like the scalpel feel of the Sendero. :thumbup:

 

[2knife]

I don't know, David--found it on the Dealer forums from a new dealer here, Duke McCaa of Gulf Breeze Firearms (forum name gbfirearms). Happy with their service, by the way.
.

Yes, that was it. Thanks!
David

 

[jdm61]

Very nice. I had one with a bone handle for a while. As for Kevin's point about shrinkage, i think this is one time where it is a GOOD thing that you got that one in humid Florida. No drying out and shrinking down here.