Folder for Field Dressing and Butchering...Y or N??

N

Nalapombu

Joined
Oct 26, 2001
Messages
303
Hey all,

I'd like to hear what you think of using a folder for your filed dressing and butchering duties. I am talking about using a folder for deer, pigs, bear and other large game. How do you think they compare against a fixed blade. I know the fixed blades are much easier to clean.

If you do use a folder, what one do you use and please post a pic if you have one. Is there a folder you are thinking about using next season?

I have been thinking of getting a CASE Folding Hunter with the 2 blades that I think are 4 inches or so. Case also makes a single blade that is about 3 inches with a lock that I like as well. I don't know about using a traditional "pocket" style knife for these duties. I can see how it would be a mess and would be tough to clean out one of those after working on a deer.
I have also thought about the Wenger Ranger 58, which I have heard a lot of good reviews on.

What do you think?

Please post pics of your hunting knives whether folders or fixed.

Thanks for the time.

Nalajr
 
personally i prefer a fixed blade, but any old timer i talk to or anyone i meet thats been hunting for more than 20 years swears by a Buck 110, ive never tried using one to field dress anything, but hey, if that many people have been doin it for this long, must get the job done.
 
Fixed blades are much better for that job, don't use a folder unless you have to.
 
I've used a couple of Gerber Gators, a few different Old Timer large folders, couple of different Bucks, and the last folder I field dressed a deer with was a Kershaw Vapor.

If I have a choice, I always use a fixed blade now. It seems that I could NEVER get a folder completely clean after I was done, no matter how I tried. The liner locks were especially hard to clean, IMO.

If I was going to get a dedicated folder for field dressing game, I'd get one of the working folders from Moore Maker, probably the large double lockback. Good steel, simple construction, and will be durable and long lasting.

I'm probably going to get one anyway, just because I really like the design, and how can you lose with two large, carbon steel, locking blades? :D

I wouldn't use a folder to process a deer after field dressing unless you were going to absolutely force me to. Even a cheap chinese utility kitchen knife from Wal-Mart would be better for work like that, vs a folder with a 3" blade.
 
Don't use any thing that dosn't lock. Fixed blades are best, but a buck 110 should work just fine.
 
Folders that would work best:
Buck 110
Buck bantam
Buck vantage
Gerber profile
kershaw storm
 
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Nalapombu said:
I'd like .. a folder for your filed dressing and butchering duties.
Click to expand...

Benchmade Griptillian 551 & Benchmade Dough Ritter 552
From: virtuovice | December 06, 2010
http://www.youtube.com/user/virtuovice#p/u/7/hZ1mHwhMViI

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Outdoor Edge Corporation or EKA Swingblade knife
kristofferclausen | January 20, 2010
This video shows Kristoffer Clausen shooting and skinning a deer presenting the knife called EKA Swingblade.
This knife is a combined skinning knife and a gutting knife. Just swing the blade around.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kq1CsK3FHJc

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BladeTech Professional Hunter Magnum
virtuovice | November 24, 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1iimMWanYs
 
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The Swingblade is marketed/sold in the US by Outdoor Edge Corporation. In case you try to find one. :thumbup:
 
I use folders all the time for field dressing, skinning and butchering large game. I have used my Benchmade Rift and my Emerson CQC-11. I plan on using my Strider SMF when I get it this week. I have fixed blades when I know I will be butchering but that doesnt always happen. Our family harvests Deer from early Archery season all the way up to late muzzle loader season. A lot of times I dont even know I am skinning/butchering. My brother-in-law calls me up to come over for a beer. I find two deer hanging and work to be done. This is why all me EDC knives have to pull full duty.
 
I used a Gerber LST Magnum folder for several years for deer and smaller...still have it, still razor sharp.

I never found that it was a problem and even when using a fixed, I've always liked a smaller blade <4".

The biggest thing is the grip. The LST's big WIN is the blocky/ugly handle with very defined finger grooves. Still very easy to hold on to covered to my forearms in blood. Grip is the thing to consider most IMO. The LST also has a very solid lockup...sort of goes without question for using a folder in general for heavier cutting.

The LST also has a linerless plastic handle so cleanup is very easy, just soak it in hot dish soap or toss it in the dishwasher for that matter.
 
I always like that knife's design for outdoor work.

Mystro, if I were you, I think that I'd just know to take a fixed blade with me whenever your brother-in-law calls. LOL.
 
I have skinned and dressed many dozens of deer, several hogs, and a couple of steers with a Buck 110 and of late a Griptilian. A good folder does fine. It just a bit more difficult to clean up afterwards which is why I'm trying out a Buck Paklite Skinner this year.
 
A folder should work just fine (in fact I prefer a SAK small blade for small game) *BUT* don't discount cleanup. There is more than just blood involved here. Tallow is a big pain in the butt to remove - takes effort even on a fixed blade. On a folder - bleah!

Have a look at my BK-11 in this pic. That white mung on there is *after* I worked the blade over pretty good with water and a bandanna (in the field obviously).

20101126_ac_11.jpg


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Beckerhead #42
 
GingivitisKahn said:
A folder should work just fine (in fact I prefer a SAK small blade for small game) *BUT* don't discount cleanup. There is more than just blood involved here. Tallow is a big pain in the butt to remove - takes effort even on a fixed blade. On a folder - bleah!

Have a look at my BK-11 in this pic. That white mung on there is *after* I worked the blade over pretty good with water and a bandanna (in the field obviously).

20101126_ac_11.jpg


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Beckerhead #42
Click to expand...

That the mung sticks to and is harder to remove from blades with any kind of texture to the coating, it seems. The kabar coating is smoother than many, but bare steel seems easier to get clean.
 
FYI: My folder clean up is very easy. Just use Dawn dish soap and mixed with hot water and let the knife soak for 10 minutes. The Dawn brakes down the fat and easily lets the sinew rise off under water.
 
I wouldn't ever use a folder if I had access to a decently sharp fixed blade. I have done several deer with a folder when it was the only knife I had, and I can tell you that it was no fun digging all of the fat and grossness out of the crevices.

Dress a gutshot deer with a folder sometime and I can guarantee you won't enjoy cleaning it later. :barf:
 
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