Good fixed blade for cleaning small game?

H

HazyDayz

Joined
Mar 11, 2014
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Hello all, I'm going to be doing some small game and bird hunting this season and in going through my collection, realized that I don't really have a fixed blade that I think is suitable.

The knife would be used for several purposes, but mostly for skinning and cleaning small game as stated. Small game being squirrel, rabbit, and various birds, mainly dove. My budget is small, if like to keep the knife under $50 if possible.

I have looked into several types of knives, fixed and folding, and while I would prefer fixed, I like the possibilities of an opinel slim or similar. The Schrade old timer Sharpfinger also comes to mind.

I do have a slip joint bird and trout knife with the hook, though I'm not entirely sure of it's purpose or use, and would prefer a folder to lock.

Had anyone used either of these or a Mora classic #1 for small game? They are my top contenders.


Other recommendations are welcome.
 
Look at the "Hunting & Fishing" sub-forum over in "The Great Outdoors" forum and you'll find a lot of various knives used for skinning game, from small game right up through elk, moose, deer, etc.

Don't limit yourself to a fixed blade knife. Several guys and gals use folders too such as the traditional Trapper along with the Buck 110/112, etc..

Good luck with your hunting.
 
The smaller version of the Buck 119. I can't remember the model number is a great little knife kershaw Antelope hunter as well.
 
HazyDayz said:
Hello all, I'm going to be doing some small game and bird hunting this season and in going through my collection, realized that I don't really have a fixed blade that I think is suitable.

The knife would be used for several purposes, but mostly for skinning and cleaning small game as stated. Small game being squirrel, rabbit, and various birds, mainly dove. My budget is small, if like to keep the knife under $50 if possible.

I have looked into several types of knives, fixed and folding, and while I would prefer fixed, I like the possibilities of an opinel slim or similar. The Schrade old timer Sharpfinger also comes to mind.

I do have a slip joint bird and trout knife with the hook, though I'm not entirely sure of it's purpose or use, and would prefer a folder to lock.

Had anyone used either of these or a Mora classic #1 for small game? They are my top contenders.


Other recommendations are welcome.
Click to expand...

The "hook" is for gutting birds. Basically, you shove the hook into the bird's cavity, spin it around and pull it out. The theory is that all the guts get tangled on it so you can pull them out. I can tell you from experience, it's quicker, easier and less cleanup if you just use your finger!

Aside from that, any small fixed blade or folder should be more than adequate... I've used a Case Slipjoint, Spyderco Military, RAT 1, Sebenza and Izula for the job. They all worked well- most typical EDC's will be more than adequate!
 
Check out te Buck 102 Woodsman. The longer I have mine the more I like it.

Jim
 
The new Sharpfingers are imports but I found the finish and quality on mine to be very good, inexpensive too. The older US ones 2nd hand could be a bargain but many can be costly.

Buck's Gen5 is a first-rate stainless knife, compact, thin and broad enough, great in the hand too and can serve many purposes, fishing, fire-making, food prep etc. Their stainless is great stuff as well.
 
I have the mora with the guard and use it for deer and squirrel. You can not find a knife that good for the price. I also have a lil finn that I will be trying out this year.

Dave
 
The Sharp Finger inspired pattern makes for a pretty good small game knife but I don't know much about the current production offerings. I bought a custom Sharp Finger inspired knife awhile back as that was the hunting knife I used the most as a kid. I have an Opinel Slim #12 that makes a nice bird & trout or small game knife. I agree with chris0827 on the practicality of the gut hook. Just pull them out with your fingers. I don't even use a knife cleaning dove, but I will use game shears to cut off the wings before I pluck them. I just stick my thumb up into the breast cavity, hold the landing gear end of the bird with my other hand and open it up. Then I pick out the heart & gizzard and clean the rest out.
 
Small game? Rabbits, grouse, ducks, and bass and such? I don't bother with a fancy nor specific knife anymore; the SAK Spartan that lives in my pocket 24/7 comfortably handles that stuff. But of course since you've tossed your 'line' out on this forum you're likely just 'fishin' for an excuse to buy something new, and a pedestrian SAK won't satisfy.
Forty years ago I got hold of a DHRussell #1 carbon steel belt knife (made by Grohmann in Nova Scotia) which I dearly love and it gets serious mileage on it during big game hunting season. Any sort of SAK is meagre for digging around inside a deer/elk/moose/caribou and peeling hides. Newer and daintier versions of this knife, called 'trout and bird' models, are 3/32" stainless instead of 1/8" and I could be tempted to order one except that they are not available in carbon steel.
 
As usual, Will and I are on the same page. The Schrade Sharpfinger 152 is the finest small game knife I've ever used. Mine was an old USA made knife, but the newer ones should be fine. Plenty of belly and a terrific point, this design just works.
 
I have found that long blades not as well suited to small game as knives like the trappers. Since you want a fixed or locking knife how about a Buck 112 or 113. A little creative shopping should keep you in budget.
 
I've always been partial to my Buck 105 pathfinder. The Buck 102 Woodsman is somewhat less expensive and and has a somewhat smaller blade.

AG Russell, a BF dealer member, sells his own design The Woodswalker which I think would also work well. It's very inexpensive and competes with the Mora in price.

http://www.agrussell.com/product.asp?pn=AGPRS
 
I love the Bark River Bird and Trout. It is super thin, s35vn and works like a champ.

DSC_2710-12__29864.1406250384.1280.1280.jpg


http://www.knivesshipfree.com/bird-and-trout/?sort=alphaasc
 
The new Sharpfingers have cheap hollow plastic handles, the balance is horrid and they break easily. I have my old carbon Sharpfinger I got for my 12th birthday and love it, if you cannot find a reasonably priced older model, check out some of the clones (Condor comes to mind).
 
Druk said:
The new Sharpfingers have cheap hollow plastic handles, the balance is horrid and they break easily. I have my old carbon Sharpfinger I got for my 12th birthday and love it, if you cannot find a reasonably priced older model, check out some of the clones (Condor comes to mind).
Click to expand...

That's sad. Such a classic pattern. I'll look into the clones.

That A.G. Russell looks interesting.

I understand that just about anything sharp will do, and I do like to have a reason to buy a new knife, but I'd likely be buying one or more of these patterns anyways. I just wanted input from someone that has used different blades for this task, and to see what sort of input they had to offer.

My main thought is that a fixed knife would be easier to clean than a folding knife with locks and springs. True or false?

I'll probably pick up the mora in a week or two as a camp knife, and potentially the opinel slim as well. They've been on my radar for a while.
 
Certainly fixed is easier to maintain, clean no question.

I'm surprised about Druk's experiences, they don't match mine anyway. Naturally, an original Sharpfinger is more desirable but they could be beyond your budget. As Jeff (Black Mamba) pointed out, they are an excellent pattern in the hand and offer a lot of versatility.

Here in Finland, a Marttiini puukko in stainless or carbon would offer great value and grip, you may be able to get these in America too for a reasonable price. If so, then a puukko is unbeatable and the sheath is THE best a fixed blade can have. Why? They retain the knife in nearly all conditions and the dangler loop ensures you can sit down without being prodded in the ribs like most other fixed blades.

Quick search reveals that you can get lots of Marttiini knives well within your budget from the bay. Why not give them a try?
 
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Buck 313 or similar Muskrat pattern with clip and spey blades
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I have used this knife to dress White Tail deer, Pheasant, duck, dove, squirrel, rabbit, fish and even Snapping turtles. I love this knife.
 
For a few more $ I would pick up a Grohman Bird and Trout and never worry about it again. Money well spent.

Here is a stock photo (not mine)
no2big.jpg


Here is an older picture of mine
 
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