Blue Sky, it's funny you mention that! I checked with guys at my fish and game clubs recently. Most like something smaller, like 3-3.25" long blade length, and others want a longer, like 4-5" blade length knife for Deer! Many of the guys split the sternum/ribs apart to get into the cavity easier; they prefer the shorter knife. The ones who don't split the sternum/ribs generally tend to prefer a longer blade. It was about 50/50 for the guys I have spoken with! Most like a drop point, some prefer a clip point.
I've dressed a few clean kill deer (neck shot) and some messy deer (heart/lung shot or a gut shot). With a clean neck shot, the smaller knife works great. For a messier shot, the longer blades gives more clearance and stay cleaner. After a few shoulder/heart shots, I learned to go for the neck! So much easier to clean and less meat damage!
The 2 I posted above are what I like as a general hunting knife; slimmer, pointier 3.25" blade. It's more nimble and versatile and doesn't get in the way as much.
These are around 4" long cutting edge (blade length is a bit over 4" due to the finger choil to choke up for finer work), and larger knives overall. They feel a bit bulky to me for a hunter, but others love them! One clip point, one drop point.
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For the gutting/field dressing tasks, a reverse tanto is something I want to try! I was taught by the guys to put my index finger along the spine of the knife to protect the tip and use the blade that way with the edge up to zip open the deer. The reverse tanto seems like it would excel there and give a fine tip for detail work like a caping knife would do. Hopefully I get to try it out this year!
B.T.B.
B.T.B.
