Recommendation? Help Recommend Thin Clip Blade Fixed for Field Dressing Deer

P

pgtr

Joined
Dec 10, 2017
Messages
4
I've been looking for an ideal knife for my needs and having trouble finding it. Here's what I've been looking for:
  • A relatively thin clip blade (think blade used in Buck 110 folding)
  • Fixed blade
  • Ideally about 3.5" long blade give or take about a 1/4"
  • Comfortable, 'grippy' full handed handle with finger guard
  • Can handle abuse of blood, moisture and easy to clean up
  • Around $10-$50-ish - I'm flexible though
  • Prefer made in USA but open to options...
  • Easily re-sharpened myself w/ average skills
  • A good textured grippy handle is desirable - plastic is fine
  • Nice to have: Orange or other bright handle color like Red etc.
I've looked at many of the major US brands such as Buck, Camillus, Case, etc. as well as Morakniv (Swed). For hunting knives then tend to favor offering a selection of mostly LONGER blades and notably FATTER blades with drop point tips. I don't like the length and the fatter blades get in the way for how I prefer to field dress. I do *not* skin, cape, quarter or butcher. I JUST field dress and take it in for processing. While I don't split the pelvis, I still prefer a fixed blade for ease of clean up. I'm probably more interested in efficiency than aesthetics.

Here's a few I've found that come close

Morakniv Companion: Avail in orange, ridiculously cheap, narrow blade, nice handle, easy clean up. But: tad longish at 4 inches (they also have a basic 511 that's a tad shorter but slightly blunter blade tip...)
timthumb.php


Case 379 Fixed Hunter: Handle is a bit small but nicely meats most of my other requirements. I have a Queen Steel #85 that is very similar but has the identical (too small) handle dimension.
knifework-379.jpg
.

Buck - Open Season Caper Knife: I really like the looks of this one. Despite it's name it's not that curved and the tip is fairly pointed... Probably my favorite - never tried a knife shaped like this before...
0542BKS-B.jpg


Buck - 102: Darn nice looking but like the Morakniv a 'tad' longer than I prefer (and perhaps slippery?). (For $10 I could get the Morakniv and if I like it's dimensions, upgrade to the 102). I have a 5" Edge Mark Solingen bone handled knife - very similar to this and much too long.
0102BKS-B.jpg


Other's I've looked at include Buck's Bucklite Max Small, Buck's 101 Hunter, Kershaws 1895, Gerber's Gator Fixed Drop Point. But they tend towards fatter, curving more caping oriented blades w/ broader tips...

Any other recommendations anyone here would care to make would be appreciated. Otherwise I will probably pick between a Morakniv or the Buck Caper...

Thanks!
 
Thanks. Just messing around here's a so-so attempt to show some together to 'scale'. Scale is probably a bit off. #1, #2 and #4 would be my front-runners...

38111995165_166ebd4dbd_z.jpg
 
Don't give up on the small version of the Bucklite Max... From your list:

  • A relatively thin clip blade (think blade used in Buck 110 folding) Not a clip, but a very useful drop point...
  • Fixed blade Check...
  • Ideally about 3.5" long blade give or take about a 1/4" 3 and an eighth inch is perfect for field dressing deer...
  • Comfortable, 'grippy' full handed handle with finger guard Check...
  • Can handle abuse of blood, moisture and easy to clean up Check...
  • Around $10-$50-ish - I'm flexible though $20-ish...
  • Prefer made in USA but open to options... Check...
  • Easily re-sharpened myself w/ average skills Buck's 420HC is a snap with average skills and average gear...
  • A good textured grippy handle is desirable - plastic is fine Check...
  • Nice to have: Orange or other bright handle color like Red etc. Available in orange or red (RMEF version)...

Pound for pound, dollar for dollar, one of the best deals in the entire knife industry. Try one on for size!
 
There are several other Moras. Most under $20. I believe every Mora purchase helps support the Swedish Bikini Team.

Filet knife is 3.375"
Flex knife is 3.5"
Robust 3.6"
Pro S 3.625"
 
Get the Mora #511 clipper and have a service provider here modify it for you.
It won't be too hard or cost too much to have someone give it a traditional clip point, and potentially a different grind.
Just find someone and I'm sure you could just order the knife and have it sent to them to modify saving some shipping cost.
I've got a Mora and they use great steel that's easy to keep sharp.
 
Last edited:
J85909266 said:
https://www.knifecenter.com/item/SM...-point-blade-black-tpe-handles-leather-sheath

SMG225a.jpg


  • Blade Length: 3.54"
  • Handle Length: 4.75"
  • Overall Length: 8.27"
  • Blade Steel: 9Cr18MoV Stainless Steel
  • Blade Thickness: 0.14"
  • Blade Hardness: 58-59 HRC
Blade is closer to drop than clip, but it looks nice to use. has a nice leather sheath, too.
Click to expand...

Looks like a nice knife, thanks for posting it :thumbsup:

pgtr said:
I've been looking for an ideal knife for my needs and having trouble finding it. Here's what I've been looking for:
  • A relatively thin clip blade (think blade used in Buck 110 folding)
  • Fixed blade
  • Ideally about 3.5" long blade give or take about a 1/4"
  • Comfortable, 'grippy' full handed handle with finger guard
  • Can handle abuse of blood, moisture and easy to clean up
  • Around $10-$50-ish - I'm flexible though
  • Prefer made in USA but open to options...
  • Easily re-sharpened myself w/ average skills
  • A good textured grippy handle is desirable - plastic is fine
  • Nice to have: Orange or other bright handle color like Red etc.
I've looked at many of the major US brands such as Buck, Camillus, Case, etc. as well as Morakniv (Swed). For hunting knives then tend to favor offering a selection of mostly LONGER blades and notably FATTER blades with drop point tips. I don't like the length and the fatter blades get in the way for how I prefer to field dress. I do *not* skin, cape, quarter or butcher. I JUST field dress and take it in for processing. While I don't split the pelvis, I still prefer a fixed blade for ease of clean up. I'm probably more interested in efficiency than aesthetics.

Here's a few I've found that come close

Morakniv Companion: Avail in orange, ridiculously cheap, narrow blade, nice handle, easy clean up. But: tad longish at 4 inches (they also have a basic 511 that's a tad shorter but slightly blunter blade tip...)
timthumb.php


Case 379 Fixed Hunter: Handle is a bit small but nicely meats most of my other requirements. I have a Queen Steel #85 that is very similar but has the identical (too small) handle dimension.
knifework-379.jpg
.

Buck - Open Season Caper Knife: I really like the looks of this one. Despite it's name it's not that curved and the tip is fairly pointed... Probably my favorite - never tried a knife shaped like this before...
0542BKS-B.jpg


Buck - 102: Darn nice looking but like the Morakniv a 'tad' longer than I prefer (and perhaps slippery?). (For $10 I could get the Morakniv and if I like it's dimensions, upgrade to the 102). I have a 5" Edge Mark Solingen bone handled knife - very similar to this and much too long.
0102BKS-B.jpg


Other's I've looked at include Buck's Bucklite Max Small, Buck's 101 Hunter, Kershaws 1895, Gerber's Gator Fixed Drop Point. But they tend towards fatter, curving more caping oriented blades w/ broader tips...

Any other recommendations anyone here would care to make would be appreciated. Otherwise I will probably pick between a Morakniv or the Buck Caper...

Thanks!
Click to expand...

The fixed blade version of the 110 is the 101, but it's about twenty bucks over your set max.
 
For the criteria I saw mentioned ... you may want to check out the Buck Vanguard with rubber handles. I know its more of a drop point than clip ... but that is also better for field dressing deer ... less prone to cutting anything you don't want to.

Its 440 easy to sharpen and Buck's heat treat seems to hold an edge fairly well. It's avaiable in wood or tye rubber handles ... they have a finger guard and are a bit beefier knife then a Mora.
 
Already some good suggestions. OP, I like your own idea of the Buck Caper. The Bucklite Max is a fantastic blade, I have one and strongly recommend it. I'm a Mora fan too, but I own and use both, and I actually like the Bucklite Max better than the inexpensive Moras for my usage. The tip is just on the borderline of being as "clippy" as you want it, but otherwise perfect and possibly, a slightly better more grippy handle than the Caper. But any of these--the Caper, Bucklite Max, or Moras--would be a good choice in this price range.

A couple inexpensive clippy tip options from Schrade. Caveat: I do not own any of these knives, but own many other Schrades, they are often a high quality 'budget' knife with good classic task-specific knife designs, and worth considering. Some of these are close to your specs:

 
Hickory n steel said:
Get the Mora #511 clipper and have a service provider here modify it for you.
It won't be too hard or cost too much to have someone give it a traditional clip point, and potentially a different grind.
Just find someone and I'm sure you could just order the knife and have it sent to them to modify saving some shipping cost.
I've got a Mora and they use great steel that's easy to keep sharp.
Click to expand...

The Mora 511 "Clipper" is a clip point. ("Clipper") . I suppose it could be altered into a concave clip rather than a straight clip...though neither is more "traditional" than the other...I'm not sure what you mean by that.

It is an excellent choice though.
 
pgtr said:
I've been looking for an ideal knife for my needs and having trouble finding it. Here's what I've been looking for:
  • A relatively thin clip blade (think blade used in Buck 110 folding)
Click to expand...

Welcome. I'm a tad confused. You first bullet is about it having a Buck 110-style clip point (concave clip). Is that first because it is first in importance to you?

The Mora you are considering is a straight clip, the Buck Open Season is a drop point, the Sharpfinger and Wolverine are trailing points, etc...

The Buck 102 is the only one that "hits" on that first bullet.

Its a good choice if that first bullet is your main one. Its not slippery and its built to do precisely what you are talking about. It hasn't been around forever because it's slippery.
 
marcinek said:
And for the record, I would go for this modified Mora from our friend FortyTwoBlades FortyTwoBlades

http://www.baryonyxknife.com/momoproroflg.html

It appears to tick all your boxes (except the concave clip) AND he has made a full flat grind out of it, which will make for an even better skinner than a stock Mora. Their scandi grind is more of a "woodworker" in my opinion.
Click to expand...

I'm afraid the one shown is no longer available, but I do have Pro Robusts on hand and would be able to grind another like it. :)
 
I have had and used the Buck 102 since the early 70's and cleaned plenty of game with it. I've had few things to complain about with it. It doesn't see as much use as it used to - as like you - the handle is a bit small for me now. I found the benefits of the drop point knife later in life and now prefer that configuration. But since you prefer a trailing or clip point, the 102 is a great choice and will serve you well for years.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
I'm afraid the one shown is no longer available, but I do have Pro Robusts on hand and would be able to grind another like it. :)
Click to expand...
Spoke to this gentleman on the phone not too long ago. Quite friendly, helpful, forthright and knowledgeable. As you can see, he is also very willing to work with his customers.

I would suggest a Mora, and take some SiC sandpaper and a dowel (PVC, wood, brass, even copper) and wrap the sand paper around it and make the straight clip th style you want.
- You won't risk the Temper.
- It is easy, straightforward, and did I mention easy?
- You will be making this "Your Knife".
 
maximus83 said:
Old Timer Sharpfinger: https://www.knifecenter.com/item/SCH152OT/schrade-152ot-old-timer-sharpfinger-fixed-delrin-handles
Click to expand...

^ This

NJBillK said:
Spoke to this gentleman on the phone not too long ago. Quite friendly, helpful, forthright and knowledgeable. As you can see, he is also very willing to work with his customers.

I would suggest a Mora, and take some SiC sandpaper and a dowel (PVC, wood, brass, even copper) and wrap the sand paper around it and make the straight clip the style you want.
Click to expand...

^ or this.

Another option: Muela PIK-AS - made in Spain and can be found for <$30

noz-muela-pik-as_0_b-500x500.jpg


I used one on my last deer for everything from field-dressing to the last bit of butchering (in my garage in the cold) and it worked splendidly. I must present that I did modify mine by thinning behind the edge and dropping the tip of the point, but they come as shown above (mine has a black leather sheath). Handle is VERY 'grippy', blade is 440 stainless and 3" long + 3/4" choil.

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MAOHGCb.jpg
 
Last edited:
Possible for consideration.... Condor Two Rivers skinner. Handle is wood and the blade length is about 4". Nice leather sheath comes with it. It is a handy little knife, but the blade height might be too much for you. It is not a bird and trout type knife.

Queen makes a small fixed blade that runs about $50 that would work too. I believe it's in D-2.

Added: The Condor Sapiens (3" blade) would work well and is shaped similar to the Mora. The wood handle version is the least expensive.
 
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marcinek said:
Welcome. I'm a tad confused. You first bullet is about it having a Buck 110-style clip point (concave clip). Is that first because it is first in importance to you?
Click to expand...

No. The list is simply an unsorted list. Hope that helps clarify things a bit for you. Thanks,
 
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