Help,Which Knife for Caping?

A

ART338WM

Joined
Jan 25, 2004
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11
I need help choosing one of the fallowing knives would be best for caping out antlered animals like elk and deer.

<>Gerber Freeman Caping knife made of S30V steel
<>Knives of AlaskaCub Bear Caping knife made of AUS-8A steel
<>Cabelas Outfitter Series Caping Knife made of CR-17 steel
<>Cold Steel All Terrain Hunter made of Carbon V steel.

I am going to teach myself how to cape out deer and threre for need a good caping knife. The motivation behind me doing this is I go backpack hunting for elk and it has become and absolute necesity that I master caping out antlered animals.

What quality I need most in a caping knife is I immagine the same as with most hunting and skinning knives in that it must hold an razor edge for as long as possible and be able to be resharpened quickly and easly in the field.

Lastly, if anyone has a knife for under $75 to suggest I did not list that thay know will do a better job than the ones above, please by all means, suggest away. But these well all the US made caping knives I could come up with for under $75.

Thanks to all who take out time to help me with this.

Be well,
Art.
 
A caping knife needs to have a rather short razor-edged blade. Some people even use things like Xacto Knives for part of the work. I assume that you would rather not go the disposable blade route and want a standard fixed blade. You still need a thin blade with a razor sharp edge, particularly near the point. I would not use an S30V blade for this purpose. I've found it hard to get a true razor edge with that alloy (it can be done, but it is challenging). I haven't tried CR-17 so I can't recommend it. Carbon-V would take a great edge, but it might start to lose it do to corrosion. The big problem with the All Terrain Hunter is its 4.5-inch blade length--much too long for caping. AUS-8 takes a great edge easily and is more what I would pick for a caping knife. The Cub from KOA would be a good choice.

I would also suggest that you look at the AG Russell Bird and Trout model hunting knife with a VG-10 alloy blade. Its 3-inch blade is a bit on the long side for a caping knife, but the superior alloy and the thin flat ground blade would make for excellent performance for a caping knife. VG-10 will get as sharp as AUS-8, but will hold an edge distinctly longer. You could even pick a version of the Bird and Trout with a D2 alloy blade. That would hold an edge longer, but would be a bit harder to sharpen. I think that the VG-10 or AUS-8 version of the Bird and Trout would suit you better.
http://www.agrussell.com/knives/by_...s/a_g_russell_bird_trout_with_vg10_blade.html

You might also consider the AG Russell Woodstalker with AUS-8 blade. This has a much shorter blade and would work well for caping.
http://www.agrussell.com/knives/by_...woodswalker_in_leather_hip_pocket_sheath.html
 
I really like my Cold Steel Master Hunter in Carbon V steel but it is too big for what you are wanting. I have been looking at the Knives of Alaska Cub because I gave a three knife set to my brother that had that in it and really liked it. I have also been checking into the Dozier Small Game Skinner which is basically a caping blade in D2. I have used a Dozier D2 White River Skinner for years and really like that steel and it can certainly get very sharp. Just depends on how deep your pockets are I guess.

I think the one I'm going to buy is the Cold Steel Mini Pendleton Hunter in AUS8A steel though. For the money it just seems to be a great deal but the real cincher for me is the handle. The handle on my Master Hunter is so good that I think I'll probably like the Mini Hunter also because its the same material.

For what its worth, when we spent a little time in Alaska I noticed some of the Natives there using the Cold Steel Ready Edge knives for caping jobs and for a lot of big jobs as well on Moose and for cutting fish up and the nets too. I know they are only 400 series steels but you wouldn't know it in their hands. The serrated edge keeps it going and going and going for a long time and they are cheap too. Just a thought. I notice now that CS is selling a Super Edge that has a slightly better steel than the Ready Edge but I realize these are proabably a stretch. I've just seen them used for some pretty good close detail caping type work in the past that impressed me.

STR
 
Kershaw Black Horse II (lockback folder.)
Buck 102 Woodsman
Buck 477bk caper
Camillus Granpa
Cold Steel Mini Pendleton Hunter
Puma Cobra
 
Knives of Alaska Cub Bear is a super little caping knife. (6 1/2" OAL) The Cub Bear also comes in D2, but this is one application where AUS-8 may be a better choice since it takes such a killer edge. (I just noticed the offical Knives Of Alaska website is offering free shipping and a free sharpening steel for a limited time.)
http://www.knivesofalaska.com/catalog/prod_display.aspx?from=Fixed Blade Knives&cat=Cub Bear

One other knives you may want to take a look at is the Bark River Little Caper knife. BRKT makes a great knife with a ton of handle options and you just can't beat their customer service. Worth every penny, IMHO.
( BRKT Little Caper below has antique ivory micarta & A-2 steel - $78.71 )
http://www.dlttradingcompany.com/index.php?cPath=24&osCsid=7a3362de9eb98a1b862d5c7d472aae6e

Little%20Caper%20Antique%20Ivory%20Solid%20Pins.jpg
 
:thumbup: Greatest of thanks to Jeff, STR, Roudy, and Boozoo for their suggestions and for the time it took to do so. I will order the both the AG Russle B&T, as well as the DH in VG-10 steel as I have read some great things about VG-10 steel. Especially that VG-10 is a superb steel for a hunting, skinning, and caping application.

Again thanks. This is one H##ll of an impressive website.
 
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