Lightwieght backpacking for elk, knives

chopchop said:
I've heard a lot of guys are using Havalon knives with replaceable scalpel blades for skinning everything from deer to elk to moose. You'd need a leatherman or such to change the blade out, but you can't beat the weight or sharpness.

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If you've got another blade for breaking and making for fire/wood craft/shelter building, this might be the way to go to keep your weight down.


There are some backpack hunting websites out there (archerytalk, rokslide, etc). You might take a look at those for ideas as well.
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i've used em & they will work, but not for what he wants, too delicate. Excellent for skinning though

& Poez is right got to be careful with whom you are asking about hunting knives,
 
Planetcat said:
Get a spyderco Phil Wilson south fork. It'll do everything you need it to do on an elk and not need sharpening. Very light slim profile.
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Poez said:
Be careful about taking advices from knife-nuts here: we all have our favorite knives and steels but not all have actual hunting and skinning experience. I am one of those: without practical expertise, so I will not be of much help. The one thing that I wish to tell you is that the super steels recommended here, like s90v are not only exceptionally good at edge holding, but also are PITA to sharpen when they get dull: so be aware of this and make sure you have got right sharpening tools and skills if you decide to go for it!
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Ok, Ok, not an elk. But I did completely field dress, skin, and bone out a 400 lb. bear with my Southfork last year. Still as sharp as it was out of the box. Truly amazing. For a less expensive alternative, I am a big fan of D2 in the field, although there was a post here that commented on the bone collector series pooping out half way through an elk. I use Knives of Alaska D2 and it holds up pretty good in hunting situations.
 
A good 3 to 5 inch drop point stainless blade will work well on a Elk for you.
I just rec'd BM 162 that I will take to camp this fall, I think it will work well.

If you are going to pack out an Elk, more than one knife is a good idea...small hatchet too.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions! I do plan on using the gutless method, I've practiced it on a few whitetails. Any sharp knife seems to work for whitetails, I've got a mid 1980's Buck 120 that good for meat processing.
I was kinda thinking fixed blade, I just acquired a Spyderco Manix XL, that may be the best steel in a knife that I own right now. It's only shaved some hair off my arm so far. I have a condor woodlore and bushlore, but though they may be to heavy and need sharpening halfway through.
Budget, I guess I could go to 250. but I am a bit frugal by nature. Thanks, and keep the suggestions comming!
 
No doubt , my 2 fav knives for elk are Phil Wilson in 10v special design 4.5 inch blade and a just as thin Big Chris in s90V. Believe me when I say ive tried everything.
You still need a sharpener on elk, dmt red and green is perfect , takes 5 seconds to touch up back to hair popping sharpness ,the sak is perfect for caping .
 
Hell with the hatchet take an ultralight small saw for scull plate. A small saw weighs half a hatchet worth using .Carrying sculls on horns will break you of carrying sculls on horns,believe me ive tried all possibilities there too.
 
To avoid any confusion, these Ti knives are carbidized at the edge.

Nate was out of commission for a little while due to a wrist injury, but he looks to be recovered and ramping up production again. He's no longer making knives for Kuiu, but you should be able to order direct from Kestrel Knives now.
 
elkpro1 said:
No doubt , my 2 fav knives for elk are Phil Wilson in 10v special design 4.5 inch blade and a just as thin Big Chris in s90V. Believe me when I say ive tried everything.
You still need a sharpener on elk, dmt red and green is perfect , takes 5 seconds to touch up back to hair popping sharpness ,the sak is perfect for caping .
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oh like wise, but the last elk i gutted, quartered and skinned i used the same edge the whole time
 
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Take my advice about the sharpener ,only an amateur would go try to cut up elk on the ground without a sharpener in remote country .
Elk are very muddy a lot of times when dejionting legs and the long caping cut it can dull even 10v then you may hit a rock as well .
 
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