- Joined
- Feb 23, 2002
- Messages
- 3,674
In the field I had with me my Pen-knife, a 12" Sirupati and my trusty Schrade as a backup. At the time I needed them I was also faced with having only one hour of daylight and a very long drag up a very steep slope, so I wanted to get the field-dressing done FAST and start that climb.
The real star of the show today was neither the Pen nor the Sirupati, it was a karda. Specifically the one I call the Art Swyhart Super Karda. Awhile back Art gave me a very neat little knife that fits in the karda slot of a scabbard. It has about a 2" pointed blade, curved back kind of like a sheep's foot style, a full tang and a 4" slab handle.
I began field dressing with this knife and quickly realized it was all that I would need. The shortness of the blade, combined with the backward sweep of the edge, made field-dressing fast and efficient. Equally important was that I did not cut myself while working blind inside the cavity.
When I got home I used Art's karda to finish skinning and cleaning. The Pen knife is an excellent skinner once the fine areas are done
with the smaller blade. I also used the Pen knife to chop the onions for the tenderloin marinade.
I think the Pen will shine most next week when we butcher. I think it will quickly disassemble a deer better than any knives I've previously used and be better suited for the task than an AK.
The only other knife I used tonight was an 18" AK. I decided to first use it to chop off the forelegs instaed of a saw. It took each off with one whack, but suffered little dents in the edge as a result. Note to self: use a saw next time.
The 18" AK split the ribcage and removed the sternum like nothing I've ever used before. It also split the pelvic bone in two strikes. These big AKs are going to put my hatchet on welfare!
I want to close this post by once again thanking Art for being a great guy and for that incredible little knife that rides shotgun with my khukuri.
The real star of the show today was neither the Pen nor the Sirupati, it was a karda. Specifically the one I call the Art Swyhart Super Karda. Awhile back Art gave me a very neat little knife that fits in the karda slot of a scabbard. It has about a 2" pointed blade, curved back kind of like a sheep's foot style, a full tang and a 4" slab handle.
I began field dressing with this knife and quickly realized it was all that I would need. The shortness of the blade, combined with the backward sweep of the edge, made field-dressing fast and efficient. Equally important was that I did not cut myself while working blind inside the cavity.
When I got home I used Art's karda to finish skinning and cleaning. The Pen knife is an excellent skinner once the fine areas are done
with the smaller blade. I also used the Pen knife to chop the onions for the tenderloin marinade.
I think the Pen will shine most next week when we butcher. I think it will quickly disassemble a deer better than any knives I've previously used and be better suited for the task than an AK.The only other knife I used tonight was an 18" AK. I decided to first use it to chop off the forelegs instaed of a saw. It took each off with one whack, but suffered little dents in the edge as a result. Note to self: use a saw next time.
The 18" AK split the ribcage and removed the sternum like nothing I've ever used before. It also split the pelvic bone in two strikes. These big AKs are going to put my hatchet on welfare!I want to close this post by once again thanking Art for being a great guy and for that incredible little knife that rides shotgun with my khukuri.
