Question for hunters only

[DRM]

I asked this question on another forum and got only one response. Please advise:

It's been over 20 years since I've hunted or fished w/ my father. He always dressed the game and cleaned the fish, and I don't remember the knife he used.

I've decided to resume this pastime. I'm not on a budget, and would like your recommendations for a knife that will work well on the following game: deer, turkey, upland birds, rabbit, squirrel, and freshwater fish.

I own three HI khuks: Durba Chiruwa AK, Bura Dhankuta, and a Bilton.
I don't think that either of those would suffice. The two sugggestions I've received are either a 3.5" drop point or game shears.

Opinions please? Thank you.

 

[BruiseLeee]

I can't resist posting where I shouldn't. I'll post under the guise of a good deed.

BTTT.

 

[Mad Mike]

DRM,
IMO you won't go wrong with a quality lockblade folder. A Buck or Old Timer are both good and they won't break the pocket book. (I know you said the budget wasn't an issue) Both of these knives will be more than enough for the critters you plan on using them on.
Mike

 

[Yvsa]

Originally posted by DRM
It's been over 20 years since I've hunted or fished w/ my father. He always dressed the game and cleaned the fish, and I don't remember the knife he used.

I've decided to resume this pastime. I'm not on a budget, and would like your recommendations for a knife that will work well on the following game: deer, turkey, upland birds, rabbit, squirrel, and freshwater fish.

Opinions please? Thank you.

Get yourself a YCS. I designed it for just the purpose you want it for.
You will need to thin the kardas down, true up the bevels and sharpen to your needs.
You really need a fillet knife for the fish though, something thin and flexible.
There's a lot of good fillet knives on the market, but you might check out Cliff Stamp's website. I think he did a study on some fillet knives quite sometime back.

 

[DKP]

With your khukuris, I think all you need is a good, Case two-blade folding hunter with belt sheath, & a pair of long & short fillet knives. The old Buck 110 is also a mighty nice folding lock-back.

 

[munk]

YOu'll like a thin edge with fish. Otherwise, people can do amazing things with thick khuks or simple lockbacks. One of my best friends has always dressed out his big game, including elk, with a small pocket folder, blade length about 3.5 "

I'm looking forward to using a khuk on an elk and like Yvsa's idea of thining a karda.

munk

 

[Daniel Koster]

(...waiting for Sarge to speak up...)

...ok, time's up.


Here's how I see it:

You clearly appreciate traditional knives, so get one of either of the following:

A puukko / leuku combination ***Highly Recommended***
A puukko / fillet combination
A ~4" drop point - by anybody touting the Loveless style


Any of these fall in the traditional knife category and would fit the bill just fine.

The Nordic blades are great at keeping an edge and are great workhorses.

Once you start looking at buying a "hunting knife" - you know, the kind you buy once and use it for 40 years - the price goes up fast. Minimum = $300

Don't even ask for a Fowler knife...

 

[not2sharp]

My father has been actively hunting for over 50 years and has harvested several score of deer. He has access to a wide variety of knives yet the Buck 102 Woodsman remains his favorite fixed bladed hunting knife. He also likes the Case Blade exchanger, and usually carries a small Gerber axe.

n2s

 

[Tohatchi NM]

Double post - see below, just cleaning up.
Rusty

 

[Tohatchi NM]

Marbles makes some good traditional-style knives.

AG Russell has some interesting semi-custom knives (Dozier, etc.) that should skin pretty well.

Lately I've been looking at D.H. Russell knives - on the AG Russell site or at www.grohmannknives.com. No super-steels, but you can get them in carbon. They also sell kits that are substantially cheaper and would let you customize the handle. I've found that tinkering with khuks makes me more interested in modifying my knives.

Pukko would be a good choice.

You could also try a custom job by a lesser-known maker. Lots of these people start out using knives for hunting or fishing, so have some idea of what it takes to make something functional.

*Disclaimer - no actual experience using any of the above on large game.* :footinmou

 

[Sylvrfalcn]

A good sharp puukko with a blade between 3 1/2" to 4" would handle most anything you'd want to do. I would say throw in a Bruksfors or Wetterling belt axe for quartering up big critters, but you already got khuks.

When I was a boy growing up, all the processing of small game was accomplished with my barlow knife. An old butcher knife worn skinny from years of sharpening took care of fish cleaning. More important than fancy tools is a good working knowledge of how critters are supposed to come apart.

Sarge

 

[Kismet]

More deer have been dressed out with a pocketknife than any other type, because that's what was available. Anything will probably do.

THAT being said, Old Marbles (on eBay) give me a sense of continuity, a guy (blackisis@adelphia.net) is selling out an inventory of Mora2000 knives--nice guy, met him through eBaby--will sell direct; Brusletto Falken or the other Swedish knives will just be a treat.

I LOVE Bird and Trout knives...they seem elegant to me, so old Westerns, Kabars, etc...just a joy.

The Case 102 is a worker, proved through ages.

For pheasants, small game, etc... I use any of the above and a small pruning shears for bones. Skin the birds instead of plucking and cook 'em in a closed casserole with a few cups of water.

My khuks are the biggest knives I have, and least used on wild game, but any of the 6-12 inch knives will do MOST of everthing you need.

Be safe, have fun. Neat to be able to start over... I envy you.

 

[servtech]

I used a 12" Sirupati to skin my buck last fall and it worked just fine. My usual hunting knives are large and small Sebenzas.

 

[Rusty]

I occassionally check to see who's online reading this forum. Earlier today I noticed a Bob Dozier listed lurking. You don't suppose?

I've got one of the original D.H.Russell Canadian belt knives. Someone else ( I think it's Lone Wolf ) is doing a Bob Loveless authorized version of his drop point and semi skinner. I really think you have to find for yourself what feels right. The old CBKC was a 9" khuk with 5 & 1/2" blade, might be worth a try.

Have fun. Once you make your mind up, and find it's right for you, do it up royal with stag handle, etc.

 

[raghorn]

I like Sarge and Pen's philosophies on this topic, but haven't yet taken the plunge yet. Hopefully I'll be able to review the YCS next hunting season. (Hint! )

Big game - A 3 to 4" drop point or a well made karda will do most everything you need. I used a karda for all of my field dressing and skinning tasks this year (four whitetails), and now my Gerber Gators are out of a job. HI Pen-knife works great for splitting ribcage, quartering and butchering; 18" AK to split pelvis.

Birds - I use a small fixed-blade stamped "Mora Sweden" that I picked up as a blanket prize at a shoot a few years back. Not sure what it's called, but there's a poor pic attached for the experts to figure out. I'm sure it was a cheapie, but the steel is very good, it holds an edge well and does quite a number on grouse and pheasant.

Fish - any well-made fillet knife.

Shameless Plug Alert: Last year I used my EDC Kershaw Vapor II to field dress and skin a whitetail when I was helping someone and didn't have my hunting gear, and also to clean anout 75 fish on a camping trip after the fish knife went into the drink. While not designed specifically for either task, it acquitted itself admirably and earned my respect as more than just a rope and box cutter.

 

[Roadrunner]

On a budget, a Shrade Sharpfinger is an excellent $20 knife that you can find in any Wal-Mart or K-Mart. It'll take some time to get it sharp since the initial bevel is very thick and uneven, but it will take a nice edge. I used mine to dress out three deer last fall, it did a great job. Marbles are really nice for a little more money. I plan to replace my Sharpfinger with one of those in the near future. For fish though, you really do need a fillet knife. Normark blades are good in my experience. The wood handled models are really nice for the money, they are worth more than they cost. Get one of the medium sized ones, it will be the most versatile.

 

[beyondmyken]

Might I suggest you look for a flat grind blade that extends about the length of your index finger as you hold the knife. Get enough curve to do some skinning. Avoid upswept tips as they can puncture things like elk stomachs if you are not careful. I have always been partial to semi-skinner style blades about 1/8" thick. I don't use a fillet knife on the fish I catch, rarely big enough to need that long of a blade

 

[Pax-V]

I personally use a #24 scalpel, and a #4 handle. Actually works better than any knife I've ever used. My buddies were so impressed they all got one.

 

[philthygeezer]

They have been mentioned twice now, which surprises me.

The D.H. Russell knives look like a great buy and are very ergonomic. An R2S or R2SF (flat grind) trout/bird would probably handle most of your needs with aplomb, though it may be a little small for deer. Get an R1S or R1SF if you would like something bigger. They are both available in European 4110 series German stainless or C70 carbon steel blades. I have only handled them and they seem wonderful, but I don't know anything about the steels or how they hold an edge.

Belt knives page:

http://www.grohmannknives.com/pages/outdoor.html

 

[Rusty]

A.G. Russell is the only place I've found the Grouhmann's of the varied webstores I checked.