Scrapyard Elmax, Spyderco Southfork, SURVIVE GSO-4.1 M390 or S90V, or Enzo Trapper?

[cm_bushman]

Four different fixed blades, four very different design philosophies, materials of all descriptions, and I can't decide. I've been going back and forth between these knives for a long time. I can't really get them all at once, or even two at a time, so I would like opinions on them so to pick which one to go with, and why. I'm the type to just get one knife that I love rather than many, partially due to limited funds and partially due to habit, so any one of these represent a big investment for me.

This would be my primary belt knife, and likely my only fixed blade after I bought it (excluding a Mora or two). It would be an around-the-house EDC, and a camp knife. It would also serve as a skinner (if I can do my part), fillet knife, vegetable peeler and slicer, and maybe a part time whittler and trap-carver. I don't ask a lot out of my knives by way of batoning or prying, but I don't want to have to worry about cutting through anything reasonable.

 

[knoefz]

Sounds like you use your knife for slicing and cutting.
Scrapyard's thin elmax knives and the Spyderco Southfork seem to have the optimised geometry for those kind of tasks.
My choice would be the Southfork, it handles sooo nice, fits my hands perfect, great balance, super steel and smooth g10 handles ( I prefer G10 over the material scrapyard uses).

 

[Ankerson]

The South Fork sounds like it would be the best choice for what you want to use it for.

 

[Ethan_Hardy]

I would go with the previous poster. The Southfork looks like it would be ideal for you. You cant beat that belly!

 

[RWT]

OP- you are in the same boat as I am. I have gone through a ton of blades to find one that is just right. Kinda like Goldielocks..... Good thing is the journey is enjoyable. I have had 3 of the blades you mention and a few others as you can see. My take on each is below and my opinion as to where I am now that may help you.

First I will address the items you requested.

Southfork- I bought it on Ankerson's recommendation. I have not used it on animals to date as it is to hot to want to process anything. What I think it will be after using it in the kitchen on fajitas and vegetables. Great blade design, I still do not like the ricasso and the handle is to slim and slick. The length and shape of the handle is great, but just not enough girth for old arthritic hands. Looks to be a touch long for cleaning deer, but we will see. The steel is awesome as mine was a used blade when purchased and it stropped back to sharp in no time. Big for me as I cannot sharpen a thing. I am worried about having to take it to the worksharp once it gets dull.

Scrapmax 340- great steel, great handle - actually love the handle it is long enough, grippy when wet and fills my hand. Used it to assist in cleaning deer this year and is crazy sharp and did strop back to sharp after two deer. The blade is to short for backstrap and to wide IMO opinion. The blade also flexes too much. I prefer something stiffer. The 460 is on my list as I like the blade design better, however, it will still flex to much for me to be my primary fixed blade. If that blade were a little thicker it would be a Mora on steroids and maybe as close to perfect as it can be.

GS0 4.0 in Elmax- had it- sold it just last week. Blade design is not great for cleaning animals and the handle is to thin for me. Size was almost right for the length, but the blade width/depth is to tall IMO.

Enzo - looks good but never handled one.


Now for the past year I have used all of these, a few others and a KOA caper. I find I use the caper more than anything when cleaning animals so I am having Big Chris make me one with a larger handle. The caper has been used for 10+ years now and I figured since I keep going back to it why not have a custom made that fits me better. I still need a longer blade for backstrap and as a beater or primary belt knife. Lately I have used my CABS as the 4" blade for running around the joints and up against bone. The caper does 90% of the field dressing and the 4-5" I can use for everything else and not worry about the tip breaking. This includes any camp chores or bushcrafty stuff which I really never need. I've estimate I have cleaned 500+ animals in 25 years and used everything from a 6" filet knife to a leatherman. The closest thing I have found to the right size is a Rodent Solution or a CABS, but both need to be moded. The RS blade is way to thick and has to be stripped of the coating, but it holds a decent edge and is just about the perfect size over all. The CABS I need a slimmer blade and bigger handle(slabs). I am going custom as the cost is to close to what a modification on a production model would be. For instance a RS is $125 new. I then have to have the blade stripped, thinned out and I might as well have the slabs replaced to the thickness I like and add pins so it is easier to clean(blood in the rivet holes sucks). Just my 2 cents. I am also selling my CABS as I do not want that much tied up in a knife and I am still not 100% happy with it on edge retention.



List of blades I have used to clean animals- at least what I can remember and why I am no longer using them
6" filet knife- flexed to much and too long
Mora clipper- great handle - blade length is good - scandi grind left odd cuts in the backstraps
CABS- close to perfect but I had to have mine mod'd- to much invested to risk losing it so it is for sale now
RS- like it and still have it but am selling it for a custom caper due to wanting to mod it to much
Kabar 6 1/2 blade given to me by my dad- used it as a kid since I did not know any better and thought I was a bad ass at 13 having huge fixed blade on my hip
Schrade Sharpfinger(two of these)- love the blade shape- a little short for good size deer on the backstrap- derlin handle blows when wet and is to small for my hands- still I went through two of them as I sharpened the first to a nub
Schrade with gut hook- derlin handles blow when wet and I started hating gut hooks with this one
Schrade safety with gut hook- learned to hate gut hooks as I could not sharpen them and the blade is too long and wide
Case Blade trader -love it-still have it - used multiple blades every time- hate cleaning it
CRKT drifter- forgot all my knives- this is my EDC
Original Leatherman- seriously I was in a pinch and only had this in my pack
6"boning knife I found in the kitchen- great handle - too long of a blade and flexed
KOA caper- still in use today
KOS Alaskan- loved the size but D2 hates me when sharpening so I sold it
Buck 110 knock off - still have it but sucks to clean it
Case stockman- broke the tip and hated cleaning it
Gerber unknown free blade - EDC and never held an edge longer than 15 minutes
BK16- have yet to use it
Spyderco Southfork- have yet to use it n animals
GSO 4.0 Elmax- did not like the handle or blade width/height
Scrapmax 340- great skinner but to short of a blade and very flexible - still have it
War Dog- had a choil and the blade was to thick

If I had only one it would be :
Stainless in CPM 154 or Elmax due to ease of sharpening and less maintenance - I am lazy and prefer to drink beer than clean up
4.5-4.75" handle that is thick - arthritic hands
3.75-4.25" blade that tapers to very skinny at the tip and maximum 1" wide near handle- over 4.50" is to much deer IMO
No ricasso at all
No choil
Full Flat Grind
5/32 or 1/8" thick steel
toss up between drop point and upswept tip like the sharpfinger- I clean more animals than process wood so upswept tip it is.
solid pins and g10 on handle
tapered tang to reduce weight
moonglow liner so I can find it when I set it down- lost the Kabar that way
no lanyard hole- I don't need to chop- I can push cut/whittle any up to wrist size and that is all I will ever need to cut down to build a shelter or a fire- If bigger is required the BK9 or machete goes with me.

I believe most custom makers on the forum could build this for less than the cost of the Southfork and about the same as the GSO.