The Last Alaskans

[Uncle Timbo]

I watched this show last night and found it interesting that one of the guys shot a caribou and I was watching him skin in out only to see that he was using the blade of a multitool to do it with. He had a small diamond stone he kept the edge up with, but a multitool.
I guess it just goes to show we don't need half the knives we think we do....nah, I can't say that....I LOVE my knives.

 

[Mark Knapp]

I watched this show last night and found it interesting that one of the guys shot a caribou and I was watching him skin in out only to see that he was using the blade of a multitool to do it with. He had a small diamond stone he kept the edge up with, but a multitool.
I guess it just goes to show we don't need half the knives we think we do....nah, I can't say that....I LOVE my knives.

Yep, that's how he does it. I'm with you, I like real knives.

 

[Uncle Timbo]

I guess some people merely look at a knife as a tool that is meant to get a job done. I've seen some of those guys use what looked to be a stockman. Hard to tell what with all the blood.
I'm a old hillbilly from WV that has been carrying a knife since I can remember. Carried to grade school. All us boys did. We never looked at a knife as a weapon or something to inflict bodily harm on no one. As my Dad taught me, a knife is for cutting and cutting only.
Today, I'd feel naked if I didn't have a decent knife in my pocket.
And some just get the job done better than others.

 

[lambertiana]

That reminds me of a picture I saw a while back of some Aborigines in Australia cleaning a large sea turtle. They were using an Opinel. Inexpensive and it works well.

 

[22-rimfire]

I saw that show, but honestly I didn't notice or take notice the Leatherman. I would choose something different myself like a real knife. But it demonstrates that you just need sharp for most hunting needs with wild game.

 

[Jhansenak47]

Using a multitool or folder isn't a big deal. The only problem is you tend to get blood and fat in the pivot and various nooks and crannies that is hard to clean out. The salt in blood causes rusting issues, usually around the pivot, and I prefer my knives don't stink too. I generally use easy to clean small fixed blades and try to keep the inside of the sheath reasonably clean. That said small folders, like a stockman, work really well for small game like rabbits, squirrels, and breasting out birds.

 

[kvaughn]

I've field dressed a 200 lb+ whitetail with a Leatherman out of necessity.--KV

 

[Uncle Timbo]

I've field dressed a 200 lb+ whitetail with a Leatherman out of necessity.--KV

That might be totally different. Did you forget your favorite skinning knife?

Using a multitool or folder isn't a big deal. The only problem is you tend to get blood and fat in the pivot and various nooks and crannies that is hard to clean out. The salt in blood causes rusting issues, usually around the pivot, and I prefer my knives don't stink too. I generally use easy to clean small fixed blades and try to keep the inside of the sheath reasonably clean. That said small folders, like a stockman, work really well for small game like rabbits, squirrels, and breasting out birds.

I've seen those dudes on the other show use stockman's. The Kilchers.

 

[kvaughn]

That might be totally different. Did you forget your favorite skinning knife?

I've seen those dudes on the other show use stockman's. The Kilchers.

I was in my office when a local LEO came in from a roadkill call and told me a large doe had just been killed down the road. Thinking lots of dog food for my 110 lb Lab, I went down to check it out. The biggest doe I've ever seen had taken a head blow from a car. 0 damage to the body. I had a Case peanut and a Leatherman. Field expediency kicked in and I made do with what I had. The hardest part was getting the thing in the back of my pick up by myself.--KV

 

[Uncle Timbo]

KV - I see your point. I think we've all been in a situation where we've had to make due with what we have at the time. Maybe not a task as big as yours was.
That's why my camp/bushcraft/all-around everything knife is not large in size. I was carrying a BR Gunny with Kydex but am switching to a ML Kephart. Anytime I head out into the wild blue yonder, I strap it on. I figure if it's too big, it'll be uncomfortable and I'll be less likely to carry it.
You're only as good as what you have at the time.
Of course I'll have a nice pocket knife also. I always do.

 

[kvaughn]

KV - I see your point. I think we've all been in a situation where we've had to make due with what we have at the time. Maybe not a task as big as yours was.
That's why my camp/bushcraft/all-around everything knife is not large in size. I was carrying a BR Gunny with Kydex but am switching to a ML Kephart. Anytime I head out into the wild blue yonder, I strap it on. I figure if it's too big, it'll be uncomfortable and I'll be less likely to carry it.
You're only as good as what you have at the time.
Of course I'll have a nice pocket knife also. I always do.

I usually carry something a little larger also but was in Town Hall for the day and thought a peanut would be a little more low key. Had the Wave in my get home bag.--KV

 

[Jhansenak47]

I've seen those dudes on the other show use stockman's. The Kilchers.

I used to watch Alaska shows before I moved to Alaska. They have a lot of phoney baloney nonsense on those shows. The Kilchers are quite well off and could afford whatever knife they wanted to use. It really comes down to what works and what doesn't work. My suggestion would be to go hunting and try different knives out.

 

[Uncle Timbo]

I usually carry something a little larger also but was in Town Hall for the day and thought a peanut would be a little more low key. Had the Wave in my get home bag.--KV

Yup. Ya know, I've got a Supertool 300 and I love that thing dearly. What I don't love about it is it's weight. For that reason, I tend to only carry it when heading out somewhere big. Anybody have any suggestions for this Supertool 300 lover? Something I could EDC when just messing around but wanna have something decent on me. Weight would be a factor.

I used to watch Alaska shows before I moved to Alaska. They have a lot of phoney baloney nonsense on those shows. The Kilchers are quite well off and could afford whatever knife they wanted to use. It really comes down to what works and what doesn't work. My suggestion would be to go hunting and try different knives out.

Yea, I believe you. I've seen some of those peoples net worth.
That one guy on one of those shows that I can't remember the name, he's a shadetree blacksmith and lives in a tent with his wife and daughter. He's worth $300,000.

 

[Macchina]

I've had to gut/dress a few animals with whatever was in my pocket. The worst part about it is that I only get to use one of my (way too many) fixed blades when I'm breaking down an animal and if I don't have one with me it means they'll stay in the drawer unused...

 

[Uncle Timbo]

I've had to gut/dress a few animals with whatever was in my pocket. The worst part about it is that I only get to use one of my (way too many) fixed blades when I'm breaking down an animal and if I don't have one with me it means they'll stay in the drawer unused...

You know, this brings up a pretty good question, if a guy wanted to be all around prepared for this kind of thing, would you pocket carry a stockman or a SAK?

 

[the possum]

I've been in the habit of carrying a drop point "tactical" folder every day for the better part of the past 18 years or so. A Benchmade Ares, then Presidio, and now a Real Steel Thor:

I've used all of them on deer and squirrels, and they work well. This one has a thinner edge, which I like. But I've used all manner of folders & fixed blades, from 1/2" all the way up to 18", just to see what it was like.

 

[Macchina]

You know, this brings up a pretty good question, if a guy wanted to be all around prepared for this kind of thing, would you pocket carry a stockman or a SAK?

I almost always carry a traditional and a modern knife . I'd feel just as comfortable with a Stockman getting a deer as any of my modern locking folders.

 

[Uncle Timbo]

I almost always carry a traditional and a modern knife . I'd feel just as comfortable with a Stockman getting a deer as any of my modern locking folders.

Yup, right now I'm carrying a Sage I and a Uxcld Toothpick in 1095.
If'n I head out to the Wild Blue Yonder (WBY) I should prolly switch the Toothpick for a Stockman with the Spey blade. I know it was meant to neuter livestock, but of the 3 blades, I'd think it'd be the best at skinning.

 

[AndreLinoge]

Yup, right now I'm carrying a Sage I and a Uxcld Toothpick in 1095.
If'n I head out to the Wild Blue Yonder (WBY) I should prolly switch the Toothpick for a Stockman with the Spey blade. I know it was meant to neuter livestock, but of the 3 blades, I'd think it'd be the best at skinning.

Spey blade designed for neutering livestock...
Wouldn't it be called a castration blade, then? Hell, when you SPAY an animal, that's cutting the whole set of mommyguts out of a female animal. You take your female animals to the vet to get SPAYED.
SPEY is a river in Scotland. Lots of fishing there, locals fond of those rounded tip 'butcher' style knives to do their chores.

Castration is done with any sharp blade that's small enough to control. I've seen it done more often with a clip point than anything. Just like skinning. If you're a rookie, or just bad at it, then go for the blunt blade. You wont poke yourself as much, but you sure will cut as many holes in a skin with that as you will poke holes with a point. Holes come from lack of skill more than the shape of the knife..
Why is this concept a thing? Who sees 'Spey' and translates that to 'cut nuts off a male animal'?

 

[Uncle Timbo]

Spey blade designed for neutering livestock...
Wouldn't it be called a castration blade, then? Hell, when you SPAY an animal, that's cutting the whole set of mommyguts out of a female animal. You take your female animals to the vet to get SPAYED.
SPEY is a river in Scotland. Lots of fishing there, locals fond of those rounded tip 'butcher' style knives to do their chores.

Castration is done with any sharp blade that's small enough to control. I've seen it done more often with a clip point than anything. Just like skinning. If you're a rookie, or just bad at it, then go for the blunt blade. You wont poke yourself as much, but you sure will cut as many holes in a skin with that as you will poke holes with a point. Holes come from lack of skill more than the shape of the knife..
Why is this concept a thing? Who sees 'Spey' and translates that to 'cut nuts off a male animal'?

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/question-about-stockman-knives-and-blade-use.872878/