What is a "hunting knife"?

[Cushing H.]

Title is maybe not quite right, but ...

I have a somewhat vague request to make a "hunting knife" for a son of an aunt of my wife (cousin in law?) for a "hunting knife". I have only met this person once, and though i presume this is for deer hunting (or something similar), i dont know exactly what he will be needing to use it for. Because this is wanted as a surprise, i cant ask the guy exactly what he needs...

I am NOT a hunter, but i think of a "skinner" as a shorter wider blade with a significantly upswept edge, that is used mainly for skinning (and maybe a bit of field dressing). I would think of a knife that is used for field dressing (and maybe skinning in a pinch) as a somewhat longer and thinner blade still with an upswept edge, but less so than a skinner..

For those of you who hunt, or have made many knives for hunters, is either one of these two a better "compromise" ... or is there another option? Or maybe the answer is that its just personal preference, in which case i am hosed..... in either case, for this one, i will most likely just lift a profile from those that are published out there on the web...

 

[Richard338]

Lacking more guidance, I would make a 4" drop point from 0.125" 3V. FFG and micarta handle.

 

[Natlek]

Hunting knife is a knife you carry with you on the hunt

 

[Taz]

I think anyone would be very happy to get something along the lines of the classic Loveless Drop Point hunter! I have a Bark River version and it's an excellent knife!

 

[eric brinkerhoff]

Hunters in my area like something like this.

 

[eric brinkerhoff]

Or this...

 

[Cypress Creek Knives]

I think of knives like this. A standard 4” drop point or a smaller 3” drop point blade.

 

[ChristoDart]

These profiles have been liked for cleaning deer, dove, and ducks this season. I fully skinned and deboned a deer with the top one and it worked very well. They are roughly .1 aebl at 62 rc ground almost to a zero edge slightly convexed.

 

[Natlek]

Hunters in my area like something like this. View attachment 1728505

Like it !
My hunting friends , steal from my boxes just knives like this ones...........that three with hidden tang .That MF know what is good

 

[TILLER]

Phil Wilson's knives have been my hunting knife inspiration. Seamount knife works.

Here is one I made out of 10v for an elk hunt last year.


Now I just have to get an elk!

 

[USMCPOP]

I think of a Marble's Woodcraft.

 

[DanF]

Check out dcknives.com templates. Literally dozens of hunter style examples there.

 

[Cushing H.]

Check out dcknives.com templates. Literally dozens of hunter style examples there.

Yeah - I know there are *lots* of sources of templates (the reason I said I would probably just lift one). What I was really after was some insight as to what profile might stand a chance of working when I have no idea what the guy wants. Looks like something like a 4" drop point might be a good option. I kind of like the idea of using a Lovlass-like-style blade ..... that would give it some Cred, regardless of the details of the design....

 

[DanF]

That will be a challenge, Cush, so very many styles of hunters out there. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

 

[Cushing H.]

Hah - I actually just really, really easily found a downloadable pdf of the loveless book with knives placed on grid paper. the more I think of it the more I like the idea of starting from one of his designs.

Funny .... he has "Riverside" drop point hunters, and "Lawendale" drop point hunters. I wonder what makes for the distinction between the two (and maybe others?).

Ugh .... I am also looking at a photo of a knife called a "Lawendale amputation knife" .... apparently made of all metal (so it can be sterilized), and made for a Chinese american doctor. Cant guess what *that* one is for.......

Actually, this just plain looks like a fun book to read through....

 

[JW7]

A loveless style blade is good. Definitely needs to have stainless properties. I prefer no choil for when I’m skinning or gutting because the choil just snags hide. I prefer 5-6” blade if I stick a deer behind the shoulder to finish it, or more reach for gutting. I think when I’m doubt, put a beautiful natural wood handle on it. I like burly maple or walnut with brass pins or mosaics.

 

[Cushing H.]

I am beginning to see that the term "hunter" is a very non specific term ...... but "skinner" and "drop point" are much more specific to a defined shape. Interesting.

More confusing is the knives called a "semi skinner" ..... even though they look much like others that are called a "drop point"

Almost as bad as the Gyuto versus a Chefs Knife debate

 

[Cushing H.]

A loveless style blade is good. Definitely needs to have stainless properties. I prefer no choil for when I’m skinning or gutting because the choil just snags hide. I prefer 5-6” blade if I stick a deer behind the shoulder to finish it, or more reach for gutting. I think when I’m doubt, put a beautiful natural wood handle on it. I like burly maple or walnut with brass pins or mosaics.

definitely stainless - S35VN hopefully. Ive heard about that issue with a choil - will remember (thanks!). I'm thinking 4" blade. do you think though that would be absolutely too short for a compromise? (Loveless has lots of examples with ~3" blades that are called a "drop point hunter"......

 

[MolokaiRider]

I use a Mora Flex fillet knife pretty often. It's surprisingly good at deboning and butchering.

 

[Lorien]