Wicked slipjoint sighting!

[mrappraisit]

It's the same with everything: it isn't the tool, it's the knowledge of how to use it. Also, slipjoints are generally thin-bladed and flat-ground, which is a big advantage right away.

I think it was A.G.Russell who pointed out that the Texas toothpick cleaned deer all over the South in the old days. I had a toothpick variant with a scaler for a filet knife.

True, those Inuit could probably skin and butcher the caribu blindfolded. Paleo skills are always impressive. Great thread, totally makes you re-think how much knife you "need".

 

[Ice Tigre]

Every time this kinda thing comes up, about butchering game with small folders, I think of a guy i used to know who once field dressed a deer with a pair of pocket nail clippers(forgot or lost his slippie that day-- regularly he used a trapper IIRC).... Picture that. He said it was rough and slow, but worked...
After that, I'll believe you can butcher game with almost anything- with enough skill and patience.

As to freezing knives shut.... I've used my slips at -60F with no problems. Even with a wet knife or blade, I can still push/pull harder than any small amount of ice that might form in the knife-- although I've never noticed any. Actually this is one of the the worst times IMO to have oil in a joint because the oil stiffens up and makes it harder to move.-- same reason we run lighter weight oil in cars here, its easier to move at sub zero temps.

G.