Deer field dressing knife kits recommendations

jonnyboy1014

jonnyboy1014

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I am in need of a thin paring knife and a bone saw for field dressing deer.

Went to bass pro and found what I needed (Gerber) when I got home and took it out of the package it was very dull, was not impressed.

Any good recommendations out there? Preferably sold on amazon as I have the prime 2 day shipping, also needs to pass the paper cutting test, I'm not very good at sharpening and I feel like those carbide sharpeners are junk. Need it before monday hunting season.


Edit: it really PO'ed me I spent $90 on a brand I thought was quality. Made in china on the package shoulda been my first clue, stupid me. All is not lost, I did get a refund.
 
Knife :havalon piranta. Never deal with sharpening again, and they're dangerous-sharp. A mora companion for rough work like joints and anything you need to pry.

I was very impressed with how well the havalon worked on my duck yesterday. Made the paring knife in my kitchen look like a butter knife.

I agree the carbide sharpeners are junk by themselves, but a lot of them include ceramic sharpeners too which are much better - the carbide should only be used if the knife is really dull as it removes a lot of metal.


Saw : Silky Saw from Lee Valley. (amazon too)
www.leevalley.com/en-us/shop/garden/garden-care/saws/69153-silky-pocketboy-170m-folding-saw

Bahco laplander is a very similar saw with very good reviews too.
 
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Outdoor Edge with the surgical steel replacement blades. Very sharp, stay sharp for a long time,
and a snap to replace. I will not go back after using mine. [2nd season now] Dave.
 
Have gutted and skinned many a nice whitetail with my '74 Buck 110, owned since new. Used the serrated saw blade on my Leatherman, as I have for many, many years. No complaints. Great, quick and simple job! Both pack comfortably on my belt as well. I'm certain there are 'newer & better' - however those two have been flawless for a very long time. Granted that old Buck takes a professional to sharpen it - but once sharp it's remains that way for many seasons with an occasional touch up on a steel...clean the bone and blood out of that Ti Leatherman, it never misses a beat..
 
I like the Swiss Army Hunter locking/folding knife when it comes to field-dressing big game. The Victorinox 6” flexible boning knife is great too for boning out. Both can be found on Amazon.
 
Pick up any of the Mora offerings and your set. Not sure where you are from but if you are passing by Epps, they carry them now. S-a-i-l also stocks them. Best bang for the buck and will perform as well as other blades worth 10 times as much.
 
I’ve been using a $2-3 stainless Presidents Choice paring knife for the last year and a half, it’s quick to sharpen and it holds an edge. I turfed all the other knives in my kit, I carry a sharpening steel and a small dewalt utility saw handle that takes sawzall blades and the paring knife.

I’ve skinned 2-3 deer and a bear with it, it works great and it didn’t cost an arm and a leg. It has a simple plastic handle and it cleans up quick in the sink. Loblaws, Great Canadian Superstores or anyone that sells PC brand crap will have them, I’ve seen them in 4-5 different colours as well.
 
Why are you cutting open the rib cage when you are field dressing????
You really only need a decent 3"- 4"-5" blade to field dress a deer.

I agree with the above post....Mora's are probably the best quality knife for on the cheap....buy one and it will last you the rest of your hunting career. I am pretty sure Lee Valley still sells them.

I bought a nice Grohman a number of years ago, it has nice steel, and fits my hand nicely, is easily sharpened....and I like carrying it because of the Canadian history with the company. But a $50 Mora is attached to my pack...for those oh #### moments that life tends to bring.

This is the Mora I keep on my pack:
https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/home/outdoor-recreation/camping/69975-swedish-fireknife
 
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If you dont want to learn to sharpen a knife your only solution is one of those razor knives with the changeable blades. You'll need to buy several knives a year if you dont.

If you want a knife sharpener that is fast and easy, get a Worksharp belt sander. They legitimately work and will turn your knives into razors


 
blasted_saber said:
If you dont want to learn to sharpen a knife your only solution is one of those razor knives with the changeable blades. You'll need to buy several knives a year if you dont.

If you want a knife sharpener that is fast and easy, get a Worksharp belt sander. They legitimately work and will turn your knives into razors
Click to expand...

X2! The greatest thing since sliced bread.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_09uFzqhT0
 
Butcherbill said:
I’ve been using a $2-3 stainless Presidents Choice paring knife for the last year and a half, it’s quick to sharpen and it holds an edge. I turfed all the other knives in my kit, I carry a sharpening steel and a small dewalt utility saw handle that takes sawzall blades and the paring knife.

I’ve skinned 2-3 deer and a bear with it, it works great and it didn’t cost an arm and a leg. It has a simple plastic handle and it cleans up quick in the sink. Loblaws, Great Canadian Superstores or anyone that sells PC brand crap will have them, I’ve seen them in 4-5 different colours as well.
Click to expand...

That's the paring knife I have in my kitchen. I loved those little knives until I used my havalon for the first time last night. Night and day difference. Not getting rid of my paring knives but man, that havalon is nice. I almost want to get a second one to leave in the kitchen, but I don't think i trust the wife and kids around it! Lol

Interesting saw suggestion. I'm going to look into that.
 
Where are you located? I could get a good edge on that Gerber for you. As far as other knives go, mora is a good bet and they should carry them at any peavey mart near you. I hate to reccomend havalon or any replaceable blade knife but if you're adamant that you don't want to learn to sharpen then that's your best bet but for the same price as the havalon you could buy a mora and a work sharp guided field sharpener and learning a new skill is free but priceless. As far as the saw, you don't need to split a pelvis for field dressing. I do like to cut up the sternum when field dressing but it's not totally neccessary. Any decent folding saw will work even the cohglans folding Sierra saw will do the job just fine. I use the saw on my leatherman charge or just a knife works too if you know what you're doing.
 
A lightweight folding saw, like and Outdoor Edge Flip N Saw, and an Outdoor Edge Flip N Zip.
Sharpening shouldn't be an issue for field dressing a deer, as any decent knife should hold an edge for it.
If something larger is on the menu, then a good small draw through sharpener should work. Take the time to ensure that the bevel/edge on the knife, matches the one on the sharpener. Lots of folks make this mistake, leading to frustration with the field sharpeners, and it doesn't have to.
These two items have replaced a number custom knives, for field use, and lightened up the pack at the same time.

Also...there is no better knife for skinning, than an actual skinning knife. Victorinox makes some of the best, and are far less expensive than they should be. Grab two, and get that field sharpener going.

R.
 
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