Knife for deer

[trevj]

When I go hunting I take this lot of knives. (You never can have too many knives.)


My advice is to stay off beaver dams and ice, starpuss.

My suggestion, if you are going shopping, is a Swiss Army Hunter model (the relatively huge one, with the locking blade) The blade is long, it has a saw (effective saw, too). Makes a good, one knife, sorta knife.
For a better saw, look at the pruning saws, or folding Japanese style saws. I have a plastic handled one from Lee Valley, that I really like, but the handle is a bit fragile if it gets manhandled. I have a smaller wooden handled one from same source, that is in my carry kit.

I used a single bladed, Zippo brand folder, with about 1 1/2" long blade, as my only knife for deer hunting, for about 5 years. Now I have a couple blades I made, as my hunting knives.
Neither is very large.

Take a look at the Eze-Lap sharpeners. they look like a plastic popsicle stick with a section of diamond grit on the end. About $9. Light, and handy as heck for a touch-up.

Last time I saw Ted Nugent cutting up a deer on TV, he was using a little pocket folder. Good enough for the Nuge....

Cheers
Trev

 

[stuckon308]

When I go hunting I take this lot of knives. (You never can have too many knives.)

Wow. And I felt odd thinking about taking more than two. Good to be prepared.

 

[350mag1]

x2 on that, Ron is a master craftsman, and i feel quite honoured to have several knives that were gifted by him to my late father. His knives are meant to be used in the bush and are designed with much first-hand knowledge (he is also a trapper).

Made in Canada and known around the world!

They are sure well worth the money. I live about 7 kms away from him so if we need them sharpen (which is rare when properly handled) we take it to him. I've honestly have yet to see a knife perform like his do. Also as mentioned, knowing that they are made in Canada, from scratch, is a bonus!

 

[drache]

For a better saw, look at the pruning saws, or folding Japanese style saws. I have a plastic handled one from Lee Valley, that I really like, but the handle is a bit fragile if it gets manhandled. I have a smaller wooden handled one from same source, that is in my carry kit.

I used a single bladed, Zippo brand folder, with about 1 1/2" long blade, as my only knife for deer hunting, for about 5 years. Now I have a couple blades I made, as my hunting knives.
Neither is very large.

Take a look at the Eze-Lap sharpeners. they look like a plastic popsicle stick with a section of diamond grit on the end. About $9. Light, and handy as heck for a touch-up.

Last time I saw Ted Nugent cutting up a deer on TV, he was using a little pocket folder. Good enough for the Nuge....

Cheers
Trev

Yup got a pruning saw already in my pack as well as a hatchet. As for a "quick sharpener" for cheap knives I've got something called a Speedy Sharp which seems to be the same thing you described.

 

[Silverado]

I'll offer another recommendation for the Grohman/Russell knives.

The #1 is a perfect hunting and utility knife. I like the carbon steel version as it's very easy to touch up. The mini skinner does exactly what it was intended for, and very well.

I also love the #4 survival model as a larger camp knife.

These knives are classics for the same reason a Rem 870 is a classic; they just work.

 

[trevj]

Yup got a pruning saw already in my pack as well as a hatchet. As for a "quick sharpener" for cheap knives I've got something called a Speedy Sharp which seems to be the same thing you described.

The Speedy sharp is a chunk of carbide onna handle, isn't it?

The Eze-lap is a diamond hone. Sorta a sharpening stone onna stick, more like a very lightweight fine file.

I agree with the idea that you get what you like, then get the same thing with a smaller blade. Too long a blade is a PITA, and you lose control. Bad things happn to hansds and fingers when tired guys lose control, and are working in the dark. BTDT.

Personal tastes rule the roost. If you don't like it., you won't use it. If you like it and it turns out to not work, you won't like it for long!


Cheers
Trev

 

[Ruffed Grouse]

+4, 5 or 6 or whatever we're up to on the Grohman/Russels knives. They're the prettiest and most function shapes in my opinion. The bird and trout is plenty large enough for any big game - so don't rule it out - if it happens to be the best fit in your hand it'll do great.

RG

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[bruteman]

Most people use a knife that is too large for dressing deer, infact a large knife is awkward and can be dangerous when reaching in a cutting the windpipe off.

A small, 3" drop point knife is about perfect. I like the Russell Belt Knife style of knife, so much I own three of them.

Here is a Russell along side a Bark River.

.

I have 2 Russell knives.Best around for deer,moose,bear,and everything else I get.

 

[drache]

+4, 5 or 6 or whatever we're up to on the Grohman/Russels knives. They're the prettiest and most function shapes in my opinion. The bird and trout is plenty large enough for any big game - so don't rule it out - if it happens to be the best fit in your hand it'll do great.

RG

<><

Yeah the #2 Bird and Trout is the one Ive pretty much decided on. Now Im just pricing them out from different sources.

The Speedy sharp is a chunk of carbide onna handle, isn't it?

The Eze-lap is a diamond hone. Sorta a sharpening stone onna stick, more like a very lightweight fine file.

Ok I see what you mean now, I had to look the Eze-lap up!

Yeah the SS is "micro 100 super carbide".

 

[FlyingHigh]

if you like to spend money, like i used to.... Bark River Kephart. i love mine.

if you're a cheap ass like i am now....Buck Vanguard. i have one, and it's a good hunting knife.

for pull through sharpeners, i use a Supra Korte. works like a hot damn. i sold my Lansky set soon after getting the Korte. the pull through works much better.

 

[Nine]

I've been using a game skinner, and I'm quite happy with it.

 

[7.62mm]

--"poop shoot." This makes me think you are cutting around the tube and pulling it through.
I can't imagine anyone doing this, and I speak from experience, because I once did, also.
By far the best way is to cut the pelvic bone, like they do in a slaughter house. This is easy on a deer, as a solid blade knife and some taps with a stick will do it.
Far better is a tiny saw, which many of us carry in the hunting bag. A little blade,like the old fashioned "Key hole saw," a very few inches long will do.
In the past I have dressed out maybe three moose, with just a good Swiss, so called army knife. The little saw blade about three inches long, would cut through the pelvic bone and completely through the brisket. Now, with him opened up from stem to stern, you are ready to go to work. Clean and efficient way of doing it. Also, you know how hard it can be to get that upper rear leg up, so you have some room to work. With the pelvic and brisket bones cut, he opens up much easier, almost lays spread eagled.

I have seen this done, but never had a go myself........going to get a small pack saw and try it out this year. Thanks for the tip

I have been cutting around the poop shoot, and I always carry some small "Zip Ties" that I cinch around the end, then pull it through.......don't get any contamination that way.....but I am going to try the saw method this year,.

 

[Qhergt]

i bought a cheap wichester folding knife from wally world for under $10... sharpened with a stone and its been great

 

[Fall Guy]

Want something with a saw? I am happy with the job my Browning FDT does.

 

[Silverado]

Want something with a saw? I am happy with the job my Browning FDT does.

I bought one of those when I first started hunting. I had 2 problems; firstly, the liner and hinge get so full of fat and gunk it's hard to deal with.

Secondly, the handle on mine was camo, and the blades black... can you see where this is going? I couldn't, so that knife is still someplace near the second deer I ever shot, somewhere in WMU356.

I haven't got around to it yet, but I'm painting the handles on all my outdoor knives orange before I head out this year.

 

[Fall Guy]

I bought one of those when I first started hunting. I had 2 problems; firstly, the liner and hinge get so full of fat and gunk it's hard to deal with.

True. But nothing that some warm water and an old toothbrush can't cure.

Secondly, the handle on mine was camo, and the blades black... can you see where this is going? I couldn't, so that knife is still someplace near the second deer I ever shot, somewhere in WMU356.

I have the black one and the same thing happened to me. We shot a moose at dusk one year and the knife was set down in the dark. I had to go back the next day to find the knife with the aid of the sun. But doesn't someone always forget/lose something at a moose/deer kill?

I haven't got around to it yet, but I'm painting the handles on all my outdoor knives orange before I head out this year

As soon as someone answers that post in OT.

 

[drache]

Secondly, the handle on mine was camo, and the blades black... can you see where this is going? I couldn't, so that knife is still someplace near the second deer I ever shot, somewhere in WMU356..

Yeah that can be a problem, Ive got two knives still out there somewhere... never again will I buy a camo knife....

 

[bearkilr]

Out of all my knives(50+) I prefer the Bark River Gameskeeper. Holds the best edge and easy to sharpen using proper method.

If you're only doing 1-2 deer per year and the odd moose some years, you can't go wrong with a Grohmann/Russell: Trout & Bird or original #1.

Never did like folders for skinning,etc. A fixed blade is much easier to clean and the blade never wobbles.

 

[crazydave]

I bought a kershaw 16 years ago when i first started hunting holds a nice edge, really good quality for the money spent.

 

[7mmlefty]

Want something with a saw? I am happy with the job my Browning FDT does.

I have one, and wouldn't go for big game without it. Cleans up well too.

I've had no problems with that... Done up a good half dozen deer and just needs a light touch with the stone to bring the main blade back to factory edge.
The saw blade is obviously great for the pelvic bone, but the razor edge blade (with gut hook) is awesome for the belly slit.

About $100.00 bucks from Bass Pro or Lebarons.