Hunting Knife

[Casper1]

Hello

I'm looking for a new hunting knife, primarily for field dressing deer. Does anyone have any preferences, brand or type?

Thank you

[Nyksta]

Ontario Knife Company Rat series. Good value, decent sheath if you are ok with nylon, micarta handle feels good when its cold or wet, nice grips on the spine of the blade, full flat grind for strong long lasting edge. I went with Rat 7 which is big enough to baton wood or hip bones apart if thats something you see yourself needing. If its too big they have 5 or 3 inch blade length too. I prefer complete straight edge as serrated is harder to sharpen.

[Slicktricker]

I run a puma skinner love it

[gz1423]

Havalon piranta
http://m.havalon.com/piranta-edge-sk...-xt60edge.html

It comes with replaceable blades that can be changed in the field
Hope this helps

[fordtruckin]

I use an outdoor edge Razor-lite knife. Kinda like the havalon only I find the design a bit more stout.

https://www.outdooredge.com/collecti...nt=16399678659

[Smokinyotes]

Originally Posted by fordtruckin

I use an outdoor edge Razor-lite knife. Kinda like the havalon only I find the design a bit more stout.

https://www.outdooredge.com/collecti...nt=16399678659

X2. I really like the outdoor edge razor blades but find they don't hold an edge for very long and it's time for a new blade.

[Big Red 250]

Buck, fixed blade. Can't remember model off hand.

[Jay Kyle]

There are SO many great knives to choose from. Maybe better to start with desired features.

My two favorites are a Bob Dozier Elk Hunter, and one of those LEM 5" boning knives they sell at Bass Pro.

I've also always wanted to try a Gruhmann.

[Luckwell]

Havalon.


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[kujoseto]

Do a search on the forum for other knife threads too. Tons of recommendations over the years.
Bang for buck the grohmann is great. Plenty of custom knife makers in Canada too. Features then price range will help you narrow your search

[Jeron Kahyar]

Everybody has their own preferences on a knife design.

For your purposes (field dressing) I prefer a fix blade knife with a 6" blade. Many blade designs to choose from, drop point is my preference. Also I can't stand the half serrated blades.

I heard nothing but grand things about the havalon style knifes so I bought one two seasons ago. They are a poor choice for field work with the flexible flimsy blade in my opinion. Great for delicate work like skinning out a head for a mount but not much else.

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[CMichaud]

Originally Posted by Big Red 250

Buck, fixed blade. Can't remember model off hand.

I reckon there are three must haves in life

An 870 12g, a Ruger 10/22, and a buck 110

The 110 is cheap and effective. It's also easy to replace when lost in the bush😌

[hunter10]

Katz knives! You won't be disappointed!

[Nyksta]

Take a folding knife and try cutting bone or breaking wood or try pretty much anything more strenuous than slicing salami.. then youll throw away your folding knife and get a full tang fixed knife. The only value a folding knife has is size when you are not using it. It gives up so many strengths by pivoting at the tip of the handle... a 4 inch blade being held in place by 1/2 inch of handle, no thanks. How many of your kitchen knives are folders? Why would you bring a weaker knife with you when you are planning on processing a whole animal or possibly processing wood for fire or shelter?

[CMichaud]

OP said for primarily field dressing a deer.

[albertabighorn]

Any sharp fixed blade (gutting, joints, breaking neck) and then a havalon for skinning head,ect.

[JRuel]

Originally Posted by fordtruckin

I use an outdoor edge Razor-lite knife. Kinda like the havalon only I find the design a bit more stout.

https://www.outdooredge.com/collecti...nt=16399678659

This. I love mine.

[stob]

I am on my 2nd browning 3 blade folder:
- drop point blade
- gut hook and skinning blade
- saw blade - each tooth has 3 cutting sides

Has done mice to moose - one tool - and it was a big mouse

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by Nyksta

Take a folding knife and try cutting bone or breaking wood or try pretty much anything more strenuous than slicing salami.. then youll throw away your folding knife and get a full tang fixed knife. The only value a folding knife has is size when you are not using it. It gives up so many strengths by pivoting at the tip of the handle... a 4 inch blade being held in place by 1/2 inch of handle, no thanks. How many of your kitchen knives are folders? Why would you bring a weaker knife with you when you are planning on processing a whole animal or possibly processing wood for fire or shelter?

My Puna golfer was designed for Field dressing and skinning and it does an excellent job of it and had done do since 1992 on rvetyyhing ftom birds to moose .
I open cans, cut branches and break bone with other tools
Cat

[double gun]

What's your budget?

[Nyksta]

Well i figure we are all here to share our experiences success and failures as certain topics come up... those are my experiences with knives and as well as gear selection. Id rather carry one tool to complete a variety of tasks than to weigh myself down with 3 or 4 tools targetting each and every circumstance i may find myself in. Thats just where Im coming from. Someone else may not match in their perspective.

[Casper1]

My father always had a folding Buck and I've used one for years thinking I'd always follow suit, but after contemplating the possibility of slipping with fluid covered hands, I think I'd like to have the feeling of security with a tang. I've looked at some Puma's and really liked them. I'd like to stay well under a hundred dollars but for one that was 'just right' I'd make an exception. Thank you for the recommendations, I'll spend some time looking into each of them.

[BCROB]

a personal preference I really like this style....
Fits in the palm of your hand 'Palm Skinner'....



....a side carry, it fits in the small of your back out of the way...

[dewalt18]

Originally Posted by BCROB

a personal preference I really like this style....
Fits in the palm of your hand 'Palm Skinner'....



....a side carry, it fits in the small of your back out of the way...

That's gorgeous, who is the maker?

[cutthroat666]

The OP wants a knife for field dressing deer - Havalon.

Simple - always sharp, and there is no need for more. To field dress a deer you don't need to cut through and break bones etc....

If you want a tool to cut through the pelvic bone and brisket on a meat deer, get a Havalon Baracuta as well with a bone saw blade. The total weight of these two is almost nothing - the cost is reasonable - they fold up incredibly small - and they will always be sharp.

IMO if someone says they aren't durable enough to field dress a deer - they are doing something incorrectly - or at least with more force than required.

cutthroat

[Bergerboy]

Consider a swing blade.

[Rio56]

very nice ... have one and am very happy with ...

https://www.katzknives.com/

[Kurt505]

Originally Posted by dewalt18

That's gorgeous, who is the maker?

I think BCROB is.

[Dick284]

I've used any of these with great success on deer, moose, bears, elk and the like.

Top to bottom:
Mora (Swedish)
Buck 2-3/4" folder
Browning 810 folder(no longer made)
Homemade ATS34 SS semi drop point
Grohmann mini caper(great for reaching up the chest and cutting wind pipe)

[Jeron Kahyar]

Originally Posted by Casper1

I think I'd like to have the feeling of security with a tang.

I'd like to stay well under a hundred dollars but for one that was 'just right' I'd make an exception. Thank you for the recommendations, I'll spend some time looking into each of them.

Three choices for a quality working knife that is easy on the pocket book:

Swedish Mora Knife - can be had for as little as $10. Spend a little extra to get a nicer one in my opinion.

Schrade Old Timer Woodsman - under $50 and a well made knife that will last for decades. Available in high carbon or stainless steel.

Buck 119 - closer to the hundred dollar mark at ~$80. This is a well known knife to many and will complete nearly any task you ask of it. I find the steel to be a bit harder to sharpen than the woodsman but it will hold an edge well.

That's my 2¢ for some choices to consider.