Which knife would you carry for feild dressing

C

Chance83

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Nov 8, 2015
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Hi everyone. Was just curious which knife everyone prefers for feild dressing deer between the bk2, buck endeavor & buck 119 special. Has anyone used any of theese 3 knives? How well did they perform? Which would be the best choice for skinning?
 
Every time my fingers touch brain...
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Fixed blade, a little belly, prefer synthetic handle, maybe even stain LESS so the brains dont corrode it before you get the chance to clean it.
Sorry cant help much more than that.

Love guns & knives just not brains & guts.

Maybe a hunter will come along shortly. Stay tuned. Oh, you will always want to tell them your price limit too.
Trust me.
Best of luck.
 
The endeavor would not be a good choice because of the handle shape, in skinning, generally you'd want something that accommodates many different grips, which requires a "less ergonomic" handle. I know many many deer have been skinned with the buck 119, and it remains a classic for that reason. It could even be considered a skinning blade. The bk2, from what I've heard, would probably be much thicker than you'd like for this task.
 
I own all 3 but havent had the chance to try either of them for feild dressing or skinning. The endeavor and 119 do well slicing in the kitchen. Have yet to slice anything other than my finger with the bk2.
 
I've used the 119 off and on for 25yrs, my dad for 40yrs and it works very well in the field. We've processes deer, Elk, bear and hog with them. They do an excellent job and don't fatigue your arm much during big jobs. We baton them through sternums and pelvic bones and we have only chipped one out bad once pounding it through an elks knee joint. I would not recommend the BK2 because it doesn't have a fine enough tip for doing detail work around the anus and bladder and the weight gets to burning your forearms doing repetitive skinning stones. I have no experience with the endeavor.
 
I like the sharpfinger as well. Just havent replaced mine that was stolen yet. Last year i carried a case trapper and a winchester fixed blade. The trapper is one of my edc knives so i always have it for skinning if needed.
 
I've had a BK2...a VERY LARGE knife for skinning deer. You've had excellent responses above...
Here is a Google-link, which could help you in picking a knife with blade shape, length and thickness.
https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=deer skinning knives
My pick would be a 3.5" blade about 0.100"-0.125" thick for skinning, although you can't split the pelvis with that blade. The larger knives you mentioned...hunting knives...would be better suited for that task.
Check out this fellow...I've had several of his blades. G. L. Drew. He's one of our custom makers, but his knives are VERY reasonable in price.
I would look at knives by G.L. Drew, Big Chris, or this skinner by M.Presnell (following link)...
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1341104-Skinner-in-52100
Contact the maker FIRST by PM or email and tell him what you will use it for, and let him guide you. You should be able to find a very excellent custom knife in a good blade-steel for $100-$150. Please note that a proper skinning knife (i.e. "sharp-finger") is NOT the same knife as a large hunting knife or one you might need to split the pelvis.
You can find these guys with the Search function, or use this link to our forum fixed blade makers...
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/754-For-Sale-Fixed-Blades
Take your time and hopefully you can buy the right one the "first" time.
best,
Don
 
Last Sat., I took a doe with my recurve and field dressed it with my Buck Vanguard. I tried out 5 knives in dressing, skinning and boning out the meat, but the Vanguard was most used. It has a perfect blade for deer field dressing. I just prefer a drop point with a nice belly and that describes the Vanguard. I also liked the rubber grip and the weight. I also liked the big finger guard when I reached way in through the chest cavity to sever the windpipe.

Joe
 
BK2 is too heavy and too thick to be nimble enough.

I'd go with a 2-blade combo - the Buck 119 and either a 103 Skinner or Omni Hunter 10PT or 12PT.

And Frisky's Vanguard would be an excellent choice also.
 
Frisky said:
Last Sat., I took a doe with my recurve and field dressed it with my Buck Vanguard. I tried out 5 knives in dressing, skinning and boning out the meat, but the Vanguard was most used. It has a perfect blade for deer field dressing. I just prefer a drop point with a nice belly and that describes the Vanguard. I also liked the rubber grip and the weight. I also liked the big finger guard when I reached way in through the chest cavity to sever the windpipe.

Joe
Click to expand...

Agreed, I would pick my Vangaurd over any of the other knives mentioned. It's a pleasure to use!
 
Thanks for the suggestions guys. Looks like in need some more knives added to the collection. Thats cool knives are my drug of choice so i guess ill take one of everything lol
 
Bk2 is not gonna be a good choice for skinning. Great camp knife but not a hunting knife. I would pair it with a smaller knife and you have a great combo set
 
The bk2 is way to big and heavy. The Buck 119 is ok for butchering and slices meat well but is large and unwieldy for dressing and skinning.

I have field dressed and skinned dozens of deer in my lifetime. As fun as it is to pick out a new knife in most cases I used whatever knife I had on me at the time. I have done it with a Victorinox, leather man, and Case Trapper.

You really want something light and small with a non slip grip and is easy to clean.

I use a Mora Companion.
 
As a hunter, I would say that you should get a good butcher's knife for butchering and something small, thin, and SHARP for gutting. Maybe a Case Trapper, or a small fixed blade of some sort.
 
I've been going between a small Bucklite Max & Cold Steel Pendleton Lite Hunter the past few years. Awesome little knives for not much $.
 
Good day to everyone. Used a Schrade Sharpfinger (Taylormade) on a doe Monday. Field dressed, skinned and boned with it. Kept its edge throughout. Wicked sharp.
 
for field dressing, I used a 3 blade(super sharp)Robert Klaas kissing crane with two short blades and one longer blade.. using a short blade, it's small enough to fit in the palm of your hand for easy use in the deer's body cavity(it's like cutting with your index finger). The longer blade works well on the tail end.
I don't butcher right now.. maybe next year when retired.. If physically able
 
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The Buck Vanguard (192) is hard to beat. I have the Alaskan Guide series version in S30V and it is a nice nimble fixed blade for field chores. Right now, that is the one that I would grab for this purpose. You want something that you are comfortable with doing delicate tasks and sometimes you might be doing that with cold fingers.

Used a Trapper pattern folder for years. Then moved to the Schrade 250T (sort of a Buck 110 with two blades) for deer hunting. Still like the Schrade for this activity and with two blades, you can keep one unused and very sharp just in case.

The Kabar Becker BK-2 is just about the last knife that I own as far as choosing for hunting. It doesn't even get used for hiking as it is too heavy. But it is certainly a cool knife. I say that everytime I take it out of its box and look at it.... ;)

People use the Buck 119 for hunting. It is a bit too much blade for me. I'd take that one if you don't want to buy something. But honestly, I would probably use the folder I would also have in my pocket for most of the field chores. It might be okay for meat processing.
 
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