Whitetail and larger hunters - what is your hunting knife set up?

[Steelhog]

Hey hunters. Wondering what your hunting knife set up is for whitetail and larger game? Are you still using a fixed/folder or have you switched out to something like a disposable blade (outdoor edge/havalon)?

 

[22-rimfire]

Modest sized fixed blade and folder. Usually a traditional folder for the backup with multiple blades. I have no interest in disposable blade knives for this purpose.

 

[Ditch-Tiger]

The bottom 2 (KOA & BM guthook) is what I carry on 99% of my hunts.

 

[l1ranger]

95% of the time its either a buck diamondback or buck paclite skinner or a combination
the rest of the time I'll break out the OT25 folding hunter

I've been looking to upgrade, will stick with fixed blades, but the bucks have been pretty good to me so it hasn't been a high priority

 

[mendezj]

For dressing deer I have been using for many years two drop point fixed blade knives made by Tony Bose. Blade is 440V and so far I have never run into a better knife, not nearly, not by a long shot.

 

[MisterZ]

I carry a medium fixed blade on the belt along with a small fixed blade in the pack for any detail work.

My experience with the disposable blade knives hasn't been very favorable. The one I have is in the junk drawer and it wouldn't even be considered for field use.

 

[Steelhog]

I carry a medium fixed blade on the belt along with a small fixed blade in the pack for any detail work.

My experience with the disposable blade knives hasn't been very favorable. The one I have is in the junk drawer and it wouldn't even be considered for field use. View attachment 1379573

What Doziers are those? That is a fantastic set up.

 

[King of the Cheese]

I use the Outdoor Edge Swingblaze

Removed, read the site rules.

 

[22-rimfire]

I don't have much experience with gut hooks. I just wouldn't use it enough to justify it's existence when I'm afield. King of the Cheese .... nice ad for Amazon?? You know you can copy the pictures without the pricing or potentially any reference to the seller.... using the snipping tool.

 

[NapalmCheese]

Mostly I'm using a Buck 110 in the field.

I might just carry a Buck 119 for giggles this year, even if I think it's too much knife for the job. I carried a homemade leuku last year (along with my 110). I usually also have a Case trapper or a SAK on me.

Back at camp I use a bone saw and F.Dick 5 inch semi-flex butcher for most of the rest of the work.

I generally don't like disposable blade knives, though they can be handy when case skinning critters for furs.

 

[MisterZ]

Steelhog - the Doziers above are the K-2 General Purpose and the K-13 Whittler. It's been a lot of trial and error over many years getting to these two particular knives.

The General Purpose was ordered from the Dozier shop in D-2 with bead blasted Micarta scales and the indexing dimple. The Whittler was off the shelf from AG Russell.

 

[Swampdog]

Buck 110 drop point on my belt and a TOPS Wild Pig Hunter strapped to my hunting pack when archery hunting deer and wild hogs.

 

[f1addict]

I’ve used a changeable blade system the last couple of years, but put it away after this past season. I can barely make it through one whitetail without the blade getting dull. A buddy of mine has the same issue with his (same brand). I’ll be carrying a fixed blade from now on, along with a field sharpener if it needs touch up.

 

[oldmanwilly]

I usually carry a midsized fixed blade (3.5-6 inch blade) and at least one folder (Schrade 8OT, GEC/Case stockman or trapper, or similar). I have rotated through a variety of fixed blades over the years, here are a few notable examples: Buck 119, ESEE 4, SwampRat Ratmandu, Carothers Field Knife 2, KaBar USMC, Mora Companion, CRKT Kommer, Schrade Sharpfinger, and a couple of skinners by Ian Van Reenen. My current favorite is the CPK FK2, but I enjoy trying out new models and look forward to finding a new favorite (although the FK2 will be hard to beat).

Edit to add: I used one of those changeable blade knives for approximately 3 seconds - the blade snapped before it could even pierce the hide of an Aoudad. Coupling that experience with the fact that most models require you to nearly impale the palm of your hand in order to swap blades, i have no desire to ever touch one again.

 

[jideta]

So my brother is going deer hunting.
Any medium sized (3+) blade with a belly is ok? Like sharp finger? drop points? straight backs?
Doesn't have to be a skinner specifically?

 

[d762nato]

Fallkniven F1, it's stainless easy too sharpen light weight good handle in the cold weather and a nice blade for field dressing and not to expensive. If you want a truly dedicated hunting knife they have those too but will probably you cost more. Good luck on your hunt as there are so many good knives to pick from these days.

 

[King of the Cheese]

I don't have much experience with gut hooks. I just wouldn't use it enough to justify it's existence when I'm afield. King of the Cheese .... nice ad for Amazon?? You know you can copy the pictures without the pricing or potentially any reference to the seller.... using the snipping tool.

Cool, thanks for reporting it and keeping me in check!

 

[eveled]

So my brother is going deer hunting.
Any medium sized (3+) blade with a belly is ok? Like sharp finger? drop points? straight backs?
Doesn't have to be a skinner specifically?

For a deer the skinning is done back at the camp or home.

You get the guts out then carry drag the carcass out to the truck.

The actual field knife needs a sharp point to pierce the skin and to cut around the rectum. 3-6 inch is plenty of knife.

Then to open up the body cavity any sharp knife will work. Just mind the point so as not to puncture the innards. Or use a gut hook to open the cavity.

 

[jfk1110]

So my brother is going deer hunting.
Any medium sized (3+) blade with a belly is ok? Like sharp finger? drop points? straight backs?
Doesn't have to be a skinner specifically?

F1 or H1 from Fallkniven. Solid knives , hold an edge for most of animal unless it was rolling around in the mud recently!

 

[jideta]

thanks!
I ordered this:



Pattern 22 from Jantz in 440c