Folding knife for field dressing deer?

[buck460XVR]

I've been using the same Case Trapper for over 40 years. Two 3.25" narrow blades that keep a good edge and are strong enough to remove lower legs off deer. The thin/narrow blades are just the right size for cutting around inide the bung-hole for pulling it thru, when out in the field without having tom spit the hams. Generally use the Clip blade for gutting and removing the legs at the elbow and the Spey for skinning. I prefer smaller pocket knives for deer, just easier to carry and do everything I need them to do. Besides the Trapper, I use a Case Mini Trapper and a Buck Cadet. I don't split the sternum or the hams in the field so I don't need a huge knife. I have a coupla 110s, but they're just too big for me for deer. I prefer something sharp, small and easily handled, especially when cutting off the windpipe up inside the body cavity when field dressing. Since I tend to set the knife down on the ground while field dressing, I've found the yellow handled Trappers are easier to pick out of the leaf litter than other colors. Have lost a coupla Cadets because they blend in too well......they're better in snow.

 

[.308 Norma]

Name: Large Folding Hunter
Catalog: Case Knives
Item: 00189
Family: Working Knives
Loc: 44-2-B
Pattern: 6265 SS
Type: Folding
Lock: Slip Joint
Blade: 420HC Tru-Sharp® Surgical Steel
Blade Type: Skinner and Clip
Blade Finish: As Ground
Handle Material: Staminawood
Handle Jigging: Standard
Handle Color: Brown
Overall Length Closed: 5 1/4 inches
Weight: 9.63 oz
Bolsters: Nickel Silver
Liners: Brass
Includes Genuine Leather Sheath. As with all natural material color and texture may vary. Made in the USA.
I bought one of these at the Navy Exchange before I got out in 1972. I don't know how many mule deer and even a couple of elk I gutted and later skinned with it, but it was quite a few.
I carry an Alaskan brand fixed blade now, but I could easily go back to my old Case "Folding Hunter" if I had to. The "Clip" blade works well for field dressing a deer, and of course the "Skinner" blade works well for skinning the deer after you get him back to camp. Nowadays, I use my Alaskan brand fixed blade for field dressing - it has sort of a "clip" blade too. But back at camp, I keep a couple of different fixed blade "skinners" and "capers" for that kind of work.

 

[Armored farmer]

Since i usually hunt in bibs, and dont wear a belt, i carry a cheap Remington folder with a pocket clip. However, my Buck 105 is attached to my safety harness.

 

[Varminterror]

A few years ago, I bought a closeout deal for $2 each for those Remington knives @Armored farmer pictured above. I have one clipped on every treestand safety harness, range bag, hunting pack, and camping kit we own. Mine are blaze orange & black twig camo, some with black blades, some silver/stainless blades. They feel terrible in hand, but they are solid and the blades do hold an edge well enough to do the “oh crap, I need a knife” job well enough. Definitely NOT a field dressing knife, although I suppose they might work in a pinch.

 

[Armored farmer]

A few years ago, I bought a closeout deal for $2 each for those Remington knives @Armored farmer pictured above. I have one clipped on every treestand safety harness, range bag, hunting pack, and camping kit we own. Mine are blaze orange & black twig camo, some with black blades, some silver/stainless blades. They feel terrible in hand, but they are solid and the blades do hold an edge well enough to do the “oh crap, I need a knife” job well enough. Definitely NOT a field dressing knife, although I suppose they might work in a pinch.

.....and at $2 each, you are virtually guaranteed not to lose one.

 

[.308 Norma]

.....and at $2 each, you are virtually guaranteed not to lose one.

 

[FL-NC]

I posted this in a different thread- these are what I use. I could get by without the fixed blades just fine up to quartering if I added one of the scalpel bladed folders. I don't count the gray gut zipper as a fixed blade.

 

[1976B.L.Johns.]

This Camullis has worked good for me (and others) for years. Using it properly, it is zip, rip & strip.Comfortable non-slip rubber grip, all blades lock & it holds an edge. (Though it's a bear to sharpen the "zipper" blade). I have never sharpened the saw blade, still no need to though, as it has worked well on many deer. It is helpful splitting the pelvic bone.

 

[LoonWulf]

The 110 Slim Pro with either Micarta or G10 handles, pocket clip and S30V steel. About $90
https://www.buckknives.com/product/110-slim-knife-pro/0110FAM03/

Thanks JMR didn't know that existed, looks like I'm gonna have to save up and get one. I've always liked the 110s but I never ware a belt.

 

[DM~]

For me, there's NO question about what one I'd be using! Kershaw!

EVERY Kershaw folder I own has a really good blade, they stay sharp and are fairly easy to sharpen. I can't say that for most of the other brands I own!

DM

 

[Loyalist Dave]

I can't believe nobody has mentioned the OPINEL No. 6. 2¾ carbon steel blade, ring lock... inexpensive and sharp and keeps an edge. Great for skinning too, and you just hit it will some peroxide to clean off the blood and such, then dry it and rub on some olive oil to keep off the rust. https://www.amazon.com/Opinel-Carbon-Folding-Everyday-Locking/dp/B000UGYWQM/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1543925777&sr=8-4&keywords=opinel+pocket+knife&th=1&psc=1 I have these things squirreled away in tool boxes and stuff in my cars, for all sorts of applications. Great for deer, AND if you lose it, so what? I prefer a 3" Mora (Swedish) fixed blade, carbon steel knife for field dressing and skinning, but the Opinels are a super good backup.

LD

 

[Bfh_auto]

Heck, that Schrade I linked above goes in the dish washer. With the open back design, it gets squeaky clean.

That's a good feature.
I hit a deer with the work truck when I was a logger. All I had was a tiny, 3 blade Winchester pocket knife. It did the job, but was a pain to wash after I got home.

 

[jmorris]

I have a Browning knife that’s pretty good for the task but have used a Leatherman more often, as I always have it with me.

 

[entropy]

I did a deer with a Buck 110. Not by choice, I was with another hunter who did not have a knife (told him to bring one...) I wasn't hunting, as I was was a non-resident at the time, and my regular hunting knife knife was in storage. It got the job done, thankfully I had a good edge on it.

 

[MCgunner]

I've never found the blade on a leatherman to be all that high quality, but for sure I always have mine on me in a leather pouch I made from a Tandy kit that also holds a small flashlight. I never leave the house without it.

 

[MCgunner]

I've recently acquired a very nice Kershaw and I have a Buck Bantam that are light and have pocket clips. They're easy to carry, BUT they don't have the partial serrations I so much like. I open a deer from his neither regions to his neck and those non-serrated blades make getting the chest cavity open a pain. Using a saw would be a pain. Carrying a saw in the field would be a pain. Since owning that Gator Serrator, I've become accustomed to just sliding through the sternum with that serrated portion of the blade. I carry the Kershaw when I'm not hunting, is an assisted opener and has a great edge. But, during hunting season, my Schrade is clipped to my pocket.

 

[Tilos]

For me, there's NO question about what one I'd be using! Kershaw!

EVERY Kershaw folder I own has a really good blade, they stay sharp and are fairly easy to sharpen. I can't say that for most of the other brands I own!

DM

yes
this is my fav, 1776:

Added some jibbing...because I modify most everything:

 

[DM~]

Personally, I carry a knife by Kim Breed when [deer] hunting. I gutted and did some skinning on eight deer before touching it up a few days ago,



It holds an edge VERY good and was easy to get it very sharp again.

In my pocket, I always have a Kershaw Scallion,



It's my back up, as I don't like folders for gutting/skinning, although I do have several Kershaw and other folders.

DM

 

[Kingcreek]

I have an old buck 110 "light hunter" with nylon handle that I've carried in my pack and used for years, sometimes even when I had a fixed blade on me.

 

[SoonerMedic]

Spyderco delica 4 hands down. Comes sharp from the box, stays sharp, strong and lightweight, great steel and great scales. I plan on buying another one when our budget isn't quite so tight.

 

[ScrapMetalSlug]

I’ve had this Gerber for about 10 years and skinned several deer with it and numerous small game. It feels good in the hand with the rubberized handle and holds an edge well. It only costs about $40, They call it the gator clip point serrated. It is a good general purpose knife and works great for field dressing a deer.

If I am elk hunting, that’s when the fixed blade set comes out so I can quarter and usually debone in the field.

 

[Robbins290]

been using a small 27 dollar kershaw for years. gutted alot of deer with it.