Gear validation when hunting.

[H&Hhunter]

That is so true. Sharpen a knife. Get from A to B using a map. Change the oil in your vehicle. Cook a meal. The list of essential skills that are aren’t being past on could be long.

That said, there’s something to be said for convenience. I can sharpen a knife, but that OE razor knife is the tits

Agreed,
I enjoy sharpening knives and when I’m done they are hair popping sharp. But it is really convenient to simply pop off a blade and snap on another one that is surgically sharp. Especially when half way through an elk at night in a snow storm. It’s quicker, it’s easier and it’s taken me until now to admit that. This is the first time in over 40 years of hunting that I’ve relented and used a replaceable blade knife.

Even then I’ve used both all season long and have decided that the outdoor edge is a legit system. I’m not sure that I’ll ever discard my quality traditional fixed blade or folders but the OE is for real.

 

[gotboostvr]

I believe the reason for the popularity of the disposable blade knives is simply because so many new hunters just don't know how to properly sharpen a knife blade. How many here remember sitting around a table in deer camp telling tales while one guy sharpened knives. My Dad taught me how to sharpen a blade until it shaved the hair off your forearm. Getting to be a lost art.

I've offered to sharpen I don't know how many friends knives. I'll usually free-hand them on a stone. As soft of steel some knives are, it's quick work when they're pretty dull with a fine stone.

If it really needs rehabbed I'll pull out the Lansky system. But I'd say 90% or more of the time I just use simple stones.

I've got friends that refuse to use their nice pocket knife because "they want to keep it sharp". Baffles the mind.

I've got other friends though that "drinking beer, sharpening knives and watching Predator" is a common answer to "what're you getting into tonight? "

 

[9x56MS]

Yep this thread got me thinking so I dug out a bunch of my pocket knives out of my nightstand and my grandson gave me his pocket knife. I got out my buck sharpening kit with a large and small Arkansas stones and honing oil. Been using those same stones for 45 years now and sat my grandson down and taught him how to properly Sharpen a blade. Taught my son but he says I can't get them shaving sharp like you do Dad. Now I have a bare forearm and a grandson with a new life skill. Good hunting.

 

[marksman13]

Gear validation is what really got me back into deer hunting this year. I’ve hunted all my life, but I didn’t deer hunt for several years. When I got back into it a couple years ago, I realized that I didn’t really care much about shooting deer. I let a ton of deer walk. Hunted two or three seasons and only killed one deer because a buddy asked me to kill one for him.

This year I bought several Ruger No. 1s in various chamberings and my desire to see their effectiveness is what made me start shooting deer again. I shot five deer with five different rifles and five different cartridges. Next year I plan to do the same. Those single shot rifles in a myriad of chamberings has made hunting and killing fun again.

Speaking on knives, my favorites are an ESEE Izula II and an ESEE 3. I have not skinned a deer with either, but I have skinned multiple pigs with them.

 

[gotboostvr]

Gear validation is what really got me back into deer hunting this year. I’ve hunted all my life, but I didn’t deer hunt for several years. When I got back into it a couple years ago, I realized that I didn’t really care much about shooting deer. I let a ton of deer walk. Hunted two or three seasons and only killed one deer because a buddy asked me to kill one for him.

This year I bought several Ruger No. 1s in various chamberings and my desire to see their effectiveness is what made me start shooting deer again. I shot five deer with five different rifles and five different cartridges. Next year I plan to do the same. Those single shot rifles in a myriad of chamberings has made hunting and killing fun again.

Speaking on knives, my favorites are an ESEE Izula II and an ESEE 3. I have not skinned a deer with either, but I have skinned multiple pigs with them.

Izula's and Ruger No1's, me and you could be buddies.

 

[marksman13]

Izula's and Ruger No1's, me and you could be buddies.

I’m pretty easy to get along with. Lol