What is the difference between a field knife and a hunting knife?

[orangeninja]

I have been told a field knife should be tough, robust and large...like a general purpose knife and that a hunting knife is generally for taking game. Some people carry 2 knives when hunting...a general purpose and a skinning knife...is this true?

If so, what are the characteristics of a field knife and the characteristics of a hunting knife? I've been particularly interested in Gerber knives.

 

[redneck]

It depends on what jobs you want your knife to do. For some folks, the same blade can be a "hunting knife" and a "field knife". Other folks like more dedicated tools instead of an all around peice.

Some folks want a small scalpel like blade for dressing out game. I know people who gut anything the size of a whitetail deer or smaller with a 3" bladed slip joint. That knife will work well for them as a hunting knife, the way they want to use it.
At the same time, maybe they're camping out and need something to split.kindling, whittle tent steaks, break ice, cut saplings etc. That small slipjoint isn't going to do all that very well. So while it might be a good "hunting" knife its not going to serve very well for general "field" use.

Other people like a big knife for field dressing and don't mind the fact that it doesn't handle like a scalpel. They can work there way through with something longer, and thicker that maybe doesn't cut quite as efficiently. The knife they are happy field dressing with might be able to stand up to camp chores and any other work that might come up out in the field. For them a "hunting knife" and "field knife" are one in the same.

 

[Wasz]

Generally I like a 4-5 inch blade for a general use trail knife. On a deer knife I like it a little shorter to just about where my finger when holding the knife is just shy of the tip of the blade. For me it makes it easier to gut the deer, also part of the reason for using seperate blades is that cleaning a deer is much easier with a sharp knife so save that edge for just that work.

 

[hso]

The camp/field knife is intended for making camp/shelter/fire starter and will have a steeper bevel than the more refined "hunting" knife. The camp knife serves for light chopping, prying and digging while you'd never subject your hunting knife to this abuse. If you can carry a light shovel and a light axe you might just carry the lighter hunting knife. If you want to forego the other 2 heavier tools the camp knife comes into it's own.

 

[orangeninja]

So do you guys think a Glock field knife is worth the money for a general use field knife?

 

[ReadyontheRight]

I personally like the Glock knife - good trade off for price and functionality.

I use a smaller pocket folding knife like a Benchmade or a small Gerber for gutting a deer or dressing birds. Also usually have a small Buck fixed blade in my hunting vest or backpack as a back-up that can cover both.

 

[orangeninja]

Cool...I'll order one then.

Thanks,

 

[hso]

I don't consider the Glock to be a good field knife. It lacks the light chopping ability needed to qualify.

What's the maximum price you are willing to pay? Would $100 be too much or $50?
http://www.barkriverknifetool.com/biggame/forager-black.html

http://www.camillusknives.com/1mainframe.htm?bkt/index.shtml~main

 

[Boats]

Bark River Gameskeepers, right of the RTAK. Best field knives I have ever had.

 

[orangeninja]

Becker looks awsome...