need a knife for fielddressing
 

i need to get a goodknife but not to costly for fielddressing deer notsure what to get

should i getone with a gap hook for gutting or should i not

how big

and how good are the plastic gap hooks that have razor blades for the cutting

RE: need a knife for fielddressing
 

also should i get one that is fixed or folds

RE: need a knife for fielddressing
 

Last year I got a Gerber plastic gut hook with the razor like you described, and it worked slick.

RE: need a knife for fielddressing
 

Here is a great knife at Bass Pro. Gerber Folding with gut hook. Will hold great super sharp edge and you must have a gut hook tip now adays. Won't break the bank either. You might find it at local Academy Sports or Wal-Mart. If not get it here. About $35 Bucks.
GERBER FOLDING KNIFE

RE: need a knife for fielddressing
 

I bought an Outdoor Edge knife at Gander Mtn for 30 bucks. I have used it once already and am very happy with it. It has a small gut hook on the back tip and really works well for skinning too. I wanted something practical and not too big. If folds as well. Good quality steel and very sharp. It works good for me anyway.



http://www.outdooredge.com/product_detail.php?cat_ID=8&prod_ID=41

RE: need a knife for fielddressing
 

I'd avoid any knife that has a straight blade with integrated gut hook. Basically useless unless your gutting deer.

Take a look at the Buck Alpha Crosslock. I really like mine. It stays pretty sharp. My only complaint is that after a lengthy gut job it gets pretty messy because of all the nooks and crannies. If you can get past that it's a great knife.

Tom

RE: need a knife for fielddressing
 

It really depends on how good you are. I just using a little Gerber Gator folding pocket knife with a straight 3 inch blade. In experienced hands it's all you need. Takes longer to take off my outer shirt, watch and put on the rubber gloves than it does to field dress. It's just got to be sharp and you can do anything you want. It'll split briskets, debone, whatever.
http://www.tylertool.com/6149.html

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RE: need a knife for fielddressing
 

I have the Alaskan Blade Trader set up. I sure like it. it has 3 different blades that interchange. http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0022075516112a&type=product&cm Cat=search&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=KERSHAW&N=4887& Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&N tt=KERSHAW&noImage=0

It is on sale at cabelas now also.

RE: need a knife for fielddressing
 

Boy you're gonna get a large variety of answers here. Personally I like a carbon steel blade. They seem to take an edge better and are easy to re-sharpen.

Personally, I also like a blade around 3". Folding or fixed doesn't matter much to me as long as it locks.

I also prefer a clip point.

My favorite knife was a PUMA that I used for years, it was 2.75" blade and was a folding lock. But I lost it one year. It was buried in tractor rutts for two years. This past spring I took a metal detector to the area and found it. Still can't believe it.

Below is another that I love using on non-raining days, it'll also come in handy if I happen to fall out of a tree [:@], it's a 3" carbon steel drop point with elk antler handle:

RE: need a knife for fielddressing
 

I agree , even with a gut hook , you can cut guts if you dont watch what you are doing , the alpha folder is perfect for skining deer , the only drawback to these type of knifes is doing around the but hole , thats where a longer skinyer blade works well .

RE: need a knife for fielddressing
 

I've dressed out deer with a single blade from my muzzy broadhead. You really just need something sharp.

I wouldn't worry about a guthook. The smaller, rounded blades mentioned above are what I'd look for in a knife.

RE: need a knife for fielddressing
 

A Buck model # 110 is a fine knife for field dressing deer. The blade isn't to wide,so you can make those tight circular cuts around the rear pretty easy. I use the Gerber E.Z. zip to open deer up. It works pretty well and it is one of those plastic knives you were talking about.






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RE: need a knife for fielddressing
 

Fine looking knife there Bob. Very fine! Be proud to own it myself and tickeled just to see it and know the person who does. Really!


I went to wally world to get a kershaw which they have now and at the time there was a remington 3 blade combo. Gut hook, saw, blade. Steel seemed quite good. Bought it for 16 bucks. Worth a shot. Really did seem like a quality knife. I'll be taking it out this year.

RE: need a knife for fielddressing
 

I use a Buck Woodsman!!! I think I paid about $50 for it!!! It works great for gutting and deboning!

I also have a Buck Folding hunter, but never use it!!

I would tend to stay away from the folding knives, just because they are a pain in the arse to clean!!!

RE: need a knife for fielddressing
 

Dave Kauffman of Montanna City, Montana #15

RE: need a knife for fielddressing
 

Buy Kershaw, Alaskan Blade Trader!
Best knife i ever owned!

RE: need a knife for fielddressing
 

Whatever knife you end up getting, make sure you alsoinvest in one of these bad boys! http://www.cabelas.com/hprod-1/0006176.shtml

Zip saws are the best things since sliced bread for sawing through the pelvis. Small, light, andtakes up virtually no space in your bag or pocket. It's like a hot knife through butter. I've seen guys lug around with them these big, bulky processing kits that are just a waste of space. Those are better left for the butchers table. I've even seen guys try to use their knives to break through the pelvis, beating the end of their knife with rock. Don't put your knife through that type of abuse.

RE: need a knife for fielddressing
 

I only buy one brand of knives thats Buck, lifetime warranty and made in the USA how can you beat it. Personally I use there Alpha Hunter series in the wood handle. Made of ATS-34 high carbon steel you cant find a better knife. Sometimes I wish I bought the one with the gut-hook but mine works fine.

RE: need a knife for fielddressing
 

When you are feild dressing deer you need only a sharp edge and a gut hook which makes things much easier. But the only option you might consider if you are planning to buy a good knife is a knife the has a serrated edge on the lower half of the blade and a smooth edge on the upper half of the blade. This way you will have a knife that will cut through the rib cage when cleaning it later like butter.

RE: need a knife for fielddressing
 

i just have the plain old buck 110 folder and you know not only have i used it to gut deer but so have millions of other hunters so if i were you thats what id go with:eek:

RE: need a knife for fielddressing
 

I haveBuck-Alpha CrossLock PBS.......Stays really sharp for a long time......Don't have to sharpen it very often. Has a good blade ,saw, & gut hook all in one.......Works awesome!!!

RE: need a knife for fielddressing
 

If you are looking for a knife specifically for field dressing deer-sized game and nothing else, IMHO nothing beats a "Wyoming Knife" http://www.wyomingknife.com/knives.htm

RE: need a knife for fielddressing
 

Works awesome for me.

RE: need a knife for fielddressing
 

Spyderco,I've had mine for ten years it's done all my field dressing and skinning, I bone them out with a fillet knife.

RE: need a knife for fielddressing
 

I usually look for a length of about 3"-4"you dont want to big or you could easily cut your self when doing the lung cavity. you dont need no big honkin davy crocket/ crocodile hunter (no this is a knife) kind of thing.

I dont think the gut hook is necisary and it does not work a great deal better in my oppinion. you cant hardly find a knife w/o the gut hook now adays (at least in basspro/cabelas).

FYI: I bought a couple in the wal-marts. still have them. they cost no more than about 10 bux and work great. I just make shure to check them at begining of season, and sharpen them up if need be. they are the winchester searies. nice knives

RE: need a knife for fielddressing
 

I won't go into the woods without having several knives on me, different types, sizes and shapes for different uses.

I used a Buck 110 for years. Folders are handy and easy to carry, but you've got to get all the blood and crud washed out of the works or they'll wind up smelling like road kill.

A really great knife, though it's kinda funky to get used to at first, is an Outdoor Edge Whitetail Skinner. You'd be amazed how many ways there are to grip that knife and use it in awkward situations.

http://www.outdooredge.com/product_d...amp;prod_ID=15

My favorite fixed blade is a Helle Nying, which is what they're presently calling a Super Fjording on their website. 2 3/4" blade, traditional Scandanavian design, very light and easy to use. Triple laminated Swedish steel. Best knife I've got. They've got all kinds of knives and cover a wide price range. You'll find something you like.

www.helleknives.com

RE: need a knife for fielddressing
 

Pretty interesting devise.

Below to the right is my pelvis splitter. And if I get bored, some dead trees or stumps will suffer. :D

RE: need a knife for fielddressing
 

I have used a Case stockman for years. I have some other "hunting" knives but a good pocket knife works fine for me.

-john

RE: need a knife for fielddressing
 

I like knives with a thick solid blade. Mine is one of the bigger buck knives (black and silver handle - very common, around $40). I like the thick blades for cutting the pelvic bone. Sometimes it can be tough and a small knife might have problems. Although, I have a zip saw that I could use, I just hate having another tool to clean. I actually have 2 of the buck knives now - one smaller one for skinning and to throw in the backpack.

RE: need a knife for fielddressing
 

I use the Alpha Crosslock andit works pretty good. The key is to keep the blade sharp.

RE: need a knife for fielddressing
 

I lost a few expensive hunting knifes and after a couple I realized that you only need something sharp. I buy a new little plastic disposable razor knife at the beginning of season, Nothing out there sharper and cuts the gut real fast. I then have a long, six inchthin blade fish fillet knife for ringing the butt out and cutting the wind pipe. I dislike busting the pelvis and tearing the hams up. Learning to ring the butt could save alot of people hard work.