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Posted: 12/8/2020 8:36:05 PM EDT
[#1]
I use a folding Buck with a 3 or 3.5 inch blade and a folding saw with a blade maybe 5 inches long. Also keep a Fiskars sharpener handy in case I need to touch up the knife.
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Posted: 12/8/2020 8:53:54 PM EDT
[#2]
Esee4, stainless. Stays sharp forever, I field dressed two deer back to back, worked perfectly. Not too big, but big enough.
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Posted: 12/8/2020 9:03:39 PM EDT
[#3]
havelon ftw
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Posted: 12/8/2020 9:14:19 PM EDT
[#4]
Fixed blade.
Cutting part of the blade about the length of your index finger- 3.5/4.0 inches. Steel that holds an edge, but it is a mix between ease of sharpening, holding an edge, and corrosion resistance. You can't get everything in a steel. Sheath that works. |
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Posted: 12/8/2020 9:26:23 PM EDT
[#5]
I like a small 3.5" knife with a clip point personally. I'm sure you'll find many options here. I used to use a buck 110 until a Marine friend gifted me a nice small clip point that his father made, after we had an awesome hunt.
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Posted: 12/8/2020 9:35:29 PM EDT
[#6]
Morakniv for the win.
Carbon steel if you don't care about the look,but like the function, stainless if you like it clean. |
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Posted: 12/8/2020 9:36:52 PM EDT
[#7]
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Posted: 12/8/2020 9:57:25 PM EDT
[#8]
Another vote for Morakniv here. Stays sharp well, bright colors so hard to lose when you lay it down in the grass/leaves, easy to clean, grip is not slippery with blood/water on it.
Best part - if you lose it, you are out 20 bucks max. One of the best deals going for a knife. Honorable mention for a folder Buck knife - nostalgia. |
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Posted: 12/8/2020 10:13:42 PM EDT
[#9]
Cutco. Hunting knife or Outdoor knife. With the DD cutting edge. These knives are incredible. Sharp like a razor and will hold an edge.
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Posted: 12/8/2020 10:19:53 PM EDT
[#10]
Youtubers like to push Bubba Blades but they're overpriced IMO.
I stay away from folders or anything with nooks and crannies. Field knife will be covered with blood and gets washed. Don't want crevices for bacteria to grow or rust to develop. That said cheap moraknivs have worked for me. |
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Posted: 12/8/2020 10:28:58 PM EDT
[#11]
Bark River Gunny Hunter.
Blackjack 125. Both great! |
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Posted: 12/8/2020 10:36:23 PM EDT
[#12]
Almost any sharp knife that's not too large is fine for field dressing.
Skinning and boning is where I get particular. |
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Posted: 12/9/2020 12:40:10 AM EDT
[#13]
I use a Wyoming knife first for that initial belly, sternum cut, then mora knifes for skinning and dressing along with a Wyoming saw for opening the sternum.
The Wyoming knife keeps the mora knives sharp by not cutting through hair and the blades are cheap to replace. I like mora knives because if you lose one in the field, it's only $12 to replace it. |
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Posted: 12/9/2020 1:05:32 AM EDT
[#14]
Havalon. Toss the blade when your done, throw the rest in the dishwasher.
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Posted: 12/9/2020 1:08:04 AM EDT
[#15]
Outdoor Edge
I got the combo with swing blade and T handle bone saw.... Outstanding |
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Posted: 12/9/2020 1:11:35 AM EDT
[#16]
Havalon kit with Gut-Hook blade.
My backup that I still carry, and have for years, is the Outdoor Edge KodiPak. |
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Posted: 12/9/2020 2:02:10 AM EDT
[#17]
Another vote for the Mora knife. Super sharp and just the right size. I bought a folding saw to cut bone as well.
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Posted: 12/9/2020 2:02:25 AM EDT
[#18]
Double tap
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Posted: 12/9/2020 2:02:36 AM EDT
[#19]
Triple tap
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Posted: 12/9/2020 10:22:26 PM EDT
[#20]
Havalon.
I keep my old blades and resharpem them. |
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Posted: 12/9/2020 10:55:56 PM EDT
[#21]
I've used a Buck 619 for years but a 119 is similar and just as good. I think the Kabar BK15 would be a good choice. I have one but haven't used it yet.
I've field dressed deer with a Buck Stockman jack knife and even a 12 inch kukri but I wouldn't recommend those. You just need something strong and sharp enough to go through the rib cage but not too big for the smaller areas depending on how you field dress your deer. I don't cut through the hips. |
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Posted: 12/9/2020 10:58:57 PM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Almost any sharp knife that's not too large is fine for field dressing. Skinning and boning is where I get particular. 100% agree. |
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Posted: 12/9/2020 11:12:01 PM EDT
[#23]
Having cut on deer #1 early Nov I put my Havalon somewhere to get cleaned and lost that motherfucker. Deer #2 suffered a bit of cutting with my leatherman but it was terrible for the cutter and I had to phone a friend for backup. I am now proud owner of Havalon #2.
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Posted: 12/10/2020 1:20:31 AM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I use a Wyoming knife first for that initial belly, sternum cut, then mora knifes for skinning and dressing along with a Wyoming saw for opening the sternum. The Wyoming knife keeps the mora knives sharp by not cutting through hair and the blades are cheap to replace. I like mora knives because if you lose one in the field, it's only $12 to replace it. |
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Posted: 12/10/2020 11:21:09 AM EDT
[#25]
Buck makes a variety of good skinning/hunting knives in all sizes. Were I to buy one now it would either be an old carbon steel Western skinning knife, maybe the L66 if I remember correctly, or a stainless BUCK fixed blade. I think they do a good job with design an materials for a current production fixed blade. I hear nothing but good things about their steel.
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Posted: 12/10/2020 11:02:45 PM EDT
[#26]
I have a couple but I like this pattern a lot.
https://knifemaking.com/collections/hunting-blades/products/apache-hunter 3 1/2" to 4" with a drop point that you can get your finger tip over when unzipping is my preference. Fairly heavy spine for working it up through the rib cage. Bright orange handle is a big plus when you set it down in the dark for a moment. |
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Posted: 12/10/2020 11:49:24 PM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Morakniv for the win. Carbon steel if you don't care about the look,but like the function, stainless if you like it clean. Buy them deep if they $10 on Amazon and you won’t worry about losing them. They hold an edge through dressing and skinny 2 deer (almost) and resharoen pretty easy. Havalon for straight ease and nothing requiring you to pry or pop joints or bone. |
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Posted: 12/11/2020 5:47:26 AM EDT
[#28]
Anyone use a Esee Ashley Game Knife? Looking for experiences with it.
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Posted: 12/13/2020 5:00:49 PM EDT
[#29]
Another vote for a Morakniv
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Posted: 12/14/2020 3:08:14 PM EDT
[#30]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Fixed blade. Cutting part of the blade about the length of your index finger- 3.5/4.0 inches. Steel that holds an edge, but it is a mix between ease of sharpening, holding an edge, and corrosion resistance. You can't get everything in a steel. Sheath that works. Agree. There are a lot of options I’m that check those boxes. There are also quite a few hunting brands coming out with branded knifes. Look at offerings from Kifaru, Argali, etc. most are just rebrands but they are decent knifes and prices. Biggest headwind I see is the predisposition for replaceable blade knifes. |
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Posted: 12/21/2020 11:31:07 AM EDT
[#31]
Mora knife works as good as anything to field dress a deer. I remember when I used an expensive knife and sat it down and then couldn't find it for a few minutes. It's not worth the panic to use an expensive knife in the woods.
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Posted: 12/24/2020 11:48:34 AM EDT
[#32]
I use an ESEE4
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Posted: 12/24/2020 12:13:21 PM EDT
[#33]
I bought a Buck Packlight years ago at Wal-Mart for $17.99 and its been a great little knife.
https://www.buckknives.com/product/140-paklite-skinner-knife/0140FAM01/ I can't believe the price on them now. Must be because they're so popular. My nephew dressed a cow elk with his, saving the anus for last it it was only then that his was starting to dull. Gave him mine to finish safely and his only needed hit with a steel once we got home. I now carry a steel in my pack. But it'll dress and skin a buck with ease. |
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Posted: 12/24/2020 12:39:20 PM EDT
[#34]
morakniv for field
victoranox for skinning & boning |
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Posted: 12/24/2020 2:11:40 PM EDT
[#35]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Almost any sharp knife that's not too large is fine for field dressing. Skinning and boning is where I get particular. LOL, this! That said, once gutted and hanging, I use a 4" Rapala filet knife and a single edge razor blade. Have done north of 100 deer this way, probably over 150. Don't overthink it. |
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Posted: 12/24/2020 6:17:32 PM EDT
[#36]
Outdoor Edge Razor Lite for skinning and quartering . Also have a Havalon but prefer the Outdoor Edge because the blades dont break as easily .
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Posted: 12/25/2020 2:51:35 PM EDT
[#37]
Morakniv has been my go-to for about 12 years.
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Posted: 12/30/2020 10:27:38 PM EDT
[#38]
I just ordered a 657 Pursuit from Buck Knives.
You sign up for their email stuff, they'll give you 20% off. |
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Posted: 1/3/2021 10:17:54 AM EDT
[#39]
I bought an old hickory 5.5” hunting knife and it is the sharpest knife I own. Carbon steel easy to hone an edge back.$20
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Posted: 1/4/2021 11:04:30 PM EDT
[#40]
Morakniv all day every day.
They're cheap, easy to clean, sharp. Fantastic gutting knives. I love watching guys try to clean guts out of their folders and engraved knives...then they lose the damn wooden handled $300 knife in the snow/leaves and we're out there searching for it for hours cuz it's the knife is grand pappy gave him when he was a wee lad. Mine is orange...and if I do lose it, who cares, it was $15 lol. I'd look for it for maybe 5 minutes and call it a day. Grab one of the other 3 I have. |
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Posted: 1/10/2021 2:26:49 AM EDT
[#41]
So, got two doe today. Used my 657 Pursuit and a Havalon. Prefer the Havalon.
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Posted: 1/23/2021 7:28:24 PM EDT
[#42]
Havalon. Always scalpel sharp.
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Posted: 1/23/2021 9:38:50 PM EDT
[#43]
Mora companion
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Posted: 1/23/2021 9:46:15 PM EDT
[#44]
Cutco Hunting knife or ESEE 3 or 4 works great and holds edge better than a buck. I used the Cutco to dress my Elk. This year I used my ESEE 3 to field dress 5 deer and still sharp as heck.
 ESEE 3 and 4 
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Posted: 2/13/2021 8:23:05 PM EDT
[#45]
Bright orange mora stainless.
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Posted: 2/14/2021 3:24:16 PM EDT
[#46]
Orange handled victorinox paring knife or orange handles mora. I also have a hook style utility knife blade I use in a light weight holder to zip them open. Just about any semi sharp thing (broken glass?) will dress one. I just tend to keep my blades sub 4”, thin and narrow. The paring knife has become a fast favorite. It sharp, hold a decent edge, thin and narrow, super light weight, inexpensive and has an orange handle. That’s my number one qualification is the orange handle.
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Posted: 4/11/2021 9:29:27 AM EDT
[#47]
I use a Buck skeletonized stainless kit, easy to clean, holds a good edge. Also has a pocket for gloves on it. Started using a SPAX this year for the pelvis, one solid whack and you're through.
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Posted: 4/11/2021 4:28:26 PM EDT
[#48]
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Posted: 4/11/2021 4:43:56 PM EDT
[#49]
I have used the A. G. Russell Woodstalker to field dress and quarter wild hogs.
The only other tools I needed were a gambrel and a bone saw. It matters more that the knife is sharp. It's also easier to go too big than too small.  A. G, Russel Woodstalker |
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Posted: 5/22/2021 8:49:33 PM EDT
[#50]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Almost any sharp knife that's not too large is fine for field dressing. Skinning and boning is where I get particular. This. The last doe I shot I used a Butt-Out tool and a 30 dollar Winchester folding pocket knife. Bone saws and all that other good stuff will make the job easier, but you don't need them. |
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