Deer stalkers, what knife?

Mauser 308

Guys, just wondering what type knife you like best when working on deer in the field. ie folder or fixed blade?, gut hook?, what lenght etc. All comments welcome.
I currently use a 5" fixed with a gut hook. But I also have a 4" folder which I reall like as u would not know u had it with u. But I find the gut hook great for opening the animal. I am seriousley thinking of a hand made knife and wanted advise on what you find best. Cheers:):rolleyes:

custom 7mm08

i prefer the folder knife i have a buck 110 a buck 112 and a gerber which i use for rabbits. have used gut hooks not a great fan. i suppose everyone has their own preferred type

Mauser 308

custom 7mm08 wrote: »

i prefer the folder knife i have a buck 110 a buck 112 and a gerber which i use for rabbits. have used gut hooks not a great fan. i suppose everyone has their own preferred type

Thanks for the reply. Just for info, why did u not like the gut hook? I found it easy to open the deer without cliping the stomach, intestines etc. But as you say each to his own.

Tackleberrywho

I love a nice big blade for throat cutting


I currently have a Leatherman MUT

But I hope to get a nice blade this year.

Something that can slice through tendons like butter

Mauser 308

Tackleberrywho wrote: »

I love a nice big blade for throat cutting


I currently have a Leatherman MUT

But I hope to get a nice blade this year.

Something that can slice through tendons like butter

True that Tack:). But I am coming around to the idea that 4"/5" is plety. Think of what is hand to carry and does the job well.Bleed and gralloch. For me up to now it was the fixed with the gut hook, now I wonder:rolleyes:

FISMA

Mauser 308 wrote: »

Guys, just wondering what type knife you like best when working on deer in the field. ie folder or fixed blade?, gut hook?,

Mauser,
I love the look of wood, however, with all of the blood, guts, and all, along with the cold temperatures, I ALWAYS use rubber solely because of the better grip.

Also, I have heard horror stories of knives folding onto fingers during gralloching. Thus, I ALWAYS use fixed blades.

Here's my setup. It is all you need for the field.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Hunting/Knives-Tools/Fixed-Blade-Knives|/pc/104791680/c/104740380/sc/104330880/Outdoor-Edge-Kodi-Pak-Knife-Set/745985.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fhunting-knives-tools-fixed-blade-knives%2F_%2FN-1100158%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104330880%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253Bcat104791680&WTz_l=SBC%3Bcat104791680%3Bcat104330880

Glensman

I use an Opinel 5" not sure the exact length. It's a folding knife that's lockable.

Very light, sharp and most of all cheap. Also I like a knife that looks like an innocent penknife as I like to keep one in the jeep and one in my pocket (I'm a devil for forgetting a knife) and I don't want to get done by some over-zealous cop for transporting an offencive weapon!

Also the knife is just as at home skinning/gutting rabbits as it is with deer or goat.
It wont split a rib-cage on a larger animal, but then I dont think you really need to in the field...

Tackleberrywho

I like a big knife that can double up as a machete and chop nettles in sept and furze if I need to make a handy route to drag back.

I made shi*e of a knife on furze this year:(


I do have wet dreams about this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgLOQoVBOqA

Mauser 308

Tackleberrywho wrote: »

I like a big knife that can double up as a machete and chop nettles in sept and furze if I need to make a handy route to drag back.

I made shi*e of a knife on furze this year:(


I do have wet dreams about this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgLOQoVBOqA

Think we will have to call you crocodile Dundee from now on Tack.

clivej

I use Mora Frost knifes @small money about €12 each, and Opinel 5" locking folder so if they get lost I'm not outa pocket.

Use this for the opening up the gut@£12. Go from the rib cage to the pelvis in one go and can't nick the stomach. It takes replaceable stanley blade so will always be sharp. Came with a belt holder with pocket for the spare blades.

tfox

CliveJ where did ya get the guthook ....?

Friend of m ine has one of these, very handy tool http://www.outdoorgb.com/p/Gerber_Metolius_EZ_Open_Fine_Edge_Fixed_Blade_Knife/

clivej

tfox wrote: »

CliveJ where did ya get the guthook ....?

Friend of m ine has one of these, very handy tool http://www.outdoorgb.com/p/Gerber_Metolius_EZ_Open_Fine_Edge_Fixed_Blade_Knife/

That knife is good but needs to have the edge kept sharp.
I got the gut hook from the uk. Just do a google search and plenty will come up