knife

sniperman

probably been done to death,but looking for recommendations on a knife that holds its edge for field dressing and skinning deer,something for around 100 euro,i was using a couple of those butcher ones with the black handle,done the job ok,but looses edge quick,would like just one knife to do all,and advice on how to,and keep sharp,thanks folks

kunekunesika

Get yourself a mora kniv for 10 or 12euro. Do everything you want. Resharpen after each use.

J.R.

There are hunting knives available with replacement blades - so sharpening should not be a worry,

I don't have one so no idea how practical they are.

https://youtu.be/7DITuQ_hVQ0

Feisar

Anything that keeps an edge for ages is going to be painful to sharpen. I'd suggest carrying two knives or get one of those little carbide sharpeners and keep touching it up as you go.

Rescueme0007

I've been using an Opinel No. 08 Carbone😊, easy to sharpen and inexpensive should I leave it behind. Not the purists choice but effective thus far!

Cass

One of the better knives I've used is the Gerber Myth field dress knife. Not sure how available they are now so the following could be useless if they cannot be bought.

Has a large fixed blade with gut hook. The blade goes "through" the handle with a knurled end for breaking or hammering. It has a solid feel and sharkskin handle to prevent slippage.

It also has a smaller fixed blade skinner knife. Both knives are razor sharp and the sheath is hardened plastic with multiple options for attaching to a belt.

It also comes with a carbide sharpener at the tip of the sheath for a quick "top up" if needed.

It's one of the few new Gerber's, well not new now but it was a few years back, that is off good quality. The older Gerber's were excellent but they went through a phase of producing knives for the likes of Bear Grylls and that line of product and quality seemed to drop but this was like Gerber of old.

john_aero

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120379255#Comment_120379255

fully agree along with the Mora

best value for money

and i do have some expensive knives in my bag

clivej

Mora, used them gutting deer for years

steyrman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120373515#Comment_120373515

Hi I have being using these type of knifes for this season easy to use hold a good edge quick touch up with the steel as good as new I did not take hocks or heads off just bleed out and gralloch very impressed blades can be taken off cleaned and dried reused to 5” blade has done over 15 deer in the last month of the season

ByronSA

If you're looking for a high quality hunting, outdoors, fishing, chef knife that is going to last I'd consider investigating the South African custom knife makers on instagram. South African knife makers are on par with US knife makers and are some of the best in the world, especially their folder makers (Gareth Bull-Bull knives, Thys Meades, Clyde Challenor and Andre Thorburn). They are using seriously high quality materials that make D2 and 1095 look like tin and do stellar heat treats. Best thing is, due to a really bad currency you couldn't get more bang for your buck (except for the top makers with an international reputation, they charge in dollars and at US rates).

alex90

I've a victorinox hunter, the gralloching blade is very handy. Small saw on it too.

Grizzly 45

FWIW from someone who has collected,used and loves knives and has carried them for hunting, fishing, EDC, tactical, survivalist and collector for the last 35 years.From Big Assed Knives[BAK], custom to cheap, more suited to gutting a dinosaur,down to neck knives. I'm getting to the point[get it?] to say this is probably all the knife you need for anything you will encounter in Ireland. Hunting or otherwise. Victorinox Hunter XT or Victornoix Ranger grip 57 Hunter,if you need a bottle opener, awl and toothpick and tweezers. Between 60 to 80 euro depending on the retailer.

However,this is a personal choice as to whatever knife you use and like and will have a many opinions as minutes in the day.

TheEngineer1

I use a cheapie from decathlon that has a gut hook. Found the gut hook to be great for the first few deer but now it's gone dull and I can't seem to be able to sharpen it.

The internet seems to be only recommending these motorised belt type sharpeners for re-sharpening gut hooks.

For this reason, I'd be inclined to suggest not worrying too much about the gut hook?

For sharpening, I use a Worksharp field sharpener.

https://www.knivesandtools.ie/en/pt/-work-sharp-guided-field-sharpener.htm

It has a rough stone, a fine stone, a coarse diamond, a fine diamond, and a strop all in one.

It has guides for ensuring you're holding the knife at the correct angle for sharpening too which is great for a dummy like me that knows nothing about knives.

After every deer I give my knives a 60 second touch up using it and I haven't been stuck with a blunt knife yet.