Home Forums Gear Knives and Blades Blade Design for Big Game Hunting

Hoping GW feels inclined to post up his absolutely stellar set of Lambs in this thread. I never tire of seeing them

You guys kill me with all this searching for the best blade geometry. They all work and some work a little better at some chores than others. The biggest difference I see is the sharpness you start with and then it comes down to how much processing you intent to complete before touching up. If you're field dressing and then bringing out the entire carcass than just about anything will work. Heck my brother field dressed a white tail with a hunk of glass because he had forgot his knife. Don't get me wrong, I love custom knives, I own a bunch, and I use them all and they all work just great, some a little better at some tasks than others. Just like some steels hold an edge longer and some are easier to sharpen.

I complete the majority of my skinning with my thumb. I make my hide cuts with a disposable hooked carpet cutting blade.

Boise, you aren't wrong and I said as much earlier. But that sure takes the fun outta things when you throw a blanket over it like that.

Boise,
Ok. If anything will work and that's all that's required, then why not just go hunting with a rock? I know from your previous posts you have a nice collection of knives.
Yes, almost any knife will 'work', even a piece of glass. Ok. I've done a couple of antelope with a Swiss Army knife.. It was okay.
I find a lot of pleasure in researching the different blade shapes, steel types, geometry and trying them out, seeing what works best for me and the critters I hunt. Sure a box cutter or a safety razor 'will work', but that's not going to give me any pleasure.
Whoopi Goldberg is arguably female .. G*d forbid, it would 'work' if that's all you want it to do. I'm real happy to have options.

I enjoy the research of outdoor equipment leading up to a purchase more than the purchase itself. Seeking knowledge and understanding of why something may work better than another similar item is a worthy pursuit in my mind. It’s why I am a teacher. Learning in and of itself is a noble pursuit. Others may think such questions are wasting their time. That’s ok. Each time you read someone’s post you learn. Some you learn more from than others. I appreciate them all.

I've taken deer from field to freezer with an old carbon steel Case folding hunter and it was no great hindrance. You guys that think you need the ultimate or that such a thing even exists are a hoot.

Next time rub a rusty old teaspoon on a rock until you have "an edge" you're really proud of and then have at 'er!

Happy hunting!

That old Case went through gutting, skinning, quartering, deboning and butchering without resharpening. I'd like to see you do that with a spoon.

I’m in Canada, so after currency exchange and shipping, I’m pushing $500 for one of these knives. If that means I can get something that is considered “ultimate” for 5 bills, that’s a no brainer is it not?

I think you missed my point, but it's no biggie. I'm genuinely glad for you that the Case does everything YOU need it to. Congrats. I have absolutely nothing against the brand or you being satisfied with it.

Yes! Customized specifically to you.. the scales, liners, blade length/shape, steel, etc etc
We've all spent a certain amount of $$ on scopes, rifles, reloading equipment, ammo, camo, binoculars, a truck, fuel, ad nauseum. Owning nice knives is a pleasure.

I have over 100 knives from cheap factory to custom. Been collecting and using them for about 50 years. The old Case does about as well any. I don't believe there is any such thing as the "ultimate". What works best for you, only you can decide through much use of different blade lengths, alloys, profiles and grinds.

Hell ya 👊🏻

Had him build me a pocket skinner to compliment it.

Slim hunter all slicked up

Now that’s a neat little knife!

Damn nice, brother Jud

Hell ya, really cool piece. Thanks 👊🏻

Another really cool pattern, absolutely love the feel/design, never used it, bought it directly from gene, it’s a 1 of. H225 with armadilla scales…