Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game Favorite Hunting Knife

Each of these knives has been used to dress deer and elk at least once.
Top row right to left
Old Timer my wife got me before we were married over 48 years ago. Used it several years.
Buck 450 that got lots of use
CRKT Lake 111
Case 2254
Chris Reeve Small Sebenza 21

Bottom row right to left
Dozier Yukon Pro that has been used more than the rest because of the synthetic handle and horizontal Kydex sheath
Mike Miller Lite Hunter, gets used plenty especially when I’m butchering the meat
Ingram #1 S30V spalted maple
Ingram Lite Hunter S30V splayed maple
Those Ingrams work really well, but I’m just kind of leery of getting them dirty. Too nice to look at.

I’ve got a few nice knives including several customs. Still the most used is a plastic handled two blade 4in folder. The main blade is easy to sharpen and the serrated blade zips through the rib cartilage aside the breast bone. I open the deer up to the top of the chest, making it clean and easy to remove the innards. I couldn’t guess how many dozens of deer I’ve done with it.

I lose knives like they're beer empties. I have several decent fixed blades and folders scattered throughout the west. My favorite was an older fixed blade that didn't have any markings other than "Made in Germany". It held a really good edge. It has been somewhere in Devil's Playground WSA in Wyoming since 2012.

I mainly use a havalon piranta these days, though I have random other knives in various places in the house and vehicle. I suck ass at sharpening anyhow.

Buck 110 in the field and a buck 103, 118, and 393 for skinning and quartering.

I have lots of knives but my favorite is a Bark River Gameskeeper in 4V steel. It’s worked on lots of meat.

Have so many I like and have used, buck, cold steel, Gerber, grohmann,blackjack, case, but the one I have used the most and would be the one is Puma Hunters Companion 116394

I gutted and skinned a cow elk about 6 days ago with a 2 blade case trapper. I didn't have my usual sheath knife as it was in my backpack about 300 yards away. I did have to touch up the blades with a 6" sharpening steel which I wear on my belt.

I use a Helle Drye Vaa I bought 40 years ago. I also have a Helle folder that I like.

I’m old school kinda like Ole 270. Have about large folders like his Old Timer ; top row right: 1 Old Timer 2 blade folder,
1 single blade Old Timer, 1 Kabar 2 blade folder; 1 Case 2 blade large folder, 1 Case single blade folder. I have also Case. Trapper in carbon and one in SS; Buck fixed blade and Buck 110; Browning fixed blade in brass handle with walnut inserts- 3” blade; a Green River “ Buffalo skinner” lwith curved blade. Favorite is a homemade fixed blade of D2 steel and antler handle a machinist neighbor made for me. Our state has a long season and you could kill 6 deer per year plus hogs. You get lots of practice using knives. I really like bout a 3” fixed blade Loveless style knife.

I have quite a few capable knives, but the only one that ever seems to find it’s way onto my belt when I’m taking a rifle for a walk is a Buck 110. My best friends dad gifted it to me about 25 years ago. It’s taken care of numerous elk and deer over the years.

My Dad gave me a Kershaw Alaskan Blade trader. I think its been in my pack close to 20 years. I usually use a outdoor edge for the majority of gutting and skinning now days but the Kershaw is always handy From pronghorn to elk and hogs even breasted a duck or dozen’s

I used an Opinel no.8 on last years elk. I've also used the Gerber LST, and a CRKT Wrangler, both with little 2" blades. It really doesn't take much to break down an elk, but I prefer a fixed blade with 3-4" blade like the DH Russell Canadian Belt Knife.

Randall Model 23

I used a Camillus jumbo trapper to dress, quarter, and skin countless creature from squirrels to moose and grouse to grizzly bears. It’s SS and pretty darn good steel, easy to sharpen and holds an edge very well.

But I’ve retired it for sentimental reasons. I lost it for a couple days and happened to find it by pure luck. A very good friend gifted it to me as a wedding present so I decided it meant enough to me as a memento to put it up to keep from losing it again. I watch EBay occasionally for a replacement but they’ve gotten ridiculous in price.

I am with you Brad. 3-4" fixed blade is my choice also.

Went the small knife/blade route for a couple of years and went back to slightly bigger blades.

That’s a beauty!!! 😍

^^^^^^^

This

Just a folder in my pocket for me. Some of my favorites.

Puma 970 Game Warden
Buck 500 Duke
Camillus Sword Brand #4 lock back
Camillus Sword Brand #3 lock back

Process bucks in woods... fine butcher to freezer at home.... 1959 - last Monday...
Best, most universal, ease of use for me = Gerber Paraframe....