Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Knives for elk

We should have a thread on this topic. I have knives with better steel than the 420 HC used in the Gator. A couple of things: first, I use the gutless method on elk. I have not gutted one in 10 years. Contact time with bones is minimal - basically digging around the humerous-pelvis to cut all the tendons/ligaments holding them together, scraping the ribs when taking out the backstrap, separating the front shoulders. Fairly light duty.

Second, in almost 50 years of hunting, I've found 3 knives, all obviously related to gut piles. Nothing expensive but a Case XX, a Buck, and a Queen Steel (I'm from PA, fairly common up there). I still have 2 of the 3. I've never left a knife in the woods - but have laid them down and had to look for them. As pointed out more than 4-5" snow makes finding a dropped knife interesting. All that to say, I'd be pretty pissed if I left a $300 knife in the woods.

My other point, that cheap Gator stays sharp for its intended purpose. I have quartered 2 elk back to back with 1 knife using the gutless method, and is was still sharp enough to do a third. This past year I gutted 3 deer. Still sharp enough to do more.

All that said, the $40 Gators have been sufficient for me. I admire really nice blades but what else could a $300 knife provide?

I would be interested in a folding knife with more colorful handle with better steel and overall lighweight that is sub $100. Examples?

Please.let me know what knife(s) you use for field dressing elk. Pictures appreciated. I'm looking for one knife to carry and not interested in the replaceable blade category. Thanks all!

Same Forschner Semi-flex straight boning knife that I use on everything.



Used to be 5" but been sharpened a time or three



I made this sheath and the package just rides in my pack.





I lost an outdoor edge Swingblaze so replaced it with the fixed model. I do like those for opening.

Bucklite 422’s. I have 5 of ‘em. First three were given to me as tips. Decided to lighten the load and give them a try one year. Chose the one with an orange handle and the dropped the knife in 14” of fresh powder while dressing an elk. I immediately understood the value of a blaze orange handle. I like the light weight and that they fold.

I have two custom fixed blades, including a Ingram given to me as a tip. I appreciate the workmanship and beauty, but I keep using the Bucklites.

Some friends were hunting with Hellsaroarin
I offered some knives for them to try out.
The guide liked the Charles May best. Really like it.
D2……always choose it if possible…….as a tool&die maker it is my choice for fine steel
13% chromium 1.5% carbon. Takes and hold an edge.

1980s Gerber bolt action exchange. I’ve been using it since new. It’s from when they were made in the USA. I’ve bought several off of the internet. Just recently picked one up for my new grandson. They can still be found. They have two blades and a handy saw. Easily get through boning out an elk

Shawn

TOPS knives Brothers of Bushcraft is my go-to with a carbon Mora for a backup, I want knives that not only do well skinning and quartering but will serve well for camp/bushcraft/survival type tasks if things don't go as planned. Always have a Zero Tolerance 0301ST clipped in front pocket as well.