Disclaimer:
I know these threads have to pertain to bowhunting.
I also know Terry looks at some of the knife threads with dark glasses hoping they quickly die :)
But this does pertain as I'm trying to forge up a few bowhunting knives for St Judes.
On to the meat of it. I want to know what your favorite hunting knife style is. This is a special knife for me in that it's job is to gut, skin, & cape out whatever I've been lucky enough to kill. It's not a slice & dice camp knife (that's what I use to process my game for the freezer). Nor is it a big bowie or filleting knife...JMHO
My style is a small 3 finger knife 6-7 inches...meaning I want the handle to lie in the palm of my hand & my index finger to be on top of the blade for better control. Two blade smiths that epitomize this knife for me are Dan Winkler---a forger of early style blades and Doug Campbell---with his caper. It's because of these guys that I got into making knives. Not that I even compare with them but I wanted to be able to use my own gear.
The Winkler blade has been in my pack for the last 20+ years, until I discovered Doug's caper!
Campbell--top
Winkler--bottom
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/tippit/Knives/IMG_2627.jpg)
My bear skinner
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/tippit/Knives/IMG_2630.jpg)
I guess your finger must be in the choil, my first glance was nervous-making! I like a little more handle. The Winkler blade looks great to me, and I like the modified coffin grip.
Personally, I guess I haven't found the do-it-all knife, as I do most work with a folder using a 2.5" clip and a spey blade. I carry a Buck Vanguard in the pack, just in case I need it for emergency shelter, or if I am not splitting the sternum. It gives me a longer reach for trachea and esophagus. Sometimes I leave them in until I get to camp, though.
Skinning and the rest is done in camp before butchering, so my field knife is not required to have that function. The Vanguard does that very well, BTW.
I have long admired your knives, Tippet, and hope to purchase one from you in the future. Maybe at the auction? :bigsmyl:
Killdeer
Doc, yer spot on as far as I'm concerned. Small is SWEET. Doug's Caper, Your Bear Skinner and the Shrew are the best designed knives I have found. They have served me well from Birds to Buff. If I find myself needing anything bigger I call on my Hawk.
Please understand this is JUST MY OPNION and it's like garbage cans everyone has one...........vb
I've always liked the Schrade Sharpfinger blade style.
I love this!!!!!!!!!!!!!thanks.. :)
Vance, You have a way with words so everyone knows where you stand :) You'd never make it politics...then again why would you want to! You sure keep me laughing...Doc
I like a small handled knife too but for butchering or any prolonged use I need a bigger handle. Small handles promote hand fatigue for me after a while.
I like the 2nd one from the left for guttin' chores probally the best.
(http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j107/Holm-Made/DSCN2889.jpg)
Here's a nice style skinner.
(http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j107/Holm-Made/DSCN3122.jpg)
Doc,
Both are great looking knives but I'd favor the one on the top but with a little wider blade to give you a little longer edge length for skinning. I like the drop point design the best as you can see what you are doing near the point of the knife. I also like the handle postion of the top knife the best as it would seem to minimize wrist strain. Just another opinion.
Terry
Holm-Made,
That is a fine looking blade shape. Thanks for posting. It's great to get more ideas.
I agree for butchering I never use my huntin' knife. A longer blade and bigger handle are prefered for me too...Doc
I love knives. :bigsmyl: :goldtooth: <><
http://www.dozierknives.com/
KS-3 Professional Guides Knife
Just ordered one a couple months ago...we shall see.
It's a sickness Frank. You oughtta go out to the shop and take a little medicine. :bigsmyl:
HAHA kenny already did.Moose antler and carbon blade.Should be a nice caper.<>< (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/fishrofmen1/DSCN1725.jpg)
Jeff, You bring up a very trad related question because the knife is a very important part of trad hunting & daily life :)
I am usually the one doing the butchering & skinning whenever Frank or other close family bring home a deer or when we have a good day of fishing, I'm the one who gets to clean and fillet (but I really don't mind) so I look at a knife as one of my most used tools and can't wait to be able to use (one in particular) if I am ever blessed with the opportunity for this coming deer season.
I prefer something that I can use all around for skinning and butchering. I butcher usually boneless for deer so a knife that fit my hand would be something like or close to the bacote that you sent Frank awhile back (almost like that bear skinner)....the size is nice and the weight has a perfect feel to it (very controlable) with the finger groove depth and the very slight blade angle helps for minimal wrist usage as Terry so elequently said and has a nice slightly curved edge for skinning yet has that nice pointed tip for small area access and blade length is perfect yet short enough for those cuts around the bones without waste.
A perfect knife for multi use :)
Kinda like the one above my post of the knife my sweet hubby made...I like that style too...
so much to choose from but I too love a good multi purpose knife to carry.
You asked a great question, I am always looking for other's ideas and opinions on knives for hunting use.
Thanks on behalf of all who will get some great advice and ideas on this thread! :thumbsup:
Tippit, here is one that I've been using to gut deer with for the past 25 or so years.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/JOHN4Mystikbow/100_2378.jpg)
Frank, That blade is sweet. Excellent work on the handle too!
Hey jeff,
I too have and use a Buck Vanguard knife. It has a 4" drop point blade and the handle is about the same in size. I can palm the Vanguard and place my index finger at the tip for gutting. Granted, my mitts are pretty big and most can't handle a knife this size in this fashion but it works for me. A 3" blade with a 3 1/2 to 4" handle would make a good all around design that will feel good to most folks.
JL
My favorite, all around knife is this Doug Campbell masterpiece. Not only looks awesome, but a superb shape. I prefer a knife with very little curve in the spine. I feel like I lose leverage, or something with a curved spine on a knife. Almost 7" overall with a 3 1/4" blade:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v701/recurvhuntr/Stuff/Picture053-2.jpg)
This knife was built by David Dempsey, more known for survival knives but I love the blade shape, my second favorite knife. This one has taken care of a lot of game and was always on my hip before the above knife from Doug. I'd love to have this same blade shape in a more "traditional" dressing (this one is S30 Steel and olive linen micarta). The placement of the thumb ramp really lets you make the small blade very effective for tough cutting chores. 7" overall with a 3" blade.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v701/recurvhuntr/Stuff/Picture065-1.jpg)
The lower knife in the pic below is a great skinning knife, my third favorite all around knife. 8 1/2" overall with a 4" blade.
The one on top in this pic I designed and it was built by Terry Davis of Wolftrack knives. The short, robust blade works very well coupled with the long handle. My hand often cramps up if the handle is smaller than the blade after a long skinning or meat processing job in the field. My fourth favorite knife. 8 1/4" overall with a 3 3/4" blade.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v701/recurvhuntr/Stuff/IMG_0036.jpg)
Chad, That is a gorgeous skinner! All your knives are beautiful!!
I've got a knife I'm going to post a pic of in a bit...and I want you guys' take on the shape for an all around gutter, skinner, general use knife.
JC, I did see Doug's blade in action and I have something in the works like it. Now those 2 bottom blades knock me out. This is really great to get feed back like this! Thanks ya'll...Doc
ooolala you're right Jeff, JC, those two on the lower post are stunning! I love those shapes especially the top of the 2. :thumbsup:
but really favor that Doug Campbell one on the very top of your post :)
You mean I have to pick just ONE?!! :D
When I'm looking for or making a knife for ME, it always ends up with a drop-point blade around 3-1/2" to 3-3/4". A functional tip, enough belly for skinning work, and enough mass to get through the ribs.
Prett much just like this one:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/fliksr/More%20Knives/tippit2.jpg)
Which, btw Doc, you should have in the next few days :)
A friend of mine gave me this knife to 'try out'....he only makes about 10 knives a year, and this is the style he made this year. Tell me what you knife gurus think.....
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/stroup.JPG)
Frank, that should be Kenny's nice caper...lol...
That thing's sweet!!
JC that David Dempsy blade shape would be sweet with "Tippit" style forge marks left in the flat part of the blade and stag scales.
Kenny, yep, zactly what I was thinking...that would be sweet wouldn't it.
Terry, let's go kill a hog and find out how it works :D
Thanks Shell, not often you get one that works as well as it looks.
Jeremy, awesome work...love the handle shape, mosaic pin, blade shape, homon,....well there's just nothing NOT to like about that one :thumbsup:
Terry, That is a very nicely built knife. It's almost in the style of a bird/trout knife but a little stouter & shorter. I'll bet it's a great skinning blade. Did you use it on your goat?
Great thread Jeff. I've been carrying a caper practically everyday for the last several years and find it works for most everything I need... But when it comes to gutting a bigger critter like an elk of buff I like a bigger blade with more handle. I'm kinda torn between these two blades.
One day I think this is the perfect one, 4 5/8" drop point
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v82/gotahunt/R0010540.jpg)
Then the next day it's more like this, with a little less drop and 4 1/4"ish.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v82/gotahunt/R0010544.jpg)
Pretty tough to make everybody happy with one knife style... thank goodness... ;) :D
Love the shape of that top one Doug...I think that's with Danny now isn't it? Is that a hidden tang too? Whats the handle material? Stunning, both blade and handle.
Did I ever mention I LOVE KNIVES? Kenny how'd ya know you'd be getting a knife when I send that that other stuff? Ya'll know I LOVE KNIVES. :bigsmyl: <><
Jeff.....funny you should ask.
I was so swamped before Sweat that I ran off without any knifes at all.....I used Tom's pocket knife to gut my goat. :rolleyes:
He just gave it to me last Sunday at church.
Jeremy,
That is awesome and I know it will get a work out on a few bears this spring!
As to a return favor, I had been toying around with building you a large camp style knife with a cribbage board on the handle. With the your son on the way, I remember playing cribbage with my wife in the hospital when my son was born. But I don't think you'll get it passed security :) I'll keep that idea for a later date. Since you had to sit at home a few weeks ago, the only new hint is it will have some of TXS 2007 on it and it will be a hunting blade. Thanks again...Doc
I like the shape of this one too...another of Doug's
(http://inlinethumb47.webshots.com/5166/2354741590050073053S600x600Q85.jpg)
Hey Kenny have ya ever seen wood like this? I like a little wider blde then most. This one is very light weight and very thin blade.Doc you play cribbage? I love it almost as much as KNIVES!LOL<><<><<>< (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/fishrofmen1/DSCN1728-1.jpg)
Dang Doug, I guess I need to get out & shoot some bigger critters to expand my forging horizon. As always I bow (that seems to have a double meaning...well suited here) to your artistry...Doc
Chad
Nice skinner. How did those carbons work out?
Frank not only have I seen wood like that, I've split it, carried it, cut it, packaged it.....
:bigsmyl: :bigsmyl:
Vince, I'm using something else now. How's the knife holding up? Chad
This is my all around hunting knife..I like a wide blade..4 1/2" with a 4 " handle.. (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v75/barbjd/AAA/PB051265.jpg)
Thanks Doc but your turning out just as cool stuff these days. Yep Joe, those handles are Oosik, Danny snapps those up pretty quick.
Don't know what to think about ya Terry, how can ya forget your knives :rolleyes: ;)
Well now that Mr.C mentioned it first. Where's the Pic Terry :knothead: <><
Chad
Great, can't wait till September.
This has turned into pure TORTURE :knothead:
Better go gets me a bigger PIGGY :pray: :pray:
I'm currently breaking the 9th (Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's knife) & 10th Commandments!
Hey Frank!!! I love that last knife you just posted. That is the shape I like for a hunting knife.
Ok, send them all to me for field testing and I will give you an impartial judgement on strengths and weakenesses in each design and I'll even do it for free since I like you all so much. :saywhat:
I have a R.Ruana out of montana that i carry when i hunt,but for skinning chores i use my old puma skinner. i wish i could post pic. but i dont have a camera yet. Jonesy
Ruana now theres a knife I been looking for one a longtime. Great knives. any pics Jonesy<><
Steel on parade, Ya gotta love it :clapper:
http://shrewbows.com/ShrewSkinner.html
I also like the Schrade Sharpfinger design. The Winkler knife also looks excellent.
These are the 2 that are always with me. The first is a little Gerber Fatty. 2-3/8" 440C Blade, 6" overall length. I've found it to be a great little skinner, if I lose the edge on my fixed blade. There's plenty of curve in the tip to stop me from piercing gut, too easily & t work around a hide....
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y110/robtattoo/knives003.jpg)
The second is my primary knife. One I forged up myself from 1-1/8" EN42 roundstock. I primarily wated to build a true all purpose outdoors knife that was delicate enough to dress game, heavy enough to split sticks for firestarting, a good shape for veg & food preparation & light enough to use alday witout fatiguing (PHEW!!!)
This is what I came up with.....
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y110/robtattoo/knives002.jpg)
Pretty unique looking, huh? :D
It's got a 4-1/2" cutting edge with a long choil, 4-1/8" handle (Olivewood) The back of the blade, at the wdest point is 3/16" thick, but with a distal taper along it's length bringing it down to 1/16" at the tip. I hollowed & tepered the tang to reduce weight & help balance the blade in the hand. I normally use most knives with a 'choked' grip & the long choil makes this seem more natural.
So far it excells at everything I want or need it to do. You can slice veg thin enough to read throug & then go & split a few 3" sticks to cook 'em over! It works out great for field-dressing & skinning & cut's through string, rope & cordage like it wasn't there!
QuoteOriginally posted by wudstix:
The Winkler knife also looks excellent.
WOW! I didn't reaise The Fonz was into knifemaking too! :D :D
Rob that is a nice looking chopper. And the olive wood is great looking stuff.Whats the sheath look like? And it's always nice to see Mr. LaClair show up. Even though his late. LOL Dang Ron I would have thought you would have been first one on this thread?LOL<><<><
Here y'are Frank (It's still got a little goat on it :p )
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y110/robtattoo/knives001.jpg)
That's a firesteel attatched, by the way. REAL hndy for firelighting if it's wet & windy (and it always is...)
I like it so much I'm going to try and copy it If ya don't mind? I got a 24" sawmill blade.<><
Feel free mate! I'd be honoured :D
It really is a great versatile shape!
Rob, That is a great looking blade. I love the sheath with goat hair :)
Love the olive wood Rob, that's just a flat gorgeous handle.
Rob's is kinda like a clip point Nessmuk style there...IMO, the best design is the Nessmuk or the Canadian belt knife...fixed, obviously...none better for an everything knife.
One of my many :D --
(http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c263/bkleber/sanmainessmuk7w_big.jpg)
I love knives!
WHERE can you find a blank like dougs caper?havent found one yet
Even though we all may try, there is nothing like Doug's caper...Doc
Meater hollow ground version so I don't wear Doug's out. It's like carring two knives at once cause I'll always think about Mr Campbell when I use it...one needs to pay respect to your teacher :)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/tippit/Knives/IMG_2639.jpg)
I really am partial to my Tippit sheephorn caper I just got...and this one...by Herb Derr
(http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e322/rayhammond123/HerbDerrSkinner.jpg)
Love the blade shape Ray....and of course Herb's work is always jaw dropping. Wish I'd never sold mine :banghead:
One of my Randalls, a Model 19 Bushmaster with a new pair of pants.
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/laclair-knife-sheath-001.jpg)
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/laclair-knife-sheath-002.jpg)
Well I finally did it. I made a REAL knife. Cut this from big ole mill saw blade. Not sure what the wood is but it looks great, The blade is 4 1/2". I know I have a long way to go but I like the way this turned out. Kinda like a smaller camp knife.<>< (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/fishrofmen1/DSCN1751.jpg)