| Choosing the right hunting knife can be a difficult | | | | removal of the skin of big game animals. They |
| challenge. If you choose wrong you end up with a | | | | tend to have a highly sweeping blades that are |
| paperweight that is more likely to end up in your | | | | designed to effortlessly separate the flesh from |
| junk-drawer than on your hip when you need it. | | | | the skin. A dedicated skinning knife can be a real |
| First ask yourself a few questions: What kind of | | | | time saver for those big game hunters that do |
| hunting do you do? Do you go after big game or | | | | the butchering themselves. An added bonus is |
| small? Do you trophy hunt or do you meat hunt | | | | that the skinning knife can do most of the other |
| only? What is the largest animal you envision using | | | | game cleaning chores as well as the clip point or |
| the knife on? The smallest? How often do you | | | | the drop point designs. |
| hunt, are you looking for a knife you can easily | | | | You will be able to view more information at |
| carry when you are not hunting? | | | | Caping |
| Seems like a lot of questions but if you don't | | | | A knife that is often overlooked is the caping |
| know what you are looking for, you will never find | | | | knife. It is used for "caping" big game animals for |
| the correct one for your personal preferences. | | | | mounting. When preparing a trophy for the |
| Stainless versus Carbon Steel | | | | taxidermist, it is important that the hide be |
| This is far too short an article to get into the | | | | preserved for a neck or shoulder mount. Some |
| metallurgy of steel composition. Lets just say that | | | | beautiful trophy animals have been ruined by a |
| some steels are too soft to hold an edge very | | | | hunter using the wrong knife to prepare the |
| well. Some are so hard as to be almost impossible | | | | animal. Caping knives are dedicated to this task. |
| to sharpen in the field. Do some research into the | | | | They are a relatively small knife with a very fine |
| various steels and their grades. Sometimes the | | | | blade. |
| difference between a carrier and a drawer-sitter | | | | A note about caping is in order. Do not wait until |
| is the blade material. | | | | you have an 1100 pound 6 by 6 elk down to |
| Folding versus Fixed Blades | | | | attempt caping for the first time. Practice on |
| Let's look at the two basic knife styles: fixed and | | | | smaller animals before you try it on your trophy. |
| folding blade. A fixed blade knife is just that, fixed | | | | It would be a shame to have to to to an antler |
| in place. Meaning that the blade is permanently | | | | or skull mount because you messed up. Caping is |
| fixed in the open position. Due to this design, | | | | not difficult, but to do it well requires practice. |
| these knives normally come with a sheath so | | | | Gut Hook Variation |
| they can be carried safely. These knives are | | | | One of the variables you will see in blade design is |
| normally stronger than the folding variety because | | | | the gut hook pattern. The gut hook is used by |
| the steel of the blade runs into or through the | | | | making a small incision with the main blade and |
| handle. | | | | then by using the hook to cut open the abdomen. |
| There are no moving parts with a fixed blade | | | | The hook prevents the hunter from "paunching" |
| knife so they are very reliable. Several | | | | the animal and possibly affecting the quality of the |
| manufacturers also produce hunting knives that | | | | meat. They do work and it is strictly a matter of |
| allow the user to change the blades very quickly. | | | | personal preference as to the need for one. In |
| Folding knives have a pivot point and lock | | | | the event that you do want the added security |
| mechanism which allows the blade to close into | | | | that the gut hook provides, they are very similar |
| the handle. A folding knife without the lock should | | | | in price to non-gut hook knives. Be careful when |
| not even be considered for hunting. These are | | | | using the gut hook for field dressing. A slip |
| more for the occasional hunter who may also | | | | upwards on the handle is an occasion for stitches. |
| want to carry the knife for daily use. Folding | | | | An alternative to purchasing a knife with a gut |
| knives are not as strong as a fixed blade by | | | | hook blade is to purchase a separate unit. Some |
| design. However, they are much easier to carry in | | | | manufacturers offer relatively inexpensive, easily |
| a pocket or on the belt in a small sheath. | | | | transported units with replaceable blades. |
| Blade Styles | | | | Handle Material |
| The next issue we'll address will be blade style. | | | | Many hunters put a lot of thought into the blade |
| The four main hunting blade designs are the drop | | | | design of their hunting knife, but put very little |
| point, clip point, skinning, and caping designs. | | | | thought into the material of the handle. The classic |
| Drop Point | | | | wood, bone, or leather handles are very functional |
| The drop point knife is an excellent design for the | | | | and appealing to the eye. However, don't overlook |
| big game hunter. This design generally features a | | | | the newer handle materials, although not as |
| robust, curved blade of relatively thick steel. | | | | pleasing to the eye, rubber and other composites |
| These features allow the user to cut the skin off | | | | merit a look. The newer handle materials offer |
| the animal using the entire edge of the knife, | | | | greatly enhanced control in adverse conditions |
| rather than just the point. This allows for quick | | | | offering the hunter a greater degree of safety. |
| skinning and very little damage to the meat. The | | | | Sheath Material |
| design of the drop point also allows for other field | | | | After the blade material, blade design, and handle |
| cleaning tasks such as gutting and the splitting of | | | | material are decided, we now move on to the |
| the rib cage or pelvis, although a saw or hatchet | | | | sheath or scabbard. Again, traditional leather is |
| is the preferred method for the latter two tasks. | | | | very functional and pleasing to the eye, however, |
| Clip Point | | | | in damp or wet conditions the man-made |
| Another style of hunting knife is the clip point. The | | | | materials are much more durable. The chemicals |
| clip point has a somewhat thinner blade than the | | | | used to tan leather will stain most carbon steels |
| drop point and has a much more defined point. | | | | and some stainless steels. If you opt for leather, |
| Most bowies are examples of clip point knives. | | | | do not store your knife for long periods in the |
| The flatter blade is more utilitarian in nature and | | | | sheath. |
| will fit the needs of the majority of hunters, | | | | Final Thoughts |
| especially those wishing to use the knife as a | | | | Your choice of a hunting knife is a very personal |
| general duty work knife and not a dedicated | | | | one. That being said, you may decide a single |
| hunting knife. The clip point design will perform all | | | | knife will not do everything you need to do on |
| of the tasks the drop point will, only not as | | | | your hunt. You might opt for one of the multi |
| efficiently. For the occasional hunter this is the | | | | knife packs offered by some manufacturers. |
| perfect design. | | | | These are an option bearing in mind that you will |
| Skinning | | | | have to carry them with you to be of any |
| The skinning knife is designed to aid in the | | | | service. |