Which Hunting Knife

[catfire]

Looking to upgrade my knife in my kill kit this year before the archery season. I'm looking for suggestions.

I'm a pack hunter. For that reason, I carry one knife, and 100% of the time I use the gutless method to pack out meat. That said, I currently have a brand that uses disposable blades. Personally, I think it's just meh.

I've been thinking maybe a fix blade, and have been eye balling for some time the Benchmade Altitude. What say the wise internet? No budget.

Mora..

 

[chav0_12]

I am curious about the "gutless" method because, in my experience as a bow and rifle hunter who hunts from the ground, I have only once or twice had a kill that did not breach the body cavity in some manner and require cleanup, especially with a bow. I cannot see myself ever leaving a deer with guts intact and pulling that added weight out.

What do you mean by cleanup and pulling added weight out?

The whole purpose of the gutless method is to leave the entire carcass there after all of the meat has been taken off. You're basically left with, guts intact, a spine, rib cage and pelvis.

 

[436]

Steve Morseth 91M1-5 #5 Hunter 1996 I bought it from Steve's son after Steve passed, it's one of Steve's personal knives that his son sold. It's also called a single ring due to only one ring on the handle, most all the other handles had double rings, just something the son told me. Best hunting knife I've ever owned, and I have really worked this knife, and it's still razor-sharp. Cheers

 

[shootski]

Upgrade your knife? Well that means you should look at what a hunting axe could do for you.
Look at a Gränsfors Bruk. Once you learn how to use it you may only need a diamond file/stone and maybe keep you disposable blade knife for really small work like making fire starter sticks...but the GB will even do that.
I'm always surprised by how few of us North American hunters fail to use an axe.

shootski

 

[Methow Packer]

Looking to upgrade my knife in my kill kit this year before the archery season. I'm looking for suggestions.

I'm a pack hunter. For that reason, I carry one knife, and 100% of the time I use the gutless method to pack out meat. That said, I currently have a brand that uses disposable blades. Personally, I think it's just meh.

I've been thinking maybe a fix blade, and have been eye balling for some time the Benchmade Altitude. What say the wise internet? No budget.

I'm a professional custom knife maker. Lindsey's leather and Knives. As you know there's a lot of us out there. There's no such thing as an expensive high quality knife. If you want a tuff long lasting edge, stainless steel, maybe semi skinner design in a fixed blade you should go custom. Look at the blade product the knife maker uses. How the steel is heat treated. The type of handle he uses. Either synthetic micarta or natural wood. Properly pinned etc. Mine start with either CPMS35VN or CPM 154. Mostly because these steels hold an edge and perform way longer that the average production blades. I heat treat and cryo treat the blades for maximum tuffness. Most knife makers charge $300 and up depending on the appointments

 

[Shūtstr8]

Kellam wolverine

 

[436]

I'm a professional custom knife maker. Lindsey's leather and Knives. As you know there's a lot of us out there. There's no such thing as an expensive high quality knife. If you want a tuff long lasting edge, stainless steel, maybe semi skinner design in a fixed blade you should go custom. Look at the blade product the knife maker uses. How the steel is heat treated. The type of handle he uses. Either synthetic micarta or natural wood. Properly pinned etc. Mine start with either CPMS35VN or CPM 154. Mostly because these steels hold an edge and perform way longer that the average production blades. I heat treat and cryo treat the blades for maximum tuffness. Most knife makers charge $300 and up depending on the appointments

Agree! Corp manufactured knives are nice, but... custom knives are forever.
Just my 0.2 Cheers

 

[Chas1]

Nice knife 436.

 

[chesney14]

Diamond blade knives are pricey but the best ever made. WWW.diamond blade knives.com. You will never buy another knife in your lifetime unless you loose it.

 

[JRS3]

My two favorites. The Randall has been used all over for going on 30 years. The MKC is about a year old and is a fantastic knife.

 

[dls guide]

Been guiding elk hunters since 1985 and have used about every knife brand out there and even a lot of customs. The sharpest knife I own is a Tim Olt custom from Michigan. His s34 steel is super sharp and really holds an edge. PM me for is phone #
Daryl

 

[436]

Nice knife 436.

Thank you

Nice knife 436.

... Morseth did some great work back in the day.

 

[acourvil]

What do you mean by cleanup and pulling added weight out?

The whole purpose of the gutless method is to leave the entire carcass there after all of the meat has been taken off. You're basically left with, guts intact, a spine, rib cage and pelvis.

Sorry to go off topic, but how do you get the tenderloins with the gutless method?

Re knives, I typically have a skinning knife, a boning knife and a general purpose knife. But I also don't backpack in for miles like I did when I was younger.

 

[chav0_12]

Sorry to go off topic, but how do you get the tenderloins with the gutless method?

Re knives, I typically have a skinning knife, a boning knife and a general purpose knife. But I also don't backpack in for miles like I did when I was younger.

You just poke a hole and go in and get them. You just have to be careful you don't puncture the stomach and you'll be fine. It's really not that difficult. I hardly ever gut anything anymore. It's a lot more time consuming than just hitting and dragging, but when you're far enough away that gutting and dragging an animal is unreasonable then that's the best method. It's pretty easy to go in and get stuff like the heart and liver too.