What and how many knifes when in the field!

[Jagare]

What I used (back in NZ - and on reds) - a Svord Peasant knife. The high carbon steel blade keeps a great edge (and they're cheap too). I like the swing blade and it's easy to clean. One of the most popular back-up knives back in NZ are the little Mercator folders. Even the meat hunters / deer cullers used them. Haven't seen them on here - anyone use them?
Cheers
Hayden



View attachment 51141

But its got a wooden handel that can just soak up germs. What about all those nasties that can lurk in the hinge? If its not dishwasher proof and will not stand up to a good sterlising its just the kiss of death for anyone eating meat that that blade touched .
A nice simple knife. Suprised they are not more popular. I bought samples of Svords pig sticking knives with the idea of importing them to Sweden. Great knives but would work out to expensive for most hunters in Sweden.

 

[willie_gunn]

But it got a wooden handel that can just soak up germs.

That's why I replaced the wood with antler

 

[Jagare]

That's why I replaced the wood with antler

Very nice conversion.

 

[geoshot]

+1, very good looking knife indeed

Very nice conversion.

 

[willie_gunn]

Thank you, though to be fair it was originally Rigboot who came up with the idea: DIY Stag handled folder

 

[Kiwi hunter]

That's why I replaced the wood with antler

[/
QUOTE]
Looks good Dom. Do you use it? I wonder if the blade is are a bit wide for doing the A hole in smaller deer? I really like the simplicity of them though.
Cheers
Hayden

 

[storm123]

Try the Remington drop knifes with rubber handle ,you will struggle to get better for the money

 

[willie_gunn]

That's why I replaced the wood with antler

[/
QUOTE]
Looks good Dom. Do you use it? I wonder if the blade is are a bit wide for doing the A hole in smaller deer? I really like the simplicity of them though.
Cheers
Hayden

Hayden

Sorry, missed this post first time round

I have used the Svord in the field once, but only because I don't like my knives to be drawer queens. As you say, the blade is a bit too beefy and unwieldy for delicate work on muntjac. That aside, it's a very nice knife.

 

[xavierdoc]

I usually carry a fixed blade and a folder.

My favourite is this one:

The flat near the tip provides a useful finger rest when shielding the point when unzipping. The blade isn't deep so can get round the pelvic outlet in even small deer. The blade is hollow ground, so slices well in tissue, but is thick stock so strong and not bendy.

I've used all manner of knives for deer- including "unsuitable" knives like Spyderco Warrior (surprisingly useful "combat" knife), a UK legal pocket knife and even a steak knife (just to show you can):

Aside from obviously inappropriate styles (hawk bills/sickle shape blades), the things I don't like in a knife for deer:

1. Slippery handles in combination with no choil or guard
2. Upswept point (and clip point)
3. Blade too deep to do a-hole
4. Integrated gut hook
5. Blunt

 

[alphaburner]

I usually carry a fixed blade and a folder.

My favourite is this one:

The flat near the tip provides a useful finger rest when shielding the point when unzipping. The blade isn't deep so can get round the pelvic outlet in even small deer. The blade is hollow ground, so slices well in tissue, but is thick stock so strong and not bendy.

I've used all manner of knives for deer- including "unsuitable" knives like Spyderco Warrior (surprisingly useful "combat" knife), a UK legal pocket knife and even a steak knife (just to show you can):

Aside from obviously inappropriate styles (hawk bills/sickle shape blades), the things I don't like in a knife for deer:

1. Slippery handles in combination with no choil or guard
2. Upswept point (and clip point)
3. Blade too deep to do a-hole
4. Integrated gut hook
5. Blunt

Whats the top one?

 

[willie_gunn]

I usually carry a fixed blade and a folder.

My favourite is this one:

The flat near the tip provides a useful finger rest when shielding the point when unzipping. The blade isn't deep so can get round the pelvic outlet in even small deer. The blade is hollow ground, so slices well in tissue, but is thick stock so strong and not bendy.

Very nice - looks not dissimilar to the one I recently commissioned Stuart to make for me:

 

[xavierdoc]

Whats the top one?

See below

Very nice - looks not dissimilar to the one I recently commissioned Stuart to make for me:

Those are fine looking tools, WG. Very useful, I'm sure.

The family resemblance may be more than coincidence; my knife started out like this:

Stu Mitchell had this D2 blank lying around, unwanted. I bought it, ground a new tip (lots of cooling!) and handled it in canvas micarta. I made a little kydex sheath for it which rinses out easily. As usual, Stu's grind is a work of art!

 

[willie_gunn]

See below



Those are fine looking tools, WG. Very useful, I'm sure.

The family resemblance may be more than coincidence; my knife started out like this:

Stu Mitchell had this D2 blank lying around, unwanted. I bought it, ground a new tip (lots of cooling!) and handled it in canvas micarta. I made a little kydex sheath for it which rinses out easily. As usual, Stu's grind is a work of art!

That would male perfect sense then. It had the look of one of his knives but the lack of any makers mark or engraving threw me.

Mine started out as a discussion with Stu around possible blade designs:

Which then progressed into a blank:

That then went for grinding:

And then got handled:

Which was smartened up a tad:

Before the edge was put on it:

The gimping done:

And the sheath made:

Stu's workmanship, attention to detail, and willingness to share information contributed greatly to what has turned out to be my ideal knife for use on muntjac, roe and fallow. It has more than met my expectations and, after three months use, I still can't think of a way to improve the design.

I know it might not be to everyone's taste.....but I don't care

 

[alphaburner]

Stu's fit and finish is excellent. I have a Deval coming in March as a general all rounder but I have been talking to him about a stalking knife. Guys would it be to cheeky to borrow liberally from your patterns?

 

[willie_gunn]

Guys would it be to cheeky to borrow liberally from your patterns?

From my perspective I don't have a problem at all - so go right ahead - and if you come up with any design modifications I'd be very interested to see them. My thoughts about the ideal stalking knife have evolved over a number of years, and will doubtless evolve still further, so I am always interested to see others ideas.

 

[Brian-Llewellyn]

Hi there. I always use a Spyderco Wilson South fork. Really good feel In the hand and takes care of big reds with their tough coats with ease. The second knife I use is a outdoor edge swing blade cheaper than the Spyderco but still a very good knife.
Wurth taking a look at them.
Brian

 

[boar & deer]

I only ever take one knife with me and im loveing this one at the moment

Karesuando Skarpsint RWL34 Knife | Uttings.co.uk

 

[Kiwi hunter]

I find beauty in practicality - things made well for a purpose. xavierdoc and willie_gunn, those knives are works of art
Hayden

 

[willie_gunn]

I only ever take one knife with me and im loveing this one at the moment

Karesuando Skarpsint RWL34 Knife | Uttings.co.uk

Yes, a nice traditional puukko really takes some beating:

The Scandinavians really know what's necessary in a good hunting knife - simplicity of form and perfection of function.

 

[Overlay]

At the moment I'm using my McMillan caping blade and a timberline Alaska grallocher blade
works perfectly on Munties, Roe and Fallow

little and light, perfect for what I stalk, both are razor sharp.

BUT. You can't have tooooooo many blades. Because you never know when you might need the duplicate or one just a bit bigger or thicker

you MUST get as many stashed as possible, Justin casey.