Decent Knife

[willie_gunn]

I couldn’t get on with the Elver - something about the handle shape didn’t work for me.

Agree re. flat grind.

As for working around the back end - you see this talked about a lot here, but I’ve never really understood it. The way I do the anus, the blade never goes inside the body cavity, so it doesn’t really matter what size or shape it is. I think I need to watch someone do the tunnelling way some time!

With muntjac and roe, which are the vast majority of what I shoot, having sliced across the anus at the base of the tail I then grasp the anus (of the deer!) and run the knife round the inside of the anal cavity, separating the “ring” itself from the surrounding external skin. I then run my finger round the same to separate any remaining membranes and connective tissue that are deeper inside the anal cavity. At least that’s the way I was taught.

I do wear nitrile gloves, just in case all this anus talk has anyone thinking I’m some sort of pervert

With muntjac being such fiddly little deer I find a longer, thinner, blade works better than a knife built along Rambo guidelines.

 

[Mungo]

With muntjac and roe, which are the vast majority of what I shoot, having sliced across the anus at the base of the tail I then grasp the anus (of the deer!) and run the knife round the inside of the anal cavity, separating the “ring” itself from the surrounding external skin. I then run my finger round the same to separate any remaining membranes and connective tissue that are deeper inside the anal cavity. At least that’s the way I was taught.

I do wear nitrile gloves, just in case all this anus talk has anyone thinking I’m some sort of pervert

With muntjac being such fiddly little deer I find a longer, thinner, blade works better than a knife built along Rambo guidelines.

So I do exactly as you describe, but don’t run the knife around inside - I find that just running a finger round is fine. Roe, sika and fallow.

 

[willie_gunn]

So I do exactly as you describe, but don’t run the knife around inside - I find that just running a finger round is fine. Roe, sika and fallow.

Not sure I follow - if you are cutting around the ring, is the knife blade not going inside the cavity then, or do you separate the anus only by running it flat across the anal membrane (not sure the exact technical term but you know what I mean - the external skin that holds the ring)?

 

[Mungo]

Not sure I follow - if you are cutting around the ring, is the knife blade not going inside the cavity then, or do you separate the anus only by running it flat across the anal membrane (not sure the exact technical term but you know what I mean - the external skin that holds the ring)?

Cut across base of tail.

Poke finger down and round the rectum. Pull out loop of rectum. Slice off at anus.

 

[marrajack]

Buck

 

[willie_gunn]

Cut across base of tail.

Poke finger down and round the rectum. Pull out loop of rectum. Slice off at anus.

Got it, thank you.

Sounds like a neat way of doing things.

Do you squeeze the crotties through once you’ve cut the loop off?

 

[Cheviot]

Can any one recommend a decent knife for use as a stalking knife i want a good quality knife with a fixed blade but i do not want a custom knife just run of the mill quality 3.5 /4" blade

Morakniv Pro S - Monarch Country Products

The Pro-S is a new generation “All-Round” knife offering from Mora. New design “Duo-Grip” TPE handle. Stainless Swedish Steel Blade […]

www.monarchcountryproducts.co.uk

 

[Mungo]

Got it, thank you.

Sounds like a neat way of doing things.

Do you squeeze the crotties through once you’ve cut the loop off?

Yes.

It’s extremely quick and tidy.

I got fed up years ago with buggering about at the back end and making a mess. Experimented a bit and came up with this.

Obviously not the only one to think of it - I think it’s what Mike Allison among others teach.

 

[baguio]

Can any one recommend a decent knife for use as a stalking knife i want a good quality knife with a fixed blade

What part of that request makes anyone think that the OP wants a Mora (or even a Moira)? The Mora is NOT a quality knife! Yes, we all probably own several but they ARE NOT quality. This sort of answer is where the SD lets people down!

 

[Muntybuck5803]

What part of that request makes anyone think that the OP wants a Mora (or even a Moira)? The Mora is NOT a quality knife! Yes, we all probably own several but they ARE NOT quality. This sort of answer is where the SD lets people down!

Hey! Leave Moira alone! What’s she done to you!

 

[willie_gunn]

Hey! Leave Moira alone! What’s she done to you!

Is there an MSC1???

 

[willie_gunn]

What part of that request makes anyone think that the OP wants a Mora (or even a Moira)? The Mora is NOT a quality knife! Yes, we all probably own several but they ARE NOT quality. This sort of answer is where the SD lets people down!

I know what you mean, but to be fair Mora knives are amazing quality....for the price. As a consumable/disposable piece of kit there’s much to be said for them.

As a step up in quality I’d be looking at perhaps something from Puma, Buck, Boker, Enzo or similar.

 

[fresh slots]

What part of that request makes anyone think that the OP wants a Mora (or even a Moira)? The Mora is NOT a quality knife! Yes, we all probably own several but they ARE NOT quality. This sort of answer is where the SD lets people down!

But the mora is cheap, sharp, easily replaced, does what it says on the tin; and as such has a quality all of it’s own. So I support people making the OP aware of their options. I’m sure a few people will have nearly lopped their fingers off with a mora just as much as an expensive alternative.
As for moira - I’m not prepared to comment on her quality

 

[Cheviot]

What part of that request makes anyone think that the OP wants a Mora (or even a Moira)? The Mora is NOT a quality knife! Yes, we all probably own several but they ARE NOT quality. This sort of answer is where the SD lets people down!

what would you recommend ?

 

[gixer1]

Mora clipper...in day glow orange!

 

[gixer1]

What part of that request makes anyone think that the OP wants a Mora (or even a Moira)? The Mora is NOT a quality knife! Yes, we all probably own several but they ARE NOT quality. This sort of answer is where the SD lets people down!

Got one that I’ve had for what I think would be over 10 years, what’s the problem with that? Especially considering it was £9.99 or something at a game fair!

 

[Tazz]

Can any one recommend a decent knife for use as a stalking knife i want a good quality knife with a fixed blade but i do not want a custom knife just run of the mill quality 3.5 /4" blade

Mora in bright orange with bright orange plastic holder for the field

 

[Dunwaters]

Can any one recommend a decent knife for use as a stalking knife i want a good quality knife with a fixed blade but i do not want a custom knife just run of the mill quality 3.5 /4" blade

Muela Rebecco. Its so perfect you’ll kick yourself because you’ve no reason to buy anything else.

 

[Rory]

I know I will probably get laughed at, but here goes...

I started out with a Mora Companion - scared of the dreaded 'losing a good knife in the field'. It was ok, did things ok, had the plastic sheath (non absorbent, easily cleaned), stainless that sharpened easily enough. But I never clicked with it. It felt a bit too flexi and I didn't like the stick tang. And I never lost it after a good few months.

I then got persuaded that an EKA Swingblade was the bee's knees.
So I got one. And it was a superb knife. Good steel, brilliant to have the 'unzipper' blade at the press of a button. But man, I could never seem to clear the gunk out of the pivot and under the steel liners. Soak soak soak, drip drip drip. Still traces of blood and hair.

So I looked for something that was a:
Fixed blade, 4-5", stainless, solid synthetic handle (no spongy or rubbery coverings), synthetic sheath, easy to sharpen (think AUS8 stainless) and under £100.
I have now settled on a SOG SEAL Pup knife as my stalking knife. For me, it's brilliant. Ticks all of my requirements and the serrated portion easily cuts through a roe or muntjac rib cage. Of note - I went with the older model, not the newer 'elite' which has jimping all along the spine.

I have also bought a Cold Steel Master Hunter in a really good deal online and although I haven't used it yet, I can see why it is held in high esteem. Full flat grind, drop point, great belly. But perhaps a bit 'deep' in the blade for muntjac.

 

[Klenchblaize]

How much do you want to spend?

This first then we may help.

That said this is the cheapest recommendation I can make and you won’t loose it:

K