Defend the large hunting knife!

[alsask]

Not to many hunters I know would call a 5 7/8" blade too big. If you are backpacking, carring meat saws and hatchets to make up for a deficiency in blade length, it is counterproductive.

Sporting goods store want to sell gadgets and if we bought every gadget offered we would need a motorhome to go camping or a naval destroyer to go canoing.

 

[ClickClickD'oh]

I use little Victorinox paring knives with 3 inch blades on them. Get them for $7-$8 each. use each one to do about a dozen deer then throw it away when it starts getting too dull to open up the ribs easily. Never saw much of a need for anything else.

But then again, to each his own. If it gets the job done, it was the right tool for the job.

 

[JohnKSa]

Sam,

Having lived for a number of years among people who were subsistence farmers/hunters, I feel like it's worthwhile to point out that it's not reasonable to compare them with us.

They often have the means to own only a single cutting tool. If they need to clear brush and cut down the occasional tree, they may have no choice but to make that single knife a large one.

The natives where I lived typically each owned a machete. It was used for clearing brush, chopping down trees, food preparation, butchering, "manicures", carving, sometimes as a weapon--basically it was used for everything that required cutting. Not because it was the best tool for all of those jobs but because they couldn't afford the best tool for each job--they could only afford one tool.

 

[Sam Cade]

Sam,
Having lived for a number of years among people who were subsistence farmers/hunters, I feel like it's worthwhile to point out that it's not reasonable to compare them with us.

Who mentioned subsistence farmers?

 

[JohnKSa]

I mentioned subsistence farmers/hunters and did so because some of the pictures you used showed people (or cutting implements likely belonging to people) who generally fit the description of subsistence farmers/hunters--people probably not overburdened with the ability to purchase a wide variety of cutting tools.

 

[Sam Cade]

..people probably not overburdened with the ability to purchase a wide variety of cutting tools.

The last bunch of pictures were of Argentine Gauchos. A bit up the economic ladder from a naked manioc chopper.

Anyway, to reiterate: There is no one true sword.

"Hunting" knives are butchery tools. Tools need to match the job. Sometimes smaller is bigger. Sometimes bigger is better.

 

[T.R.]

My best hunting buddy died recently. He was a Korean War veteran and always carried his KaBar fighting knife into the woods. I saw him split kindling many times but that's about it. His skinning knife was much smaller.

TR

 

[Dr. Sandman]

I am not saying that I do not understand the appeal of the large knife. I saw Rambo as a kid, I wanted and eventually received a "survival knife". I have a several machetes and I get a new one almost everytime I visit Mexico. I do contend that the utility of such a large knife on a hunting trip would be very small.

Rodwha- It is nice to see a man admit his inexperience rather than trying to BS everybody. Thank you for your honesty. Your post kind of prooves my point. You are on the right track with your Gatormate, that is a very reasonable sized blade to take with you anywhere, even a hunting trip. And if you are interested in shelter building, a few websites and trips to the library will give you the knowledge to spend a few days attempting this deceptivly tricky art.

 

[Sam Cade]

Your post kind of prooves my point.

What was your point?

 

[wheelgunslinger]

I think a lot of what you choose in terms of knife size has a lot to do with where and what you hunt, who influences you into using that particular blade, and how you proceed as an adult into hunting.

Some people use an all-porpoise knife that is "large." Some don't.

There's more than one way to skin a cat or ungulate or whatever. Certainly there's more than one "good" knife for it.

 

[CA Raider]

I think it depends entirely on what you are trying to accomplish. For survival tasks a small folder is very suitable, and it's much more about the skills of how to use it. But in days gone by many woodsmen carried large knives, because those blades could also be used for defense and fighting. Although you said "hunting knife" in your OP you are still part of the food chain out there. I know one deer hunter who had a cougar look down on him from an overhanging boulder. The animal changed its mind. But if I had to fight one off, I would much rather have a good sized Bowie.

CA R

 

[Dr. Sandman]

What was your point?

The point is that these knives have very limited to no practical uses on a hunting trip and that the folks that are drawn to buy them for use on a hunting trip only need them in their minds.

 

[Sam Cade]

The point is that these knives have very limited to no practical uses on a hunting trip and that the folks that are drawn to buy them for use on a hunting trip only need them in their minds.

The issue with your thesis is that thousands of years of history argue to the contrary.

Your "hunting trip" might not be the same as my hunting trip.

Your choice of a knife:

....might be wholly inadequate to my needs in an outdoor knife.

 

[Sam1911]

The point is that these knives have very limited to no practical uses on a hunting trip and that the folks that are drawn to buy them for use on a hunting trip only need them in their minds.

Agreed! At least, on most hunting trips. But, then again, on most hunting trips I can get along without a poncho, fire-starting gear ... or for that matter, even a gun! Every once in a while circumstances conspire to make those things nice to have along, though.

In the end, there's a kind of "boutique" quality to any debate over gear. Those who need a LARGE knife, like to show off their LARGE knife. Those who refuse to take a large knife crave the bragging rights of being superior and want to be recognized as the sort of "real hunter" who can do it all with a simple folder or pocket-sized fixed blade.

A professional butcher might stick this in his pack:

But who wants to cut up a deer with a knife that only cost $18? Just because that's what someone would make a living with doesn't mean it's good enough for your trophy buck!
But then, like drinking PBR or Schlitz, some folks just love the counter-culture "unbranding" aspect of using something so un-hip, it's hip!

Then there are those who refuse to say what they'd use -- the REAL "real hunters" who don't let agonizing over which knife works better for what, when, and why get in the way of bringing home some meat. Those who'd be annoyed at having to answer gear questions instead of concentrating on the skills of their craft.

 

[jdh]

I guess I have stalled long enough. For me a 6"ish blade makes the best compromise if I am traveling light. With either your gut and skin combo knife or a small pocket knife I suppose I could chop vegetables for the stew pot. It wouldn't be as easy as using a knife similar to the one you liked to in your OP but I could do it. Another example is cutting the windpipe to remove the lungs. I've done with a 3"ish folder. I much prefer to use the longer fixed blade. I can reach it better and usually manage to separate it in one smooth slice rather than having to saw on it.

I also appreciated that little bit of extra reach that time a length of rope got wrapped around the truck axle and needed to be cut away.

It is great that you are comfortable with the tools you have chosen and that they fit your needs. They needs of others may not match your needs. If so we would not be having this conversation as everyone would be using the same tools.

I still cannot understand why some people constantly feel the need to be so critical of people who make different choices than them. If we all made the same choices all the time life would be so much more less interesting.

When it comes right down to it the answer to why would be because I can.

 

[Sam Cade]

But who wants to cut up a deer with a knife that only cost $18?

That is just crazy talk! What sort of madman throws money around like that.


I think I paid $13 for this 6" Sani-Safe Dexter-Russel* that gets most of the butchery duties (turkey,bambi piggy,bunny,marmoset) around here.

*Its a S116-6 M.O. Hilariously listed in the catalog as a 6" Stiff Boner.

 

[lobo9er]

5 inch blade? Not small but not that big at all really looks like a great big game knife. Especially if you go bigger than white tail, and even for white tail that wouldn't unwieldy.

 

[lobo9er]

But who wants to cut up a deer with a knife that only cost $18?

Right. I have always thought that in most cases hunting knives are in a way alot to do with ceremony. Especially the 2nd,3rd 4th 5th..... good hunting knife you buy. Wanting to use something special for special tasks like deer dressing. And needless to say of course function is important. But using a handed down knife from a family member or a fancy custom made knife makes the whole hunting experience that much more.

 

[Sam1911]

Sure! But that's hardly any sort of "defense" of the concept of a large knife at the level the OP is asking for. It still comes down to "I like this one" and as he said, folks who go for something they just LIKE, "for use on a hunting trip only need them in their minds."

 

[Doug S]

For dressing small game and deer, I have always used a Buck 110/112. Both have blades under 4in. For deer, I do have to admit that I like the slightly longer handle and blade of the 110 over the 112, though. I also have a Buck 119, but I've never needed so large a knife for any of my purposes, so it sits unused.

Do most of you break through the deer's sternum when you field dress? What about the pelvic bone?

I do cut the sternum, and split the pelvis. I know a lot of people don't, but I like to open up a deer, and get it cooled. Also makes it easier for me to deal with the bladder. For this task, I don't use a knife. I use this...

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

This knife, sold by KA-BAR, is 10 3/4 inches long and has a 5 7/8inch blade. It is described as a hunting knife. What would one do with such a large knife on a hunting trip? Myself, I usually have a small pocket knife and my small Mossberg gut/skin combo. If I need to prune branches, there are much more effective tools available. These large knives are just for show and do not have much practical utility, right? If you disagree, what purpose does your large hunting knife serve?

http://www.kabar.com/knives/detail/54

OK, so it's described as a "hunting knife".

Why? Because they're trying to sell them, that's why. Call it a "hunting knife" and people looking for such will find them in a search for hunting knives. Can't sell a knife unless it's somehow advertised.

However, the basic design of this particular knife is obviously derived from a combat/utility knife, with a sturdy design meant to fulfill that function.

Will it work as a "hunting knife"? Sure. But it'll also work as a hack/stab/slash weapon and as a basic utility knife in the field as well.

Are there better knives for specific hunting purposes, such as skinning/gutting? You bet.

Are there better knives for scaling fish or filleting fish? Yeppers.

Are there better knives for hacking your way through underbrush and thickets? Absolutely.


As with any knife one wishes to buy, it needs to fulfill the USER'S primary purpose for it. So the question you (or anybody else) need to ask yourself is "Will this knife work for what I need it for?"

If the answer is "yes", then get yourself one.

If the answer is "no", then move on to something else.

 

[herrwalther]

Big knives for show? Well depends on who you are. I saw a kid in Arby's the other day on my way back from Florida. Emo style dressed, black all over, shiny new Doc Martin shoes, all sorts of hair color, and enough metal in his face to make TSA hate him. He had a knife hanging from his belt with a zombie green handle that went to just above his knee. For show? I would say yes, as I don't recall Arby's butchering their meat in the store nor wild boars wandering that section of interstate.

For larger game I use a knife, Kabar as well, with a 7 inch blade. Although this knife has been my only knife on a few fishing trips. A 7 inch blade is a little big to process <20 pound catfish, but will get the job done. Now on a deer or boar kill, I would not grab any other knife I own as I have enough control over the blade to not need all 7" to skin the kill. Besides, would hate to get blood on such a nice handle.

 

[JShirley]

Funny thing...Kabar is one of the most prolific makers of "zombie apocalypse green" handled knives.

 

[MartinS]

There are a lot of very experienced people in some of the wildest forests on earth in this hemisphere, south of the border, and in other places that carry honkin' big knives everywhere they go. We, mostly, do forest things for sport. They do it for life.

 

[Sam Cade]

However, the basic design of this particular knife is obviously derived from a combat/utility knife, with a sturdy design meant to fulfill that function.

I reckon the Ka-Bar in question is a direct linear descendent of the ca.1900 Marbles "Ideal".