Classic Hunting Knife Advice

[Dragan N.]

Amen to that! I have a couple of the old original Ruana Knives made from car springs. I am afraid to lose them so I just leave them at home to brag about.

Now I have to try and make a joke - I mean it in the kindest possible way.
To the gent above, Dragan N :
Sir; With your belt sharpener do you have a battery powered one or just a long cord? Is it very heavy to pack in the mountains? (Chuckle. Sorry, but I just had to put my foot in my mouth!) I'll bet I catch hell for that one, Brian

No its a fairly standard belt sander you plug into a power outlet. I think you missed the part about sharpening these knives at home and not in the field and unless you plan to stay out in the bush for months on end and skin many many animals it really isn't a problem.

 

[Brian]

No its a fairly standard belt sander you plug into a power outlet. I think you missed the part about sharpening these knives at home and not in the field and unless you plan to stay out in the bush for months on end and skin many many animals it really isn't a problem.

Just kidding you Dragan N. I am at my stupidest when I am trying to be funny.

As I mention above, I always need to sharpen my knife once or twice when skinning a big animal that has been on the ground in the mud, rain or snow. I have lived and hunted in the bush in the North West Territories of Canada, the Rocky mountains and the interior of BC for many years and I have never seen a moose, elk or bear skinned/ dressed where the users knife stayed real sharp. The animal usually falls on dirty ground getting mud, snow, sand, etc. on their belly. That is how the knife, no matter what steel it's made of, gets dull so fast. This happens the most just from the initial stage of skinning. Sure, you can carry on with a knife that is not so sharp but with a carbon steel knife you can quickly touch it up and keep going with a sharp knife.

If your animal is not going to be skinned and quartered in the bush, and will just be gutted and dragged out, like we all do with deer, and antelope ,then you don't have so much to worry about your knife getting dull and there I think your method is excellent. For dressong out a little deer a lot of old timers just pull ou their jack lnife. Brian

 

[Johnny7604]

Thanks for all the replies. I was actually thinking of going with a custom knife (already have one out of Busse's custome shop). I am also a carbon fan already. I religiously care for my blades so rust is not a concern.

As for style much like my women I prefer some sexy curves in my blades. A nice bone or wood handle to top it off.

I know exactly what you mean about moose. The dirt caught in that tie-wire hair of there's makes short work of every blade I've used.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Just looked through the thread linked above and ballero's knife is a stunner


My own big game knife I made from my grandfathers scrub slasher and while it may lack the niceties of the custom maker finesse it is a fine using knife. African blackwood and nickel silver go with the old steel.

@Von Gruff
If I had to pick from the 2 of them I would take the one with the light handle and looks unfinished. A lot better knife in my humble opinion.
Bob

 

[nztimb]

@Von Gruff
If I had to pick from the 2 of them I would take the one with the light handle and looks unfinished. A lot better knife in my humble opinion.
Bob

Are you talking about the top pic with the cut off slasher blade as if you ar that is the customwood pattern I made from a picture I admired but in the end altered it slightly to make a more practical design (IMNSHO)

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Are you talking about the top pic with the cut off slasher blade as if you ar that is the customwood pattern I made from a picture I admired but in the end altered it slightly to make a more practical design (IMNSHO)

@Von Gruff
That's the one beautiful wood and ideal shape skinning/ general purpose blade. What length is the blade.
When you get tired of it feel free to mail it over to me.

 

[nztimb]

@Von Gruff
That's the one beautiful wood and ideal shape skinning/ general purpose blade. What length is the blade.
When you get tired of it feel free to mail it over to me.

is this what you mean???

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

is this what you mean???

View attachment 352710

@Von Gruff
No mate this one

 

[nztimb]

Righto then. Yes, that is a nice one alright

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Righto then. Yes, that is a nice one alright

@Von Gruff
Does that rightto then mean it's in the mail mate. Looking forward to it. Ha ha ha ha
Bob

 

[nztimb]

@Von Gruff
Does that rightto then mean it's in the mail mate. Looking forward to it. Ha ha ha ha
Bob

I have no idea who the maker of that one is so no it is not in the mail unless you have contacted the owner or maker