Thread: Knives to Use for Hunting

Just wondering what knives you guys use in field, skinning and boning in case I should expand on what I have now. At the moment I have a bunch of discarded Knifecut ones from work (some still have good life but they're all boning/straight knives), a small buck pocket knife that has a few kinks and a Miguel combat knife for basically everything else.

Is it worth getting a dedicated curved skinning knife and boning knife?

Only if you want excuse to spend money. My favourite knife to use is a Green River Bushman's friend.....knfecut rabbiter is same shape but shittier/ harder steel. The shape suits me. In total honesty I could do 99% of everything with a $15 bacho....

buck zipper knife fixed blade, problem is i cant find it !
bought the mrs a gerber version, doesnt hold an edge at all

It's all preference. I'm not that comfy with curved skinning knifes. I use a nieto skinning knife and always have a Mercator on me.
But I'd happily use a bahco knife for everything if it's what I had. Don't know what the new ones are like but I have a few of the previous versions and they're great.

Originally Posted by fourzerofouronyourdoor

Just wondering what knives you guys use in field, skinning and boning in case I should expand on what I have now. At the moment I have a bunch of discarded Knifecut ones from work (some still have good life but they're all boning/straight knives), a small buck pocket knife that has a few kinks and a Miguel combat knife for basically everything else.

Is it worth getting a dedicated curved skinning knife and boning knife?

save all of them shoot some deer and then decide -many old boning knives with a decent sheath will make you the best hunting knife before you spend on expensive have a look at what have you have is my advice- my knive for hunting is my Dads old boning knife in a home made sheath - and I will put it up against $400 expensive knives sharp as and does the job - those discarded knives- well some photos please - you may find a home for them - what are they - photos please - many of us old works knifes yes please

My field knife is 70mm blade, pretty small, curved, gets everything done I need to in the bush. I find a smaller knife easier to use field dressing. Your mileage may vary though As suggested, try different ones till you find one that suits and you will end up having the same knife for 20 odd years easy.

Victory boner is a good starting knife.

Originally Posted by Barry the hunter

save all of them shoot some deer and then decide -many old boning knives with a decent sheath will make you the best hunting knife before you spend on expensive have a look at what have you have is my advice- my knive for hunting is my Dads old boning knife in a home made sheath - and I will put it up against $400 expensive knives sharp as and does the job - those discarded knives- well some photos please - you may find a home for them - what are they - photos please - many of us old works knifes yes please

Knowledge is power they say... But true this, unfortunately my dad stopped hunting decades before I was born so any knives/guns got lost throughout the years so all he has is also old work knives haha. I'll have to make/get sheaths if I bring the old knives into the field as I dont think the metal scabbard will be quiet. I'll send photos when I get home and go through the shed. I'm just seeing if its worth splashing on decent knives that'll suit or if I'm better off with maintaining the cheaper ones.

Originally Posted by Chur Bay

Victory boner is a good starting knife.

My works switched to victory from Knifecut, but I dont suppose theyd hand out any retired knives anymore so if its worth i'll look into buying one.

I was also looking at the Svord skinning or boning knives if anyone has any experience on them? More specifically the NZDA x Svord ones (I doubt the branding changes much) Although for now I'll stick with cheaper (or second hand) ones and see what I get a preference for.

The Svord probably work well I wouldn't know far too tight to spend $400 or so on a knife. I had an Aliexpress Buck for a while held a good edge but was wrong shape, it lives in my workshop now.

You don't need to go out a spend heaps on a knife.

Most people use a drop point or boning style blade. That said a skinner style will work if thats all you have.

Personally I think it's more important that it will stay sharp enough to do the job.

If your work knives still have plenty of life in them I'd be tempted to start with them, I would imagine they have quality blades and you can pick up a leather sheath from Mitre10.

I bought a Chinese "Mercater" from wrightsons the other day. I think it was around $15. It hasn't seen much action yet but at that price it's worth trying

Originally Posted by 7mm tragic

You don't need to go out a spend heaps on a knife.

Most people use a drop point or boning style blade. That said a skinner style will work if thats all you have.

Personally I think it's more important that it will stay sharp enough to do the job.

If your work knives still have plenty of life in them I'd be tempted to start with them, I would imagine they have quality blades and you can pick up a leather sheath from Mitre10.

I bought a Chinese "Mercater" from wrightsons the other day. I think it was around $15. It hasn't seen much action yet but at that price it's worth trying

probably the "shefield" brand, its not bad steel considering

Swibo 18cm but they are hard to find. The trick is to get a proper sharpener. Scary Sharp or XR500's fav Aussie machine. Then use Micky Ducks trick for steeling. Gotta say MD nailed it. Dont stab your knife in the soil whilst you are gutting a deer. Clean the blood off the knife with a rag and keep water off it. Water can take the edge off a knife pdq.

Originally Posted by TeRei

Swibo 18cm but they are hard to find. The trick is to get a proper sharpener. Scary Sharp or XR500's fav Aussie machine. Then use Micky Ducks trick for steeling. Gotta say MD nailed it. Dont stab your knife in the soil whilst you are gutting a deer. Clean the blood off the knife with a rag and keep water off it. Water can take the edge off a knife pdq.

Water!...really?