My wife bought me a beautiful hunting knife made by Alaskan Indians with a carved caribou antler handle. She was a bit hurt when I didn't take it hunting with me. I couldn't stomach the thought of getting it all gunk'd up. I like a knife I don't mind getting dirty when I'm field dressing game. Maybe I should reconsider.

Aah come on slimjim...The knife should be christened anyway. Besides she expected you to use it. So. Go "gunk it up"...It'll clean...

I'm with Bushy on this Slim....get it out there mate and get that knife dirty...a knife ain't a knife till it's skinned or cut up a critter.

Before that, its just an ornament.

Cheers, Vince

She bought it to use! If ya disappoint her she won't buy you another.

I had a Coleman folding knife with a nice blade for field work and a saw blade. The up side it was very strong and cut through the pelvis nicely with little effort. I might add it did a great job on the caribou. The down side for me was cleaning the fat and blood out of the knife when finished. Stainless Steel blades
Lost somewhere on the tundra

I also have a very nice carbon steel blade that holds an edge like magic and cuts as smooth and anything. More difficult to sharpen but keeps it's edge better. Much easier to clean. And has the advantage of easy use with gloves when it's cold.

Here in Alasaka the fixed blade gets the nod.


Longwalker

I always believe a knife hasnt really been used till you have cut yourself with it. I have used allsorts over the years but the mercator folder gets the most use now.

I have to agree wholeheartedly Longwalker...the fixed blade is the way to go.

I have a mixture of fixed blades and folders...but my "go to" is one of two fixed blades...one is a Buck Omni Hunter in stainless, the other a very old carbon steel that has served me well for 30 years.

For fiddly work my folders get the nod, but for skinning and butchering it has to be the fixed blades.

Hey Elvis...my knives have been "used" over and over and over again...I got the scars to prove it too mate.

Cheers, Vince

Cheers, Vince

You guys sure are clumsy with your knives. Sounds like a bunch of carel...Ouch...Damn! Teach me to par my fingernails with this "toad sticker" and type...Learn something new every day...

Cheers, Vince

Vince wrote:

I'm with Bushy on this Slim....get it out there mate and get that knife dirty...

Well I took it with me hunting today, last day of the anterless season in TX. Deer must have known that. Watched 3 squirrels getting fat, lots of doves, and a fox. I'll have to initiate the knife next year.

hey Slim theres always fishing!

Elvis wrote:

theres always fishing!

Your right but I haven't done that in years. There is a better chance that I might so some feral hog hunting.

I have several friends who like to make custom knives as their hobby. One of them, Flip De Leeuw, just got his first site on the internet. I think you will enjoy it and you sure will understand that with such friends, one has to like custom knives.

So have a look: www.deviantblades.com/
and when you have a question: please don't hesitate, I'm sure Flip will do his utmost to give you an answer.

custom is the operative word. Custom handles with very interesting grains and blades all tatoo'd up!

I got the knife finished I was making Aloysius. It came up a treat. The mate I gave it to for Christmas was blown away by it.

I got plans to make a couple more now.

Cheers, Vince