How Many Use FOLDERS for Hunting and Field Duties?

[Hunter 709]

Great thread, I have used both fixed blades and folders for field dressing. I (like many here) usually have a Buck 110 in my pack for field dressing simply because it is compact and does a very nice job. I like the "hefty" feel to the 110. It is harder to clean up than a fixed blade but some hot water, dish soap, an old toothbrush and 10 minutes usually takes care of it.
I also have a custom fixed blade that was a gift from my wife, I use more for skinning (once I'm back home) as I do not want to loose it in the bush. This year I also carried a small neck knife which I found very handy.  
Here is a picture of all three knives.

 

[Hunter 709]

I have a quick question for those who use Benchmade knives with Axis locks for field dressing. How do you get the Axis lock mechanism clean? I resently bought a full size griptilian but did not use it for field dressing because I didn't know how to clean it.

[Andy Cooper]

Originally posted by Ben Maher:
Nala , i always have a fixed blade on me when outdoors but My vintage Puma folder or Grohmann drop point folder get most duties whether camp or Field dressing.

Yep...Puma.

[twitchstick]

I have alot of knives but the frist one I bought has been the most functional. I have a shrade folding knife and it never fails. I have light ones and some that have more features but my shcrade folding is the best all aound knife I have.

[LoweBow]

I'm a folder guy.  I own a buch of fixed blades, but usually don't carry them when afield.  I have a small "electrician" made by Victorinox in my pocket that has probibly field dressed more deer than all my other knives together.  I've found over the years that I can work w/ a small knife while field dressing deer easier than I can a large blade and this knife fills that order.  That and it is just one great hunk of steel!  Sharpens easily and holds an unbelievable edge!

[creekwood]

Originally posted by Hunter 709:
I have a quick question for those who use Benchmade knives with Axis locks for field dressing. How do you get the Axis lock mechanism clean? I resently bought a full size griptilian but did not use it for field dressing because I didn't know how to clean it.

I don't know anything about the Axis lock, but to clean my folder, I bring a generous amount of water to a boil and pour it on the knife. The water melts all the tallow and washes it away. The knife comes out (after you let it cool) totally dry and sterile to boot. Using this process doesn't even require any soap.

[LoweBow]

Originally posted by creekwood:
 

Originally posted by Hunter 709:
I have a quick question for those who use Benchmade knives with Axis locks for field dressing. How do you get the Axis lock mechanism clean? I resently bought a full size griptilian but did not use it for field dressing because I didn't know how to clean it.

I don't know anything about the Axis lock, but to clean my folder, I bring a generous amount of water to a boil and pour it on the knife. The water melts all the tallow and washes it away. The knife comes out (after you let it cool) totally dry and sterile to boot. Using this process doesn't even require any soap. [/b]

Best method I have found for all folding knives also.  We have a "instant" hot water device on our kitchen sink that puts out 190 deg hot water at the turn of a knob. Great for making tea, etc....but it cleans a knife sooooooo fast.  Just melts everything away!

[Ron LaClair]

This is a custom folder that I've had for many years. It was made by a man out west called "Whiskers" it has a 4" blade with a walrus oosik handle. It has dressed out many deer and a couple bear but because of the hard to clean factor I now use fixed blades for field dressing.

   

[awishanew]

I used a Buck 110 for close to 30 years of moose hunting until I never put in its case but just dropped it in my pocket. We were getting a moose out of a bad swamp and there it stays.

[CG]

Although I'm always captivated by the beauty of a fixed blade, folding knives are predominately what I use. The 3 I use most often are a Cold Steel Ultimate Hunter, an Outdoor Edge caper, and a medium size Outdoor Edge. I'm really impressed with the OE knives-they take and hold an edge well and are affordable. This last year I used an OE Swingblade on several animals and loved it. For some reason I don't really like a knife on my belt, so the swingblade stays in my pack. If it were a folder, I probably wouldn't carry anything else.

[KentuckyTJ]

I ring the bung hole with a 9" blade filet knife then grab my 3.5" fixed blade or my 4" blade folding Gerber to do the rest. I actually like the Gerber as the grips are rubber and it doesn't slip with blood all over your hands. The extra gripping is also good when cutting through the ribs on initial open up.

[chopx2]

Why woul you ever go anywhere in the woods or outdoors with just one knife  

[Ron LaClair]

A lot of folks prefer folders over fixed blades, and many that do use fixed blades carry them in their pack instead of on their belt. There are times when a fixed blade on your belt can be a life saver.

Lets say you were hanging by your safety belt after falling off your tree stand, the belt is constricting your breathing and you need to cut yourself loose as quickly as possible. Where's that folder, in your pocket or in your pack above you? A fixed blade in a handy belt sheath could be a life saver.

Some years ago a friend and I floated the Moose John river by invitation from Jay Massey. We were in separate Avon rubber rafts with our separate bows and gear. The river was very swift and treacherous in some parts with sweepers (logs) just under the surface so you had to be on guard at all times..

We had stopped for lunch, beaching our rafts, making lunch and resting a bit. Then we shoved off back out into the current to continue our float down the 100 mile + trip. I had gone first and was down stream about 50 yards when I happened to look back and see my partners raft on edge at the verge of capsizing. After he had shoved off he decided he wanted to take a picture of the mountains in the background so he was digging in his pack for his camera. He didn't see the sweeper that snagged a trailing rope attached to the side of the raft. Quicker than you could say #@$% the strong current had him on the verge of flipping over. If he went over several things could happen, the worst of which he could have drowned. If he survived drowning, he definitely would have lost all of his gear plus  HIS raft carried all of the food for our 2 week trip which we were only half way through.

We came out of this near disaster because my partner had a small fixed blade knife in a pouch type sheath on his belt where it was within quick reach.  He had been using that knife many times a day for various cutting choirs until it became automatic to reach for it when it was needed. His split second decision to grab the knife and cut the fouled rope saved the day.

[Stumpkiller]

Originally posted by chopx2:
Why woul you ever go anywhere in the woods or outdoors with just one knife      

I'm with you.  Typically I have a large sheath knife (if still-hunting or small-game.  Tree trimmer and coup-de-merci with a head smack using the back/spine of the blade for wounded little critters), a neck knife, a spare sheath knife in my haversack or a folding knife in my belt pack, depending, and a Swiss Arm Knife in my pocket I always carry everywhere.  

And just possibly a Benchmade Osborne Rift tactical somewhere whether hunting or not, just in case.  ;-)

[Hopewell Tom]

I prefer my knife(on my belt), compass and waterproof matches on my person when afield. If I somehow become separated from my other gear, these lifesavers(as per Ron's story) are close at hand. It's the law here in Nova Scotia to have these 3 items with you when hunting.

[Ron LaClair]

Tom, you're right those three items are essential to have on you when you're in the bush.

Another story....

I was on a short float hunt with a novice in a canoe...short story, we went over...it was mid November, snow on the ground, ice in the water. We lost bows and other gear that wasn't tied down. Everything including us was soaked...except the matches in a waterproof container and tea bags in a ziplock in my pack.

A roaring fire thanks to the shavings made with my belt knife warmed us on the outside and lots of hot tea on the inside saved our bacon that day.

[Michigan Mark]

Nala, Lately (private property) I carry and use a folding lock blade when field dressing, a Case Sharks tooth. Have used Fixed blades and still have them but wear suspenders for the most part while Bow Hunting with stick and string. If I wear a belt a side arm is on it. Always use fillet knife (Rapala folding lock blade camp fillet knife)to de bone venison. Very understandable to have access to ones tools quickly as noted above.

[ch1ch2]

I DO LOVE THIS WEB SITE
YOU ARE A GREAT BUNCH OF GUY (and girls)

I have been using many fixed different blade knives in the field for years. ( I liked the ability of hitting the back of the blade with a rock to split the pelvic bone in order to split it.) ( Did it once with a folder and broke the lock)
I am amazed at the number of guys using buck 110's.  I got my first in 1976 and was not happy with it.  I still have it and I will think about it again.

Today I was over at a friends house. A pre army days, friend from the early 1970's.  He recently bought a laser etching machine ($30,000) and was doing lots of different items , glass, leather, wood, metal, and knifes.  Made me wonder about quivers, arrows, bows, and knifes, as far as what could be done.

GOT TO LOVE IT.