that last outing was fun. I mastered a turkey field cleaning method that makes the entire event almost fun. I basically skin the bird. a super magically sharp knife is key. the end result doesnt look like I shot a down pillow with buckshot. on a hoofed (hooven? - whatever) the bung hole is the worst for me. it's the challenging part. again, a sharp sharp knife is key. I left my sharp knife at camp, and had to borrow one from my friend to gut my doe. it was awesome. bung-easy. the inside the neck tubing swipe, easy! that membrane holding in the "stuff"? easy. I barely got my hands bloody and it was easily my PB timing to dumping the guts out. and this is after a 10 year hunting hiatus.

at camp we worked side by side breaking down animals into ice chest-able pieces for the ride home to CA. I did fine, but I kept eyeballing his knife. I would swipe it on a diamond hone for him and hand it back sharper each time.

at home I kept thinking about that cool knife. then my friend called me. he said, if he did a review of the knife they would give him a 20% discount coupon. he wrote a review, and ordered the knife for me. I picked on in my color palette choice.

I have very few knives now. given them away, or sold them. now? I may sell most of them. I found the one that works for me. it is the perfect pointy-ness. the belly skins well. the thin blade-stock makes sharpening so much easier. (same reasoning why fillet knives are a piece of cake - for me)

my new knife that will ride shotgun into the distant future...

MKC Blackfoot 2.0. the sheath needs a modification, but I have that coming in the mail. OEM is goofy.

Nice!

I need to get me a new hunting knife.

No need to spend big $$ to get a great knife. I've bought many different knives, including some that cost a lot. I have found the best value in a fixed blade is a Morakniv Basic 511 model. This will cost less than $15, is very sharp good steel and holds an edge. Mine has an orange handle, so it can be found easily when I set it down on the forest floor. If you want a stouter model of this brand; they do offer it, check out bladehq.com or similar sites. Walmart sells these as well.

To deal with the back end of a deer; just get a butt out field dressing tool. This will save you a lot of time and make the job so much easier.

I have no affiliation with these companies, I just use the products and know they work well. I get at least one deer each year and put what I use to the test before recommending.

2 hours ago, Subaqua Adinterim said:

To deal with the back end of a deer; just get a butt out field dressing tool. This will save you a lot of time and make the job so much easier.

I’ve been using this tool for 15 years now when field dressing deer.

I have a Mora Companion I’ll use on a muddy wild hog. A scandi grind is okay for meat. Just okay.

I like a nice knife. Like my fishing gear I’m okay spending some money for one or two.

I sold most of my knife collection. Dont hunt deer or turkey just squirrel and rabbit.I use a Schrade skinning knife and a Bear and Sons knockoff Sharp Finger. I had a vintage Schrade Sharp Finger but sold it.

12 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

I have a Mora Companion I’ll use on a muddy wild hog. A scandi grind is okay for meat. Just okay.

I like a nice knife. Like my fishing gear I’m okay spending some money for one or two.

Morakniv is just about the best knife for the money on the market. I have a literal drawer full of them. My son keeps stealing them when he goes hunting and I'm suire if I went through his car i would find half a dozen more.