Recommend me a good knife please.

[scotttomo]

I've been thinking about getting a good knife for hunting, mainly for gutting rabbits in the field, but with me still being quite new to hunting and there being so many differnet variations, I don't really know what to go for.

I've seen various types online and think one with a gutting hook would be ideal, thoughts?

I'd also like to use the knife when at home for finishing the rabbit off and also for breasting woodies in the field if the opportunity arises, so would a fixed blade be better for this as I really am a total beginner when it comes to knives :(

 

I did see this: http://www.uttings.co.uk/Product/934/104406/buck-knives-b693bk-alpha-hunter-knife-b693bk/ and thought it might be ideal. I don't mind spending some money on a decent blade as I'm sure it'll last, you buy cheap you buy twice I allways say

 

Thanks for reading and I look forward to any replies

 

Scott

[scotttomo]

Bump

[provarmint]

For gutting rabbits and breasting woodies, you don't need anything special or with a gut hook, a cheap mora clipper or opinel will suffice.

[kent]

There is an opening here, buck used to do a fixed blade for Bird and trout but not seen it in years. At home i use a small boning knife in the field i make do with one of my smaller deer knives

[welshwarrior]

second mora clipper but I use it for every thing not just a rough knife

[activeviii]

Mora all the way. Nice bright orange so you can find it. sharp, cheap and wish i bought one a long time ago, i would only have the one knife now rather than 20 odd differant ones.

[Gimlet]

I use a little Buck folder with a 2.5" drop-point for paunching rabbits and I never use it for anything else as it needs to be shave-your-face sharp at all times to do the job speedily. Gut hooks are a waste of time and a paunching knife should be a true drop-point and hollow ground.

For butchering rabbits at home I use an old fixed blade which has worn out of shape with use. I like to nip through the tail bone and remove it when taking out the scent glands and cut through the pelvic girdle. It looks so much neater and cleaner but it would ruin a keen edge.

I think paunching and gralloching knives should be kept for that job alone and a heavier general purpose knife carried if others tasks are anticipated.

 

Edit: when I first started shooting rabbits as a youngster I went for a fixed blade because I thought it was a 'proper' knife and easier to clean. In fact the smaller the better. When I paunch a rabbit I'm using less than an inch of the blade and I'm holding the blade itself as much as the handle.

A well paunched (and well shot) rabbit should involve no blood. A bit of milk and fat sometimes which makes hair stick and need wiping but thats all. A rinse under hot water keeps it clean.

Edited September 14, 2011 by Gimlet

[WelshLamb]

Ive got a buck knife

[gixxerboy]

Opinel for me to use in the field for gutting then a cleaver when I get home for skinning.

[Frenchieboy]

The only knives I use are either Opinel or a Mora Clippers (I have one in Stainles steel and one in Carbon Steel which cost under £25 for the two). They are cheap so no great loss if you loose one in the field and they take and keep a really good edge. Both are really great value for money!

[silver pigeon 3]

i have got 2 karesuando kniven knives, brilliant quality and more important easy to sharpen and keep a good edge

[Colster]

Always been a fan of the Mora but I prefer a lock knife. The Opinel is ok but the lock is not exactly reliable.

 

Have a look on Blades and Bows

 

They have loads of good value knives on there, the Marquette is an ideal shape for paunching bunnies and holds it's edge really well.