Having a good knife is an important tool for any hunter, and having multiple knives can be even more useful. Whether you prefer to carry one multi-purpose blade or several knives with specific purposes, it’s helpful to know what options are available and what their best attributes are. Small blades are suitable for skinning and cleaning small to medium-sized game, but a larger blade may be necessary for larger animals like bull elk. This list features 10 great knives on the market today and explains how each one can be helpful when you have an animal on the ground during a hunt.
Buck Knives 103 Skinner Knife – Heritage
Buck Knives is an American knife company that has been manufacturing knives in Idaho since 1902. The 103 Skinner Knife in the Heritage Series is a great example of Buck’s craftsmanship. It has a Dymalux Cocobolo handle with an aluminum finger guard and pommel, giving it a classic, stylish appearance. The knife comes with a black sheath, but Buck also offers a burgundy leather sheath that fits the 103 perfectly for an additional cost.
While the 103 Skinner is attractive, its primary purpose is to be a hardworking skinning knife. It has a 4-inch blade with a width of 0.120 inches and is designed with a curved, wide belly and a narrow tip to help with skinning through thick layers. The downward-angled tip helps to prevent slicing through unwanted hide, protecting your cape and keeping your field dressing clean. This knife is well-suited for skinning big game like bear, elk, and deer, but may not be as effective for smaller game that requires fine cuts.
Morakniv Garberg BlackBlade
The Garberg BlackBlade with Multi-Mount from Morakniv is a full tang knife that is ideal for adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts. It has an ergonomic polymer handle with a friction grip and finger guard for added security. The knife comes with a symmetrical polymer sheath that is MOLLE (Modular Lightweight Load-Carrying Equipment) compatible, which is popular for military and tactical use. The blade is made of 3.2 mm thick carbon steel and is compatible with a fire starter, making it useful for camping and survival situations. It has a straight, stiff blade with a protective black DLC coating, making it a reliable and rugged tool for short day hikes or longer treks. Morakniv recommends wiping and oiling the blade after use to prevent rusting.
Morakniv Mora 2000
Morakniv is a well-known Swedish knife manufacturer that has been making knives for over 400 years. They are known for their sustainable practices, including using recycled materials, and their signature red handles. The Morakniv Mora 2000 is a knife that is specifically designed for hunters. It has a plastic handle that is easy to carry on your belt and comes in either green or hi-vis orange. The blade is made of recycled stainless steel and is suitable for hunting medium to large game in North America. The knife is lightweight and slim, making it easy to carry on your waist without adding any bulk or weight. It’s also very affordable.
Bear & Son Cutlery Model 577
Bear & Son Cutlery is an American knife manufacturer based in Alabama that has been producing knives for over 30 years. All of their products are made in-house, from start to finish, using U.S. or Swedish steels. The Model 577 is a skinning knife with a Genuine India Stag Bone handle that has finger grooves for added comfort and grip. The handle is finished with nickel silver bolsters, a finger guard, and a pommel, giving it a beautiful appearance. The knife is 9.25 inches overall with a 5-inch carbon stainless upswept skinning blade that is suitable for large capes on elk, but also capable of making finer cuts on medium-sized game. The 577 comes with its own leather sheath.
Gerber Vital Big Game Folder
Gerber is a well-known brand that makes a variety of hunting, tactical, and everyday carry knives. In recent years, surgical blade knives have become popular among hunters for their ease of use, lightweight design, and versatility. The Gerber Vital Big Game Folder is a surgical blade knife that is well-suited for hunters. It has a handle with a secure grip, a belt clip for easy pocket transport, and a two-pocket sheath for carrying spare blades in the field. The knife comes with one blade and four extra blades – two drop points and two blunt tips – giving you the best options for caping and meat cutting. The Gerber Vital is small but strong and sharp enough to clean any type of game animal, from squirrels and rabbits to elk and bears.
Buck Knives 656 Pursuit Pro
The 656 Pursuit Pro is a fixed-blade knife with a modern, ergonomic design and high visibility. It has a sure grip handle with a full tang blade, making it a durable and heavy-duty knife (6.4 oz.) that comes with a nylon sheath with a belt loop.
The blade on the 656 Pursuit Pro is 4-1/2 inches long and made of S35VN steel, which is known for its excellent edge retention and ease of resharpening. This makes it a great choice for long hunts where you may need to skin multiple animals. The strong, drop point blade is also suitable for heavy use, including gutting, skinning, deboning, and separating joints. If you encounter any defects with the blade or handle of the 656 Pursuit Pro, it is backed by Buck Knives’ Forever Warranty, which allows you to return the knife to the factory in Idaho for repair or replacement due to defects in material or workmanship.