Small Game Cleaning Knives

[Megan]

Hi guys,

Many moons ago I attended my first 'Becoming an Outdoors Woman' course.
It got me back outside being active again. And I owe it a lot.

I am proud to say that Multitool.org will be donating a selection of small-game cleaning knives to the course.
(It is one of their needs)

What are your favourite game cleaning knives? Why?

What would you recommend we donate? Keep in mind that we can't break the bank!

Thanks in advance!

[dks]

GEC bullnose (sodbuster pattern)

[Megan]

GEC bullnose (sodbuster pattern)

Why? Tell me about it!

[Toolslinger]

How 'small' are we talking? Squirrel? Rabbit? Moose?

I typically work on Rabbit and up in terms of size. If it's smaller, then the knife I use would probably be too big.

[dks]

great quality, cheapish, small point but mostly rounded, so that you do not damage the animal or prick yourself - I basically hunt small/minuscule game and that is generally my hunting knife (Or a victorinox pruner, since SS does have its advantages)

[comis]

How about a Mora?  Not expensive, and great utility.

[AimlessWanderer]

I quite like the Outdoor Edge "Wedge". It's a small and lightweight neck knife, with excellent rentention in the sheath. Not only is the knife easily cleaned (I will NOT use folders for that kind of work unless I was in an emergency setting) but the sheath is easily cleaned too. I have used it on a rabbit, and it worked well for cleaning, although I did have to switch to a larger knife for getting it into suitable sized pieces for the pot.

Another nice knife for food prep which won't break the bank is the Cold Steel Roach Belly. The sheath isn't as easily cleaned, but the knife handles well even with slippery hands, and with the higher handle position, you can use more of the blade than say with a mora without your knuckles getting in the way.

So there you go, two cheap fixed blades, one a necker and one a belt knife. As I said before, I don't think folders are a good choice as it's not easy to clean them, particularly in the field. If however you decide that a folder may be more suitable for the course for any reason, how about a more open design like a Svord friction folder? (I'd still try to sway you towards the fixed blade if possible though)

[dks]

the Svord is bigger that what I consider small game - the problem is what is small game?  A sparrow sized bird or a hare?

[Megan]

Size: Rabbit/Pheasants/Partridge

[ducttapetech]

How about a Mora?  Not expensive, and great utility.

I agree. The classics work pretty good for small game.

That's us mobile.
Nate

[SAK Guy]

One of the premo small game knives for 50+ years...4" blade and 2.5 oz of quality. 
I've heard/read many accounts over the years on their worthiness in the field....read some of the customer comments at Amazon.

102 Buck Woodsman Knife


The classic 102 Woodsman is a true hunting knife, designed with a fine point perfect for fish and small game. Features including full tang construction, a finger guard integrated into the blade, thumb grip ridges and a deep choil, help make this knife one of the best options for the serious hunter who values quality knives.
http://www.buckknives.com/product/102-buck-woodsman-knife/0102FAM01/

36 bucks at Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Buck-Knives-Woodsman-Fixed-Blade/dp/B0001WAOF8/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1443814473&sr=8-7&keywords=buck+knives

[Etherealicer]

SAK Guy gets it!

 

[zoidberg]

Victorinox, Green River, Dexter Russell etc all do rabbit/paring or small boning (straight or curved) knives.







Then there is Mora, Frost, Hultafors etc.



Small, cheap, easy to sharpen, easy to clean, finger guard.



For folders, Mercator, Sanrenmu, Gerber etc.





Picked this one up recently for US$5, no complaints with it so far...

[captain spaulding]

I would suggest the Svord Mini Peasant for a few very important reasons. First is the price is right and you can buy as many as you need without breaking the bank. Second and most important in my opinion is the very basic construction and ease of taking it apart and cleaning it after use. It is important to properly clean a skinning knife unless you want to ruin the knife and get yourself or others sick or worse. They come in many colors as well which can be fun for anyone, but more so for women or children.

Great for you to be donating these knives no matter which you choose. 

[jerseydevil]

How about the Case slimline Trapper?  Decent size blade, thin profile, and in CV takes a great edge.  The traditional two blade Trapper would be fine too.  That's what those knives are designed for......

[cbl51]

For years, my go-to fish and small game knife has been a Victorinox serrated edge paring knife. Simple and soooo effective at going through flesh and slippery stuff like fish guts and and animal tissue. Easy to wash clean in a creek, and only weighs an ounce or two and goes unnoticed in a pocket. Plastic blade sheath fits snug enough not to come off in pocket.

[Luna Knife]

I would suggest the Svord Mini Peasant for a few very important reasons. First is the price is right and you can buy as many as you need without breaking the bank. Second and most important in my opinion is the very basic construction and ease of taking it apart and cleaning it after use. It is important to properly clean a skinning knife unless you want to ruin the knife and get yourself or others sick or worse. They come in many colors as well which can be fun for anyone, but more so for women or children.

Great for you to be donating these knives no matter which you choose. 

I can attest that the svord mp works great. Last week I caught my limit of rainbow trout and I was carrying my svord mini peaseant(along with an 111mm Victorinox rucksack). I used the svord.

After cleaning,I rinsed it in the stream and gave it a fair wash at a gas station restroom. When I got home, I took it apart and there was still fish slime in the handle. If you plan on getting the whole knife dirty and not just the blade, the only hygenic way is a fixed blade or a svord Peaseant or mini.  I dont know of any other folding knives that come apart so easy.

That said, I have cleaned birds and rabbits with a trapper or stockman but the work is not as slimey and you can do it with only getting the blade dirty

[toolguy]

Case because it contains several blades for multiple chores required to clean game.

Let's also not forget the offerings from Victorinox and for the same reasons as the Case Hunter.

The older style Hunter with side lock on the far left and the newer XS Hunter which is the third counting from the left.

[Megan]

This has been so helpful thanks.
I'm really happy we can contribute to them. It means a ton to me.
If you have any more suggestions keep them coming. I'm learning a lot here too.

[Dean51]

I've been chasing small game for 50 yrs, Rabbit/Pheasant/Quail/Squirrel.
I have come to like a small blade with a bit of belly. 2 3/8 to 2 3/4.
Tried the buck 102 (top in picture), I didn't like it at all, to long and pointy for small or delicate work. 
Synthetic or bone handle, cleans up better than wood or leather. Stainless blade for sure.

I'm currently using a bone version of the top Stockman or the red Northwoods.
For donation knives I'd choose 1 or both of the two case's on the bottom. Mini Trapper or Sod Buster.
Working on another project this morning so sorry about the quick, lousy pic.

[campussecurity]

These are my choice pick. Buck 105 and 110. The 105 has cleaned many fish and Quail over the years.

[sawman]

While I haven't skinned any game with it, I've done some cool wood-carving with a Buck 110. They're a little pricey but worth every penny.

But then, Case makes a killer knife too

[Megan]

This is great thanks!
Alternatively I may have a look through Grant's collection as well.
 

[leathermon]

Cold Steel Bird & Trout Steel Handle (Concealex Sheath) http://www.amazon.com/Cold-Steel-Handle-Concealex-Sheath/dp/B000BSZDNK   (Share from CM Browser) under 20$ and you get cold steel amazing quality. The size is perfect for child or adult, male or female.