Knives in the Outdoors

Best Knives for Deer and Pronghorn

By Jason Shipman

Developed out of necessity, knives are arguably one the greatest tools ever invented. Think for a moment exactly where we would be without them. The evolution of knives throughout the history of mankind is nothing short of amazing. Archaeologists have documented this progression with the very first knives fashioned from flint. The Copper, Bronze, and Iron ages followed with new metallurgic materials for knife making. These new knives proved more durable than their previous stone counterparts. Improvements over time, including alloys and tempered steel, helped create the knives we know and use today.

In addition to advancements in materials and knife making processes, over time, specialized knives were developed to meet specific needs. Knives are tools, and as such, specialized knives were developed to fill niches and achieve certain tasks. Examples include boning, caping, skinning, and fillet knives, to name a few. Shorter, pointed knives are more suitable for caping while broader blades are more suited for skinning. Long, thin blades are more appropriate for filleting a trout or redfish. As you can see, each has a purpose and has been enhanced or modified to simplify a job.

When considering hunting knives to carry in the field, and more specifically for game animals like deer and pronghorn, it’s wise to consider a versatile hunting knife that can handle a variety of tasks. It’s just not practical to carry a number of knives to meet multiple specific tasks. A good, sharp knife with a

Sharp, folding, lock blade knives made of good steel are the author’s favorite.

3- to 5-inch blade will suffice, and in the hands of an experienced and capable person, will get the job done. After all, caring for your game and getting your harvest from the field to the table is paramount and ultimately the goal of your hunting experience.

Imagine for a minute, after months of planning and preparation for your hunt, you have been fortunate enough to be successful. You pause for a moment to reflect on the hunt as you admire your trophy buck in the field. You’ve taken photos and all that’s left to do is the work of caring for your game. Circumstances will dictate the manner in which the task is accomplished.

In Texas, it’s fairly common to load the animal and take it to a designated on-site location for cleaning game. Oftentimes hunters field dress or remove the entrails of their game in the field before returning to camp. Sometimes the animal is simply too large, or in the case of pronghorn, special care must be taken to not damage the cape. In these circumstances, the animals are often skinned and quartered on the spot. If everything must be packed out, the meat may even be boned out. Whatever the case, you must have the right tools to do the job and a good, sharp knife is essential.

When it comes to knives, an endless number of options exist in the marketplace to choose from. Like anything else today, there’s always something newer or better being offered by those looking to sell something. Knives are no exception. My favorite knife is a good, sharp one. Abraham Lincoln once said, “If I had six hours to cut a tree down, I’d spend the

Good, sharp knives are essential for game care in the field.

first four sharpening the axe.” All kidding aside, I prefer a folding knife for convenience, with a locking blade for safety. Some of us are a bit old school and have probably been carrying around the same knife for decades.

Fixed blade or folding, style is irrelevant with function being the key. It must be made of good steel that can be sharpened relatively easily and hold an edge. To meet these criteria, some hunters swear by certain brand names such as Buck or Puma, while some opt to use high quality custom-made knives. Others choose to use the newer, scalpelstyle knives with replaceable blades, such as those made by Havalon. The advantage with these newer style knives is always having a sharp blade, but the disadvantages include having to carry extra blades as well as having to change out the blades, which can sometimes be a little dicey. In the end, it all comes down to personal preference and what you are comfortable using.

One thing is certain. Everyone always thinks they have it figured better than the next guy, and of course, they have the best knife. If this happens to be the case with your hunting buddies, the next time you shoot a deer or pronghorn, be smart and play your cards right. Ask to see their knife, and brag on their choice. Usually, they will jump at the chance to show off, and you can stand back and watch as they clean your game for you. After all, there’s no use in both of you getting dirty.