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Upland game/Small game knife
Posted: Sat Nov 02, 2019 8:57 pm
by Doc Dan
Spyderco has done a great job on knives for deer and larger game. Knives like the Stretch, Moran, Wilson, etc. are at the top of their class. However, my favorite hunting is for small game or upland game hunting. Animals like cottontails, snow shoe hares, grouse, ducks, pheasant, squirrels, etc. require a smaller, more slender bladed knife to clean. Spyderco does not have anything in this market.
I have several knives, like Stockmans, slender fixed blades, and etc. that I used to use. I wish Spyderco would look into this.
Such knives need to be slender because the game are small, yet they need enough slender handle you hold on to and use effectively.
Re: Upland game/Small game knife
Posted: Sat Nov 02, 2019 9:46 pm
by Sumdumguy
A mini Sprig. ~3"? Thinned out more than it already is.
That's what comes to my mind.
Re: Upland game/Small game knife
Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2019 2:08 am
by BornIn1500
The Polestar has been working just fine for all small game for me. We must have different styles of cleaning. It'd be interesting to see a Spyder hole on a slender blade like a Stockman. It might end up a lot like the Ikuchi.
Re: Upland game/Small game knife
Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2019 2:16 am
by Tims
I love a good bird and trout pattern.
I think Phil Wilson mentioned a bird and trout knife in the S45VN thread. Could be a model to work toward?
Re: Upland game/Small game knife
Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2019 2:23 am
by Wartstein
Double post
Re: Upland game/Small game knife
Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2019 2:24 am
by Wartstein
Doc, I am not a hunter at all, but isn't the UKPK drop point version very much like a scaled down Stretch (though its blade might be to wide for what you're looking for)?
Re: Upland game/Small game knife
Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2019 2:43 am
by BornIn1500
Tims wrote: ↑Sun Nov 03, 2019 2:16 am
I think Phil Wilson mentioned a bird and trout knife in the S45VN thread. Could be a model to work toward?
I thought the Spyderco Sprig was Phil's Bird & Trout.
Re: Upland game/Small game knife
Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2019 2:45 am
by Tims
Wartstein, I won’t speak for Doc but in my opinion, for the application he has in mind, a fixed blade is more appropriate.
Re: Upland game/Small game knife
Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2019 2:50 am
by Tims
BornIn1500 wrote: ↑Sun Nov 03, 2019 2:43 am
Tims wrote: ↑Sun Nov 03, 2019 2:16 am
I think Phil Wilson mentioned a bird and trout knife in the S45VN thread. Could be a model to work toward?
I thought the Spyderco Sprig was Phil's Bird & Trout.
Absolutely. It’s disco’d though. Could be he has something different in mind. Either way, I look forward to it if it’s brought to market.
Re: Upland game/Small game knife
Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2019 3:00 am
by Wartstein
Tims wrote: ↑Sun Nov 03, 2019 2:45 am
Wartstein, I won’t speak for Doc but in my opinion, for the application he has in mind, a fixed blade is more appropriate.
I think so too, as far as I can estimate that not being a hunter myself!
But since Doc himself mentioned the Stretch as being for him a "top of the class" game knife, I thought the UKPK droppoint version could be a valid smaller option for him (though non locking...). Looks a lot like a Lil´Stretch
Re: Upland game/Small game knife
Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2019 3:18 am
by Tims
Wartstein wrote: ↑Sun Nov 03, 2019 3:00 am
Tims wrote: ↑Sun Nov 03, 2019 2:45 am
Wartstein, I won’t speak for Doc but in my opinion, for the application he has in mind, a fixed blade is more appropriate.
I think so too, as far as I can estimate that not being a hunter myself!
But since Doc himself mentioned the Stretch as being for him a "top of the class" game knife, I thought the UKPK droppoint version could be a valid smaller option for him (though non locking...). Looks a lot like a Lil´Stretch
My mistake, I missed the Stretch part of his post. :)
Re: Upland game/Small game knife
Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2019 6:37 am
by standy99
How about a ARK
Got a nice little skinning profile blade.
Might be a bit small but just a thought
Re: Upland game/Small game knife
Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2019 6:43 am
by cycleguy
I have been fishing since 5, small game hunting since grade 1, and big game hunting for around 3 decades. I am near 60 and have found (generally speaking) that I could clean anything with anything as long as it has a sharp edge.
A favorite of mine was a ceramic blade boker about 2" in length that was surgical sharp (like I've performed surgeries before, but you get the picture). It was amazing at taking full skins from pheasants...
I think a Chaparral with any handle material, CTS-XHP, and thin blade would be a good candidate. Folders don't clean as easily as fixed blades but that really isn't a problem.
CG
Re: Upland game/Small game knife
Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2019 6:49 am
by Evil D
If I were still into hunting I'd probably carry a Street Beat. It would be great for skinning and VG10 should be fine as long as you aren't field dressing deer and larger game.
Re: Upland game/Small game knife
Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2019 7:20 am
by Ankerson
Doc Dan wrote: ↑Sat Nov 02, 2019 8:57 pm
Spyderco has done a great job on knives for deer and larger game. Knives like the Stretch, Moran, Wilson, etc. are at the top of their class. However, my favorite hunting is for small game or upland game hunting. Animals like cottontails, snow shoe hares, grouse, ducks, pheasant, squirrels, etc. require a smaller, more slender bladed knife to clean. Spyderco does not have anything in this market.
I have several knives, like Stockmans, slender fixed blades, and etc. that I used to use. I wish Spyderco would look into this.
Such knives need to be slender because the game are small, yet they need enough slender handle you hold on to and use effectively.
The Mule Team would be a good option.
Pick your steel.
Re: Upland game/Small game knife
Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2019 8:47 am
by Kels73
As I prepare for squirrel season, this question has been on my mind too. When cleaning squirrel, I prefer a stainless steel blade that is roughly 3" long and very slender. For big game, I usually use a fixed blade; however, for small game, either fixed or folding is fine.
I can make other knives work, but these are my preferred specs. I typically use a traditional Trapper with two blades. Mora also has some small fixed blades that suit me.
As for Spyderco's current lineup, the drop point UKPK and the ClipiTool standard catch my eye. For new models, a mini Sprig would be perfect. I would also be interested in a maxi Roadie with a bit more tip.
Re: Upland game/Small game knife
Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2019 9:02 am
by Doc Dan
Tims wrote: ↑Sun Nov 03, 2019 2:16 am
I love a good bird and trout pattern.
I think Phil Wilson mentioned a bird and trout knife in the S45VN thread. Could be a model to work toward?
That’s a good start. I’d love to see what he comes up with.
Re: Upland game/Small game knife
Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2019 9:02 am
by Doc Dan
Wartstein wrote: ↑Sun Nov 03, 2019 2:24 am
Doc, I am not a hunter at all, but isn't the UKPK drop point version very much like a scaled down Stretch (though its blade might be to wide for what you're looking for)?
Too wide.
Re: Upland game/Small game knife
Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2019 9:04 am
by Doc Dan
Tims wrote: ↑Sun Nov 03, 2019 2:50 am
BornIn1500 wrote: ↑Sun Nov 03, 2019 2:43 am
Tims wrote: ↑Sun Nov 03, 2019 2:16 am
I think Phil Wilson mentioned a bird and trout knife in the S45VN thread. Could be a model to work toward?
I thought the Spyderco Sprig was Phil's Bird & Trout.
Absolutely. It’s disco’d though. Could be he has something different in mind. Either way, I look forward to it if it’s brought to market.
Too big, I think.
Re: Upland game/Small game knife
Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2019 9:06 am
by Ankerson
Doc Dan wrote: ↑Sun Nov 03, 2019 9:04 am
Tims wrote: ↑Sun Nov 03, 2019 2:50 am
BornIn1500 wrote: ↑Sun Nov 03, 2019 2:43 am
Tims wrote: ↑Sun Nov 03, 2019 2:16 am
I think Phil Wilson mentioned a bird and trout knife in the S45VN thread. Could be a model to work toward?
I thought the Spyderco Sprig was Phil's Bird & Trout.
Absolutely. It’s disco’d though. Could be he has something different in mind. Either way, I look forward to it if it’s brought to market.
Too big, I think.
The Junction might be a good choice also.