Upland game/Small game knife

[Doc Dan]

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.

Yeah, I use a Buck 301 or 303 for squirrels and rabbits, but I had a very slender small fixed blade too. A wide knife is in the way. Also, too long of a blade is in the way. A long slender, easy to maneuver handle is needed.

[Doc Dan]

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.

Waaaayyy too big, long, and wide. Spyderco does not really have a knife in this market.

[Ankerson]

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.

Waaaayyy too big, long, and wide. Spyderco does not really have a knife in this market.

The Mule team and Junction are actually pretty small knives, Especially the Junction. About the size of a typical parring knife with a narrow and thin blade. Based on Gayle Bradley's Packer it's exactly knife you described you wanted.

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.
Such knives need to be slender because the game are small, yet they need enough slender handle you hold on to and use effectively.

Back in my hunting days I used to use a parring knife MOST of the time for small game.

[prndltech]

Dragonfly. Either vg10 or zdp189.

I’ll try to remember to take a pic of how I’d grip it. Thumb in the spydie hole, index finger at the tip.

[bigboned]

Bow river?

[Monty]

I don't think Spyderco has anything on offer that I'd choose unless I was going lightweight and wanted a folder. The vintage Gerber Bird and Trout was nice, I just use a little file knife. Something in a B&T would be great, essentially a pairing knife with a little bit stouter blade. Delica for size comparison.

[Haunted House]

If you’re using a little buck 303/301 blade, then pretty much all knife blades are gonna be bigger or wider.

[Bloke]

Doc, I’ve dressed plenty of game like you describe and the best knife I’ve owned for the task was an old Gerber Pixie made in Portland. The Gerber Mimming is the same blade with a longer handle and I dressed a small Fallow Deer with one a while back, all except for slitting the breast bone. :cool:

Here’s a pic (not mine). Mimming on top, Pixie below.



They’re little scalpels no longer made and there definitely is a gap in the market for a true Small Game knife. :)

[Bloke]

The vintage Gerber Bird and Trout was nice,

I had one of those too. A little too pointy at the tip for skinning but a great little knife. I snapped the blade off mine at the handle using to cut up a tire to make a horse feeder. :eek:

[JD Spydo]

Glad you brought up this subject Doc :) Because I've thought for years that Spyderco has several good options for outdoor folders and great fixed blades that can be used for field dressing game animals.

The old 2004 era Ed Scott design that we knew as the IMPALA model is one I would really like to see return in a newer/better blade steel. The original IMPALA model was available in 3 to 4 different variants>> they even had an IMPALA model with a Gut Hook and I wish I had kept the one I had.

In the fixed blade category I'm been saying for years that if they re-introduced the TEMPERANCE 1 model in LC200N in the Salt Series for an outdoor fixed blade in PE & SE both. I've used my two TEMPERANCE 1 models for outdoor uses since I got them back in 2005.

But those are just a couple of picks that I personally like. This is a most interesting discussion.

[Bloke]

In the fixed blade category I'm been saying for years that if they re-introduced the TEMPERANCE 1

The Temperance certainly seems like a great knife, Joe but using it on small game might be asking a bit. :)

[jpm2]

Don't be scared to make'm like you want.

[cycleguy]

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.

Yeah, I use a Buck 301 or 303 for squirrels and rabbits, but I had a very slender small fixed blade too. A wide knife is in the way. Also, too long of a blade is in the way. A long slender, easy to maneuver handle is needed.

Buck 301 around 40 years old ... its seen a number of birds, rabbits, and fish; and various other duties.

CG

[wrdwrght]

A Jess Horn (C27, C34, C38)?

[Doc Dan]

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.

Yeah, I use a Buck 301 or 303 for squirrels and rabbits, but I had a very slender small fixed blade too. A wide knife is in the way. Also, too long of a blade is in the way. A long slender, easy to maneuver handle is needed.

Buck 301 around 40 years old ... its seen a number of birds, rabbits, and fish; and various other duties.

CG

Nice long pull 301. I think that was contracted by Buck from Camillus. I don’t know of a better folder for this purpose. This sized knife, fixed or folder is what I think Spyderco should make.

[crazywednesday]

Sprig, it's what I use.

[THB]

The Centofante 3 is what you want. Slender with thin hollow ground VG10 blade. It's a laser - love mine

[Tdog]

I would agree that Spyderco should have a knife that falls into this niche. When the Sprig first came out I was disappointed that it wasn't truer to Phil's B&T design. Larger, longer, beefier and thicker blade. The Sprig grew on me and is now one of my favorite Spydies.

Some time ago I bought the F. Dick 1905 paring knife. An excellent "small game" knife that works VERY well in the kitchen. The blade profile is just right, thin, slicey, and a bit of heft in the handle. Very nice in the hand. The knife gets razor sharp and hold it's edge reasonably well. Great knife for the price. I've been looking for a sheath that would hold this knife nicely.

I'm a nut for B&T's here's a pic of one I recently got. A 3" blade, curly Koa, and great tooling on the sheath. If Spyderco came out with the right design, I'd buy it.

[Tdog]

Deleted duplicate :o

[Ferris Wheels]

What about the Mini-Paring knife, it seems like the design would work well as a bird and trout knife.