top is my kephart style 5 inch blade. it's nice for general use but the curved blade is by far a better hunting knife. works well breasting out a duck or splitting ribs on a bear. forged out of 01 roundbar.

I usually carry something like a Buck 119 or similar sized.But i do have bigger ones like a Buck 120 and my Buck 124.Theyre great knives.

I've been eyeing cold steel's trail master here lately.

When I hunted big game I always carried a "Kill Pack" with a couple knives,meat bags hide bags cord sharpener etc.Always had a skinning knife a butcher knife in the pack and a mora around my neck.

A big blade is very handy skinning moose and brown bear, and very efficient when quartering them. If you have to roll around with an animal on the ground, a large pointed blade is a plus.

The saying I have heard is the further you go into the woods the bigger the knife.

That's a good quote.

I have a Helle Eggen and a Mora Companion. Both around 4 oz in weight and 4" long blades. Both also scandi grind which I find very easy to sharpen in the field and keep sharp. When I was younger I always carried a Puma Bowie knife with me that had a 6.5" blade. I found it a bit too long. I really like the 4" blades though. And when backpacking a long way into the woods I like keeping it lightweight. I pair the Helle or Mora with an easily accessible pocket knife for camp chores.

Yes, 10” long total. A gift from a friend who’s great grandmother used it for moose during Minnesota first seasons circa 1800’s. I carry it because of what it is.

Osky

As far as field dressing a deer I only carry a pocket knife. I once field dressed a 200# buck with a little knife on my keychain just because I could. It was sharp and did the job just as well as a huge knife.

I haven't lived in "wild" country much. I pretty well carry an 8" OAL knife hunting most of the time. Never had much need for a big one. On the other hand, were I a flintlock age trapper, I would have quite a few different knife needs and would carry a bigger one.

Nice knives, Knappet! Like that Bagwell style bowie in particular.

thanks, I copied it from his hellsbelle. bagwell is the king of bowies as far as I'm concerned.

Another vote for the Puma Skinner. It's gutted, caped and skinned a lot of critters over the forty years I've owned it.

Agreed. About 25 yrs ago I had a Game Warden show me how to field dress a deer with a pocket knife and not even get blood on your watch. Since then I've field dressed about 50 deer now with my folding clip on pocket knife. Never paid more than $10 for one of these knives either. The blades with a small section of serration towards the rear is about the only requirement.

I don't get the big knife thing. If you need a big knife you are doing it wrong. I could see having a folding saw for moose or bear...but not deer.

Buck folding hunter, own some bigger but never seen the need.

I have gravitated to the Moras, companion is about the right size, stays sharp, easy to sharpen, and for under 10 bucks is all the knife anyone needs...lol

If you need something bigger, a small forest ax or hatchet is easier to use then a big knife...unless your in the scalping biz...

I have Kukri I bought in India several years back. Supposedly made from a Land Rover leaf spring, don't know if that is true or not. The blade is quite thick along the back, a good 1/4".

I use a folder around 4" becuse its always on me. Well it was not once this year and i used my leather man wave. It workes well but is a pain to clean. Started using a larger swiss army boning knife my wife bought me. I didnt like it at first but the more i use it tje more i like it.

I prefer a folding 4 inch it’s smaller so less to get caught in thick undergrowth, the folding part has always been a safety thing I knew a guy that fell once and the straight blade went through the sheath and cut him pretty good, probably a chance thing but it happened once and I have never forgot.

If it is made from a leaf spring and was hardened/tempered properly, it should hold an edge real well and not ever bend.
That one there does not look like a cheapy one made for tourists.