Which Hunting Knife Should You Choose?

Consider the Purpose
The first thing to consider is the particular use the knife will serve. What size animal will you be hunting - big game or small animals and birds? Are you sport hunting for the perfect trophy to mount or are you trying to pack that freezer in the garage with meat?

Fixed Blade or Folding
The two basic styles of hunting knives are fixed blade and folding. Fixed blade knives are straight, rigid blades that do not fold and need sheaths for easy and safe carry. Folding knives, on the other hand, have blades that fold to close and can be carried in your pocket without a sheath. Folding knives usually have lock mechanisms to hold the blade in a locked position when closed.

Blade Types
The various blade types must also be considered, and you will need to determine which blade type you prefer: drop or clip point, skinning, gut hook or caping.

Drop Point
A drop point blade is the most popular for hunting knives, and its carving quality allows for better control for overall field cleaning. It has a curved blade that "drops" into a point which gives added strength to the tip. The sturdy blade of this style of knife allows for full use of the knife's edge rather than just the point when cutting.

Clip Point
The clip point blade is thinner and flatter than the drop point blade and is great for general knife use as well as for hunting. Many believe this knife allows for greater control and easier deep cutting than other styles.

Skinning Knife
The skinner's purpose is to remove the skin of your game from the flesh. It is a great timesaver when cleaning and butchering, and in many cases, can do the job of drop and clip point knives.

Gut Hook Knives
Many knife models also have the option of a gut hook. The gut hook gives the user deeper control when cutting into the abdomen of the animal by helping to prevent accidental puncturing of the intestines, bladder or stomach. Many hunters would agree that a gut hook is a matter of preference, and you need to know how to properly use one for it to be most effective.

Caping Knife
A caping knife aids in skinning your trophy game for mounting by a taxidermist. Smaller than most hunting knives, the caping knife has a fine blade to allow the hunter to skin around the eyes, lips and other delicate areas.

Knife's Edge
Many knife makers are making models with your choice of plain edge, serrated or combo. Serrated knives cut more deeply but can also be harder to sharpen than plain edges. Be sure to keep a knife sharpener on hand that will handle whichever blade edge you choose.

Ultimately, what hunting knife you choose will be based on what happens when you are out on the field. Every hunter is different. You will need to experiment with all the styles, points, edges and such until you find the one that works best for you. Happy Hunting!

About the Author:

By: Michelle Alexander

Michelle Alexander is a contributing writer at www.SportArmory.com where you can find a wide variety of hunting knives to meet your needs.