The Three Types of Knives an Efficient Hunter Needs
As each hunt is unique, the necessary gear and preparations will change with the hunter’s requirements. This is often the case because the animals you hunt and the conditions and seasons you hunt in will change, too. However, there are some essential items that must be kept in your pack for each and every hunt.
Knives are essential, which won’t come as a surprise to any hunters. The type of knives you need to hunt efficiently should be researched in relation to the animals you plan on tracking. Three of the most effective knives are outlined in this post, and all three should be kept in your hunting pack.
Skinning Knife
After a successful hunt, it is essential to remove the animal’s hide, which is the exact purpose of a skinning knife. The idea knife is light and thin, with a curved, scalpel-life edge. While its curved blade limits the risk of puncturing, its shape and thinness are vital to help hunters cut under the hide of the animal without causing any additional damage. This care can make the animal’s hide more valuable when selling to buyers.
Like other knives, it is crucial to look at the blade material, shape, and design, as well as the handle design, when purchasing a skinning knife. These blades, particularly the MKC Packout Skinner, are designed for precise field dressing tasks with non-slip handles, even when your hands are cold, tired, and wet. A good handle will allow for multiple grips to suit the hunter’s unique requirements.
Fillet Knife
Whether you are hunting or fishing, or maybe you’re preparing a meal in the kitchen, a sharp blade that keeps its edge is essential. This is the same for fillet knives; the blade is the most important aspect to consider. It is often used for filleting fish, removing scales, and cutting thin slices of meat. In some cases, it might even be used to cut fruits, chop vegetables, and such.
However, the material that the blade is made of will make or break the knife, so to speak. The best fillet knife will be made of a hard alloy, which is resistant to corrosion. One of the most popular materials used is stainless steel, though this can still begin to rust if improperly cared for. Opting for a high-carbon variant, like German steel, can provide better corrosion resistance.
Boning Knife
As the name suggests, a boning knife is used to separate the meat from the bones of the hunted animal. Having a blade that was specifically designed for this task can help to maximize the amount of usable meat that is harvested and minimize any unnecessary waste. The narrow blade of a boning knife can range from flexible for bending between bones to rigid for cutting through cartilage.
Choosing the type of boning knife that meets the hunter’s needs will include determining the type of meat you plan on cutting. Larger cuts of meat, like venison, will require a rigid blade; this is good for forceful cuts and heavier bones. A flexible boning knife is better suited to delicate cuts, like cutting fish fillets, as it will easily move around bones.
If you are new to hunting, or you just want to upgrade your kit, then it is wise to remember that the three knives mentioned in this post are must-haves.
