best knife for cleaning small game.

[new York knife co]

I am looking for a small knife for cleaning small game like squirrel Rabbits and other small giame thanks

[Cutty]

It really is personal preference. What feels comfortable in hand. Once you get the feel of a knife and how to use it for a particular task, wether fixed or folder. My main concern would be good blade steel

I have used a Buck 110 for everything from squirrel to deer to fish. Nice size with a locking blade. It is a good all purpose knife for hunting. The Buck 112 is slightly smaller if you prefer.

A good trapper will do the job on small game as well (classic folder non-locking blades) made in the USA is always a good bet.

If you prefer a small fixed blade the options are just as numerous.

There are MANY others, too many to name.

[TripleF]

I've never cleaned small game before, but I just oiled my Schrade 125OT (made in the USA) this morning and I bet that would be a dandy knife.

Similar in size to the BUCK 110 Cutty spoke of.

Just another suggestion......

[Cutty]

Excuse my manners

Aboard

I've never used the Buck ergo hunter but have heard that it's a great little fixed blade.

Others will chime in eventually

[IMBand]

GEC #12 or Kabar Little Finn would both be excellent choices.

IM

[jerryd6818]

Welcome to AAPK. Good question. As Cutty said, it's all about personal preference. I cleaned a bit of small game (rabbit, squirrel, pheasant) and think this little hip pocket knife from A.G. Russell would be just the berries. But of course that's just my personal opinion. One of my uncles used a muskrat, another a stockman and another swore by a trapper. What did I use? A Western L-39 because it's what I had. I guess it's all according to what you get used to.

[new York knife co]

Thanks for the welcome I'm really not new I just a new username because I was using my mother email so I got a new name on my email. I have a Buck paklite that I like it just alittle to big for squirrel I like the Buck paklite capping. I like my paklite because it lightweight and made in the USA how does a folding knife works vs a fixed thanks

[ken6]

IMO and through years of use and experience: I recommend an Old Timer 77OT Muskrat. Its the knife I use and have used for squirrels to Deer. I have seen hunters with big wide blade knives on their hips going hunting, and then complain their deer taste wild. Those knives cut to many guts and bladders. Just saying.

[philco]

I like something with a spey blade when I'm skinning a critter. A stockman or a trapper either one would fit the bill. I used a Case 6347 for cleaning a few squirrels recently. The clip blade and the spey blade got the job done nicely. As others have said, it's mostly about personal preference.

Now who were you before you became new york knife co. ?

[Cutty]

IMO and through years of use and experience: I recommend an Old Timer 77OT Muskrat. Its the knife I use and have used for squirrels to Deer. I have seen hunters with big wide blade knives on their hips going hunting, and then complain their deer taste wild. Those knives cut to many guts and bladders. Just saying.

I agree with a big blade in the hands of someone who does not know what their doing. Regardless of the knife it can only do what the handler is capable of. Back to personal preference and what ever fits your style

[jmh58]

As Follows

BUCK Mini-Alpha Hunter
Fallkniven WM-1
Western Small Game
BHK Brookie
BHK Brumby Lite
BHK Bushbaby
and a few I aint tried yet!!

I like a fixed blade as no blood and guts to clean out of the joints.. JMO.. John

[big monk]

When skinning game (big or small) this Case 61265L Mid Hunter,comes to mind ___ 4 inches closed,easy to carry,thumb stud (for one hand opening), stainless blade , lockback,and up-curved blade style,makes for a great skinning knife***

[garddogg56]

I really like a thin fishing knife for partridge and a Case 18 or a Finn for small game.

[new York knife co]

I was old timer1990 I ain't been on in awhile and was using my mother email so I thought I would make a new profile. I have a buck 110 and a old timer 1250 how well does a folding knife work as far as cleaning it after thanks

[wlf]

I like something with a spey blade when I'm skinning a critter. A stockman or a trapper either one would fit the bill. I used a Case 6347 for cleaning a few squirrels recently. The clip blade and the spey blade got the job done nicely. As others have said, it's mostly about personal preference.

Now who were you before you became new york knife co. ?

I'm with Phil,a stockman with a good spey is the way.

[coffeecup]

I've cleaned a lot of small game (and bigger game, and done on-farm butchering etc) with a slipjoint. Cleanup is largely a matter of hot soapy water, and as brush like a toothbrush or similar to scrub out between the liners.

I generally use whatever pattern I'm trying out at the time, but left to my own devices, I'll use a trapper on game up to the size of a deer/wild hog.

[PigSticker]

Any small straight blade with a clip style blade that has a nice narrow blade-stay away from wider clip blades in my opinion if you're using it for mainly for small game--Western #628 are nice for small game & sturdy enough to do a deer-carbon steel and easy to dress up the blade when it get's dull & small enough it fits in your back pocket if you don't wear a belt--I always kept a pair of game scizzors in my truck or game coat too--I'll post a couple pic's of some nice straight bladed knives later today

[new York knife co]

The one I really like is tyrhe USA schrade old timer sharpfinger I have one but it's in my collection so I don't want to use it

[trutemper]

A Western small game is what Grandad used and I grew up on and I like it a lot( and I`m presently 62). Bob

[wazu013]

This is what the Germans have designed. It's called a Waidmesser or Game Keeper. The first is a Puma and the second is a Hubertus. They are even equiped with a corkscrew to open the wine you will have with fresh Game.

[Quick Steel]

This is what the Germans have designed.

I find that a really interesting design.

[Colonel26]

I'm a rabbit and bird hunter. I've never used anything other than a slip joint, usually either a stockman or a trapper. On rabbits I hang them by their back legs, make a slit in the skin on the back and pull it off over the heads, then up past the hock on the back legs. Then I take the clip blade and flay off the blackstrap, cut around the back hip joints, break off the back legs, and done, there's no need to even gut the rabbit.

Fixed blades would work but most are too wide an too long for how I clean them.

[wazu013]

I personally agree that a trapper is the best knife for Rabbit and Squirl but when you move up to a larger animal like Racoon and Cayote it's the Buck 110 all day long.

[Colonel26]

Wazu, how do them song dogs taste? Lol!

I know a family that swears bar b cued coon is some of the finest stuff you ever lapped a lip over. I've always taken their word to it.

[Camillus]

This little Case XX has been a proven winner for cleaning many rabbits, squirrel.
Stays sharp and light weight to carry.