Re: best knife for cleaning small game.
Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 8:54 pm
The original post was in "fixed blades." I assume the poster put it there for a reason. Meanwhile, I must say that I like a fixed blade for any work that has to do with animals. The handle usually is bigger and affords a better grip. Also, the knife cannot close on your hand. Although some folding locking knives qualify in both regards, they must naturally tend towards collecting blood, hair, fat, tissue and bacteria in their recesses. We carry folding knives because they are so handy for uhh... carrying, but in almost every regard otherwise, they come in second. This is true for almost every cutting job I can think of. It is also true, of course, that folding knives are just cool. I like 'em too. I do not use them for any job that I can choose a fixed blade for, if that is practical at the time. As far as skinning rabbits go, I don't need a knife. The skin comes off just fine with only my small skinny weak hands. Colonel26 is right about not needing to gut them, but you do need a knife. I don't know a thing about squirrels. Every major American manufacturer made small fixed blade knives, some of which have come to be known as "Finns," after a similar blade from Scandinavia. All these knives are very good for small game. Good hunting!