Sharp Knives are the key to Safety

I often tell my boys "a sharp knife is safer than a dull knife" when they look at me confused I explain to them, "If it is very sharp not as much effort is needed for the job, and the less pressure you are placing on the blase the more control you have over it."

In my hunting career, I have used several types of knives to clean game everything from an Old timer 34OT pocket knife to custom made skinning knives. Any knife will do as long as it is very sharp. When cleaning game, which is becoming a lost art, (more on that in another thread coming later.) A sharp knife is essential. The sharper the better. I like to place as little pressure as possible on my blades when unzipping an animal. I know then it will cut where I intend and how I intend. The knife blade needs to be an extension of your hand and go where your mind is directing it with very little effort.

Asking a hunter to use his knife is like asking his wife on a date. It is just not done. Most dedicated hunters have an affinity with their knives, they have memories and stories about the exploits with their favorite knife. I am the same way. I have several dozen lying around and all have their own stories, but like most, I do have my favorites that I use more than others.

A good knife must fit the hand well, not allowing for fatigue in the hand when using it. This is especially true when dressing large game that may take several hours to do in the field. It is also true of mid-sized game where the knife is used in more confined spaces. My personal favorite is a custom knife I made several years ago before a moose hunt in Alaska. It is made from 550 Stainless, 4" blade with a cocobolo handle. Since it was my first attempt at making a knife the handle does not fit as well as others I have made, but it has the memory of cleaning my first and only bull moose, my largest deer and my son's first deer. So it is my favorite. I keep it razor sharp. That is what I like about 550 stainless, it is hard to sharpen, but it does keep an edge better than any other type of blade I have ever used.

Before each season I will spend hours sharpening and resharpening my knives, and I always take along a set of crock sticks and a hard stone with me. In my pack I will carry the small (3") hard stone with me to resharpen the knife while dressing the game animal.

Keeping a sharp knife is essential to good and proper cleaning of game. Take the time to sharpen them, and keep them sharp, the process goes faster and is much safer than if you have a dull knife. Nothing aggravates me more than trying to dress game with a dull knife. And to top it off, it is just plain not safe.