Top 5 Deer Hunting Knives

The right knife can make field dressing a deer a simple process. Whether you prefer using specialized knives for each step of the process, or want a do it all knife, MidwayUSA has what you need. Here are our picks for the best field dressing knives, along with an overview of some of the knife styles you may need.

Field Dressing

When field dressing, a medium-sized knife with a gut hook is ideal; this allows you to be sure you don't puncture the stomach when cutting between the ribs and the pelvic area. For hunters who prefer to split the chest, a knife with serrations or a bone saw may be preferred for this step. Models like the Knives of Alaska Trekker Whitetail and Buck Knives 191 are great field dressing options.

Skinning and Meat Processing

 Once the deer is field dressed and you're on to processing, a smaller knife will give you more control to make the smaller cuts. Knives like the Gerber Vital and Havalon Piranta offer hunters a simple and easy skinning process with replaceable blades.

Combination Sets

While there are some knives that can do it all, MidwayUSA offers hunting knife sets to ensure you have what you need. The Outdoor Edge Wild-Guide Set provides hunters with a field dressing knife, skinning knife, and bone saw to help cover the entire process.
1

Knives of Alaska Trekker Whitetail Hunter/Cub Bear Combination Fixed Blade Knife Set D2 Tool Steel Blades SureGrip Handle Black

The legendary Knives of Alaska have been field proven in the most extreme and abusive hunting conditions, and passed with flying colors. Designed by professional guide Charles Allen, Knives of Alaska are expertly designed and feature the ruggedness and durability you need to handle all your hunting and skinning tasks. Holding a Knives of Alaska knife in hand reveals the quality and craftsmanship that professional guides and hunters across the world have come to trust.

The Knives of Alaska Trekker Whitetail Hunter/Cub Bear Fixed Blade Knife Set will cover every task you can think of, and is still a lightweight set. The Whitetail Hunter is classic designed hunting knife that is extremely versatile. The Whitetail Hunter features a deep belly and longer cutting radius on the blade, making if perfect for skinning and slicing, and wide guthook that that will not bind on hide. The double finger choils provide control over the blade, as well as added safety for keeping your hand from sliding onto the blade. The D2 Tool Steel Drop Point blade is Double Drawn Heat Tempered for maximum edge retention. The knife comes hand sharpened from the factory with a special convex edge that easily slice through tough hide. The D2 Tool Steel should be thoroughly cleaned an oiled after each use to prevent corrosion. The SureGrip handle is comfortable and also provides a secure grip even when wet. Includes a high quality leather sheath.

The Knives of Alaska Cub Bear Fixed Blade Knife is perfectly designed for caping your next trophy. The high quality D2 Tool Steel, Double Drawn Heat Tempered blade, holds an edge extremely well. The slim handle and finger choils are designed to give you full control over the fine Clip Point blade, making tedious caping tasks easier. The blade design also works very well as "Bird and Trout" knife for field dressing birds and other small to medium sized game. The Cub Bear features a Black Suregrip handle that is comfortable and slip resistant. When you need good caping knife, pick up a Cub Bear, the choice professional hunters and taxidermist have been using for years. Includes a high quality leather sheath.

 

  • Blade Shape: Whitetail Hunter - Drop Point; Cub Bear - Clip Point
  • Blade length: Whitetail Hunter 3.25", Cub Bear 2.75"
  • Overall Length: Whitetail Hunter 8.25", Cub Bear 6.5"

 

What Customers Are Saying

I would buy this product again

Great steel with a terrific edge, the pair are perfect for whitetail dressing. Both fit the hand nicely and still have a good grip when wet.
- SB, 12/5/2022

About Knives of Alaska

Knives of Alaska has a rich history and a commitment to producing high-quality blades since its establishment in 1993. Knives of Alaska's core product offering includes a diverse range of fixed-blade hunting knives, folding knives, axes, tomahawks, knife sharpeners, saws, fishing fillet knives and specialty tools designed for outdoor enthusiasts, hunters, and professional guides. Knives of Alaska's blades are known for their sharpness, edge retention, and ergonomic designs. Whether it's a field dressing knife, a caping knife, or a survival tool, their knives are built to handle demanding tasks in the field. With popular models such as the Trekker Whitetail Hunter, Cub Bear, Magnum Wolverine and Bush Camp, Knives of Alaska has you covered. With their unwavering commitment to quality and reliability, Knives of Alaska is a trusted choice for those seeking top-notch blades.

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2

Benchmade Hunt Flyway Fixed Blade Knife

Upland game, waterfowl, and smallspecies fishing require a scalpel-like fixed blade that works for breasting out game birds or gutting trout. The Benchmade Flyway Fixed Blade Knife is the tool for the upland job because there is no excessive amount of blade for game bird processing and this knife is easy to throw into a pack for river or stream trips. A unique blade shape with SelectEdge application, G10 handle boasting dialed-in ergonomics and the dual-colored Boltaron sheath make this a tool, not a toy.

Features

  • Smaller blade for precise cutting
  • Sheath included
  • Durable G10 handle for superior grip

About Benchmade

Benchmade founder Les deAsis began building handmade custom Bali-Songs in the 1980s. In 1987, the Benchmade Knife Company was founded on the belief that real quality means forever, and on a strong commitment to product quality and customer relationships. Today, Benchmade continues to focus on innovation, customer needs, responsible business ethics, and operations to bring the highest quality products to the world’s elite. Benchmade produces an extensive offering, including folding knives, kitchen knives, hunting knives, tactical knives, knife sharpeners, and multi-tools. Benchmade is known for its most popular models like the Mini Crooked River, 940, and Griptillian. Benchmade stakes its reputation on you carrying the best.

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3

Buck Knives 685 BuckLite Max II Fixed Blade Knife

With your choice of a standard drop point blade or guthook, the large BuckLite Max II is a knife for every hunter. The full tang, ergonomic handle is constructed out of Dynaflex rubber for superior grip, performance, and light weight. The drop point blade has been tumbled finished, for a less porous, improved corrosion resistance. Buck’s advanced Edge2x blade technology has been applied to the blade resulting in insane sharpness out of the box. Comes with a heavy-duty, black polyester sheath.  

What Customers Are Saying

I would definitely buy again.

Well made and durable like all Bucks.
- Steve, 3/24/2021

About Buck Knives

Buck Knives, an iconic name in the realm of American knife manufacturers, boasts a rich heritage dating back to 1902. Founded by Hoyt Buck, the company has been synonymous with craftsmanship, quality, and innovation for over a century. Their core product offering encompasses a diverse range of pocket knives, fixed-blade or folding knives, hunting and skinning knives, tactical blades, and everyday carry knives. Each Buck knife is meticulously crafted, incorporating proprietary heat-treatment processes and state-of-the-art technologies for optimal performance and durability. MidwayUSA offers an extensive line of Buck Knives including the legendary 110 folder, Creek, and 112. With commitment to quality, precision, and attention to detail, Buck Knives continues to uphold its legacy as a purveyor of fine American-made blades, embodying a spirit of craftsmanship and reliability. Buck. Ingenuity runs in the family.

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4

Benchmade Hunt MeatCrafter Fixed Blade Knife 6.08" Trailing Point CPM S45VN Satin Blade G-10 Handle Green

The Benchmade Hunt MeatCrafter Fixed Blade Knife makes preparation easier than it’s ever been in stylish yet functional form. Featuring Benchmade’s SelectEdge technology, the cutting experience has just been redefined.

Features

  • Sleek carbon fiber handle
  • Boltaron sheath included
  • Large lanyard hole

About Benchmade

Benchmade founder Les deAsis began building handmade custom Bali-Songs in the 1980s. In 1987, the Benchmade Knife Company was founded on the belief that real quality means forever, and on a strong commitment to product quality and customer relationships. Today, Benchmade continues to focus on innovation, customer needs, responsible business ethics, and operations to bring the highest quality products to the world’s elite. Benchmade produces an extensive offering, including folding knives, kitchen knives, hunting knives, tactical knives, knife sharpeners, and multi-tools. Benchmade is known for its most popular models like the Mini Crooked River, 940, and Griptillian. Benchmade stakes its reputation on you carrying the best.

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5

Buck Knives 105 Pathfinder Fixed Blade Knife

The Buck Pathfinder is a classically designed hunting knife, with a modified clip point stainless steel blade. This knife is perfect for cleaning game and any camp chore you can throw it's way. This is a smaller version of the popular Buck 119 Special knife. This is a classic, all-purpose, heavy duty knife.

The Buck Pathfinder features 420HC Steel. This is Buck's standard blade material because it approaches the wear resistance of high carbon alloys while delivering the corrosion resistance of chromium stainless steels. Add an exclusive heat-treat process and you have a very user-friendly combination of superior corrosion resistance with excellent strength for wear resistance and durability. You also have a blade that is easy to resharpen. For best performance Buck harden to a Rockwell hardness of Rc 58. 

Features

  • 420HC Steel
  • Leather sheath included



What Customers Are Saying

Owned this model and a ...

Owned this model and a previous same model that had a Kraton handle. Both hold a edge well and are easy to touch up razor sharp with stone. Mine have lasted more than twenty years and is still going strong. Great blade design for field dressing, skinning, quartering and have used for caping. Although I have a buck caper that is excellent in its function as well.
- RP, 2/25/2010

About Buck Knives

Buck Knives, an iconic name in the realm of American knife manufacturers, boasts a rich heritage dating back to 1902. Founded by Hoyt Buck, the company has been synonymous with craftsmanship, quality, and innovation for over a century. Their core product offering encompasses a diverse range of pocket knives, fixed-blade or folding knives, hunting and skinning knives, tactical blades, and everyday carry knives. Each Buck knife is meticulously crafted, incorporating proprietary heat-treatment processes and state-of-the-art technologies for optimal performance and durability. MidwayUSA offers an extensive line of Buck Knives including the legendary 110 folder, Creek, and 112. With commitment to quality, precision, and attention to detail, Buck Knives continues to uphold its legacy as a purveyor of fine American-made blades, embodying a spirit of craftsmanship and reliability. Buck. Ingenuity runs in the family.

Shop Now