Types of Hunting Knives and Their Uses | Ultimate Guide
It is very important to choose the right type of hunting knife when you go out on a hunt. The wrong knife can easily make things much more difficult and can even be dangerous.
There are many different types of hunting knives available on the market, so it is important to know which is best for the task.
Depending on what you hunt and the size of your prey, you may need a skinning, boning, or a more versatile multi-purpose blade.
In thetypes of hunting knives guide, you'll learn about each knife type and which one is best for your needs.
These Are The Types Of Hunting Knives You Must Know
We are going to discuss the types of hunting knives and uses for each so those ready for the next outdoor adventure can prepare ahead.
What is a hunting knife?
A hunting knife is a knife used during hunting for various purposes such as skinning, field dressing, and butchering the game. It is also used for cutting up the meat and preparing it for cooking.
The hunting knife has a long history, with the first ones dating back to the Stone Age. The earliest hunting knives were made of flint or obsidian and had a sharpened edge on one side.
These days, Damascus steel is often used to make hunting knives as it is very strong and can hold a sharp edge for a long time.
A Damascus hunting knife has a beautiful wavy pattern on the blade, which is created by folding and welding multiple layers of steel together. It’s sure to impress when taken out of the sheath.
Types of hunting knives and their uses
There are several different types of hunting knives out there, and each one is suitable for a specific task.
Those of us who cannot wait to get out there and spend some time in nature always have our knives with us in the field.
These are the types of knives to consider:
Bowie knife
The Bowie knife is a large fixed-blade knife. It has a long, wide blade with a sharp point and is usually between six and twelve inches in length.
It's got a stour single-edged blade which is concave and curved. The Bowie knife is also known for its large cross-guard, which protects the user's hand.
This knife is a very versatile hunting knife and can be used for skinning, butchering, and even chopping wood. A bowie knife is used as a tool therefore it’s a great option for those who want a multipurpose hunting knife.
Those of us who spend many days in nature use the Bowie knife as a good all-around hunting knife.
It can be used for many different tasks, so you're not limited to cutting up and boning flesh.
Skinner or skinning knife
The skinner or skinning knife is a small, sharp knife that is used for skinning animals. It has a short, 4.5 inch curved blade and 4.5 inch handle, giving it a balanced feel in your hand. This makes it easy to control when you’re sliding the blade across the skin.
The skinner is a very important hunting knife as it is used to remove the hide from the animal. It is also used to remove the fur from the hide so that it can be used for clothing or other purposes.
The skinner is a very versatile hunting knife and can also be used for other tasks such as gutting fish or cleaning small game.
Bushcraft
A bushcraft is best described as a multi-purpose hunting knife. In terms of design, the bushcraft knife is very similar to the skinner, but the blade is slightly longer, which makes it better suited for larger game.
It has a fixed blade that is usually between three and five inches in length.
Those of us who go after larger prey use this versatile hunting knife because it can be used for skinning, boning game, and cutting.
Gut hook knife
The gut hook knife is a specialized hunting knife that is used for gutting animals.
It has a curved blade with a sharp point that is used to pierce the animal's stomach and then open it up so that the guts can be removed.
The gut hook knife is a very important hunting knife for hunters who want to avoid getting their hands dirty.
It is also a very efficient way to gut an animal and can be done in a matter of seconds.
Larger knives
Sometimes a bigger knife is a must-have when you’re out in nature because you can never be quite sure what you’ll come across.
A larger knife is necessary because it has a long, thin blade with a sharp pointed tip. Hunters use it to pierce an animal's heart without causing damage to the other organs.
It is easy to use and won't destroy the skin and meat around the heart.
This knife is also called a drop point knife and is suitable for hunting small and big game.
The clip point knife has a unique appearance because it looks like the front part of the blade is “clipped” off. But it’s another excellent option for piercing flesh and meat processing.
Finally, the spear point is a knife with a long, symmetrical blade. Those of us who prefer extreme precision use it to pierce the organs and flesh and make clean cuts.
How do I know what type of hunting knife I need?
Now that you know the different types of hunting knives and their uses, you need to choose the right one for your needs.
The best way to do this is to think about what type of hunting you will be doing and what tasks you will need the knife for.
If you are going to be doing a lot of skinning, then a skinning knife is a good choice.
Whereas if you are going to be doing a lot of butchering, then a Bowie knife would be a better choice because of its blade shape.
It is also a good idea to have more than one hunting knife so that you have a knife for every task.
Having a few different knives will make your life a lot easier when you are out hunting and you’ll be able to avoid rough cuts and injury.
Those of us eager to get out there and spend our time in nature come prepared with a set of hunting knives for the occasion.
Where to buy the type of hunting knife I need?
BigCat Knife has all the types of knives hunting enthusiasts need. You can buy a handmade hunting knife with sheath included and a wavy Damascus steel blade.
They have a wide variety of fixed blade knives. They also offer a variety of different handle materials to choose from.
Those of us who take our outdoor activities seriously know that a quality knife can greatly enhance our experience so of course a hunting knife is indispensable!