Has Anyone Used a Spyderco Folder for Field Dressing?

[JD Spydo]

I've also used an older Spyderco TEMPERANCE 1 model to field dress a white tail deer a few years back. It was the plain edged version of the TEMP 1 that I used one weekend during rifle season here in Missouri. It worked great but the folders I mentioned in a previous post were also really good for that field dressing job as well.

I have no doubt that there are at least 20 Spyderco models that would do a superb job field dressing a deer or any other game animal for that matter.

Joe what you have stated pretty much sums it up . I would consider a linerless and to be honest a Pacific Salt could do the job for me of wanting to go folder . We in reality have more options already on the table than some other companies. Whatever feels good in hand and holds a good edge is the main thing . MG2

Well said my friend

Oh I almost forgot to mention that way back in 2008 I think it was I had my Spyderco C-111 Captain model and it proved to be a really nice skinning folder on one of my deer hunts. As much as the old Spyderco IMPALA model was so well loved back in the day I'm surprised that no one here gave it an honorable mention. I still think it would be a cool Sprint Run at some point.

And for sure you just can't hardly go wrong with several of the SALT SERIES models. Especially if you are way out in the woods and have no access to running water the Salt Series models would be my pick in those extreme conditions.

[Mad Mac]

Cousin Dave hunts deer and hog on my place
and has used several of my Spyderco knives.

A backup Cara Cara processed an unexpected hog.
A Tenacious SE made quick work of cutting through the hide
and severing tendons, ligaments and cartilage in joints
in another hog.

Blood Warning: this link leads to Cousin Dave in action
using those knives and others
and my thoughts on the matter.
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=82681&p=1300436#p1300305

The handy little Rhino has a large belly
and may make a good skinning knife
or for working in the abdominal cavity
as skeeg11 pointed out.
But I have not tried it yet.

Finally, my own experience has been limited.
But once I did use my only knife on hand at the time,
my utilitarian ClipiTool Standard,
to remove the noble head of my dear Longhorn
to take to the taxidermist for a European mount.
Here is my eulogy to her.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=77622&p=1410596#p1410596

[kells45]

I’ve used my pm2 and militaries before. My problem with using a folder is the gunk getting in the lock work. Not a big issue though. A quick rinse in the field and a scrub down at the house. My 52100 military took on a richer patina after dressing a deer out, m4 steel not so much. I usually have a fixed blade esee with my pm2 or one of the militaries as companions on a hunt.

[S-3 ranch]

Oh my !
Yes 100’s upon 100’s
Started using a G2 delica full serrated as a edc, and unzipping deer , hogs , pronghorn in the 1990’s ( still got it and use it often)
Since then I added a endela, endura , stretch 2 ,tenacious S35vn
The BD1 raven2 is what I bought for my full time guides and ranch hands & usually gift one for a new hunter with out a knife
My delica has cleaned a bunch of fish , ducks, geese, deer & hogs
Nothing beats a spydie edge(serrated) for unzipping hogs & elk when you got 2-3 on the ground

[El Cid]

Used mine to split a hamstring to tag a buck this evening…

[u.w.]

Outstanding El Cid & Congrats on the eats!

u.w.

[Fharing45]

Used my ayoob serrated today to dress and quarter up a 120 lb doe. I can't begin to tell you how sharp this knife is in cutting thru ribs, splitting down, and overall skinning and quartering. Overall a perfect performance from a pocket knife.

[SpyderEdgeForever]

The original Stretch would have peformed well in this regard, I believe.
Some of the Spyderco fixed blades would also work well in this application.

[SpyderNut]

The original Stretch would have peformed well in this regard, I believe.
Some of the Spyderco fixed blades would also work well in this application.

Good to see you back, SEF! You were missed by a lot of us here. (Sorry for the de-rail, folks).

Back on topic: I carried an Impala (with the gut hook) many years ago for whitetail hunting. Cool design.

[u.w.]

The original Stretch would have performed well in this regard, I believe.
Some of the Spyderco fixed blades would also work well in this application.

The original Stretch absolutely does perform exceptionally well in this regard. I have used mine for dressing various game many, many times.

To this day it easily is, and has remained, one of my favorite Spydies.

u.w.

[Soulrack]

I've used my CS CTS-XHP PM2 before. It's blaze orange but not ideal. Used my Magnacut Mule this past weekend, again not the ideal blade shape but it worked. I was worried about the thinness of the edge but it split the ribcage and performed the other tasks without damage and remains very sharp. My old Dozier (trailing point) straight hunter is just so perfect for the task...

[skeeg11]

In its day, my Doziers have seen a lot of blood, guts and field work. They've been retired by my SpydieChef.

[Enactive]

The original Stretch would have peformed well in this regard, I believe.
Some of the Spyderco fixed blades would also work well in this application.

OT/

Welcome back, SEF!

[JD Spydo]

Oh my !
Yes 100’s upon 100’s
Started using a G2 delica full serrated as a edc, and unzipping deer , hogs , pronghorn in the 1990’s ( still got it and use it often)
Since then I added a endela, endura , stretch 2 ,tenacious S35vn
The BD1 raven2 is what I bought for my full time guides and ranch hands & usually gift one for a new hunter with out a knife
My delica has cleaned a bunch of fish , ducks, geese, deer & hogs
Nothing beats a spydie edge(serrated) for unzipping hogs & elk when you got 2-3 on the ground

G-2 Holy Cow!! you go back about as far as I do using Spyders. I unzipped my first deer using a serrated Spyder ( ATS-55 Police model SE). I also love my Catcherman models SE & CE for fish and small game.

Those older G-2 Endura models were a real workhorse. I had a beater G-2 Endura SE that I used for everything from landscaping to concrete work. And believe it or not I'm pretty sure someone stole it while on a job back in 2001.

Even though those older models with G-2, GIN-1 and AUS-8 ( PE, CE & SE) didn't have near the quality of blade steel as they do now they were still extremely rugged tools that could endure a horrific amount of punishment.

[JD Spydo]

The original Stretch would have peformed well in this regard, I believe.
Some of the Spyderco fixed blades would also work well in this application.

You better believe that some of Spyderco's earlier fixed blades would also take on tough jobs. I could write a book on my TEMPERANCE 1 models ( PE & SE). The TEMP 1 was truly an incredible "IN HOUSE" Design that Sal concocted. I still wish they would take the TEMP 1 model and do a Salt Series version of it in both PE & SE. Make a really affordable fixed blade with corrosion proof steel. It would be a slam dunk I'm certain.

[JestersHK]

I unzipped a doe with my Manix 2 field dressing on Sunday of opening weekend and a buddy took the back straps out of the hog from Saturday which they cooked up already.

Was going to take the hide off that yote too, but it was covered in mites...

[MileHiKnifeGuy]

This is the model I use.

[Foehammer]

Very interesting replies, thanks guys! I have yet to get a deer this year but I plan on using a pm2 for most of the processing so we’ll see how that goes.

[Fharing45]

img images

2nd dear this season, took my spydercos, quartered in woods and packed out. The ayoob is a cutting machine. The spyderco hatchet makes short work of breaking them down. A perfect combo.

[Ranger_Ike]

Used my native 5 in SPY27 this morning to field dress and then skin out two deer. Handled the task extremely well. The only time I wished I had a little more blade length was when cutting around the hip joints to separate the hind quarters.