Neglected for all but a few short months out of the year, most of their time is spent collecting dust atop a gun cabinet, tucked away in the darkness of a drawer or some other forgotten place.
They’ve waited patiently to be called into action and finally as bright red, orange and yellow leaves fall to the ground, it’s their time to shine.
Like old friends, they are irreplaceable, especially if you’ve been lucky enough to have spent years or decades as trusted companions.
We clean, oil, and hone them to perfection in preparation for another season of memories. Their role is crucial and we wouldn’t dream of leaving them behind as we walk out the door on opening day. Simple, sharp and essential; they are our hunting knives.
I’m not sure what it is about a good hunting knife that lends itself to such captivation.
I remember being mesmerized while staring at glass cases filled with them at hardware and sporting goods stores as a kid. For that matter, even now I often find myself unable to walk by a display without looking.
There’s just something about polished blades, stacked leather handles and quality, hand-stitched sheathes that call hunters in like June mosquitos to a bug zapper.
The knife is one of our first and most important inventions. It allowed us to hunt, skin, butcher, make other tools and offered protection. Survival itself would not have been possible without it and I think to a certain extent, we all feel very much connected to that notion.
We have come a long way in the knife-making arena since our prehistoric predecessors knapped the first crude blades from flint. These days, there are thousands of designs available, most of which are uniquely suited to certain tasks or applications.
As far as hunting knives go, we’ve never had it so good with regard to choices. The materials used for blades, handles and sheaths are top notch. The designs are flashy, attractive and enticing.
Some are extremely practical, with built in skinning hooks or even thin replaceable blades to eliminate sharpening duties.
I must admit, most of them are quite nice and would likely make hunting and processing chores a breeze. But I don’t think I could ever retire my proven, trusty and loyal edged teammates.
When it comes to hunting knives, one doesn’t really need much to get the job done. I’ve seen deer, bear and moose dressed with small pocket knives as well as those that look better suited for a Rambo movie and everything in between.
I’ve embraced the in between and advocate heavily for simple, sturdy mid-sized knives of decent quality. Over the years, I’ve accumulated three favorites, all of which have performed wonderfully not only for field dressing duties but every other hunting-related task I’ve thrown at them.
The trio includes two fixed blades; a KA-BAR Hunter and a Knives of Alaska Jaeger. Rounding out the lineup is one of my most cherished possessions in the entire world; a Buck 110 Folding Hunter purchased 20 years ago.
Truthfully, the best knife by standard in the trio is the Jaeger. I’ve never owned a nicer knife and it’s found its place as my go-to blade for field dressing. The mood often strikes though, and the KA-BAR, with its classic stacked leather handle and traditional look, sees a fair bit of use as well.
I enjoy each of them immensely and as time goes by, I trust them more and more. Both were very graciously gifted to me in recent years but as superb as they may be, they have many dues to pay before earning equal standing with that beautiful, heavy, cumbersome, ebony-handled Buck 110 Folding Hunter.
The knife is an absolute workhorse and has walked hundreds of miles with me in a pack and on my belt. It served me well for six years worn on my duty belt as a Maine game warden, accompanying me during cases, chases, fights, search and rescues, search warrants, evidence gathering and countless other adventures.
Of course, its main function has always been that of a hunting knife, a role executed flawlessly so far. Kept well-oiled and razor sharp, it has field-dressed several moose, bear, turkey and I have no idea how many deer.
As a test of its capabilities and aptitude, I even once butchered an entire deer with it from field dressing and skinning, down to cutting steaks and stew meat. Unlike far too many things in life, it has never let me down and I won’t step into the woods without it.
A good hunting knife is more than just a tool. If you’re lucky enough to find the right one, it becomes part of who you are as a hunter. You trust it and you care for it. You take comfort in knowing it’s with you at your side every step of the way and you’d be lost without it.
Every year, I worry a great deal about losing that Buck 110 Folding Hunter.
There have been a few times I haven’t been able to find it before the season starts. I’ll look frantically for days and just as I’m about to concede, it always turns up in some strangely obvious place. Always thankful for the inexplicable reunion, together again, off we’ll go.