I use non-stainless steel kitchen knives. Other than initial discoloration/staining, I experience zero additional corrosion. But I clean and dry them thoroughly. I find no additional rust inhibitor or wax necessary to maintain them. But condition of their use is well controlled.

Those of you who use non-stainless or near-stainless (D2, etc.) steel fixed-blade knives: After a successful larger game (deer, elk, moose, etc.) hunt when you have field dressed and/or quartered your animal, and you will be in the field for several hours to several days, you will clean your blade as best you can then sheath it. How severely does your blade corrode (or rust or whatever deleterious effect results)? OR what procedure do you use to maintain the blade - assuming you don't carry detailed maintenance equipment with you?

Wipe it off on a pant leg and keep moving

I don't worry I use stainless knifes after have carbon ones rust on me.

The same reason I like stainless sty stocked rifles where maintenance can be a issue.

Plus one on ravenr's comment.

I don't carry a sheath knife, haven't for years.

I use two Buck 110 folding hunters and a Leatherman Multi-Tool because of the saw blade for splitting pelvis's. I rinse them off, wipe off excess water on my pant legs, put them back in my pocket and move along.

quote:

Originally posted by ravenr:
Wipe it off on a pant leg and keep moving

Me too. I do carry fixed blade knives but I keep them in my daypack.

My Randall got quite rusted/tarnished after last year's elk. My fault for not taking care of it. I rehabbed it with Flitz and its no worse for wear. Other than the Randall, most my fixed blades are of modern stainless. I've found D2 to hold the best edge for me, and is easiest to sharpen. Right now my edc is a Doizer personal from AG Russell, its a little gem of a knife. I believe Doizer prefers D2 and I've had zero problems with any corrosion.

Pretty much what ravenr said. I just wipe them off, put them back in the sheath and go on. I find the animal fat makes a pretty good protective coating. Never had one rust. When I get home, I MAY do more if I think about it.

quote:

Originally posted by ravenr:
Wipe it off on a pant leg and keep moving

Me, too. I don't like sharpening stainless knives, they're kind of gummy. My skinning knife is an old Swedish piece I've used for 50 years.

What do you guys use a knife for?

As bad a hunter as I am....and an even worse shot

I don't get a knife dirty very often

I use a sheath knife. I prefer a blade of 3/12 inch to 3 3/4 but not longer for my own knife. It is in a pocket or handy side pocket of a bag that will not come off unless I take it off. A person can get into a jam without a good sheath knife. Think of holes, falling etc etc of things that can wrong.
I have made myself folding hunters and they do ok. I was brought up using a folding knife to clean about anything. And it will. But there are times when a fixed blade sheath knife will come in right handy.
New carbon steel, go cut an apple and let that patina get on it, oil it and go forth. Stainless, wipe with water or the pants leg and go about your business.

I like D2,O1,ATS-34.All hold a good edge.I usually carry handi-wipes in my pocket.I wipe my blade with them.They are also good for after a prairie dump.

For years I have used Case pocket knives for gutting and skinning. This year I have made several knives and I plan to use some.
This one is the one I plan to use on my Antelope hunt.



This one I am thinking I am going to use on my Deer Hunt.



This one will be used to cut meat.

quote:

Originally posted by ted thorn:
What do you guys use a knife for?

As bad a hunter as I am....and an even worse shot

I don't get a knife dirty very often

SKINNING!
















































from time to time.

JAPPFT,


GWB

Skinning.....hmmmm

Whodathunkit

quote:

Originally posted by ted thorn:
Skinning.....hmmmm

Whodathunkit

ya',

when I'm not using them for "props"......









































JAPPFT,


GWB

Geedubya:

Very nice photos.

I'd have to say the old Rudy knife got my attention. That is a fine collection of knives you have. Great pictures of them being used doing what they were made to do. Scott

At least now we know what G-dub's been doing
these past weeks/ months....
Great looking knives

quote:

What do you guys use a knife for?

With a lot of practice, a closed Buck 110, makes a better beer bottle opener than a old fashioned Church Key! Or so I have been told.

quote:

Originally posted by Crazyhorseconsulting:

quote:

What do you guys use a knife for?

With a lot of practice, a closed Buck 110, makes a better beer bottle opener than a old fashioned Church Key! Or so I have been told.

Randall,

My EDC was a Boker Top Lock Auto for about 12 years before I misplaced it.





I bet I opened close to 3,000 Negra Modelo bottles with it.





JAPPFT,


GWB

I see the situation, I REALLY do not see a problem!!!

The sheathed fixed blade hunting knives poke a hole thru the end of the sheath and are not that easy to carry safety wise either.

While I have used a fixed for a lifetime I carry a suitable folder these days when BG hunting with a second serrated blade.

They are only knives.

My favorite knife

Prey in sight



Dressed and done

To bastardize a bromide.......



Life





is






just






too





short





to







employ





a





FUGLY





knife






IMHO,


Best,



GWB

Some of the previous replies are incredibly unfair to those of us who were not invited to join them for dinner. Actually, I don't care about everybody else. Why wasn't I invited?

Naphtali!

Come on Down!

Almost always cookin' up a pot of my Texas Barkin' Spider Beans









or Black-Eye Peas.........





or stew.....





sometimes grillin' some yard-bird.......





or steaks.......








smokin' a turkey......





or a pork hind........






makin' jerky











and other such non-sense.


JAPPFT,


GWB

For my purposes I like carbon steel better then stainless. I just clean them off with water after using them and wipe them with an oily rag when done hunting. I've never had one get serious rust doing this. A little tarnish is just part of a well used blade.

Carbon In my opinion takes a far finer and sharper edge then stainless and is easier to touch up in the field. One of my favorite brands is Helle which is made in Norway it has a laminated blade that's carbon steel sandwiched with stainless on the outside. It's really the best of both worlds. They may not be the prettiest compared to a lot of customs but to me the beauty is in their function in field, not their looks. Helle's designs are very practicle and well thought out.