Any elk hunters here?

[ragnik]

Hi all,

Got a question! My boss is an avid elk hunter, we live in Pennsylvania but he goes out west to hunt elk at least once a year. He keeps mumbling about a better knife!

he has been good to me and I am thinking of making him one to use. My problem is I hunt but I have never hunted elk so I have no clue what style of knife would be best! Also what length blade, thickness etc. If anyone has any idea let me know I would be grateful.

Thanks

Ross

[Sweany]

Deep belly, 3" to 5" blade.

Kinda like this one
Belly

I don't like a handle with more than one finger groove though, the one finger grove allows a multi postion grip.

Small guard, enough to keep the hand back but not enough to get in the way.

Oh yeah, the handle material needs to be "grippy".

[Raymond Richard]

Most elk hunters I know as long as there's blood on the knife there pretty happy......

[Sweany]

Yeah Ray, you are right about that.
Oh good edge holding would probably beat anything.

[DC KNIVES]

Ross,Any design is subjective to any number of hunters so I wish you good luck.That being said, I had sold this knife to a good customer who just went Elk hunting a couple of weeks ago in Colorado.He got back last week and was very happy.He got and dressed 2 Elk and 1 Muledeer.Dave

[ragnik]

So far it sounds like any type will do!!! Depending on the hunter. I like the belly design seems like it would skin easier, and dave that is a nice looking knife and from your comments must be a great user too!!

I was mainly worried that you needed a bigger knife then say what we use in Pa for whitetails, but it seems that that may not be the case!!

Thanks gang

Ross

[Chuck Burrows]

Ross-

Ross Seyfried - gunwriter for Rifle and Handloader, owns and operates an elk hunting ranch in Oregon and his favorite knives have 3-4" inch drop point blades.
Secondly living in the heart of Elk country most of the knives I see on the belts of the local guides all pretty much fit into the 3-5" blade length - styles vary some, but most are drop point or a variation there of. More important than length is edge holding ability - elk are BIG critters. It helps to have a blade long enough to do some butchering - you have to quarter an elk - they are generally too big to pack out in one piece - average size is around 400 lbs on the hoof and can top 700.
Deep belly knives have an advantage for skinning and butchering, but it also limits them some what for caping an elk (or any other critter) for a head mount. Most pros carry a pair of knives a skinner/butcher and a smaller caper.

[Raymond Richard]

When I go bow hunting I never get anything so no need for a knife. Why carry the extra weight if you don't need it. I do have arrows but they don't seem to be much good except for roasting marshmellows......