Nebraskaland

JULY 2015 • NEBRASKAland 29 The best blade shape for hunting is the drop point (see knife photo on opposite page). The tip is lowered in a convex curve from the spine, which gives the blade both increased control and point strength. A clip point (like the famous Buck 110 folder) has a concave "cut-out" at the tip, which creates a sharper point, but less strength. While both are fine for hunting, you are less likely to nick a deer's internal organs with a drop point, which, if you've ever done it, is unpleasant, to say the least (and could taint the meat). Blade shapes like the tanto, sheep's foot, spear and dagger are not for deer hunting. For years I used a knife with a gut hook. It's a great way to "unzip" the front of the deer's belly without risking puncturing the internal organs. However, once you are inside of the deer's body cavity – especially when you are "up to your elbows" – the gut hook only gets in the way, snags on viscera, and is generally bothersome. It's also unnecessary. With a little practice, you will learn to pull the skin of the deer upward while making the long incision. While serrations can sometimes be useful to cut tendons (they're made to cut rope), they are hard to sharpen and generally unnecessary. Some hunting knives feature a few serrations near the bottom of the blade to offer some "toothiness" if you should need it (which you probably won't). Sometimes, hunting blades will feature a choil for your index finger – an unsharpened area between the guard and the sharp edge – to give more control. But this defeats the purpose of having a guard and exposes your index finger to the edge should you slip, which can happen when your hands are covered in blood. Get a Grip For many hunters, the grip is important for aesthetic reasons, and I'm no different. I've had custom grips (scales) made for perfectly functional knives. A good grip is, well, grippy. Remember, your hands will be bloody, and you don't want them to slip. Rubber is a functional material, but I prefer antler, bone, or wood based purely on looks and feel. Avoid grips that are laminated, though, since they are slippery. Stacked leather looks and feels great, but can be difficult to clean because it absorbs liquid. All hunting knives should have a single guard on the side with the edge, even if it is just a small bump. A double guard (one on the back) is unnecessary and is designed for fighting. Avoid deep finger grooves, sharp corners, and bumpy logos since these will just give you blisters. Above all, the grip should feel comfortable in your hand. A good deer knife combines function, safety, comfort and aesthetics. ■ Matthew Marx is an instructor at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. He has a passion for deer hunting, bass fishing and camping. Matthew's first story for NEBRASKAland, entitled "Out in the Cold," was in the January-February 2008 issue. Tanto Sheep's Foot Spear F I d k if i h h k I ' Dagger Gut Hook The author with a deer he harvested near Tekamah in Burt County. with a deer he t County Buck 110 Folder Clip Point o cut to nives

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