In those temperatures I think you are spot on, a fixed blade with not a lot of metal exposed is the way to go. Exposed flesh degrades dexterity rapidly at sub zero temps. Like you mentioned, if the critter is recovered quickly enough the carcass warmth can be used to preserve finer motor skills enough to get you through field dressing. If you are skinning and quartering, especially if it isn't something you've done often and/or the location makes taking the critter apart quickly challenging, the heat dissipates rapidly at those temperatures and your hands are basically flippers... The part about becoming Blood Brothers with your quarry go way up too. When it's that cold, most guys I know don't hunt far from the road. Deer sized critters get dragged back to the rig and are processed sheltered from the elements. You guys were taking it back in pieces = experience and great memories. Thanks for sharing the adventure.
@@JohnnyJuke No doubt is was an experience, but those sort of experiences are unlikely to happen to those without experience. That's stay home weather for 99.9%. I'm impressed.
I’m looking forward to see virtuovice‘s progression or regression is this year. Last year I believe it was different versions of the Fox River EXT1. A few weeks ago he was preparing a basic Buck Vanguard to test a hollow ground blade. I don’t miss hunting in that cold weather. I did spend the day Friday bank fishing for Steelhead in right at freezing weather. Fortunately I packed some Hand Warmers...fiddling with tying line was no fun.
Thanks Johnny for the video. When I lived in Alaska I would use a Gerber fixed blade stainless steel knife. It had a flat grind and a metal green parkerized handle (don't think they make it anymore). I used it to process moose, carabou, and bear. It was always dull when finished, slippery from the blood, and hands numb from the cold. Would, also take a small folder, but only as backup.
Yes, VV in Japan does prefer the fixed blades, BRs in particular, and opts for the wooden handles, as he finds them to be 'warmer' in the cold weather. I agree with you both, and have used a fixed blade since the 80s to field dress my harvets. Thanks for the video.
A fixed blade knife with a rubber handle suits me best. Warm, good grip. Also, Ive taken to carrying surgical gloves in my kit. They give a tiny bit of insulation, enable better grip, and keep your hands clean. Some guys cut up inner tubes from bicycle tires and slip them over the knife handle - that's another way to get good grip and a bit of insulation.
I think that Fox River will do just fine!👍The 110 is my normal go-to for deer, has been for years. But this year I switched it up a little bit. For field dressing, I used the little gutting blade on a Victorinox Hunter, in tandem with a Buck 119 Special. Worked like a champ👍My skinning knife is a Buck 113 Ranger skinner, and I've never found one that works better for me. And for butchering, this year I used a Victorinox semi-flexible boning knife with a wood handle, and that's gonna be my regular butchering knife from now on. It did a great job. I've seen alot of guys around here that use those Outdoor Edge razor knives like your friend has, they seem to be pretty popular. But I've never tried one before. Cheers, buddy!
Posted a video today about a situation I had with a mule deer and knives. Large deer and all I had was a victorinox gak. Didn't think to mention the temp, but the cold had made it very necessary to have a proper tool and contributed to minor mistakes
My choice would be the Mora Heavy Duty Companion. After all it has a very nice handle, and short blade. I've never hunted in temps that cold. I think I'd stay home. As for the handle of any other knife. I would use some shrink fit grip tubing. The same stuff you use on fishing poles. It does not get slippery when wet. Not sure about cold though. But I don't hunt any more, I still fish, now and then.
@@JohnnyJuke I'm firmly on the fixed blade knife train as I prefer the ease of cleaning also. I have used a Buck 118 personal for 40 years and lately have been using a Mora Companion also. I did for years carry a small Buck folder for backup but now am carrying the two fixed blades. I have a Hogue Extrak coming with CPM M4 steel that I'm looking to use.
I realized later that my temperature conversion was incorrect. -21C is -5.8F
That's a chonky deer! Congrats Antoine! Good job guys.
Sorry you didn't get your buck Johnny, but neither did I (yet) so you're in good company!
Hey wait! That comment posted on the wrong video! ???
"Hurrow, knife-a peepurl" Hahahaha! Awesome job Johnny! Just nailing it!
In those temperatures I think you are spot on, a fixed blade with not a lot of metal exposed is the way to go. Exposed flesh degrades dexterity rapidly at sub zero temps. Like you mentioned, if the critter is recovered quickly enough the carcass warmth can be used to preserve finer motor skills enough to get you through field dressing. If you are skinning and quartering, especially if it isn't something you've done often and/or the location makes taking the critter apart quickly challenging, the heat dissipates rapidly at those temperatures and your hands are basically flippers... The part about becoming Blood Brothers with your quarry go way up too. When it's that cold, most guys I know don't hunt far from the road. Deer sized critters get dragged back to the rig and are processed sheltered from the elements. You guys were taking it back in pieces = experience and great memories. Thanks for sharing the adventure.
Thanks for your input! We were definitely out there for the experience.
@@JohnnyJuke No doubt is was an experience, but those sort of experiences are unlikely to happen to those without experience. That's stay home weather for 99.9%. I'm impressed.
I’m looking forward to see virtuovice‘s progression or regression is this year. Last year I believe it was different versions of the Fox River EXT1. A few weeks ago he was preparing a basic Buck Vanguard to test a hollow ground blade. I don’t miss hunting in that cold weather. I did spend the day Friday bank fishing for Steelhead in right at freezing weather. Fortunately I packed some Hand Warmers...fiddling with tying line was no fun.
Thanks Johnny for the video. When I lived in Alaska I would use a Gerber fixed blade stainless steel knife. It had a flat grind and a metal green parkerized handle (don't think they make it anymore). I used it to process moose, carabou, and bear. It was always dull when finished, slippery from the blood, and hands numb from the cold. Would, also take a small folder, but only as backup.
Thanks for the great comment. That sounds like a tough combination!
Yes, VV in Japan does prefer the fixed blades, BRs in particular, and opts for the wooden handles, as he finds them to be 'warmer' in the cold weather. I agree with you both, and have used a fixed blade since the 80s to field dress my harvets. Thanks for the video.
A fixed blade knife with a rubber handle suits me best. Warm, good grip. Also, Ive taken to carrying surgical gloves in my kit. They give a tiny bit of insulation, enable better grip, and keep your hands clean. Some guys cut up inner tubes from bicycle tires and slip them over the knife handle - that's another way to get good grip and a bit of insulation.
Been a long time since I field dressed a deer. But i would stay with a fixed blade all day long. Especially with all these great steels these days.
I think that Fox River will do just fine!👍The 110 is my normal go-to for deer, has been for years. But this year I switched it up a little bit. For field dressing, I used the little gutting blade on a Victorinox Hunter, in tandem with a Buck 119 Special. Worked like a champ👍My skinning knife is a Buck 113 Ranger skinner, and I've never found one that works better for me. And for butchering, this year I used a Victorinox semi-flexible boning knife with a wood handle, and that's gonna be my regular butchering knife from now on. It did a great job. I've seen alot of guys around here that use those Outdoor Edge razor knives like your friend has, they seem to be pretty popular. But I've never tried one before. Cheers, buddy!
It sounds like you’ve got a solid system going there!
Posted a video today about a situation I had with a mule deer and knives. Large deer and all I had was a victorinox gak. Didn't think to mention the temp, but the cold had made it very necessary to have a proper tool and contributed to minor mistakes
I've learned the hard way that a proper tool is critical in cold temps.
I use a bradford 5.5
What's the best knife for dressing an Arctic jackalope?
My choice would be the Mora Heavy Duty Companion. After all it has a very nice handle, and short blade. I've never hunted in temps that cold. I think I'd stay home. As for the handle of any other knife. I would use some shrink fit grip tubing. The same stuff you use on fishing poles. It does not get slippery when wet. Not sure about cold though. But I don't hunt any more, I still fish, now and then.
I appreciate your insight on the Mora and shrink fit tubing for grips!
@@JohnnyJuke I'm firmly on the fixed blade knife train as I prefer the ease of cleaning also. I have used a Buck 118 personal for 40 years and lately have been using a Mora Companion also. I did for years carry a small Buck folder for backup but now am carrying the two fixed blades. I have a Hogue Extrak coming with CPM M4 steel that I'm looking to use.