I'm new to deer stalking and am looking to purchase my first gralloching knife.
Would you like to appear on our site? We offer sponsored articles and advertising to put you in front of our readers. Find out moreStalking
GEORGE WALLACE says:
I remember answering a similar question some time ago but since we always have new readers, I’ll have another stab at it. (oops!)
I’m not sure whether you really mean a pure skinning knife or a more general purpose model for gralloching as well.
The pure skinner is one of those knives with a great, curved, heavy point, a bit like a miniature scimitar. Excellent for skinning deer or slashing the throats of the infidel -but buggerall use for anything else.
A more general-purpose knife will have a drop-point blade with a cutting edge of about 3½ inches. A folder with a lock blade – you don’t want it closing on your fingers – is fine and more convenient to carry than a fixed blade knife, even though a bit more difficult to clean afterwards.
My own choice for many years has been a combination of Kershaw’s Black Horse II folder and their 5in fixed blade filleter. And I use a knife with a guthook, also by Kershaw.
I had better add that I have no connection with Kershaw or the importers of their products.
It’s just that I have many knives, acquired over the last 40-odd years, but find I use my Kershaw’s almost exclusively for deer work.
I don’t know if they are the ‘best’, whatever that may mean, but they work for me so there’s no reason to spend hard-earned cash buying anything else.
Upheavals within two prominent animal welfare charities have sparked concerns about their governance and what goes on behind the scenes.
A four-year-old flatcoated retriever claims the well-fought gundog honours at Crufts, while an Italian whippet bitch is Best in Show
Get the latest news delivered direct to your door
Discover the ultimate companion for field sports enthusiasts with Shooting Times & Country Magazine, the UK’s leading weekly publication that has been at the forefront of shooting culture since 1882. Subscribers gain access to expert tips, comprehensive gear reviews, seasonal advice, and a vibrant community of like-minded shooters.
With weekly issues featuring in-depth articles on gundog training, exclusive member offers, and £2 million public liability insurance, a Shooting Times & Country subscription is more than a magazine – it’s your essential guide to the rich traditions and thrilling world of field sports. Don’t just read about the countryside; immerse yourself in its most authoritative and engaging publication.