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Choosing the right knife for field dressing can be a long, confusing, and stressful process. Trying to determine what features, materials, blade shapes, and sheaths work for you will feel mind-boggling because of the amount of options out there on the market. In this buyers guide, I have compiled a list of fantastic knives from a few different categories that will serve as a fantastic starting place for your search for the best field dressing knives for the money.
Key Takeaways
- The Benchmade Altitude is my choice for Best Overall Field Dressing Knife.
- The ABKT Elite Shadow Predator is a top candidate for Best Budget Field Dressing Knife.
- The Best Small Game Field Dressing Knife is the Benchmade Flyway.
- The Best Big Game Field Dressing Knife is the Benchmade Hunt Saddle Mountain Skinner.
- The Benchmade Taggedout is one of the Best Folding Field Dressing Knives.
- The Gerber Vital is my top choice for Best Replaceable Blade Field Dressing Knives.
- The Falkniven Taiga is the Best Luxury Field Dressing Knife.
- The Best Gut-Hook Field Dressing Knife is the Toor Knives Merilin.
Best Overall Field Dressing Knife: Benchmade Altitude Fixed Blade Knife Orange Cerakote w/ CF 15201OR
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PROS CONS
- Featherweight design
- Great ergonomics
- Ultra-thin blade
- Great cutting performance
- Premium steel
- Handle may feel a little too slim
- Sheath design isn’t great
The Benchmade Altitude was designed from the start as a premium, ultra-light fixed blade knife. The Altitude is perfect for anyone who is trying to save as much weight as possible for long treks in the backcountry, or that big game hunt. The blade is crafted from CPM-S90V steel, which favores extreme edge retention and rust resistance over toughness and ease of sharpening. For these reasons, I feel that the Altitude makes for a nearly perfect field dressing knife. When you’re getting your hands dirty finally harvesting that trophy buck, stopping to resharpen your knife can feel like a hassle.
The CPM-S90V has edge retention capable of staying razor-sharp after prolonged use, meaning you’ll feel the need to sharpen less and get the job done as quickly as possible. The only issue I have with the Benchmade Altitude is the sheath. Although it’s not terrible, the sheath does leave a lot to be desired for me. The way the sheath is produced limits the mounting capabilities. It will work with only very specific types of mounting hardware. You can bypass adding an aftermarket clip, by looping a belt through the slots on the sheath. However, your belt will have to be very slim to work properly.
Overall, I feel the Benchmade Altitude is the best field dressing knife for those who have the budget and are looking to buy a very high-quality hunting knife.
Best Budget Field Dressing Knife: ABKT Elite Shadow Predator Fixed Blade Knife Black G-10 (3.25″ Black Stonewash)
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PROS CONS
- Great blade shape
- Comfortable handle
- Affordable
- Heavy
- D2 steel can rust easily
American Buffalo Knife and Tool is a lesser-known knife brand that makes some great budget knives that perform well above their price tag. The Shadow Predator is no different. The blade has a great shape that lends itself well to field dressing and/or skinning game. The tip is upswept enough to allow for safe slicing, and the handle is designed to complement different gripping methods comfortably.
The sheath is another standout feature of the Shadow Predator. The tough kydex sheath secures the knife firmly inside with a satisfying click and allows for various other types of mounting clips or hardware. The only drawbacks here are the blade steel choice and the overall weight of the knife. D2 steel is fine; however, it will need to be resharpened frequently during prolonged use and is prone to rusting – something very important to consider when you are expecting the knife to come in contact with blood. And the weight… although it’s not the heaviest knife on the list, it certainly isn’t what I would consider lightweight.
Overall, the ABKT Shadow Predator is a fantastic budget option for those looking for a high-performing field dressing knife at a lower price point.
Best Small Game Field Dressing Knife: Benchmade Flyway Fixed Blade Hunting Knife OD Green G-10 (2.7″ Satin) 15700-01
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PROS CONS
- Scalpel-like performance
- Great ergonomics
- Premium materials
- Sheath isn’t great
- May be too small for larger game
The Benchmade Flyway is far and away my top choice for best small game field dressing knife. The small, thin, and scalpel-like blade design make this knife slice better than most knives I’ve ever used. If you are looking for a knife that is surgically sharp out of the box, there might not be a better option than this.
Another huge perk is the blade steel, CPM-S90V to be exact. Not only does this knife ship with a wicked sharp edge, but it will also stay sharp for an incredibly long time, meaning less sharpening and less headache. The way the Flyway is designed makes it feel very comfortable in hand. It may have a small blade, but the handle is full-sized and easy to hold onto, even for people with larger hands.
The only negative I have found with the Flyway is the sheath (a common Benchmade problem). The kydex sheath is fine, but my particular version came with a very loose-fitting sheath and the same lack of mounting options as my other Benchmade knives.
However, I do believe that there isn’t a better small game field dressing knife on the market right now. Yeah, the Flyway is fairly expensive, but it’s worth it, in my honest opinion.
Best Big Game Field Dressing Knife: Benchmade Hunt 15002-1 Saddle Mountain Skinner Fixed Blade Knife Richlite/S90V
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PROS CONS
- Premium materials
- Large enough to handle any-sized game
- Great cutting performance
- Relatively lightweight
- Handle can absorb blood
- Difficult to use in confined spaces
Of all the knives featured on this list, the Benchmade Saddle Mountain Skinner is probably the most famous of them all. Big game hunters from all over the world swear by it because when hunting big game, everything scales up and the need for a smaller-sized blade diminishes somewhat in favor of larger blades with more cutting power.
The Saddle Mountain Skinner features a 4-plus-inch blade, making it a genuinely “full-sized” knife. The blade is forged from high-end CPM-S90V steel, meaning this beast will cut for a long, long time without needing to be resharpened. When you’re in the thick of it, stopping to sharpen your knife can feel tedious, especially when you are racing against the clock to get the animal field dressed and prepped before Mother Nature takes over.
The handle is made from a layered paper and resin micarta material called Richlite. The handle feels soft and comfortable and enhances the user experience quite dramatically. However, the handle can absorb blood and other fluids, so make sure to clean the knife well after each use.
Given the overall size, blade geometry, and material choice, it’s hard not to recommend the Benchmade Saddle Mountain Skinner as the best big game field dressing knife available right now.
Best Folding Field Dressing Knife: Benchmade Taggedout AXIS Lock Knife OD Green G-10 (3.5″ Satin) 15536
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PROS CONS
- Premium materials
- Lightweight
- Deep carry pocket clip
- Axis lock
- Blade tip is prone to breaking
- Could be a bit too big for smaller hands
In a market dominated by fixed blades, it’s really nice to see a folder that stacks up with the best of them. The Benchmade Taggedout is clearly an evolution of the iconic Buggout knife, only this time catered specifically to hunters and outdoorsmen looking for a folding knife that can tackle big game when needed. By blending the function of the Crooked River blade and the portability of the Bugout, Benchmade has conjured up a new knife that sets the gold standard for what it means to be a modern folding hunting knife.
The blade is made from a thin stock of CPM-S45VN steel, making the Taggedout perform extremely well out in the field. You get great edge retention, amazing corrosion resistance, and decent toughness. Honestly, CPM-S45VN is one of the best steel choices for any knife, especially a field dressing knife.
The Taggedout features the famous Axis-Lock that Benchmade is known for, meaning there is no need to worry about strength or safety here. The handle is made from sturdy G-10 scales, which feel great in hand and keep the weight down. Not only is this by far my favorite folding field dressing knife, but I would also feel more than comfortable carrying the Taggedout as my go-to everyday carry knife.
Best Replaceable Blade Field Dressing Knife: Gerber Vital Fixed Blade Knife Orange GFN (3″ Satin) G3006
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PROS CONS
- Replaceable blades
- Comfortable handle
- High-vis colors
- Affordable
- Replaceable blades do not offer as much utility as a standard blade
- Lower-quality materials than other options
If resharpening your knife is something that you want to avoid at all costs, then buying a knife that has replaceable blades is probably the best option for you. When you are starting to feel like you need a little bit more cutting performance while field dressing, instead of stopping what you’re doing, pulling out a knife sharpener, and going through the whole process while covered in blood and dirt, just pop off the dull blade and throw on a fresh, razor sharp blade in a snap! If this sounds appealing to you, then take a look at the Gerber Vital. This fixed blade feels great to use and can be had for a very affordable price. Just remember to buy extra blades before taking it out on the hunt with you.
Best Luxury Field Dressing Knife: Fallkniven Taiga Forester 1 Fixed Blade Knife Desert Ironwood (4.50″ Satin)
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PROS CONS
- Gorgeous aesthetics
- Premium materials
- High-end build quality and attention to detail
- Amazing sheath design
- Very heavy
- Wood scales are not as durable as synthetic materials
- Expensive
There’s nothing better than a precision crafted knife, made by people who care about making heirloom quality tools. The Fallkniven Taiga Forester 1 is just that, and more! Fallkniven is known for making some of the world’s best outdoor fixed blades you can buy. The attention to detail and dedication to quality really show through on the Taiga design. The Handle scales are about as premium as you can get in my opinion, as they are made out of solid Desert Ironwood, some of the rarest, hardest, and most coveted types of wood in the world. Not to mention it looks absolutely beautiful in person.
The blade is Fallkniven’s own creation, laminated cobalt stainless steel. To keep it short, this blade is made from layered slabs of steel at different hardnesses and compositions that allow the blade to be extremely rugged, durable, and supremely sharp.
The convex grind on the blade also plays a huge role in why this knife is my pick for the best premium field dressing knife. Convex grinds are incredible at balancing cutting performance with edge longevity. Blades with this grind often feel a lot sharper than they really are and last a long, long time.
Everything about the Fallkniven Taiga, down to the sheath, has been intentionally designed, expertly crafted, and perfectly constructed. For anyone looking to go all-out and get an ultra-premium hunting knife, check out the Fallkniven Taiga Forester 1.
Best Gut-Hook Field Dressing Knife: Toor Knives Merlin Fixed Blade Knife Blaze Orange Paracord (3.75″ Black)
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PROS CONS
- Gut-hook
- Ultra-lightweight design
- Premium materials
- Very comfortable
- Gut-hook can limit grip options
- Paracord handle is not as durable as other options
Nothing screams field dressing knife more than a gut-hook. This simple tool is a very sought-after piece of gear to many seasoned hunters all over the world. The hook makes field dressing a breeze and takes away some of the risk when making that first all-important cut on the animal.
I chose the Toor Knives Merlin as the best gut-hook field dressing knife for a number of reasons. The combination of being extremely lightweight yet big enough to handle any sized game makes this knife a standout hunting companion. The blade is crafted from CPM-154, which isn’t the most premium steel but holds an edge very well and is quite easy to resharpen when needed. The paracord wrapped handle keeps the weight down and also increases the comfort and usability of the knife during prolonged use.
The sheath is where this knife really shines for me. A fixed blade is only as good as its sheath, and this sheath is fantastic. It allows you to attach basically any mounting hardware you want and it’s also very slim and lightweight. The Kydex fits the blade perfectly and has great retention strength.
The Merlin from Toor Knives is loaded with functionality and will perform well for any task you need it for.
How To Choose The Best Field Dressing Knives
Choosing the right field dressing knife for you comes down to a few very important concepts. First and foremost are size and weight. When you are out in the middle of nowhere, harvesting that trophy elk, packing out all the meat and gear is extremely difficult. To make this process as easy as possible, keeping the weight of your gear to a minimum is absolutely necessary, so choosing a knife that isn’t overly cumbersome is crucial.
Another important thing to consider when shopping for a field dressing knife is cost. It can be hard to balance the high cost of hunting, anyway; and for some, the idea of dropping $200+ on a knife sounds unreasonable. But I argue that when you are already investing so much time, effort, and money into your hunt, why skimp out on the second-most important tool in your kit? Get the best possible knife you can afford; you wont regret it.
Why Trust Us
I have worked in the knife industry full-time for four years now and have had the opportunity to handle, test, and compare thousands of knives from basically every maker. I have extensive hands-on experience with so many great and not-so-great knives, which has allowed me to develop some pretty well-informed preferences and opinions on mankind’s oldest tool.
Final Thoughts
I never recommend a knife that I haven’t personally handled, tested, or familiarized myself with in some form. Although our opinions might differ somewhat, I stand by my recommendations and invite anyone to give these knives a shot. This is by no means a comprehensive list of field dressing knives, but it should serve you well as a jumping-off point for your search for the best field dressing knives for your next hunt.
FAQ’s
Question: What kind of knife is best for field dressing?
Answer: Ideally a fixed blade, especially one with stainless steel and a blade designed for cutting with precision like a drop point.
Question: Should you wear gloves when field dressing a deer?
Answer: This is a personal preference, which really comes down to what you are personally comfortable with. Many hunters wear latex gloves; others don’t mind getting their hands dirty.
Question: Are Buck knives good for field dressing?
Answer: Buck made a name for themselves as the go-to field dressing knife maker in the world. As their name implies, their knives are great for skinning that trophy buck. However, many newer, more modern brands have made some seriously great hunting knives, with modern designs and materials. Although Buck knives would still make for great field dressing knives, it’s worth shopping around.
