Muela® Deer Knife
This was bought for me as a gift by Lorna in Toledo, Spain, in 2003. It has a solid brass hilt spacer and full-tang molybdenum-vanadium stainless steel (56-58 RC/Rockwell 440) blade, which is hollow ground. I keep a double-angled edge on it for razor sharpness and durability and it is easily brought back to a crisp level of sharpness after being used heavily. It keeps a good working edge for gutting a large deer, but can be reconditioned and sharpened fairly easily with little effort to a "shaving-grade" razor edge. Note the severe drop-point blade, which is handy for gutting a deer in the upper reaches of the body cavity near the esophagus. Also note the index finger groove under the blade for precision work, and the blade has a wide top-width near the guard for using pressure with the thumb. Overall an attractive as knife, and has all the good working qualities for the task of field-dressing a whitetail deer. I might add that the handle is made from European Red Stag antler, and the leather holster is made from Red Stag leather. Retail price is about $90, but can be found for as little as $65 if you shop right.
November 2, 2005