Perfect Deer Stalking folder knife
If you want a knife to stay sharp which is also a folder but big enough for all tasks this is an ideal choice. It came with a good factory edge and scored 100g on a Bess test. I have since sharpened it to 15 degrees each side and convexed the edge on a Tormek fine diamond wheel T4. The use of a diamond wheel is definitely helpful for speed and ease of sharpening on CPM15V. Make sure not to create too much of a burr when moving to strop the edge and finish it off. The steel is so hardened on the Rockwell scale that a burr can be hard to remove using leather and compounds with a strop or even the Tormek’s stropping wheel. If you get this bit right the edge easily scores 50g on a BESS test and is razor blade sharp. It stays that way too! I have yet to need to resharpen the knife after many months of field use and deer larder work. Butchery and skinning cannot dull the edge. It just on going! In this regard I am extremely impressed. Awesome edge retention. The other handy thing is cleaning the knife. The open design on the back of the grips lets you get a .243 sized nylon bore brush into all the crevices and once done under the hot tap it is good to go. I have also used a dental ultrasonic cleaner I use for my cases for reloading with the knife and again it cleans spotlessly. No issues on this score at all. Don’t worry about any food hygiene compliance requirements which many say a folder cannot pass. I have held this under an ultraviolet torch and no blood residue can be seen. The knife is also very comfortable to use for extended periods. The grip is generous and perfect for large hands. I use this in the deer larder for hours on end . It is a joy compared to needing to steel normal butcher’s knives. I have a Phil Wilson fixed blade knife in K294 Uddenholm steel and this is the only knife which keeps pace with this one. My Maxamet PM2 is also good but is a bit small for larder work. More just for gralloching. This versatility gives you greater value for money because it does so much more. Highly recommended.
