Refining my field kit for airgun hunting

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MikeWarner

MikeWarner

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Jun 25, 2025
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I've been putting together my ideal field setup for airgun hunting and pest control lately. While everyone focuses on optics (and rightfully so), I've come to appreciate how indispensable a good knife really is - whether I'm clearing brush for a clean shooting lane, dressing small game, or handling unexpected gear repairs in the field.

Right now I'm carrying a basic folding knife, but I'm ready to upgrade to something more capable. I need a blade that can power through thick vegetation when I need to create shooting lanes, cleanly process rabbits and squirrels, and handle all the general camp tasks that pop up.

Top priorities for me are one-handed operation (since I'm often wearing gloves in my area), solid rust resistance (Pacific Northwest weather doesn't forgive), and a secure pocket clip for quick access when I need it.

I'm intrigued by OTF automatics like the Benchmade Infidel for their convenience, but I have concerns about how they hold up to real field conditions - moisture, dirt, and debris being my main worries. Has anyone actually run an OTF like the Infidel for serious outdoor use? How does it handle the elements over time?

I'm also completely open to fixed blade suggestions if you think they're better suited to this kind of work. Would love to see photos of your actual field setups if you've got them!
 
Mike , I appreciate a good knife (or 2,3...) but beside whatever you choose ( I personally liked Gerber or Leatherman tools) you can't beat a rig from Gerber that has a folding saw & clippers for lane clearing. I have a "survival " pack in my vehicle at most all times w/ a belt pouch holding this kit , along w/ an old Shrade brand sawback small machete. I just recently supplemented this w/ a slightly larger Fiskars sawback machete. I was a combat engineer many years ago. Of all the gear in the engineer boxes, the Camillus folding pocket knife probably found more use than most other tools ! As a farm kid in PA , I always had at least two pocket knives w/ me all the time( Mom repaired the pockets repeatedly). And through high school I had a pocket knife of some sort w/ me everyday( try that today!!) . Those were different times. A crew of guys hunted together for over 20 yrs here in PA. They all carried that Gerber set . They clipped through greenbriers & vines for all those hunts & eventually had well marked paths that anyone in the group could follow on the "drives" for black bear or deer. Sorry for the long blab. I'd send a photo but I'm not proficient at posting pics.
 
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Depending on your budget....I recommend looking at a Microtech Stitch Ram Lok, Microtech MSI and a Demko AD20s. I have both Microtechs and the locking mechanisms on Microtechs and Demkos (I have the smaller AD20.5's that have Shark Locks) are one handed operating and super strong locks.
The Stitch is the one on top, black handle....both run about 300 and have M390MK steels, excellent corrosion resistance and tough stainless steels. The Demko has 20cv blade steel, similar to M390, bottom photo. These would be considered heavy use folders. A fixed blade would probably work better for your needs but needs a carry sheath like a Kydex sheath.
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I changed over to higher quality fixed blades having Magnacut steel which is resistant to rusting but hard like high carbon steel is and these hold an edge a loooong time.

I carry mine in my left front pocket via the ulticlip attached to the top of the pocket which is attached to the sheath. No more having to flip a folder open so I just grab the handle and ready for whatever I need a knife for. Most of mine aren't long enough to get in the way when sitting or other activities. I use it almost every day and sometimes multiple times a day.

The only time I use a folder now is in my nice pants when I go to church.

I highly recommend Dawson Knives and here's mine. The Contractor, 2nd from right, is my favorite. More so the way the grip feels but it has a thicker blade to and is one tuff knife.

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NorCal David said:
I have bushwhacked through thick areas using a Silky folding saw or Bahco Laplander and a machete made for chopping. If not a machete then a Mora knife. I do not mess around with the small folding knives Or expensive collectors items.
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IMHO my Dawson EDC's aren't expensive, nor collectors, or in other words for me working knives and heavy duty tools.

The one with the blue handle I use as a steak knife, or for other foods I eat, so it's used almost every evening. It's nice not having to sharpen it often like my wife's cheap kitchen knives.

If one went to the website they'd see their actual Art and collector knives, hatchets, and swords, which are much more expensive.

I have actual sole authorship Art knives which have never cut anything but they are much more expensive and are collectibles.
 
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MikeWarner said:
I've been putting together my ideal field setup for airgun hunting and pest control lately. While everyone focuses on optics (and rightfully so), I've come to appreciate how indispensable a good knife really is - whether I'm clearing brush for a clean shooting lane, dressing small game, or handling unexpected gear repairs in the field.

Right now I'm carrying a basic folding knife, but I'm ready to upgrade to something more capable. I need a blade that can power through thick vegetation when I need to create shooting lanes, cleanly process rabbits and squirrels, and handle all the general camp tasks that pop up.

Top priorities for me are one-handed operation (since I'm often wearing gloves in my area), solid rust resistance (Pacific Northwest weather doesn't forgive), and a secure pocket clip for quick access when I need it.

I'm intrigued by OTF automatics like the Benchmade Infidel for their convenience, but I have concerns about how they hold up to real field conditions - moisture, dirt, and debris being my main worries. Has anyone actually run an OTF like the Infidel for serious outdoor use? How does it handle the elements over time?

I'm also completely open to fixed blade suggestions if you think they're better suited to this kind of work. Would love to see photos of your actual field setups if you've got them!
Click to expand...
Check out Kershaw model Speedsafe , i have a model i have been using for years , ALL metal with no back spring , you can literally hold under running water and no spaces for dirt to stick into inside or outside .
 
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