Quality knives don’t have to be exorbitantly priced and this Whitetail by Hess Knives is a good choice for an upland game, all-around knife.
by Leon Pantenburg
Every bird hunter or fisherperson needs a good knife for gutting or field dressing. The knife should be compact, easy to carry and quick to use. The point is to quickly draw the bird or eviscerate the fish so the hunting or fishing can continue.
This Hess Whitetail with a stacked leather handle has a classic look and top quality steel. (KSF photo)
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That was my first reaction when I saw the Whitetail in the KnivesShipFree.com catalog. The second reaction was that the knife closely resembled another Western brand knife I bought at Montgomery Wards in the late 1960s.
That knife, with its four-inch blade and stacked leather handle, was my only hunting knife throughout high school and college, and I processed a pickup load of small game animals with it. In addition, it also went along on my first real backpacking trip in Wyoming in the mid-1970s. The Western was retired, and superseded by a Buck folder. Somewhere along the line, it got misplaced or stolen, and I never could find another
So the double whammy of good looks and nostalgia hit me and I ordered the Hess Whitetail with the stacked leather handle, very similar to my original. A few days later, the knife arrived in the mail.
Initial reactions while unboxing the knife were favorable. The quality workmanship was evident.
Here are the specs of the Whitetail:
7- 3/8 inch total length
3-3/8 inch blade length
3-1/8 inch cutting edge
1095 high carbon steel
1/8″ thick blade
The knife has a full-length rattail tang.
After using the knife regularly for a couple of weeks, here are some impressions.
I like:
Rigid blade: I frequently carry my small, Bucklite folder when bird hunting. But I don’t like how blood, feathers and assorted hunting debris gets in the hinge and blade channel. A rigid blade allows for a quick wipe-down after taking care of the animal or fish, and I think it is more sanitary.
Blade length is about right for a small game or fish knife. Much bigger than four inches, and the blade tends to become unwieldy for smaller tasks.
Weight is minimal. You can carry this knife all day on your belt or in your hunting vest without noticing it.
The spine has the popular 90-degree grind, which means the back of the blade can be used for scraping a ferrocerium rod, shredding tinder, or removing bark from a tree branch. This saves the edge for more important work.
Grind: The Whitetail has a convex grind. IMO, this is the most durable, easy-to-maintain choice for a user knife.
The sheath is well-made and designed and secures the knife well.
Sheath: Made by Hess Knifeworks, the leather sheath is sturdy with a durable snap fastener. I prefer a reliable snap fastener whenever I have a choice. They are easy to use, and make the knife almost instantly available. The loop on back can accommodate a three-inch belt, meaning it will ride well on a shell or wader belt.
Steel is 1095 high carbon, which is a favorite of mine. Sure, you have to take care of the blade or it might rust, but you know that going in. A quick wipe down with food safe mineral oil after using will keep corrosion from forming. I find 1095 to hold an edge very well, without being too difficult to sharpen.
Drop point: I love clip points, but a drop point is generally better for a working knife that might end up being used for bushcraft. The Whitetail has a well-designed drop point, with plenty of blade belly for skinning. It would work well for taking the hide off a deer or smaller game animals.
Tang: My first choice is a full tang in any knife that will be used a lot. Second would be a rattail, which is a spike that goes completely through the handle and is very tough and sturdy. The Whitetail’s rattail should prove reliable.
Made in the USA: I support American small business whenever possible, so I was pleased to discover Hess Knifeworks is based in Gladstone, Michigan. The small, family-run business was established in 2005 by Don and Andy Hess after many years of working for other knife companies.
I didn’t like:
The Whitetail handle is just a little short for my hand
Handle length: I wear size large gloves. Any handle four-inches long or less is uncomfortable for me to use for extended periods of time. My wife or daughter could use the Whitetail with complete comfort. But for us guys with big hands, the handle length could be a deal breaker. I’d hesitate to take the Whitetail along in my daypack on hikes and can’t consider it a bushcrafter because I couldn’t use it comfortably for extended period of carving.
But this is just personal preference. My quirks and unique knife handling requirements shouldn’t affect your choices. I wish Hess Knifeworks (hint, hint,hint!) would make the handle 4.5 inches long, so I could use and enjoy the Whitetail more!
Hess Knifeworks’ goal, according to the website, is to make high quality “Made in the USA” bench made custom knives at a reasonable price.
Cost of the Whitetail, with stacked leather handle was $99.20. Other, fancier handles are available at an additional cost. All in all, this is one heck of a deal on an American-made knife.
If the Whitetail is any indication of the company’s products, I predict Hess Knifeworks will be in business a long time. If you’re looking for a quality knife at an affordable price, you might take a look at the Hess products.
This review is my opinion and I received no compensation for writing it.
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