We’ve been following Williams Knife Co. for quite some time. They’ve recently gone through a re-branding and a big release of a bunch of new knives. They are really working to plug all the holes – not just oyster knives and EDC blades.
One that really caught my eye is their Bird Knife. I love the idea of carrying one of these in my field bag when chasing quail, pheasant, or waterfowl. The comradery of breasting birds after a hunt (with a few Miller Lites) is like nothing else. There’s blood. And dirty jokes. And a lot of cussing. It’s perfect. Typically these blades work well for trout as well. Same type of work.
I got my hands on one, and here is my take:
Out of the box, I was taken by the weight. It is NOT a light, flimsy knife. The blade is constructed of M390 steel, which will hold an edge really well. The handle is G-10, and is built to be a bit oversized so it fits well in your hand. What I like so much is the size. The 2.75″ blade is perfect for performing surgery on the birds. It’s not a big, bulky blade, but shaped such that it’s great for tight spaces. The total length is 6.75″, and includes a hard Kydex sheath that has a lockable belt clip.
I went with the ‘Sand’ color, which is a black blade and a tan handle. They have quite a few color options that are field appropriate.
The $200 price point is digestible, but I’ll let you know how it performs after a year in the field. I’ve got a bunch of trips lined up this year – trout, quail, pheasant, and duck (as of now). I’ll bring this bad boy along and let you know how it goes.
Here are some unpacking images for your viewing pleasure:
