September 2007

A Wave can cut a moose

If you have ever hunted moose in Alaska, you have learned that there is a lot to the field dressing process. It takes time, strength, and a good skinning knife. My husband's birthday is 5 days into the hunting season, and I had purchased such a knife for him. The kicker is I left the Buck knife home when we went hunting. It was just going to be a short two day, two night trip. With our two dogs, and our two small children, and the fact that we were driving only 100 miles away, where there were sure to be plenty of other hopeful hunters, it was unlikely that we were going to shoot a moose anyway. My husband said he had a Kershaw changeable knife set, just in case. Not knowing he owned that set, I decided to return the birthday Buck knife when we got home.



I had my Leatherman Wave along, too. I would use it to make marshmallow roasting sticks for the kids, cut cord, adjust screws, and other light duty performances often. The tool was a gift from my parents and it has been a favorite for me since. I used it on my trap line when I was younger. When I had children, it became an essential in the diaper bag. It was always there to cut open toy packages, remove knotted shoelaces, and assist in any other every-day activity.



On the second morning of our hunt, while the kids lay sleeping in our car tent and I took care of the dogs, my husband sat uphill, glassing over an old burn. After an hour or so, he spotted a cow moose, quite a ways away. He said he was going to get closer, to see if she had a bull with her. Twenty minutes later, I heard 3 shots. I ran up the hill and saw two moose, a cow and a bull, running away. Then I heard my husband yelling a victory yell. I thought to myself, “Idiot. Thinks he hit that bull, and I can see it running away!" I took the truck down the road and met him on his way back.



He HAD shot a bull. With the last of his 3 shots, he had killed a second bull from 600 yards away. We packed our bags and our kids and set out to the kill. When we got there, my husband pulled out his knife set. It was so dull, I kicked myself for leaving his present behind. The blade of his Kershaw was barely able to slice into the thick skin of the dead moose. I pulled out my Leather”Babe” as my sister calls it. I was doubtful that it would be much better, but my mind was quickly changed. I set to work and I was able to cut the hide, meat, and remove the guts of the enormous moose with that great knife! My husband began to haul the moose out, leaving me behind to finish skinning. I finished that whole moose with my Leather”Babe” and a tree saw to remove the limbs!!



I am determined that I could have used that Wave for the bones if I hadn't had the saw, too! I will never underestimate that knife again! I am so impressed by its ability, that I have been giving it great reviews to everyone who hears our hunting tale. Next time I am shopping for a skinning knife, I think I will just buy a Leatherman!



Melody P.

North Pole, AK