What kind of knife?

[MuranoFarms]

What kind of knife for slicing the neck? A butcher knife? Or should I go with something more like a razor blade cutter? I don't want to make the guy suffer. I'm most worried about this part then anything else.

 

[scubaforlife]

Sharp, with a little bit of meat to the blade.

I use one of these.

http://www.victorinox.com/product/2/200/2005/5.6603.15

 

[Sundown_Farmer]

Anything sharp. I prefer a knife longer than 4". Have been using this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0019WU7MO/ref=oss_product

I suspect it's the same knife as in the link above but the victorinox site doesn't link well.

Before this I was just using a long kitchen knife. Sharp, sharp, sharp. Cutting feathers makes it dull with a quickness so try to avoid that.

 

[Dogfish]

For the slice to the neck I use the Rapala 6" filet knife. I buy two or three each year, one for fileting fish, one for butchering deer, bear, and elk, and another for household use. Sharpen in a steel before every use, and get a new one when it no longer takes an edge. Filet knives are disposable tools for me.

 

[petrelline]

I use a knife almost identical to the one Sundown linked to, only it is a 4 inch, which feels more comfortable to me. But sharp sharp sharp. I've heard of people using box knives and Xactos to make sure they are sharp enough, but I like a longer blade.

Speaking of sharpness, if you're not that great at a sharpening stone the Chef's Choice electric sharpeners are expensive, but they're completely foolproof for razor sharp knives in no time at all. I wish I had bought one years ago.

 

[scubaforlife]

Quote:
I purchased a very good steel and bought my knives from a knife company that gave me lifetime sharpening.

 

[Buster52]

http://polyfaceapprentice.blogspot.com/2009/07/polyface-knives.html

 

[chickensgalore]

would pruning shears work?

 

[dichotomymom]

I use pruning shears! It's over and done with just like that. I never liked how long it took with a sharp knife (my fault, not the technique's) so I switched with great results!

 

[SkyWarrior]

Something sharp and with heft. My husband used his bowie-sized hunting/survival knife and it startled us how quick it went. A sharp butcher cleaver would do it too. We're thinking of getting one.

My husband wants to get a mini-guillotine now for the deed.

He has a wry sense of humor.