First Look: Bear Forest Backstrap Fillet Knife

by
posted on December 15, 2023
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Bear Forest Backstrap

Bear Forest Knives has released a small batch of its latest precision cutting tool, The Backstrap. This 10.187-inch long fillet knife is a great addition to any outdoor enthusiast’s collection and provides a unique cutting experience.

The engine behind this design is a six-inch narrow, upward-curving blade with an ultra-sharp full-flat grind. The Backstrap is crafted from easy-to-sharpen 52100 high-carbon steel, which still provides exceptional edge-retention properties. As it is high-carbon instead of stainless, of course it will need a good oiling after cleaning and use, so keep some handy with the knife.

The micarta handle has a finger groove that creates an integrated guard, ensuring a secure grip and reducing the risk of slipping when handling innards or blood. It comes with a black Kydex sheath for protection and easy carry.

Why a Fillet?

Whether filleting a fish or sectioning up stew meat and veggies, this knife's sharp design will get the job done. Not to mention, as its name implies, it’s great for processing those ever-so-prized elk and deer backstraps, its long, thin blade capable of contouring better around a backbone than a thicker model. When gutting the animal, its blade can also be useful for those hard to reach spots, such as severing the windpipe high up, or fully disconnecting the rectum for easier removal.

This is why a fillet knife makes a great design for the task. Such knives are specialized to fillet, debone and skin fish and meat. Its long, thin, flexible blade can easily glide along bones and separate the flesh from the skin.

Bear Forest Knives created The Backstrap knife with the goal of making a durable and versatile tool for outdoor food preparation, culminating in a knife like a surgeon's scalpel—precise, efficient and designed to last. For more information on the Bear Forest Backstrap, visit bearforestknives.comMSRP: $179.99

Latest

Pre 64 Model 70 In 30 06
Pre 64 Model 70 In 30 06

Hunting with a Twist: Rethinking the .30-06

In a world where the wheel seems to be continually reinvented, ballistically speaking, what about working with an existing platform to achieve new performance goals? Come with me as we take an academic tour of an American icon and its versatility as a worldwide critter getter. Let me re-introduce you to the .30-06 Springfield.

First Look: AirForce Airguns Condor-SL and CondorSS-SL

AirForce Airguns, the American manufacturer of high-power, modular Pre-Charged Pneumatic rifles, has announced the release of the Condor-SL and CondorSS-SL.

#SundayGunday: Rossi R95 .45-70 Triple Black

On this week's #SundayGunday, we’re checking out the R95 .45-70 Triple Black, from Rossi USA. A smooth-shooting lever action with blacked out looks, the R95 is a weatherproof hard charger that will serve hunters well from the blind, to the treestand and beyond. Learn more about it in this exclusive video.

Recipe: Scottish Lorne Sausage with Venison and Pork

If you like to put your wild game to good use, this homemade Lorne sausage is a simple way to turn venison and pork into a hearty, traditional favorite.

Member's Hunt: My First Yooper Buck

Read eight-year-old Ian Niemela's firsthand account of his very first deer hunt.

Mathews Introduces 2026 Hunting Bows and Accessories

Engineered for speed and refined for archers who demand more, the 2026 Matthews ARC combines enhanced stability, efficiency, and versatility in a lightweight, high-powered platform.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.