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

Lede Roundup Image
Lede Roundup Image

#SundayGunday: Our Top 5 in 2025

Sitting on your couch in an eggnog stupor, wrapping paper still draped off every chair in sight? Still procrastinating getting up, cleaning, up or any sort of behavior that could be remotely described as productive? Here's something to keep you further occupied in your sedentary state. Read on, to check out our Top 5 #SundayGundays of 2025, as selected by you, our audience.

How to Make Woodstove Jerky

Homemade jerky is a staple with a lot of hunters. Deer, antelope, moose and elk all make excellent jerky. Surprisingly, geese do too. In fact, most any game animal will make palatable jerky. Here's how to make it with nothing but a woodstove, a knife and maybe some shears.

Three Whitetail Traps to Set for Close Shots

Your whitetail hunting location may be as expansive as a national forest or as small as an uncle’s 40-acre woodlot. In either scenario, whitetails have a knack for slipping by just out of shooting range. Whether using a firearm or archery equipment, you do have options to lure whitetails closer. Consider setting a trap this season for your best opportunity at an ethical, in-your-face shot.

Hardware Review: Ravin LR Crossbow

Looking for a new crossbow that packs some serious punch? Look no further than the Ravin LR. Check out Brian McCombie's review of it below.

Don't Fight the Feeling: Setting up a Booner Bowhunt

When your gut tells you to hunt, don’t fight the feeling. Josh Woods didn't, and dropped a legitimate Booner. Here's how he did it.

Range Review: Heritage Badlander Field .410 Bore

This flexible side-by-side from Heritage Manufacturing is ready for a variety of shooting roles including turkey hunting! Check out the full review of the Badlander here.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.