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Fox Cutlery

Fox Cutlery

Fox Knives of Maniago in Italy offers a massive choice of cutlery, three of which I have tested previously. All were what I would term traditional with classic designs and materials, but the European Hunter is a little different as it presents a no-nonsense and ergonomic tool. It’s a little confusing that the range all have the same name and only differ in the suffix code. For example the 1504L on test is a drop point, whereas the 1507 OL is a radical looking, T-handled, gut hook.

Subdued

The build is basic with a blacked, full tang, one-piece blade and olive wood scales. The drop point blade is deep at 40mm with a thickness of 3mm and is 85mm long. This is a pleasing and practical style for handling deer carcasses. Flat-ground there’s a large finger choil at the front and at the rear of the spine a good length of jimping for added thumb support.

The handle is unusual being olive wood scales attached by four T10 Torx screws per side. The shape is like a wasp’s abdomen that conforms to the shape of the choil at the front then expands into a decent, hand-filling shape that tapers slightly to the rear. At this point the rear of the tang protrudes and shows an eye-shaped lanyard hole.

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The wood is smooth and there is no texturing for added grip, either on the timber or tang, however the handle is surprisingly wide at 20mm and the flat sides give a lot to get hold of. At first I thought the Drop Point was a bit ugly and angular, but continued use has rather won me over.

Strong and Compact

In use the point is well angled and allows for easy cutting in tight areas. Grip-wise it’s easily used edge-up with the choil acting as a thumb indexer, plus the drop point shape lifts the tip, so for opening up the belly less gives less worries about piercing intestines. Weighing in at 6.5oz and measuring 7.8” it’s overall an effective if basic design.

The knife comes with a basic, brown leather sheath. The shape comes up past the blade to cover about 75% of the front/sides of the handle. Retention is by a single strap and press stud, at the rear is a 2.25” belt loop, both of which are riveted. It’s unlined so you need to be careful about removing and inserting the blade as it’s easy enough to cut the material.

Overall this is a practical design, not for everyone as there are prettier knives around but for the no-nonsense hunter it’s a cost effective and practical design. There are six options in the European Hunter range with the aforementioned T-handle along with other variants with and without gut hook.

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  • Fox Cutlery - image {image:count}

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  • Fox Cutlery - image {image:count}

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  • Fox Cutlery - image {image:count}

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  • Fox Cutlery - image {image:count}

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