Hunting knife

cola8d8 · November 11, 2002, 06:51 PM

I need a new knife to carry deer hunting. What would some of you suggest? It will be for hunting only, no dual purpose... Im not a big knife guy (if I tried to sharpen a knife it would just be more dull) so I need something that is good to go out of the box.

redneck · November 11, 2002, 08:30 PM

Go to www.spyderco.com and check out their line up. If your interested in a folder, put some serious thought into the chinook. They have a few fixed blades also, I've heard good things about all of them. The moran is really popular if I remember right.

They make some of the best production knives on the market, and they have a sharpening service

They're about the sharpest out of the box for any production knives, and they use high quality stuff to make their knives. They hold an edge really well.

If you pick one that you like on their site, go to an online retailer to buy it. They sell for a lot cheaper than MSRP. I would recommend www.discountknives.com

yankytrash · November 11, 2002, 08:55 PM

Buck knives are still the cheapest and handiest of knives for carcus processing. You remember the ones - the shiney black handles, the shiney chrome blade, the hard pleather sheath...? Still about $15 at Wal Mart for a 6-7" Buck, and stay sharp enough to process at least 3 carcuses before needing a sharpening.

Legionnaire · November 11, 2002, 10:16 PM

I carry a Buck folder (not sure of the model) and a Spyderco Rookie while hunting. My "rule of thumb" is to have a folder with a fairly short blade. I want to be able to grip the knife securely, run my index finger along the back of the blade, and have the point about even with my finger tip. That way I can use my finger to probe the chest cavity and avoid cutting anything I don't want to cut. Works for me.

Rick R · November 11, 2002, 10:22 PM

Which ever knife you choose get a Lansky sharpener to go with it. There are probably some similar tools that work as well but the concept of using a jig of some sort to hold the edge to the same uniform angle is great for us fumble fingered folks.

Rick

Ed Brunner · November 11, 2002, 10:48 PM

The Buck Vanguard is a good general purpose hunting knife.
http://www.buckknives.com/products/details.php?ID=46

Guyon · November 11, 2002, 10:58 PM

Check out the Cold Steel Master Hunter. $47 at www.wholesalehunter.com

Ron L · November 11, 2002, 11:24 PM

A little pricier than that, but tough as nails, would be a Dozier. Bob does some incredible stuff with D2. I cut up 11 rooms worth of wet carpet after a flood at the rec center and it just needed a touch-up. I was hooked after that.

Besides my custom Hearn Skinner, it's the only knife I carry when hunting.

ENC · November 11, 2002, 11:36 PM

I have never seen a knife as sharp as a gerber straight out of the box. The only premium knife i have compared though is benchmade.

SteelyDan · November 12, 2002, 01:31 AM

My personal preference is for a fixed blade. If you just want something functional, you won't go wrong with a Buck, Schrade, or Gerber. But if you're willing to spend $60 to $75 you can get a new-in-box Marbles on Ebay (with the older 52-100 steel) that will look great, last longer, and work better than anything else in its price range. I pretty much agree with all of the advice above, but I've just got a great big soft spot in my heart for the Marbles.

Erik · November 12, 2002, 02:20 AM

http://www.dozierknives.com/

Navy joe · November 12, 2002, 02:21 AM

Case XX skinner. A classic, cheap, and good deer knife. At Wal-Mart.

Personally for hunting I have a Gerber Hachet, Phrobis M-9 bayonet, 300+ custom skinner (eet's purty), Spyderco Native (excellent blade steel and design) and a Swiss army. Yeah, I likes knifes. All sharp enough to lift hair, even the hachet.

Dave McC · November 12, 2002, 04:12 AM

Lot of good knives mentioned, including some I have and like.

The best hunting knife for me, tho, is a Helle. The one here has 4-5 deer dressed since it had a mild touchup with a crockstick, and it will pop hair right off my forearm.

The blade is laminated steel, like Japanese swords. Very good work.

Will Beararms · November 12, 2002, 11:44 AM

This the finest $20.00 skinning knife made and it's made in the USA. I have used them since they were $11.95. They are deadly sharp out of the box---------so sharp they will cut the scabbard when you pull them out. Keep oil on that carbon steel blade when not in use and marvel how well a $20.00 AMERICAN made knife does for you. I just can't say enough good about these knives. Please see attached file detailing the Old Timer Sharpfinger by Schrade.

Elkslayer · November 12, 2002, 01:03 PM

Lots of good advice given above and you can tell they are given by experienced hunters.

My suggestions are:

I second the recommendation on the Lansky sharpening system.

Whatever knife you get keep the blade length to 3" - 4". This will be very helpful when working on the inside of the carcass. Longer blades are hard to maneuver inside with limited room and when working without being able to see what you are doing.

Think seriously about how you are going to carry the knife. If you intend to carry it on your belt, it might be safer to carry a folding lock blade. Think about it, you have a knife as sharp as you can get it and the only thing between your leg/groin/femoral artery, or gut is a little thin piece of leather! If you take a tumble, will the leather sheath protect you when you land on the knife's handle and are doubled up and tumbling down the creek bank? If you are going to carry the knife in a pack of some kind then a fixed blade would be fine.

My pick of the many hunting knives I own is one I've had for over 30 years, a Buck 118 Personal. I have cleaned many elk with it and can honestly say that I've cleaned as many as 3 elk between sharpenings although I do carry a Schrade Sharp Finger for the skinning task.

eroyd · November 12, 2002, 04:12 PM

After losing a couple of expensive knifes at gut piles. (one becomes a little absent minded after the ordeal of cleaning and packing a moose.) I decided to settle for a Buck with bright orange handles and removable interchangable blades. I have two regular blades (saves on sharpening in the field) and also a gutting blade, ie one of the ones with a dull nub on the end to prevent catching the ponch.

It ain't pretty but it's very practical.

labgrade · November 12, 2002, 04:54 PM

All decent advice.

I find that a knife prefernce is about as personal as are your boots. Your best friends (same make 'n model) may prefer something that you may abhor - such is life.

I've used Bucks (seems to be very hard steel - tough to sharpen but holds edge well) 'n Gerbers (excellent stuff) - cheapies & not-sos.

Currently, I use a Victorinox Swiis Army knife Hunter/Huntsman mosel - got a locking blade about 3.5" long, a gut zipper & a saw + a couple other do-dads. It's done plenty elk with no sweat.

I do also carry in myy pack, a Coleman skinning type fixed blade (about $15 US) that I found in the woods. Has a fairly thick blade in case I need to bang on something, a pretty good sweep to the blade for skinning, etc. & was free. Another one of those things that once seen used, The Wife & The Bud had to have one.

BTW, we all too carry that same-same SAK - lightweight & very functional.

Ditto a Lansky (or like wise jig) for sharpening after you've lost your touch, which seemed to be pretty much the same time as my excellent eyesight. (wah!

)

Must have 20-30 pretty good knives stashed around the place, but always carry at the least that Victorinox SAK - excellent quality & great steel.

DesertSheep · November 12, 2002, 05:55 PM

While I do have the Gerber Gator, I just switched to a hardware utility knife that you break off the end of the knife as it gets dull. Light, compact, cheap, and allways sharp.

cola8d8 · November 12, 2002, 08:19 PM

I was suprised not to see more "votes" for Benchmade... I had a benchmade (lost it), dont remember the modle it hat the "angled point". It was a "tatical" style... I know this to be a fact which can not be argued because it was all black

Guyon · November 13, 2002, 01:19 AM

Benchmade makes a few fixed blade knives, but they're better known for their quality production folders.

Many folks are going to prefer a fixed blade knife for dressing game. This preference stems from a number of reasons:

-- no chance of lock failure
-- easier clean up and maintenance
-- drop point blade shapes
-- tradition

About the best game folder IMO is the large Spyderco Wegner. I own one, but I still like a fixed blade for game.

Guyon · November 13, 2002, 01:27 AM

I'm still experimenting myself, but I don't think you can go wrong with either one of these knives.

Top: Spyderco Moran
Bottom: Schrade Wolverine (stainless steel version of the Sharpfinger that Will mentions above)

Al Thompson · November 13, 2002, 07:31 AM

Here's an unusual one and a favorite..

http://www.anzaknives.com/body.htm

SA Scott · November 13, 2002, 08:31 AM

...Scalpels.

My wife dresses game using scalpel blades, and is more efficient than yours truly with a Wyoming knife or anything else I've used. They are extremely sharp, controllable, and when the blade wears you pull and replace. Amazing.

Of course, I would never go hunting without a real knife, and my wife dissects laboratory mice for a living. She's had some practice with a scalpel...

SA Scott

cobb · November 13, 2002, 09:47 AM

My vote also goes for the Schrade Sharpfinger. Even though I now carry a Benchmade Nimravus Cub, I still pack the Schrade as a backup and have field dressed many Whitetail and Mule deer with it. I think the Schrade Sharpfinger is a very good deal for the buck.

Art Eatman · November 13, 2002, 09:49 AM

I've used a lot of different knives in gutting out some 50 or more deer. I'll support the notion of a blade no more than three or four inches. I'll also support the idea of a Lansky sharpening set.

My favorite has come to be an old Solingen pocket knife, three-inch blade, that I carry in a nylon sheath so as to save my pockets. To split the pelvis, I just tap-tap-tap with a rock, on the back of the blade.

Straight back on the blade; rounded tip. Plenty good for gutting; great for skinning. I've done a dozen or so deer with it...

Art

November 11, 2002, 06:51 PM	#1
cola8d8 Junior Member Join Date: October 25, 2002 Location: TX Posts: 8	Hunting knife I need a new knife to carry deer hunting. What would some of you suggest? It will be for hunting only, no dual purpose... Im not a big knife guy (if I tried to sharpen a knife it would just be more dull) so I need something that is good to go out of the box.

November 11, 2002, 08:30 PM	#2
redneck Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2001 Location: Ohio Posts: 364	Sounds like you need a spyderco Go to www.spyderco.com and check out their line up. If your interested in a folder, put some serious thought into the chinook. They have a few fixed blades also, I've heard good things about all of them. The moran is really popular if I remember right. They make some of the best production knives on the market, and they have a sharpening service They're about the sharpest out of the box for any production knives, and they use high quality stuff to make their knives. They hold an edge really well. If you pick one that you like on their site, go to an online retailer to buy it. They sell for a lot cheaper than MSRP. I would recommend www.discountknives.com __________________ Fix it right the first time... Use Baling Wire !

November 11, 2002, 08:55 PM	#3
yankytrash Senior Member Join Date: April 17, 2001 Location: Farnham, Va Posts: 2,183	Buck knives are still the cheapest and handiest of knives for carcus processing. You remember the ones - the shiney black handles, the shiney chrome blade, the hard pleather sheath...? Still about $15 at Wal Mart for a 6-7" Buck, and stay sharp enough to process at least 3 carcuses before needing a sharpening. __________________ Right turn, Clyde.

November 11, 2002, 10:16 PM	#4
Legionnaire Senior Member Join Date: July 25, 2000 Location: Central TX Posts: 1,503	I carry a Buck folder (not sure of the model) and a Spyderco Rookie while hunting. My "rule of thumb" is to have a folder with a fairly short blade. I want to be able to grip the knife securely, run my index finger along the back of the blade, and have the point about even with my finger tip. That way I can use my finger to probe the chest cavity and avoid cutting anything I don't want to cut. Works for me. __________________ Cogito, ergo armatus sum.

November 11, 2002, 10:48 PM	#6
Ed Brunner Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 1998 Location: Natchez, MS, USA Posts: 2,562	The Buck Vanguard is a good general purpose hunting knife. http://www.buckknives.com/products/details.php?ID=46 __________________ MOLON LABE UNTIL IT'S OVER! Ed

November 11, 2002, 10:22 PM	#5
Rick R Senior Member Join Date: April 1, 2002 Location: On top of a mountain in WV Posts: 102	Which ever knife you choose get a Lansky sharpener to go with it. There are probably some similar tools that work as well but the concept of using a jig of some sort to hold the edge to the same uniform angle is great for us fumble fingered folks. Rick

November 11, 2002, 10:58 PM	#7
Guyon Senior Member Join Date: July 27, 2000 Location: Over the Hills and Through the Woods, Tennessee Posts: 1,207	Check out the Cold Steel Master Hunter. $47 at www.wholesalehunter.com __________________ Gun control should just be about hitting your target.

November 11, 2002, 11:24 PM	#8
Ron L Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 1999 Location: Livonia, MI USA Posts: 386	A little pricier than that, but tough as nails, would be a Dozier. Bob does some incredible stuff with D2. I cut up 11 rooms worth of wet carpet after a flood at the rec center and it just needed a touch-up. I was hooked after that. Besides my custom Hearn Skinner, it's the only knife I carry when hunting. __________________ Ron Detroit Area Chapter Terre-Haute Torque & Recoil Society "If it rolls, floats, or shoots, runs on gunpowder or gasoline, goes fast, shoots a big bullet, or makes lots of noise thus producing torque and recoil - it's cool."

November 11, 2002, 11:36 PM	#9
ENC Senior Member Join Date: August 31, 2001 Location: Grand Lake, OK Posts: 658	I have never seen a knife as sharp as a gerber straight out of the box. The only premium knife i have compared though is benchmade.

November 12, 2002, 01:31 AM	#10
SteelyDan Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2002 Location: Minnesota Posts: 262	My personal preference is for a fixed blade. If you just want something functional, you won't go wrong with a Buck, Schrade, or Gerber. But if you're willing to spend $60 to $75 you can get a new-in-box Marbles on Ebay (with the older 52-100 steel) that will look great, last longer, and work better than anything else in its price range. I pretty much agree with all of the advice above, but I've just got a great big soft spot in my heart for the Marbles.

November 12, 2002, 02:20 AM	#11
Erik Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 1999 Location: America Posts: 3,479	http://www.dozierknives.com/ __________________ Meriam Webster's: Main Entry: ci·vil·ian Pronunciation: \sə-ˈvil-yən also -ˈvi-yən\, Function: noun, Date: 14th century, 1: a specialist in Roman or modern civil law, 2 a: one not on active duty in the armed services or not on a police or firefighting force b: outsider 1, — civilian adjective

November 12, 2002, 02:21 AM	#12
Navy joe Senior Member Join Date: January 28, 2001 Location: VA, USA Posts: 1,804	Case XX skinner. A classic, cheap, and good deer knife. At Wal-Mart. Personally for hunting I have a Gerber Hachet, Phrobis M-9 bayonet, 300+ custom skinner (eet's purty), Spyderco Native (excellent blade steel and design) and a Swiss army. Yeah, I likes knifes. All sharp enough to lift hair, even the hachet. __________________ FY47012

November 12, 2002, 04:12 AM	#13
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Lot of good knives mentioned, including some I have and like. The best hunting knife for me, tho, is a Helle. The one here has 4-5 deer dressed since it had a mild touchup with a crockstick, and it will pop hair right off my forearm. The blade is laminated steel, like Japanese swords. Very good work.

November 12, 2002, 01:03 PM	#15
Elkslayer Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2002 Location: Wyoming Posts: 132	Lots of good advice given above and you can tell they are given by experienced hunters. My suggestions are: I second the recommendation on the Lansky sharpening system. Whatever knife you get keep the blade length to 3" - 4". This will be very helpful when working on the inside of the carcass. Longer blades are hard to maneuver inside with limited room and when working without being able to see what you are doing. Think seriously about how you are going to carry the knife. If you intend to carry it on your belt, it might be safer to carry a folding lock blade. Think about it, you have a knife as sharp as you can get it and the only thing between your leg/groin/femoral artery, or gut is a little thin piece of leather! If you take a tumble, will the leather sheath protect you when you land on the knife's handle and are doubled up and tumbling down the creek bank? If you are going to carry the knife in a pack of some kind then a fixed blade would be fine. My pick of the many hunting knives I own is one I've had for over 30 years, a Buck 118 Personal. I have cleaned many elk with it and can honestly say that I've cleaned as many as 3 elk between sharpenings although I do carry a Schrade Sharp Finger for the skinning task.

November 12, 2002, 04:12 PM	#16
eroyd Member Join Date: September 13, 2002 Location: british columbia, canada Posts: 81	After losing a couple of expensive knifes at gut piles. (one becomes a little absent minded after the ordeal of cleaning and packing a moose.) I decided to settle for a Buck with bright orange handles and removable interchangable blades. I have two regular blades (saves on sharpening in the field) and also a gutting blade, ie one of the ones with a dull nub on the end to prevent catching the ponch. It ain't pretty but it's very practical.

November 12, 2002, 04:54 PM	#17
labgrade Member In Memoriam Join Date: November 29, 1999 Location: west of a small town, CO Posts: 4,346	All decent advice. I find that a knife prefernce is about as personal as are your boots. Your best friends (same make 'n model) may prefer something that you may abhor - such is life. I've used Bucks (seems to be very hard steel - tough to sharpen but holds edge well) 'n Gerbers (excellent stuff) - cheapies & not-sos. Currently, I use a Victorinox Swiis Army knife Hunter/Huntsman mosel - got a locking blade about 3.5" long, a gut zipper & a saw + a couple other do-dads. It's done plenty elk with no sweat. I do also carry in myy pack, a Coleman skinning type fixed blade (about $15 US) that I found in the woods. Has a fairly thick blade in case I need to bang on something, a pretty good sweep to the blade for skinning, etc. & was free. Another one of those things that once seen used, The Wife & The Bud had to have one. BTW, we all too carry that same-same SAK - lightweight & very functional. Ditto a Lansky (or like wise jig) for sharpening after you've lost your touch, which seemed to be pretty much the same time as my excellent eyesight. (wah! ) Must have 20-30 pretty good knives stashed around the place, but always carry at the least that Victorinox SAK - excellent quality & great steel.

November 12, 2002, 05:55 PM	#18
DesertSheep Junior Member Join Date: May 2, 2001 Location: Colorado Posts: 8	While I do have the Gerber Gator, I just switched to a hardware utility knife that you break off the end of the knife as it gets dull. Light, compact, cheap, and allways sharp.

November 12, 2002, 08:19 PM	#19
cola8d8 Junior Member Join Date: October 25, 2002 Location: TX Posts: 8	SUPRISED I was suprised not to see more "votes" for Benchmade... I had a benchmade (lost it), dont remember the modle it hat the "angled point". It was a "tatical" style... I know this to be a fact which can not be argued because it was all black

November 13, 2002, 01:19 AM	#20
Guyon Senior Member Join Date: July 27, 2000 Location: Over the Hills and Through the Woods, Tennessee Posts: 1,207	Benchmade makes a few fixed blade knives, but they're better known for their quality production folders. Many folks are going to prefer a fixed blade knife for dressing game. This preference stems from a number of reasons: -- no chance of lock failure -- easier clean up and maintenance -- drop point blade shapes -- tradition About the best game folder IMO is the large Spyderco Wegner. I own one, but I still like a fixed blade for game. __________________ Gun control should just be about hitting your target.

November 13, 2002, 07:31 AM	#22
Al Thompson Staff Alumnus Join Date: May 2, 1999 Location: South Carolina Posts: 3,611	Here's an unusual one and a favorite.. http://www.anzaknives.com/body.htm __________________ http://www.scfirearms.org/

November 13, 2002, 08:31 AM	#23
SA Scott Senior Member Join Date: January 11, 2000 Location: DFW, Texas, USA Posts: 322	Sharp, Small, Cheap, Disposable... ...Scalpels. My wife dresses game using scalpel blades, and is more efficient than yours truly with a Wyoming knife or anything else I've used. They are extremely sharp, controllable, and when the blade wears you pull and replace. Amazing. Of course, I would never go hunting without a real knife, and my wife dissects laboratory mice for a living. She's had some practice with a scalpel... SA Scott

November 13, 2002, 09:47 AM	#24
cobb Member Join Date: June 10, 2002 Location: S. MN. Posts: 16	My vote also goes for the Schrade Sharpfinger. Even though I now carry a Benchmade Nimravus Cub, I still pack the Schrade as a backup and have field dressed many Whitetail and Mule deer with it. I think the Schrade Sharpfinger is a very good deal for the buck. __________________ RIVER VALLEY TRAINING - Mankato, MN. - DPS/BCA approved training organization. NRA & UTAH certified instructor. www.RiverValleyTraining.com

November 13, 2002, 09:49 AM	#25
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	I've used a lot of different knives in gutting out some 50 or more deer. I'll support the notion of a blade no more than three or four inches. I'll also support the idea of a Lansky sharpening set. My favorite has come to be an old Solingen pocket knife, three-inch blade, that I carry in a nylon sheath so as to save my pockets. To split the pelvis, I just tap-tap-tap with a rock, on the back of the blade. Straight back on the blade; rounded tip. Plenty good for gutting; great for skinning. I've done a dozen or so deer with it... Art