hunting knives

[shebebeast]

I'm just getting into hunting and am wondering what people's opinions are on hunting knives. In your experience, what goes into a perfect hunting blade? Any particular recommendations?

[RENO]

http://www.buckknives.com/

http://www.huntingblades.com/chhukn.html

http://www.overstock.com/guides/hunting-knife-buying-guide

http://www.knife-depot.com/knife-information-13.html

http://www.answers.com/topic/hunting-knife-3

Here is some reading for you, and check out your local sporting store as well they will be very helpful as well.

[shebebeast]

Thanks for all the links! Do you have a personal favorite knife?

[stoneguide]

Some of the best knives going,http://www.stevensonknives.com/ and http://www.blacktailcustomdesigns.com/

[RiverOtter]

I bought a #103 when I was 14, and though I've bought a gaggle of different knives since, this is still my go-to favorite. Plenty of blade to work with, slight drop point so you don't open up the guts while opening the belly, and holds an edge like no other. When I bought mine in the late 80's they came with a 'Kraton' handle, which is almost like rubber, and I don't know why they ever switched, as it was a far better material, IMO...

http://www.buckknives.com/index.cfm?event=product.detail&productID=3039

[shebebeast]

Wow, Stephenson makes some beauties, as does Black Tail Custom, thanks for sharing those! Love the antler on the handles, there are some really talented craftsmen out there.

[The Dawg]

Blacktail is a member on here.

[The Hermit]

Fallkniven Knives are excellent quality and design for about the same price as a so so Buck Knife.

[troutseeker]

Buck 110 is good.

[showtime]

what are you hunting for? 7 day backpack trip, quad hunt? you might be better served with a ultra light folder vs a solid 6" fixed full tang.

[Blacktail]

Dont consider just the blade.Its the whole package
The knife has to fit your hand properly so the handle is just as important in what it is made from
The knife has to be made of a good quality steel to hold an edge properly and above all should not be tempered or hardened too much.
A knife can have a high rockwell hardness that will make the edge last a long time, but, when the knife gets dull (and it will if you are cutting trough hair, hide, and bone) a higher hardness factor( generally above 60 RC) will be a lot harder to sharpen for the everyday regular person.

You have to decide on what type of hunting you are doing and what you want your knife to do. Are you just going to dress and animal and haul it to a butcher or are you going to to dress and quarter it before you take it out of the bush. This will help you to decide on the length and shape of the blade.

In my opinion the best steel on commercially made knives right now belongs to Gerber and Kersaw with Falknivven knives thrown in there as well.You again have a decision on whether you want a commercial or custom knife. There are some great knife makers out there with each having their own style for different peoples tastes.

[shebebeast]

I'll be hunting everything from rabbit, and grouse, to deer and black bear on Vancouver Island. No backpacking or quad trips for now since there's been no need, ultra light gear isn't necessary. I'll be field dressing/quartering and then proceeding to butcher on my own at home. I have a knife making friend down in the states who is going to custom make me a knife this season and I wanted to know what kinds of knives other people are using since I don't have too much experience. Basically I'll be looking for a good skinning knife that will butcher as well and stand up to a pounding if I need to get through bones. I don't know much about steel quality or what kinds of blade shapes do what at this point. My friend works mostly with stainless steel I believe.

Thanks for all the responses folks! I have a lot of good info to look over. I was just curious what everyone's personal favorite knives are and what makes a good hunting blade.

[swampthing]

I have found that the smaller the blade the better. Big knives are cool but not practicle. Drop point blade of course. The havolon with replacable blades is something everyone should have. I back that up with a 3" drop point, fixed blade. I will add a longer boning knife to my arsenal this year.

[RENO]

Thanks for all the links! Do you have a personal favorite knife?
Not really, for me it should be ready to do and complete the job it was purchased for and stays sharp.

[shebebeast]

4061
This is one example of my buddy's work. What do you guys think? You should be able to click the image for a larger view, but I'm thinking a knife like this will be fantastic. It's stainless, the handle is made from stripped ebony and tulipwood. He does a lot of handles with antler and caribou bones as well.

[Boner]

I like a non-slip rubber grip on my knives. I try to carry at least 2 plus a utility knife with replaceable blades. And somewhere to tie pink ribbon onto them. You'll understand if you misplace your knife in while working on a moose.
I lost a Ka-Bar last fall that I found this spring after the coyotes and ravens were finished with the mess.

I like the utility knife for opening up the animal, it's good form not to cut hair with a good blade. Unless you sharpen on the fly...

[Lungshot]

omni knife for the win! its a great knife:)

[wlbc]

I think Blacktail summed up the important points well. I would emphasize the fit of the handle for your hand. There are a number of perfectly good knives that I would not buy just due to the shape of the handle and how it fits me. The link below is to my favorite. These are well made knives that hold an edge well. I've gutted, skinned, and boned an entire moose with this knife and not had to touch it up.

http://www.knivesofalaska.com/item.asp?id=140

Cabela's in Lacey or one the Wholesale sports are good for getting a feel for what fits your hand well.

The following links will get you started on the various types of steel. As with everything in life steel is a series of compromises. The harder it is the better it will hold an edge but it will be harder to sharpen and more brittle. I think Blacktail described the compromise point well.

As well, not all steels are created equal and you do get what you pay for. Don't be afraid to pony up for a better knife - and the better steel.

http://www.worldknives.com/info/types-of-steel-20.html

http://www.simplytoolsteel.com/knife-steel-introduction.html

http://www.northamericanknives.com/knife_steels

http://www.knifeart.com/steelfaqbyjo.html

The other part of having a sharp knife is sharpening. I would recommend getting an Edgepro or a Lansky sharpening system. They are simple and they work. Then keep your knife sharp and with the same angle at all times. I have the Edgepro and would not hesitate to buy another but I do know a guy with a Lansky and I must say it is a good system as well.

[Backdraft]

Mora Kniv, made in Sweden. Excellent rep, low price, good product.

http://www.workwearcanada.com/products/category.cfm?category=9

[redneckmedic]

Hey if you are up around Campbell River, Sandstorm Knives makes a great product, 3 of us in my moose group have knives made by this guy and he does a good job, they are a bit pricey though. Also look at Outdoor Edge, their swing blaze knife is awesome and the extra large gut hook is great.

[Sofa King]

i'm addicted to knives.
i can't have enough.
i usually carry three with me hunting.
my CRKT M-21 folding knife, outdoor edge game skinner(i can use this knife to do the whole animal with), and my third depends on what i'm hunting.
if it's moose, my KATZ moose knife(now called the "hunter's tool").
if it's deer, my kershaw ken onion design.

[GOLDEN TOP SNIPER]

The Buck folding hunter 110 is all the knife you will ever need . its my Go To knife for dressing skinning gutting deboneing ... i never use it for making weiner sticks or anything but cutting meat and hide . It keep a great edge and it fits right in your palm , the best hunting knife for the price. mine is over 10 years old .

[BiG Boar]

If anyone can out skin me with my $5 Olaf knife on a moose, I'll buy that knife.

As many great knives as there are out there, nothing beats it.

Try it once and you'll never go back.

[bowhunterbruce]

If anyone can out skin me with my $5 Olaf knife on a moose, I'll buy that knife.

As many great knives as there are out there, nothing beats it.

Try it once and you'll never go back.

i know you ment to say "olfa"

[BiG Boar]

Ha ha yeah. Olaf. Auto correct apparently had other ideas.

[The Dawg]

Ha ha yeah. Olaf. Auto correct apparently had other ideas.

Damn. I thought you had a massive Viking dude skinning your deer for you :(

[bubba350]

I have lots of knives and my favorite for dressing is the outdoor edge "flip and zip" its the same as the swing blade but folding also its blazing orange so its easy to find.

http://www.outdooredge.com/Flip-n-Blaze-Double-Blade-p/flip%20n%20blaze%20double%20blade.htm

[Sofa King]

does anyone carry a easy-access knife for safety?
i bought the kershaw amphibian to carry in the event of a close-quarters need.
thinking a cougar attack and the need for something handy.
i read where that guy on the island had the cougar on top of him and his folding knife was in his pocket.
he knew he needed to grab it to survive, but doing so meant stopping defending himself with one arm.
he had no choice but to get more seriously mauled while he grabbed the knife and eventually killed the cougar.
i bought the amphibian because i can mount it upside down on my chest and it's always easily accessible.

[Cookie-kid]

Fit is important. If you can hold it comfortably in more than 1 position you're in the good. I've learned that bone & antler handles become slick when wet & especially covered in blood... which will happen some treated wood handles will do the same as well. I've used a buck with a rubberized grip, was a great tool. Now I use a bone collector & very pleased. A blade doesn't need to be long, that is just for show. I carry a Kershaw speed safe for utility needed.

[frenchbar]

i got this knife from don stevenson' he has a website' for my son ..i used it skinning a buck the other day .great little knife one of the best ive used in yrs

http://www.stevensonknives.com/wp-content/themes/mk3/phpthumb/phpThumb.php?src=/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/snakewood.jpg&w=185&h=140&q=100&zc=1

[Jagermeister]

Buy a Buck, You will have it a long long time.

[WKCotts]

x2 on the Outdoor Edge

[Glenny]

does anyone carry a easy-access knife for safety?
i bought the kershaw amphibian to carry in the event of a close-quarters need.
thinking a cougar attack and the need for something handy.
i read where that guy on the island had the cougar on top of him and his folding knife was in his pocket.
he knew he needed to grab it to survive, but doing so meant stopping defending himself with one arm.
he had no choice but to get more seriously mauled while he grabbed the knife and eventually killed the cougar.
i bought the amphibian because i can mount it upside down on my chest and it's always easily accessible.

I never ever go in the bush without my Buck Guide on my hip.

[bccanadian]

X3 On the outdoor edge swing knife.

[Trophyslayer]

My new favourite knife is my havalon cheap and never need to sharpen it uses surgical blades just snap on a new one. I field dressed and skinned a whole moose with 2 blades but I could have done it with one. I still don't go anywhere without my trusty fixed blade buck though

[Jagermeister]

These are my go to knives.

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r496/Leaveoff/BuckKnives.jpg

[Ridgeback Fan]

[QUOTE=Backdraft;1238427]Mora Kniv, made in Sweden. Excellent rep, low price, good product.

yup. $15 bucks for a stainlessone with grippy handle. love the handmade stuff, but it is crushing if you lose one and cheap ones get the job done. Moras are light too.

[msharkey]

I've become a fan of Enzo knives. They're of Finnish manufacture. I have a Trapper model and a Camper - I can shave my face with either. Excellent knives, I'll buy them for my sons.