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NVC--
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(Green Horn)
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06/23/08 03:35 PM
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Choosing a knife
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I normally spend between $50-$75 for a knife. How do i determine what is the best knife. I have bought several brands that are sharp straight out the box but none will ever sharpen to the same point.
What are your recommendations for the right choice?
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Re: Choosing a knife
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First, I stay away from stainless steel. For me it won't take an edge and if it does it won't hold it. I like a short fixed blade knife. Even a Buck folding hunter is too long for my klutsy hands when I get up inside the rib cage. I use a folding Kersaw with a 2.5" blade alot.
The Buck folders are good for opening a deer up and for skinning, but for gutting I like the shorter stuff. JMO 
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Re: Choosing a knife
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I have a couple high dollar knives, I guess better metal = harder to sharpen! I have been buying easy to sharpen $20 knives and use 2 or 3 even if they are still sharp. Ill sit between the morning and eve. hunt and sharpen knives just to have something to do. I can get a shcrade and gerber the sharpest.
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Re: Choosing a knife
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I use my Benchmade for everything.Its an automatic knife but it has the 154cm blade.Its hard to put an edge on it but once you do...its got an edge!!
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Re: Choosing a knife
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Welcome to the THF. 
Hope you enjoy being on here. There are lots of good folks with lots of good information.
Its your $$$ and you can spend however much you want to, but from my experience for day in and day out use, a Buck 110 folding hunter is really hard to beat.
It is all I have been using for the past 30 years, on everything from cottontails and buzztails up to moose and musk-ox.
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LG
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(Bird Dog)
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06/24/08 07:59 AM
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Re: Choosing a knife
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A friend of mine turned me on to a "COLD STEEL" Master Hunter. Talking about sharp right out of the box! I wont use anything else! I gutted and skined a deer and never touched the blade with a stick or etc...JMO
Good Luck, Lance
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Re: Choosing a knife
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I've been using the same Buck Pathfinder knife for around 30 years. It's a fixed blade that I think is 5" long. I can usually gut, skin, and quarter 5 or 6 deer before I have to touch it up. I use a Lansky system to put the edge back on because I can't sharpen a knife worth a hoot otherwise. If I don't "work on" anybody else's' deer, I usually go 2 or 3 years between sharpening; even then it's just a touch-up. For me, it's very difficult to sharpen a dull knife but really quick to hone a good edge back on. In other words, put the working edge back on it before it gets dull.
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Re: Choosing a knife
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I've been using the same Buck folding one for 30 to 40 years. It works well enough for me. However, I have a bunch of over priced ones that I just never seem to have around when there is work to be done.
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Re: Choosing a knife
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I like Benchmade and Gerber. I have had great success with both brands.
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Re: Choosing a knife
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Quote:
However, I have a bunch of over priced ones that I just never seem to have around when there is work to be done.
I've got several very nice knives that have been given to me over the years but I just can't bring myself to get one of them "dirty". Regardless of how much they cost, I just can't see how they would work any better than the one I use. I guess when I die, my son can figure out what to do with them. When my Dad died, I got his Buck Pathfinder (just like mine) so I figure I'm set for knives till I'm about 200 or so.
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Re: Choosing a knife
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Yeah, I have a couple of Spiderco's, a BenchMade Elishewitz, various Cases, some Custom knives and some that I built from industrial hacksaw blades with beautiful bois d'arc handles. But I started butchering with the old Buck and just keep on. Or maybe I should say that when one Buck gets dull, I finish with another one. I guess I would really use just about anything that is sharp.
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helomech
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(Extreme Tracker)
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06/24/08 06:05 PM
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Re: Choosing a knife
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I have a uncle henry, that I have had for over 20 years, and it is very easy to sharpen. It holds a great edge for deer, but the hogs dull it pretty fast. My wife bought me a real nice electric knife sharpener and it puts a great edge on it just a few seconds. Just a couple passes, and it is shaving hair again.
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Re: Choosing a knife
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I won't spend a lot of money on something I can lose easily. I have a nice Buck, Uncle Henry, Kershaw and a Gerber. If I have to pick the knife I pick a Gerber. The Henry sharpens up nice but on hogs and elk it doesn't last as long as the Gerber. The Buck takes an edge quick and loses it almost as fast. The Kershaw is too new to judge but it'll take a lot to unpocket my Gerber.
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becox
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(Woodsman)
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06/24/08 10:09 PM
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Re: Choosing a knife
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I have had good luck with Knives of Alaska knives. I have cleaned and caped several Animals and it is still very sharp.
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NVC--
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(Green Horn)
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06/25/08 12:03 PM
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Re: Choosing a knife
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thanks for everyones input
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Re: Choosing a knife
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KERSHAW FTW!
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Greg
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(Pro Tracker)
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06/25/08 01:17 PM
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Re: Choosing a knife
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I had some bass pro cards that I needed to use up, so I ended up buying a knife that was much more than I would have paid normally. I got a buck 154 Alpha. It has a gut hook and is super sharp. Everyone at camp was amazed at how well it held an edge even after working with the hogs. I guess you get what you pay for.
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Re: Choosing a knife
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I have an Alpha Buck also - nowhere near as good as my kershaw, but it is strong. just didnt hold an edge as long...
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Re: Choosing a knife
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My Dad always told me the only person that needed a knife that would shave hair was a barber. My Buck won't shave hair but it'll hold it's edge a long time. The finer the edge, the faster it dulls. If it'll cut hide and meat, that's all I need.
One of the best field dressing tools I have is my set of limb loppers. In about 5 seconds, you can pop the entire pelvic bone section out of a deer. It cuts the breastbone from stern to stem in about 5 seconds. You can roll right down the edge of the backstrap cutting ribs in nothing flat. It's great for cutting off the leg bones. And once you trim the meat off the neck, it pops the spine with no effort.
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LG
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(Bird Dog)
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06/26/08 06:54 AM
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Re: Choosing a knife
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Thsi is probably a dumb question, but what are "limb loppers"??
Lance
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Re: Choosing a knife
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Otherwise known as lopping shears. Gardening tool used to prune limbs. They work great for cutting limbs, legs, and ribs on most medium size game. Always in my truck on every hunting trip. Look like a huge pair of scissors with a curved cutting surface.
And for knives, Feild Dressing: I use a $20 buck fixed blade I picked up a Wally World a few years back. Easy to sharpen, holds an edge good, and has a rubber handle so i can run it thru the dishwasher when it comes home nasty. Skinning: I use a skinning knife I got when I joined the RMEF. Short 2" blade with a 90 degree curve. Works great. Looks like it was made by Gerber or Kershaw, but no name on it, so who really knows. I have a whole host of other knives, but these are always in my pack, along with the little $15 field dressing saw I carry.
Jay
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Re: Choosing a knife
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Here's pic of a pair from Home Depot that cost $30.
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twice70
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(Bird Dog)
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06/26/08 01:28 PM
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Re: Choosing a knife
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For hunting/skinning I use a Buck Folding Hunter or Buck Woodsman. For a pocketknife I carried a Case Trapper for years, have recently started carrying an older USA made Camillus lockblade. All of these have done well for me, also have had a few Gerbers, a Benchmade Griptilian, and a couple other Case knives, all have been good knives.
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jgiles
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(Veteran Tracker)
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06/26/08 06:09 PM
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Re: Choosing a knife
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Quote:
I have had good luck with Knives of Alaska knives. I have cleaned and caped several Animals and it is still very sharp.
I love the big one with the gut hook, stays sharp and is heavy enough if you need to chop.
Over all sharpness and all around great knives its either Hen and Rooster or Moore.
Moore if you take care of them b/c they will rust
Hen and Rooster if you neglect them
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72chevy
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(Bird Dog)
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06/27/08 09:49 AM
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Re: Choosing a knife
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I carry a smith & wesson for everday use and it holds an edge pretty good. I also have a Buck, Gerber and they both are good knives too.
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cajundave
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(Veteran Tracker)
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06/30/08 08:25 PM
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Re: Choosing a knife
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I had an Old timer with a gut hook for 10 plus years but lost it going through a mesquite thicket. The leather case on the fixed blade wore out and made it easy to slip out.
This is what I got to replace it. It's foldable and the nylon case completely covers it so it's hard to lose and comfortable to wear. The one hand operation is great as well.
http://www.rockynational.com/1360_22-07171_Gerber_Freeman_Folder_Gut_Hook_Fine.html
By the way, it skins real well and holds a pretty good edge.
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Re: Choosing a knife
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I recently got a 2.5 inch Buck pocket knife. When I got it home, I saw that it had been made in China. When did that start?
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ralph
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(Pro Tracker)
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07/02/08 09:33 AM
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Re: Choosing a knife
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About a year ago, I started noticing Gerber knives that were less expensive than the competition. Sure enough, when I looked they were made in China.
Since then, I see some Buck knives are now from China.
I actually bought a Kershaw that was made in China. It seems to be pretty good quality, but it has only been six months.
My local Wal-Mart had a sign on a display of Victorinox Swiss Army knives that said next year some of them will be made in China...
Seems like everybody has some models that are now Chinese. Pretty sure all the Buck and Gerber lower price knives at Wal Mart are Chinese.
Just have to look at each one to make sure where it is produced.
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hawk
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(Woodsman)
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07/02/08 03:13 PM
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Re: Choosing a knife
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I agree with what's been said about the Knives of Alaska. They are great tools!
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jgiles
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(Veteran Tracker)
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07/03/08 07:22 AM
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Re: Choosing a knife
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http://www.mooremaker.com/
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Re: Choosing a knife
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Buck 110
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RonKaye
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(Bird Dog)
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07/22/08 03:30 PM
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Re: Choosing a knife
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I've been using an old Gerber Magnum Hunter (fixed blade) for over 30 years, and have yet to find a knife that will hold an edge as well. I've field dressed, skinned, and butchered elk with it, and it was still razor sharp. It's made of tool steel, chrome plated on the face. Nowadays, all Gerber knives are stainless, which doesn't take or hold as good an edge. Had a couple of Cold Steel Aus 8 knives, and have a SOG... both nice, but nowhere near the durability of the Gerber. All I ever use to dress the edge is a steel, and the blade still could pass for almost new.
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Re: Choosing a knife
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i picked up the gerber gator gut hook fixed blade from walmart. it was like 18 but it really is a solid piece and the price was right.
im also a big fan of my gerber evo for a folder and may buy the evo jr. for daily use.
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bigmac
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(Woodsman)
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08/01/08 06:06 PM
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Re: Choosing a knife
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Anything with s30v or s90v steel. Will stay sharp longer than anthing else. I have a good friend who makes custom knives that made me a s90v knife. I gutted and deer and a hog with it and it would still shave.
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BMD
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(Veteran Tracker)
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08/01/08 06:08 PM
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Re: Choosing a knife
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I prefer the the little knife from knives of alaska, the cub I think it is called great for peeling the hair off the head and then everyone can look at the horns while the cape is safe in freezer.
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bigjohn
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(Tracker)
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08/01/08 09:45 PM
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Re: Choosing a knife
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I picked up a Leatherman Urika when Sportsmans Warehouse was going out of business for like $25 - I havent cleaned or gutted anything with it yet, but is is already my favorite knife.
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Re: Choosing a knife
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CUTCO knifes they make high dollar kitchen knife and have 4 hunting knife i have one that cost $70 i have skinned and gut 5 hogs and 2 deer in a row without resharpening it has a lifetime warrenty and if you want them to sharpen it back to factory edge they will do it for free you just have to ship it to them they pay to ship it back
wish i would have got one sooner
cutco.com its worth the price
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kimmo
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(Woodsman)
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08/30/08 04:11 PM
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Re: Choosing a knife
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Hi. I'm new here and from sweden scandinavia. Saw this thread and it's intresting to read all of the different opinions how a knife should be. Many of the people here in sweden use scandi style of knife but some of them also knifes like buck. I use knifes i have made myself. Many yrs ago my father told me it was time to do a knife. After the first one i did one more and one more so on....
This one i use when i hunt deere here in sweden and it works very nice. The blade is 12c27 steele about 9cm. Handle i made from moosehorn with my own scrimshaw.Sheath is also from moosehorn and pockenholtz. It' my favorite knife and works for me. Have a nice day all of you and forgive my english but i try my best.
/kimmo lilja
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wetduck
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(Light Foot)
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08/31/08 09:32 PM
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Re: Choosing a knife
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I have a boker folder that is a lil smaller than a buck 110
got it in 85, they are pricey but the replacement cost will make you take care not to lose it.
carry a boker 3 blade stockman in carbon steel daily.my feelings about knive are the same as wimmmen, dogs and guns
aint no reason to have a ugly one.
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Re: Choosing a knife
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If you want a real knife buy something with S30V steel hands down one of the best knife steels ever. But your going to pay more for it but it retains a razor sharp edge and it sharpens easily with ceramic sticks.
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Danny
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(Woodsman)
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09/07/08 09:02 PM
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Re: Choosing a knife
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Knives of alaska. Awesome performance.
Light Hunter Combo and Bush Camp.
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Re: Choosing a knife
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I skint many a deer with just a sharp blade, but ever since i used a gut hook Ill never use a knife that doesnt have one. I have a Buck folder that i have had for five seasons, skint 15 deer, one nasty hog, coons and yotes, and still goin. Skinner
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Re: Choosing a knife
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Knives of Alaska light hunter combo
I use the cub bear for most of the work.
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stan
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(Light Foot)
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09/15/08 03:50 PM
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Re: Choosing a knife
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Your English is fine, and your knife looks beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
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k-town
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(Woodsman)
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09/17/08 06:50 AM
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Re: Choosing a knife
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GERBER GATOR to work the deer ... inexpensive and will stay sharp , easy to sharpen too.I own others but this seems to work. but a standard pocket knife will do the job used a case for years...
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Re: Choosing a knife
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I carry a Spyderco Native III. Awesome Daily carry/ tac knife and stays Razor sharp, but it's better for stabbing and slashing, rather than field dressing. I'm kindof anal retentive about how i dress a duck *shrug* 
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Re: Choosing a knife
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Quote:
I use my Benchmade for everything.Its an automatic knife but it has the 154cm blade.Its hard to put an edge on it but once you do...its got an edge!!
Are you a LEO? I thought autos were illegal unless your an on-duty LEO or active military.
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Smoker1
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(Bird Dog)
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10/28/08 02:09 PM
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Re: Choosing a knife
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I use a Schrade and have been using the same one for well over 10 years. I have a decent knife collection and that is always the one I reach for first.
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Koolade
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(Light Foot)
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10/30/08 11:07 PM
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Re: Choosing a knife
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Mooremaker out of Matador, TX. I carry one of their "Trappers" and use it for everything. They also make several very good hunting knives. Excellent quality.
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jase123
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(Woodsman)
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11/01/08 09:32 AM
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Re: Choosing a knife
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well first of all a gerber is junk... ive never been able to keep them sharp. a buck is good, but takes time to geta good edge and it loses it pretty quick when gutting a deer. ive always liked a stacked leather handle fixed blade knife. i finally found a case that fit the bill a few years ago. it is wonderful. i gutted my deer and of course cleaned up the knife and put it up expecting to sharpen it when i got home, i went to sharpen it and it didnt need it.. still shaving sharp. best knife ive ever had, about 75.00
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jase123
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(Woodsman)
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11/01/08 11:09 AM
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Re: Choosing a knife
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fyi.. i also agree about the moore makers... those are awesome knives. they dont really have a good fixed blade desin that i like but the trapper is awesome.
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pk1616
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(Woodsman)
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11/06/08 10:18 AM
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Re: Choosing a knife
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I have bought some more expensive knives, but usually come back to basic buck or gerber folding knives. Use a skinner/gut hook combo as well that works good. I have a leopold fixed blade that I like. Basically, keep them sharp and ready and you will be happy.
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CypertJ
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(Woodsman)
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11/07/08 07:02 AM
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Re: Choosing a knife
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have an Old Timer (Schrade) made in the USA with a green rubber handle and a gut hook, it's been a great knife and skinned many critters, also have a Buck 110, and several winchester knives from wally world that people keep giving me for gifts, but I'll stick with the old timer
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jase123
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(Woodsman)
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11/07/08 02:45 PM
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Re: Choosing a knife
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i never liked old timers. my dad always carried a case pocket knife, im not crazy about them either. i love the moore maker but to each his own. as far as hunting knives go, i have a case stacked leather handle that my wife bought me, only sharpened once..
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Re: Choosing a knife
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i use fury knife, i'm looking at getting a benchmade though
i like the way they look, and the way people talk good about them, almost never a bad thing said
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Re: Choosing a knife
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benchmade are good knives, the guy at cabelas told me that there are some that have the assisted open that only military and law enforcement can buy. i carry moore makers, infact i just ordered one today. the handles are made of mesquite cut right off the ranch the moore's own...
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NVC--
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(Green Horn)
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11/26/08 06:23 PM
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Re: Choosing a knife
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Damn...its been several, several months since i have been on...did not know this thread would be such a hot topic
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Re: Choosing a knife
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Im sure its been said already, Im too laxy to read all the posts first, but once you use a knife with a gut hook you will never use one without one. I have a Buck with the single edge technology that was so technically advanced, that i turned it into a dual edge so it would stay sharp. Have had it for five seasons, skinned 15 deer with it, and have never had a problem with it. Skinner
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