Looking for an all around hunting knife, to start with.
Anyone have any reviews or comments on the Knives of Alaska set? Pref. the elk hunter or whitetail hunter?
What would you buy or rate as 1 ultimate good solid all around knife?
Thanks
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Looking for an all around hunting knife, to start with.
Anyone have any reviews or comments on the Knives of Alaska set? Pref. the elk hunter or whitetail hunter?
What would you buy or rate as 1 ultimate good solid all around knife?
Thanks
Quote:
Originally Posted by IamCanadian
Old Hickory knives if you can find them. Just be very careful with a knife....they are like potato chips, you can't have just one. :thumbup:
Don't own a knives of Alaska, but I love their big blades (Brown Bear?) The cleaver style is a great tool. Their workmanship is excellent.
In the past I'd have recommended a Puma, but I hear the new ones aren't as incredibly excellent as the old ones. I think the Hunter's Pal is a great knife.
I have a couple of Grohmann knives that are my mainstays. They are awesome, and MADE IN CANADA! And not really expensive. One is the Original Belt knife, the other is military issue. Similar designs and materials. They sharpen easily and hold an edge well, and the blade and handle shape lend themselves well to gutting, skinning and butchering quite well.
I also have an older Premier, made in Solingen, Germany. Excellent. And one Falcon knife, a folder made in Northern Italy. I'm very happy with that knife too.
Im a big fan of small knives. My favoite knife is a folding knife, very similar to a buck folder with a 2.75" blade. I have it razor sharp all the time, and ive cleaned 3 moose and 4 bears with it. Havent needed a bigger knife. Its on my belt all the time, and i dont even know its there.
My next knife will be a fixed 4" blade. I think that is the absolute best of both worlds. You get the "size" of a bigger knife, but the "handling" of a smaller knife.
I agree with Kilo Charlie Grohmann knives are great knives and great value and if you don't mind saving a few bucks you can buy seconds online with just small blemishes or buy a kit and finish your own handle while saving money. I have the bird and trout knife (a kit knife) and the moose deer knife, I really took a liking to them after gutting a buck with my brothers standard belt knife.
I also have to caution you like SnowWalker its hard to have just one I'm a bit of a junkie. If your interested in custom knives Ron Post seems to have a nice line and tempers to 58-59 rockwell so there hard enough but still sharpen nicely - online at www.postknives.com or at the sportsman show.
What ever you choose enjoy it.
FB
:thumbup:Grohmann knives...had 2 (#2 Trout & #4 Survival) of them for close to 30 years now and they are the best darned knives i've ever had!:thumbup:
I have 2 Ron Post knives and they are excellent for moose and deer, real nice looking and working knives. I also have a 20 plus year old Puma and it is excellent as well. My folding buck has been a great all round every day kife also.
the next knife i buy will probably be the cabelas alaskan guide series vanguard. its made for them by buck, using the s30v steel and their heat treating process. the blade is just over 4" and has a drop point shape to it, pretty much the same blade i have on my everyday carry knife (buck vantage pro).
http://www.cabelas.com/fixed-blade-k...-knife-1.shtml
apparently the logo on the blade can be removed relatively easily.
Check out Bark River knives, they make an extremely good product.
I own one of those bear gRylls knifes, thought it was gOing to be a peace of just but it's actually pretty nice for 50$ the blade is strong and the knife just feels well made. It holds a edge well to and comes with a sharpener right on the carrying case. The butt of the knife has a solid peace of metal on it so you are able to break things with it or use as a mini hammer. And the knife holder also has a flint stick build in to it that you just pop out and strike across the back of the blade.
Kershaw spring assist are nice knifes
Russel, Grohman or cold steel.
I love my buck mini alpha with gut hook good for deer sized game
post custom knives!!! The nicest knife i have ever used. I've had it for 4 years and skined 3 moose with it. Several of the guys at my camp have ordered them since they saw mine.
I carry a Leatherman c33Lx. best knife I've ever owned.
D H Russell/Grohmann for me too.
I won't recommend a brand., but size matters. For field dressing , go small 440 stainless 3 in. blade. [This helps you keep all your fingers when you're cutting a wind pipe blind ] A skinning knife is handy , as is a fillet knife [Normark..just sayin'] and you're good to go. All else said , if I could only have one knife , it would have to be a Buck folder 3-1/2 in.:moose: I recommended brands didn't I!? oh well.Quote:
Originally Posted by IamCanadian
The only fixed blade knives I own are a Grohmann #3 and some Moras I use for camping. I actually use folders for most things, and the Grohmann gets used in the kitchen.
That Buck Vanguard in S30V someone mentioned, that would be a great knife. Nice size and handling and great steel.
Sog creed is usually the only knife i bring out. Its cleaned alot of grouse.and skinned a few of the smaller mammals. Saved my cheeks a few times when i needed to wip a fire up as chopping is its job, have chopped hardwood branches near 5" in diameter http://sogknives.com/store/CD-02.html
price on the sog website is a little off as i purchased it at lebaron for more than 100 less than its posted there
One good all-round hunting knife is an oxymoron. You will need either 3 good specialty knives or one cheapie that gets replaced often...:D
pfffffft i have gutted a few moose and a few bears with one knife. You dont need anything fancy, just something small that you can handle, and it has to be razor sharp.Quote:
Originally Posted by patvetzal
Yeah, I've been looking around.
The Grohmann, Knives of Alaska, Esee-3 (which is the modern RAT), Buck knives, Cold steel...
Theres a lot to choose from...but I got to start with one at this moment.
This will be my first hunting knife, so help me out.
Post pics too!
We can start a knife thread...
So at this moment. It looks like by what i've gathered is...
I'm looking for:
Fixed Blade, 3-4" blade, Drop point.
Reliable, Sharp, Probably going to take a beating :moose:
Cold Steel Master Hunter or Pendleton Hunter is good bang for buck - decent steel and well constructed.
A lot of backcountry guys like Havalon knives. They are inexpensive, extremely light and use disposable scalpel blades so they are always razor sharp. A Havalon Piranta with a couple of blades will cover most of your field butchery needs, and I'd have a survival knife on hand as well should the need for heavy duty work arise.
Buck 110 will be all you need. Not too much money and comes with a leather case. You can pick one up all over from CT to Wallymart.
Don
I've got a coup[le of Post knives that I use for puting up fur and love them but my go to knife for up at the camp has been with me for close to 30 years, it's a Russel belt knife, one of the originals...
I know Grohmann knives and the Russel have (had) a good name but the various knife forums I have read while researching knives say the quality is now not very good (at least not what it was). Criticizing Grohmaand riding only on the popularity of a 50 year old blade design...not my criticism but what I have read.
I have an ugly old 440c (stainless) 5" blade, el cheapo, tactical-looking, clip point that my parents bought me 20 years ago when I was in RCAC, and enjoyed survival camping. It takes and keeps a nice edge. I also have my fathers old Premier clip point....a little softer steel than my knife...but also takes a nice edge...but wears easier (where mine could chip easier).
Moe,
I think you just fueled an obsession for me lol
:scream: Wow, nice collection
Hey Snowwalker same here.
I agree; I have a few Old Hickorys and the old stainless steel small fillet knife is unbelievable.
Large one's great for salmon and bigger fish.
I don't know what I'd do if I ever lost it, the blade is so thin and sensitive but holds an edge really well.
They used to be made in Ellicotteville NY., that's where I bought mine.
Still in business I see out of Amirillo Texas, Ontario Knives.
http://www.knivesplus.com/OLD-HICKORY-KNIVES.HTML
The fillet knife I have is a little different as is the butcher knife from the offerings at the link.
Way less expensive now though, really great deal.
They started out something like 100 years ago with the Case knife company and then went it alone.
Case is still in business in Bradford Pennsyvania and is now part of Zippo Lighter.
I've got a couple of custom $150.00 dollar fillet knives from the artisans at the Sportsman show (forgot their names) I never use because they're just not as functional, freaking beautiful to look at though.
For deer and bear I like the Case XX fixed blade with the black plastic handle, or the Buck folder that's been recommended already.
Grohmann takes a beating from knife nuts these days because their steel is not very good, the lineup of knives is limited and the design is old. Of course, the Buck 110 and 119 are old designs, too. Not everything can be a RAT Izula or whatever's in fashion this week. The fact is, that old design is functional.
The only really valid complaint is that the steel isn't very good. Grohmann doesn't even say what it is, which annoys knife nuts to no end. I think it's 4116, which is about equivalent to 440C, when now super-steels are all the rage. On the other hand, Buck uses 420 steel, which is considered worse than 440, so there you go. Most people don't know what steel their knives are made from, and don't care.
Moe, I like that Buck Vantage Pro a lot. Good design. But my number one all-round folder is the Benchmade Griptilian with a drop-point blade.
What is your budget? Under $200 you can get some very decent handmade knives. I have around 20. 2 Charles May very well made quality material clean lines (over $200 and a long wait). I also own 4 Ron Post knives and these are fantastic. Nothing fancy but well done. Actually I think he sells them very cheap.
Jozsef
Two - a Buck Vanguard and Browning FDT. The Buck for skinning and the Browning for the dirty work - it can do anything.Quote:
Originally Posted by patvetzal
buck knife is my choice
I have knives of Alaska wolf and cub awesome knives hod an edge like no other knife I have seen did 7 deer this year with them and still as sharp as the day they came home
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kilo Charlie
I am also a huge fan of Grohman knives.
Lots of great suggestions, but you can't go wrong with a Buck 110 for a good quality inexpensive all around knife... I would start their and then let the obsession take over
Puma 3" blade great for deer, had it for years.
I have a Puma White Hunter that I have had for almost 30 years. It is a little big for what you are looking for but the steel is the best I have ever seen.
hard to beat a grohman Ive used an original on deer moose with the thick blade using a club to hammer with it ll cut through bone
Lazyman
here's a couple I like........http://bigshotsbc.ca/images/smilies/wink.gif
elk stag and ironwood
http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/t...psgolfqxe7.jpg
South American Bacote
http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/t...psygcwbfp2.jpg
forged L6 and Ivory
http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/t...psetfiswbb.jpg
Red Berry Stopper and 180 layer damascus
http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/t...psjkvior8e.jpg
Gorgeous as always, BCROB! I like that bocote one.
thank you sirQuote:
Originally Posted by welsh
ill add another vote for the grohmann. I have the original #1 and the trout and bird #2 and love them both. The #2 is my go-to hunting knife as fits well, gets into small areas and works really well. Always good to support Canadian and buy a grohmann, you won't be disappointed.
Belt knife, Gromman. Pocket folder, Kershaw open assist. 90% of the time its the pocket folder. Kershaws Ken Onion open assists are fabulous. Light in the pocket and light on the wallet. Having the one hand opening feature is fantastic.
My Puma Forster-Nicker (4 1/4'') has been with me for more than 50 years and has ''cleaned'' a lot of BIG GAME . --- Excellent steel and handles well . --- A Normark Fillet-knife (7 1/2'') takes care of fishing-related jobs while my "bum-around''- knife , a Buck 110 (3 1/4'') fills in in for ''everything-else'' . --- There are hundreds of good quality knives available ; just pick the proper size and shape and you'll be well served . --- Remember : Bigger is NOT better . No-one needs a machete-sized knife for cleaning game .
I use a basic Buck Knife. Folding blade.
Easy to keep sharp on a Chef Choice Sharpener.
I use it for everything-- hike in the forest or at home in the garden--it's always with me for any needs.
Sharpen sticks for camp fire marshmallows or hot dogs.
Cut any rope/sticks.
Open tightly taped mail.
Slice the tip off a Cuban Cigar.
Gut, skin and de-bone grouse, geese, rabbits, ducks and farmed chickens.
But for butchering deer, I use a 6 inch Henckels Utility knife to remove fat, fascia and de-bone.
I have 3 different Grohmman belt knives and my go to pocket folder is a Grohmman as well....love them all!
I use a Grohman No. 3 knife. As others have said they are excellent value for the money, made in Canada, and hold an edge really well. It is just the right size for all of your skinning and dressing work.
Buck Alpha fixed blade SV30 and a havalon bolt.
First, the entire steel discussion shows how much the average person knows about knifes: not all that much!Quote:
Originally Posted by welsh
No manufacturer will tell you how they harden and temper. Therefore, you cannot really compare the "ingredients" of the steel and simply make any useful conclusion. Different size, bevel, intended use call all for different steels and different treatments.
So either you find a custom knifemaker and discuss what you exactly want (and what compromises you are willing to make) or you buy something in the low three digits that fits your idea of size/shape/grind. Both ways are not exactely cheap, but you cannot go wrong either.
Most people are terrible with sharpening knifes. All the jigs nowadays will allow you to touch up the edge, but not to properly sharpen it after heavy/extended use. And then people are buying new knifes, because of the poor "steel" that won't hold an edge
LMAO - that's the knife industry in a nut shell
I have three rapala filleting knives that I use for filleting as well as cutting up deer. They have flexible blades and are pretty soft steel. My go-to hunting knife is a 35 year old Normark - use that for small game, birds, gutting and skinning deer. It's hard steel - takes a while to get an edge on it. A few years ago, I grabbed a couple of $2.97 6" filleting knives from a bin at the checkout at Vaugh BassPro for use in the kitchen. Not as flexible as the rapalas, but really good knives at a giveaway price. I sharpen the filleting knives with a pull-through plastic sharpener which has a couple of steel (carbide???) blades inside. The normark I sharpen on an oil stone.
I've given several nephews hunting knives. Buck fixed blades. These are good knives but the blades are brittle and can break. There's a couple of them been sent back under Buck's lifetime warranty.
I use the Havalon Piranta, the thing is razor sharp I have yet to use anything better. Its extremely light weight and small, it also uses replacement blades so you don't need to sharpen it. I have used standard hunting knives before but were all replaced by the Havalon.
-Rob
This is true. A lot of the fuss about steels goes on just because people can buy knives made from the latest super steels, so they start to insist on those steels although they never actually use their knives for much other than taking pictures of the shiny blade to share online. Brand A gets beat up for offering a knife in 154CM for $125 when Brand B offers one in S30V for the same price, and nobody stops to ask if Brand A's is actually the better design.Quote:
Originally Posted by Waftrudnir
But at the same time, doesn't matter how well you heat treat your 4116/440C/420HC blade, it won't hold a candle to a competently made D2 blade. Those are simply low grade steels. So although the Grohmann is a great design and is the first knife I reach for, at the same time I wish they'd start using a mid-range steel -- something that offers better edge holding but is still easy to sharpen.