118 or 105?

kyhunt

kyhunt

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Mar 20, 2007
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Which do you like best? I have neither. I'm considering one. BP has the nice bone handle 105 but ebay has the 118 in stag and D2. What do you like and dislike about each. They both look to be fine knives. I think they would be very nice for removing back straps and tenderloins from deer.
 
420HC or D2 +1 on the D2
Bone or Stag +1 on the Stag
I like the handle on that 2nd D2 knife.
 
Blade length on a 118 is 4.5 inches. Five inches on the 105.

That extra little bit will make it easier trimming out the strap and loins.
 
It comes down to personal preference, either one will work. I like the 118 for field work and the 121 (or 105) for final butchering and packaging.

Jack
 
I was just looking at the 121 and thought it would be nice for cutting large chunks into smaller chunks. I've never really paid attention to one before.Choices ,choices, choices,and so close to Christmas.,
 
I think I'm wrong. I was looking at the General at Cabelas. Is that a 121 or a 120? Its a 120 isnt it.
 
KH,
To echo Jack its just up to what thrills you. For a huntin' knife all of the above are great. My realization later in life is you have two paths to travel, the animal on the ground path and the animal hanging in a tree at camp path. I don't like hiking around with the weight of a bunch of knives in my pack. I usually have three on my person, slipjoint pocket, 112 belt and a 118 pack. Also a small saw and a small sharpening rod. That should render any creature smaller than a moose to totin' proportions. If am a lucky hunter and I can carry it to the hangin' tree whole, then I would get out two 103s, a 105 and a 121. Those are used to eventually completely slice and dice and vac. pack the unlucky game. My nephew is a big time wild game processing manager in Ft. Worth, so let me support that direction, if take your animal somewhere then the number of knives can be reduced to just your field workings path. You can actually get by with only one or maybe two knives for the whole thing I use a bunch because I hate to sharpen a blade mid process. Also some of those 'great' steels are hard to touch up once they eventually get dull. My buddy uses a ceramic blade knife, works for a whole season or two (multi deer state) but don't think about twisting it cutting some joint. .....Opinions are like rearends, everybodies got one. In the end, get the bone or stag D2 the price is only going to go up and it will make you feel well off in your hand.

300Bucks
 
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The General is the 120. I'm pretty sure the 121 is completely out of production. Its name is the "Fisherman" although the uses described above suits it better I think.
 
In the field its pretty much my 110 or a small Bark River I have. I hang them here at home and buther them in the drive or on the front porch. I actually dont need more knives, just need an excuse to buy more. To me the 120 would be too big for the field but I think on the table cutting roast and steaks with one clean cut it would be nice. Most knives I have are between 3 and 4 1/2 inch with one 5 inch blade. I have currently at my disposal for using. Of course I dont use them all each time.


 
I used a 420 Vanguard on a elk in place of a 103 for skinning and it worked great. Nice in the hand also.
300Bucks
 
Aesthetically, the 118 appears much smaller than the 105. I can't imagine anyone getting upset over it for being over 4 inches, if this is an issue. It appears not much more than a steak or small fillet knife, if you have laws to consider. Sometimes common sense prevails and a 118 personal appears much less threatening than a Vangaurd or 105 or even skinner. It's edge to spine is fairly narrow. For all intents and purposes, they probably perform the same. The 118 has a much larger sweep, if that is important, while the 105 has a longer straight edge portion.

The almost extinct 118 was a favorite of Hoyt Buck, I think, where the 105 was a favorite of the American public, as it is still produced.

I'd say you can't go wrong with either, but over the long run, I'd choose stag over bone and D2 over 420HC, in your particular case, all things considered.

I have a 118 and my son has a 105. Both are sweet cutting tools.
 
D2 118 in stag gets my vote ;)

But I guess I am kinda biased :D

Heres some teaser pics for you ;) These are headed north for out 9 day deer gun season tomorrow!



 
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Here you go KYHunt a nice 70's 440c 121 in lightly used condition. Blade thinkness is 3/32nd and width is 3/4in and length is 5 1/2ins. One of my favorites and the first serious fixed blade my father gave me. I still have that one and it ain't as purdy as this one now. I don't think you will be disappointed if you add one of these to the collection. It is a good slicer.

 
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