A comment on hunting folders

D

daryl douthat

Joined
Jun 12, 2000
Messages
54
As a somewhat old guy who hunts, traps and fishes a little, I am surprised to see how few "utility" folding knives are now produced. I use folders in large part for safety(I run sled dogs and a spill with a fixed blade can be very unpleasant) and also for the convenience of carry. The knife I have depended on for over 20 years is the Kershaw folding field(1050). I have 3, the last of which I got 10 years ago for $49.95, got one earlier for $29.95. This knife appears to have gone out of production. The blade size and geometry are ideal for hunting and utility use, the AUS 8 holds an edge well(good for dressing out one moose at least and I only shoot one at a time!), and it is very easy to keep shaving sharp. It fits very comfortably, is super strong, and cleans up easily. The only production hunting folder that gets rave reviews is the Spyderco Wegner(also now out of production). I have a plain edge Wegner and the only real advantage I can see over the 1050 is weight. (One hand opening is nice but less important to me than other features.) The ATS 34 is harder to get shaving sharp(use a Sharpmaker 204), doesn't seem to hold the edge as well, and although the geometry is described as "ergonomic" by some,it sure isn't as nice in the hand as the 1050. I guess I better not drop any of the 1050's in the river!
 
Most of the so called "tactical folders" I have seen are only comfortable in the sabre grip. The designs lack versatility. It would be nice to see a few more "working" folders introduced.

Paul
 
daryl douthat:

Most folders are made to carry, not use. Most are pleanty sturdy enough to use, but the majority of folder buyers never get their knife bloody. Not a put down, just a fact.
Since I have to work for a living :D and can't hunt and fish seven days a week, :( the folders I carry for day to day use, and the ones I take hunting are different knives. The Wegner, and all other Spyderco, and Spyderco type knives are nice and flat, and with the clip they carry great. But slice up through a rib cage and you will want something with a bigger handle, like your Kershaw folding field(1050).
Gerber makes a great feeling handle on a hunting folder, (don't remember the name though) and is plenty sturdy enough for field dressing. Sometimes I spit the ribs, and sometimes I dont, but when I do a large non slip handle sure is nice.
The thing to do with any of lifes tools, is if you find something you like and works well, buy several spares, because they will quit making it someday!
I think the jist of you post, and I agree, is a sturdy knife, with a comfortable handle, doesn't need an expensive exotic steel to be a great hunting knife. And that such a knife does not carry as well as some of the more favorably reviewed knives on the forum.
By the way, I have a Kershaw fixed blade (maybe a 1013?) that is the most comfortable knife I have to use. Large handle, guard, large choil (ricasso?) flat spot in front of the guard that is great when choking up on the grip. Came with a lousy sheath, but am in the process of making a new one for it.
 
I think knzn is referring to the Gerber Gator. Comes in plain or serrated edge and has a good non-slip (even when bloody) grip.
 
You can get any kind of folder you want, its just a question of who is going to make it for you. Of course it will not be for 45 dollars. Also, if your that worried about a fixed blade poking through a sheath,(which is very unlikely with a "good" kydex or leather sheath) why not just lash it onto the sled somewhere out of the way. At least one for the bigger jobs on a moose. Then I am sure your choices would expand as far as selection. I am not in Alaska, I only hunt deer and small game, but I do not want to use a folder due to all the tallow, and blood that gum them up and the required cleaning. A couple couple of pocket oil wipes over the fixed blade and its clean. Very few nooks and crannies on them.

Money aside, what's wrong with the buck 110, Gerber Gator, Cold steel Voyager clip points, and while more expensive, something like the buck strider spearpoint. Strider might be tough to sharpen but will hold that edge well. If your looking for an easy to sharpen, but good quality fixed blade, check out the Spyderco Moran. In spearpoint or upswept point. Its not going to come out of that sheath and its a hardy little blade. In fact by getting creative with some cord around the sheath mouth, you can insure it will not come out without further action on your part. Just put it with other gear on the sled if you still worry. And always remember, when you find something you cant live without it will soon cease to be made any longer :-)
 
it is aus 8 4" blade and light. too bad I just sold mine for $28.

have you tried swiss army hunter I haven't field dressed any animals with it yet but it also has gotten rave reviews in that department.
I do know first hand that I can keep a razor edge on my sak.


also the browning kodiak is a great skinner with guthook, cabelas has got them.

good luck

chris
 
If you want to go for some $$$, but make a lifetime investment, try looking at the Dozier Folding Hunter. It's made of Bob Dozier's own heat treated D2 steel. Will hold an edge for an amazing period of time and yet is fairly easy to resharpen. Take a look

www.dozierknives.com

They're not cheap, but they're worth every penney. (unpaid testimonial):)
 
daryl, The Kershaw 1050 Folding Field knife is a very good knife
for real world use. That's what it was designed for. The 1050 I own
is at the very top of my "keeper" list right next to my Buck 307
stockman.

I suppose that we are from an older generation in that we like what
is comfortable and is what works as promised. The only "sin" that
the 1050 has is that it isn't sold as a "tactical" one hand wonder.
What a shame!

I've seen a few ,very few , 1050's on e-bay from time that you buy as back
up. It's nice to see someone else post about a knife that isn't that latest one
hand wonder. I ,too, like the hand fillng feel of a real knife of character.
There are few like the 1050. I also like the Aus-8 blade for it as you said
that ease of sharpening is by far superior to the wonder steel Ats-34.

You have a good knife ,mate. Good luck on your search for another one.

Found this for you ............
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1067197073
 
I still love my Buck 110 folding hunter that I bought in the 60's. That knife is still being made and I am going to buy another one just in case the one I have is ever lost. I would hate to see it be discontinued, it is such a darn good tool.
 
I too would recommend the Buck 110 as having something of that old fashioned style since one handedness is not that important to you. I also wonder about your prejudice concerning fixed blades. It sounds like you only need a blade in the 3-4 inch range. I can't imagine that a stout small fixed blade knife properly fitted to a modern kydex sheath held securely to belt, leg, back (waist), or chest, would be a problem in a fall.
 
Thanks for the replies. A few comments: The clip point knives such as the Buck 110 may be widely used but the blade geometry is just plain lousy for skinning. I don't know what a clip point is for but I suspect appearance rather than function. (I have a couple of the smaller ones and have one of them filed to a drop point. Better but the blade is too short then.) I do carry gear including knives in the sled bag but the knife that is with me will be a folder. The risk of injury with a fixed blade in any kind of sheath(other than a welded steel box) is just not worth it. (Running sled dogs means occasionally being dragged down the trail. The cardinal rule is not to lose the team.) I take two or three knives including fixed blades in my pack with me when I expect to kill something but the one that gets used most often is the 1050. I use it for cleaning fish and game as well as for general camp chores. It is very easy to clean. As for the Dozier folding hunter, the blade geometry is not very good for skinnning. The drop point is way too extreme. It is simply a less useful blade geometry for hunting and fishing chores that a drop point with less "drop". Why is the shape so different than that of the other Doziers that are designed for dressing out big game? Think I'll try to get another 1050!
 
I think the clip-point (like on the Buck 110) is very functional as an all around utiltiy blade. I don't think Buck ever claimed it was a great knife for skinning game (although I have seen it done with a Buck 110).
As for a fixed blade: well, I have never handled sled dogs but I know there have been plenty of native Americans who have and alot of them carried fixed blades.
The danger is probably all in the way you carry your fixed blade.

Allen.
 
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