ADVICE NEEDED - BEST ALL AROUND HUNTING KNIFE

inkynate said:
Can't help mentioning the Spyderco South Fork. Yeah, I know, it's off your list due to #2. Then #7 is debatable, but you can rough up the g10 with 220 or 320 grit sandpaper to make them grippier (Phil Wilson's suggestion, I did it to mine,) or I've seen people slip a little bit of bicycle innertube on the end of the handle (member Shinsui, iirc).

Hard for me to think of a better all around hunting knife. It's what it was designed for and meets all of the other critera as far as I can tell. Someone was going to bring it up, figured I'd get it out of the way lol. :thumbsup:
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I love the Southfork design, but I just don't want the Taiwan. Personal preference. It's a GREAT blade.
 
inkynate said:
Can't help mentioning the Spyderco South Fork. Yeah, I know, it's off your list due to #2. Then #7 is debatable, but you can rough up the g10 with 220 or 320 grit sandpaper to make them grippier (Phil Wilson's suggestion, I did it to mine,) or I've seen people slip a little bit of bicycle innertube on the end of the handle (member Shinsui, iirc).

Hard for me to think of a better all around hunting knife. It's what it was designed for and meets all of the other critera as far as I can tell. Someone was going to bring it up, figured I'd get it out of the way lol. :thumbsup:
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I love the Southfork design, but I just don't want the Taiwan. Personal preference. It's a GREAT blade.
 
Kiteman72 said:
I have used a Benchmade Outbounder in 440C on a lot of hunts and loved it. I think it's long discontinued, but I have been looking a the BM Hunt line and like the looks of some of those models. I think BM has also long ago upgraded from 440C, but my knife holds an edge thru multiple animals.

I got myself a Chris Reeve Nyala to try last year but didn't tag out in deer season and missed elk entirely.
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I have a Nyala. It's a great edc but too small for what I need.

Thanks for posting.
 
DocT said:
Spyderco Southfork. Designed by a hunter. Cold Steel Master Hunter 3V or Cold Steel Pendleton Hunter 3V would be great choices (made in Taiwan but an American company). These were designed by hunters.
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All made overseas. See #2.
 
DocT said:
Benchmade Steep country or Saddle Mountain (S30V). Spyderco Southfork (S90V). Cold Steel Master Hunter (3V).
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The BM's are on my list. Thanks for posting.
 
cbach8tw said:
Cold steel master hunter in 3v has been mentioned, not made in USA but a good one. Or LT Wright in AEBL, northern hunter?
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No Cold Steel. See #2. I'm familiar with LT Wright but not AEBL. How does the edge holding compare to M390, Elmax, or 3V? Is it a carbon steel or stainless?
 
Frisky said:
First off, you should be wearing rubber gloves skinning game. That helps with grip and protects you. Many people love the grip on the Bark River Gunny Hunter, but I have not used one. My favorite knife, one that can gut, skin, butcher and trim meat is a Buck Vanguard with rubber grip and nylon sheath. I prefer the 420HC, as I have expertise with a butcher's steel and touch up in seconds. However, you can get the knife in S30V for better edge holding. It has a large and somewhat squared off grip, but when you get working on a deer, it feels great and seems to shrink on you. Not too big at all. The knife and sheath clean up fast too. I prefer leather sheaths but not when it comes time to sanitize things.

Joe
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41 years skinning game. Never wore gloves. The Bark River GH is now on my list. I did not know the Buck Vanguard came in S30V. I'll look into both of these blades.
Thanks for the detailed post.
 
brancron said:
Check out the Bradford Guardian. I haven't owned one but I've heard nothing but good things about them. They come in M390, N690, CPM-3V, or CPM-S30V, and come in a variety of handle materials, many of them grippy G10. The blade length, country of origin, etc. all match your requirements.

Here's a brief overview by the great Gary Graley: http://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bradford-usa-guardian-4-5-6.1251806/
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I own a Bradford now (Gatsby) and the 4 is on my list. I also know G2 and read just about everything he posts.

Thanks for the post.
 
My favorite kitchen knife is in aeb-l. While it is a very good stainless steel (like anything ht has a big roll) I don't consider it on par with even s35vn. If you want longer edge retention I think s35vn would be a minimum.
 
Hi Ronnie,

I like the White River Sendero knives designed by Jerry Fisk. They're in S30V and made in USA.

Personally, I'd say the Sendero Pack Knife or Sendero Bush Knife. But at 3.25 and 3.6 inch respectively, a bit shorter than you spec'd.

Fortunately, there's the Sendero Classic, which drops into your sweet spot at 4.4 inches.

I also have processed many animals without rubber gloves. As did every one of my forefathers before me, but to each his (her) own I suppose.

Check out the White River stuff and see if it strikes your fancy.
 
You could spend a bit more and get a Phil Wilson. He knows his steel and the knives are comfy as hell.

In the middle is the bow river and on the right is a hybrid of his bird n trout and smoke creek.

 
trevitrace said:
You could spend a bit more and get a Phil Wilson. He knows his steel and the knives are comfy as hell.

In the middle is the bow river and on the right is a hybrid of his bird n trout and smoke creek.

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Those are some very nice knives! Pay a bit more OP and get a Phil Wilson. It is exactly what you want besides maybe price.
 
Svord%20Deluxe%20Drop-Point%20Knife%20-%204.75%20Inch%20-%20Mahogany%20Handle%20Model%20370BB%20copy.jpg

(370BB) Drop Point 4 3/4
Length of Blade (inches) 4 3/4"
Over All Length (inches) 9 3/4
Blade Shape Drop Point
Handle Material Mahogony and Brass
Steel Specifications 15N20
Blade Thickness (mm) 2.2mm
Sheath Leather
http://www.svord.com/index.php?id_product=8&controller=product
 
Big Chris Knives
Chris uses different steels which perform well. I've got hunters from him in 4V, 10V and S110V. He doesn't make big thick batoning blades, not his style. Even though I prefer micarta over G10, for cleaning game I use G10 because it doesn't get blood, fat impregnated in it like micarta does. It's a trade off for me.
 
Copperandclad have the Buck 119 in S30v and are coming out with a 102, and perhaps others, soon.
 
Those Benchmades mentioned have small handles ! Too small for me. Otherwise fine. A Bark River Games keeper is minimum length for me [4"] .This knife I've been modifying to remove high polish. A molded textured rubber is best. My favorite steel is S35VN. For non-stainless , 3V or 4V. Super steels should be cryo treated but that must be properly !!. You'll have to decide what blade shape and handle shape suits you.
 
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