Another knife ?

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walker34

Joined
Jan 28, 2008
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9
I skin raccons alot and I want to know what knife will hold a edge. I generally have to sharpen after two coons. Is there a knife that will hold a better edge?
 
Yes, it's possible for a knife to keep a good edge for longer than that. Edge retention depends on several factors. Heat treatment is probably the biggest one.

Your best bet for quality would be to buy a custom from one of the many skilled knife makers on this forum.
 
I would suggest that you look at the Fallkniven U2 with its laminated blade or if you want a little bit bigger check out the Fallkniven WM1, also with the 3G laminated steel.

Ciao
Ron
:eek:
 
walker34 said:
I skin raccons alot and I want to know what knife will hold a edge. I generally have to sharpen after two coons. Is there a knife that will hold a better edge?
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What kind of knife are you using at present?
 
In that price range ( $18-$25) for a locking folder you would be well served by any of the Byrds, the KaBar Doziers, or the Benchmade Pika II. Any of those have steel that will outperform that of the Schrade.
 
How about a dedicated skinner from Bark River Knife and Tool? A bit pricey, but should last until your grandchildren are skinning critters! Hopefully it won't be illegal by then.
 
Thanks everyone. I don't want to pay hundreds of dollar but I would pay up to a $100 for a skinning knife that will hold a edge. I looked up info on the Fallkniven U2 and it looks like something I might try. I have a Master Mechanic lock blade that will hold a edge better than any knife I have ever seen, but it is to big for skinning coons. I have skinned 5 deer in a row with it and it was just as sharp on the last one that it was on the first one. I need a small skinning knife with a 3" blade to 2.5" blade for the coons. Would like a folding lock blade but would use any knife that will hold a edge. I don't like having to sharpen a knife all the time. I also use a Gerber Gator with a gut hook, but it will not hold its edge for more that two coons.
 
I'd recommend a Bark River too, in A2 steel. Maybe a Highland Special or Fox River. In that price range, the Doug Ritter Mk3 fixed blade with its S30V steel would be good too.
 
The Spyderco Moran Featherweight is a great skinning knife. They run well under a $100 bucks and the VG-10 steel holds an edge very well. ($65.56 @ New Graham Knives)
http://www.newgraham.com/detail.aspx?ID=3768

FB01_L.jpg
 
An Ontario RAT3 in D2 is less than $100. In 1095 it is less than $70.

The Cold Steel master hunter in VG1 San Mai III is less than $80. It is a bit bigger than you were looking for with a 4.5" blade.

The Gerber is not known for edge retension. Saying that other knives have better edge retension than the Gerber is really nof fair to the other knives. But the knives I have mentioned are good knives with many satisfied users.

The Bark Rivers are really good, but you might be hard pressed to find one that meets your budget.
 
Mick R. said:
The Spyderco Moran Featherweight is a great skinning knife. They run well under a $100 bucks and the VG-10 steel holds an edge very well. ($65.56 @ New Graham Knives)
http://www.newgraham.com/detail.aspx?ID=3768

FB01_L.jpg
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I looked up this knife. I am no steel expert. Will the VG-10 hold a edge? If it will I would like this knife. The RAT3 and the Cold Steel Master looked like military knives and that is NOT what I am looking for. I still would rather have a folding lock blade knife, but this one and the Fallkniven U2 look like they would work out just fine if they will hold a edge. Whats the deal with the powered steel blade? Thanks again everyone. I am learning more about Knives, I just use them alot and need better than I have.
 
VG10 holds an excellent edge. And Spyderco makes an excellent product.
 
knarfeng said:
VG10 holds an excellent edge. And Spyderco makes an excellent product.
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Totally agree. VG-10 is one of my favorite knife steels because it takes such a killer edge and holds it extremely well. I own over 35 Spyderco's and haven't been disappointed in a single one of them.
 
I was looking at Boker knives and their blade is made of Solingen High Carbon Steel. Will this type steel hold a edge? Thanks for everyone helping me out. I hope my questions are not to dumb.
 
How about an alaskan guide buck 110 from cabelas in s30v? seems just abut perfect for that task.
 
How about an alaskan guide buck 110 from cabelas in s30v? seems just abut perfect for that task.
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I'll second that. Good, sturdy, traditional knife that has a great warrantee.

All I have is the standard (under $30) Buck 110 from Wal-Mart. It has served me well. It has 420 steel (I think) and holds a good edge. While I haven't used it on coons I have used it on a few squirrels and deer. Usually I use a Buck stockman for squirrels and rabbits but it is the same steel I believe. I've seen my uncle use a 110 to skin out 6 deer in a row with only a few runs on a butchers steel.

If the 110 is to large try a 112. Just like a 110 but a little smaller. Allmost made for coons. My sister got me one for my birthday this year and I think it's my new small game knife.

BTW, you might try and find a small butcher steel, or, find an old one that you could cut down to fit in your pocket or backpack. I've helped out in my grandma slaughter shop since I was real young and you would be surprised at the difference a few runs on a butcher steel makes. When the edge starts to not skin "as usual" just use the steel a few times and your back in business. We usually only "sharpen" the knives once per season (unless it a heavy year) with a belt sharpener and just use the steel to keep the edge in line. Works like a charm.

Good luck, hope when my leg heals from knee surgery I can go run some coons with my cousin. He just got a Australian cattle dog that he says with run coons all night long! FUN, FUN, FUN !!!!!:D:D:cool:

Sam
 
Still looking for a good knife. I bought a buck and it has a sharp edge and it is easy to sharpen, but it will not hold a edge. There has to be a knife that will hold a edge that is a small folding lock blade kind of a knife.
 
Sorry, somehow I thought you were looking for a fixed blade.

In a folding knife, 2.5 - 3" blade that is shaped such that you could skin coons with it. Less than $100. Holds an edge well.

You mentioned the Fallkniven U2. That would be a top choice. Their laminated steel holds a spectacular edge.

You could also look at any Spyderco with VG10 steel. Look at the Native III, the Endura, the Delica, or the Caly III.

Benchmade makes several blade styles of griptilian with 154CM, another steel that is excellent for holding an edge. One of those might work for you also.

Any of the above will hold an edge longer than Buck's 420HC steel, which is their standard fare. But Buck also makes a number of its blades in ATS-34. If you found a Buck design that suited you and were able to get it in ATS-34, I think you would be satisfied with the edge retension.
 
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