Best All-Purpose Hunting Knife?

I really appreciate the advice. One of the knives I've looked at quite a bit is the Buck Alpha Hunter Fixed with the ATS-34 steel. Still haven't seen a lot of reviews for Knives of Alaska. Any opinions on these?.. The only possible negative I see with the Buck Alpha is the handle being uncomfortable.
 
If I were you I'd just get a Ka-Bar, it should be tough enough to tackle what you require, and heck, for your budget, you could get three of them.
 
I've been looking at the Ka-Bars. Wondering if a 7 inch blade might be a little much for a Hunter knife. The Impact Warthog looks like it would do the job I'm just a little worried about how fast it might rust being 1095. I wish they would make that one in D-2.
 
I have several from Knives of Alaska and they are all great, really made to work. The "Alaskan Hunter" is a no brainer, 4 1/4" D-2 drop point blade, 8 1/2" overall for $119.00 retail, and made in U.S.A.
 
Thanks Necroshine, that's one of the exact knives I've been looking at. I give it so much thought because I use a portion of my bonus for staying in the military another 4 years once a year as a gift to myself. (the wife gets the rest. hehe)
 
If you want to be able to handle small game you need a blade that is no longer than 4 inches and that has a rather fine tip. As a rule you don't really want a blade much longer than 4 inches for large game. The best all around hunting knife design that I can think of to cover this range of game is a Marble Fieldcraft.

http://www.marblesoutdoors.com/cutlery/fieldcraft.html
 
Bark river also makes some beautifull hunter style knives out of A2. I prefer these for the money, myself.
 
The black epoxy on the KABAR knives won't allow them to rust easily. You'll have to wipe the edge dry if you use the knife but other that than ou won't have a problem. The impact warthog is a good size with good steel. Try http://www.tomarskabars.com/ for really good prices.

Jansen
 
Cold Steel Master Hunter w/carbon v, great all around hunter that stays sharp and very slip resistant when wet.
 
My personal favorites:

Doug Mondt custom 4" drop point CPM10V
Dozier Slim Outdoorsman
Spyderco Moran DP
Fallkiniven F-1
Grohmann Boat Knife (flat ground)
A. G. Russell Deer Hunter
 
Any opinions on D2 compared to A2? By the way, thanks for all the advice, it still amazes me the variety of opinions out there.
 
Cobalt said:
Bark river also makes some beautifull hunter style knives out of A2. I prefer these for the money, myself.
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Or Swamp Rat Howling Rat in SR-101 (52100 + kryptonite)

D2 is good also, depends on the size and more importantly, the heat treat and who does it.

A2 or SR-101 sounds like the best bets so far.

Rob
 
I just love spending someone else's money! ;) :D Here's what's worked for me so far.

CS All Terrain Hunter in Carbon V ~$30
CS Master Hunter in Carbon V ~$50
Queen 4180 Deer Hunter in D2 ~$50
Buck Vanguard in 420HC ~$50
SRKW Bandicoot in SR 101 ~$90
Buck Vanguard in S30V ~$100
Fehrman Peacemaker in CPM ~$180
Dozier K19 in D2 ~$220

This is in order of least to most expensive. They all have good points and less good points. It really depends what you are looking for. I have medium sized hands (5' 10", 185 lbs). I don't like really big knives for working on game. For just cutting game, the Buck Vanguard is probably the best design for me. For all around use, the Fehrman. For the best edge holding, the Dozier. For sheer utility, I like the Bandicoot. The best buy of all of these? A toss up between the Queen and both CS models. Don't discount that all-terrain hunter. Once you thin the edge out, it's a real keeper.

Another thing to keep in mind is the weather. When it's warm, I prefer a full tang with micarta slabs. When it's cold, I really like kraton/respirine c/rubber whatever...

I could go on and on.... I invite other's comments on these also. Different people can have different perspectives, and they're all worth hearing.

PS - I used to live in Okinawa (just outside of Koza) when it was Okinawa, USA. Do they still have Habu and Mongoose fights at the bazaars?
 
I was extreamly impressed with the Bark River, Fox-River that I owned. Check them out, I think a Highland or a Fox would fit that bill nicely!! They are great hunting and outdoors knives for the money. :thumbup: Swamp Rat also makes some damn nice knives for the money but it takes sooo damn long to get your hands on one!!!
 
Sodak - Haven't come across the Habu/Mongoose fights although I've had some run ins with both critters seperately. I guess the worst run in was with the Habu Sake hehe. Thanks for all the input guys.
 
Re, A2 vs D2 for a hunting knife:

D2 is more wear resistant than A2, but A2 is better than most stainless. Since it is more wear resistant D2 is also harder to sharpen than A2. If you have a hunting knife that is hollow ground or is otherwise ground to be thin behind the edge the difference in sharpening effort between D2 and A2 may not be a real big deal. It might help to note that I like to use a diamond hone for the preliminary stages of sharpening both D2 and A2. D2 is not as tough as A2 so if you get one of those thin ground D2 blades you may need to excercise some care not to chip the edge. I wouldn't want to chop through a nail with a D2 blade with a thin edge.

A2 is not only easier to sharpen than D2, it also takes a spectacularly sharp edge. That is a trait for which A2 is famous. It is also tough for a tool steel. It is commonly hardened to 60RC where it has an optimum balance of wear resistance, hardness, and toughness. I would be happier chopping through bone with an A2 blade than a D2 blade. A2 has much less chrome than D2 and is much less stain resistant. An A2 blade will pick up a patina much faster than D2 which is considered semi stainless.

I have hunting knives with both D2 and A2 blades. The A2 knives are heavier duty, the D2 is thin and easy to sharpen.
 
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