Best game knife

Welcome to the forums! There are tons of great hunting knives out there. The choice mainly just depends on what you’re willing to spend.

If you are happy with your SRK in Aus-8, have you tried a Buck 119 in 420HC? It’s in the same ballpark price-wise, and I’ve experienced it to be an excellent do-everything knife. Great for hunting.

If you are interested in higher end options or custom stuff, that opens the door to the best knives out there. But still, it’s all personal preference. You might try a $1200 Scagel type hunting knife and find out that you like your SRK more, it’s all a matter of trying stuff and seeing what you like.
 
I have not tried any bucks, I have a few buck folders but never invested in the buck 119 or 120, considered a falkineven nl2 tho for a do everything camp/hunting knife, do you have any knowledge on that knife in particular?
 
I have not held or used an NL2, but I have some experience with the brand. I got my brother a Fallkniven S1 for his 15th birthday. From all our trips he’s brought that on over the last few years, it has proven to be a sturdy knife with good performance and easy maintenance.
 
I looked up the NL2, and from the prices I saw, you could easily get full customs in that size that will significantly outperform that knife. VG10 is great for corrosion resistance and easy sharpening, but the edge retention and toughness aren’t that great at the $500-$700 range. Since at that price you could have pretty much any premium steel you want in a custom.
 
Not necessarily, it’s really a matter of preference. I was more just explaining how objective performance will be significantly better with many other steels than the VG10 NL2, and that at that price you could afford any that you want. But the truth is that if a knife speaks to you it is worth getting it. If you like the NL2 a lot, go for it.
 
fanofsteel said:
Hello, just wondering what anyone's opnion would be on a amazing game knife that stays sharp, the last one I got was old steel srk, re worked the edge it is aus8, and dressed 3 deer including breast bones without sharpening, any other good knives worthy of recommendations
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My first deer knife was a Buck Vanguard. Perfect blade length, weight, in 420HC. But the tip broke off on the first deer I worked on. I replaced it with a Cold Steel Master Hunter in Carbon V. That became my deer knife for the next 15 years. Every season my buddies and I would dress lots of deer and I found the Carbon V MH could use honing after every 2-3 deer. I learned that cutting lots of muscle, and particulary fat, really puts a burden on the edge.
The blade size was very useful and guys who used larger (Buck 119etc ) would ask to borrow my knife to get into deep spots. I learned to really appreciate the Kraton handle as it remained solidly "grippy" even when covered in blood, and the ability to throw the whole knife into a bucket to clean it off. Something I wouldn't do with nicer material handle/scales. There are countless excellent game knives out there, both factory and custom. But from my personal experience, if I were to get back into deer hunting today, I would likely go for the new Cold Steel Master Hunter in 3V.
https://imgur.com/a/3MIwQDk
 
Second the Master Hunter in 3V.

I have a Taiwan model, and it's a bit thinner than my San Mai versions.

It is light, has great grip when wet, and the sheath cleans up easy enough.

The CPM-3V is pretty good stuff. Shrugs off contact with bone, and stays sharp even when cutting through hide and hair.

The full belly also works great.
 
As polarizing as the Secure-Ex is, I actually like the sheath. Many times when hunting I hike, crawl, climb, or sit, and the sheath has prevented the knife from punching through.

The snap and velcro is also very secure, and still allows removal of the knife from my belt without taking it off.
 
The best game knife is the one you have with you. What's best for me may not be what's best for anyone else. I personally like a drop point blade between 3.5"-4" and a handle about 5". Others may have a different experience.
 
I was very fortunate and found the srk early on, I didn't spend the 1,000 dollars worth of knives Many people do before finding the one that worked, I also got the srk-vg10 but hate sharpening it. I sharpen the srk I use for hunting on a belt sander and it works very well for sharpening.
 
Only downside I had which was my fault on my srk was when I gave the blade a different angle (arguably better than factory) it took off the black coat and when I bleached it after dressing it rusted, nothing the belt sander couldn't fix tho.
 
I usually only have my fixed blade on my hip or backpack straps, and a folder (gerber 06 fast) as last resort if something goes south, in the north sometimes your target decides to attack, or gets mad, never had it happen but don't want to be in that situation with nothing.
 
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