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Best hunter 2015 - FINALISTS CHOSEN!
- Thread starter S.Alexander
- Start date
sheathmaker
Custom Leather Sheaths
- Joined
- May 18, 2005
- Messages
- 4,650
Boy, this was tough because they are all winners in their own right.
Post 4 #2 Lurquin Hurak
Post 32 #7 T Steingass
Post 12 Ben Breda
Post 18 #1 Adam Derosiers
Post 18 #2 Ben Breda
Post 36 #1 Kyle Gahagan
Paul
Post 4 #2 Lurquin Hurak
Post 32 #7 T Steingass
Post 12 Ben Breda
Post 18 #1 Adam Derosiers
Post 18 #2 Ben Breda
Post 36 #1 Kyle Gahagan
Paul
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abbydaddy
Gold Member
- Joined
- Oct 14, 2014
- Messages
- 3,265
So many beautiful knives, here are my nominations:
1) #4 #2 Lurquin Hurak
What can I say, this knife just fills me with want.
2) #16 #1 Osprey K&T Apache Hunter
Another knife that fills me with want. It is just a well done knife that looks like it would be a pleasure to use.
3) #30 #1 Appleby Scagle
For me, this knife is about the execution. There are a lot of things about this knife that I would normally not go googoo for, but this knife just shines for me.
4) #43 #1 Doyle
Doyle has a number of great looking submissions this year, but this is the one I would want to use.
1) #4 #2 Lurquin Hurak
What can I say, this knife just fills me with want.
2) #16 #1 Osprey K&T Apache Hunter
Another knife that fills me with want. It is just a well done knife that looks like it would be a pleasure to use.
3) #30 #1 Appleby Scagle
For me, this knife is about the execution. There are a lot of things about this knife that I would normally not go googoo for, but this knife just shines for me.
4) #43 #1 Doyle
Doyle has a number of great looking submissions this year, but this is the one I would want to use.
- Joined
- Feb 17, 1999
- Messages
- 2,914
#15 1 by Ben Seward
#21 1 by Travis Fry
#28 4 by Sandro Boeck
#31 1 by Mike Craddock
#32 9 by Bob Crowder
#33 5 by Rod Watts
#36 1 by Kyle Gahagen
#21 1 by Travis Fry
#28 4 by Sandro Boeck
#31 1 by Mike Craddock
#32 9 by Bob Crowder
#33 5 by Rod Watts
#36 1 by Kyle Gahagen
Hunting knives are what got me into customs in the first place, from delicate bird and trout knives to full-out moose skinners. For general use, I prefer a blade under 5 inches, a single guard or equivalent and a dropped point or clip. Hard to imagine using many of the nominees in the field, but I'll just pretend and make my selections based on functionality combined wth a range of styles and embellishments.
7 - 1 Russ Andrews
15 - 2 Ben Seward
18 - 1 Adam DesRosiers
19 - 2 Haley DesRosiers
19 - 4 Jerry Fisk
27 - 1 John Doyle
32 - 6 Marcus Lin
7 - 1 Russ Andrews
15 - 2 Ben Seward
18 - 1 Adam DesRosiers
19 - 2 Haley DesRosiers
19 - 4 Jerry Fisk
27 - 1 John Doyle
32 - 6 Marcus Lin
DEllis
Part Time Steel Basher
- Joined
- Oct 17, 2007
- Messages
- 966
post 19 #4 Fisk Sendero- Stag, Dog star Damascus, and scratching in the quintessential ABS hunter style.
post 32 #5 Tim Zowada- Clean, understated design.......great looking random Damascus.
post 36 #3 Haley DesRosiers - Beautiful steel, and the carving adds a mystical, elven touch.
post 1 #3 MONTENEGRO- Awesome Feather Damascus and perfect blade to handle ratio.
post 7 #1 Russ Andrews- Simple, classic style, stag and Damascus what more do you need?
post 51 #2 Stuart Branson- Love the forge finish and aged look.....perfect shape and proportions.
post 40 #3 Haley DesRosiers- Great Damascus.......I love twisted w's.
Darcy
post 32 #5 Tim Zowada- Clean, understated design.......great looking random Damascus.
post 36 #3 Haley DesRosiers - Beautiful steel, and the carving adds a mystical, elven touch.
post 1 #3 MONTENEGRO- Awesome Feather Damascus and perfect blade to handle ratio.
post 7 #1 Russ Andrews- Simple, classic style, stag and Damascus what more do you need?
post 51 #2 Stuart Branson- Love the forge finish and aged look.....perfect shape and proportions.
post 40 #3 Haley DesRosiers- Great Damascus.......I love twisted w's.
Darcy
- Joined
- Dec 24, 2007
- Messages
- 181
post 10 #3 Karl Andersen
post 19 #5 Jerry Fisk
post 28 #2 Sandro Boek
post 50 #1 Mike Quesenberry
post 25 #1 Mike Malosh
post 19 #5 Jerry Fisk
post 28 #2 Sandro Boek
post 50 #1 Mike Quesenberry
post 25 #1 Mike Malosh
JackHammer
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2010
- Messages
- 1,667
On a hunter, I like balance between blade and handle as well as simplicity to aid in clean up. 6 that speak to me in post order:
2 - 1 - Wes Barnhill
15 - 2 - Ben Seward
28 - 2 - Sandro Boeck
32 - 6 - Marcus Lin
33 - 1 - Eli Jensen
48 - 3 - R Appleby
2 - 1 - Wes Barnhill
15 - 2 - Ben Seward
28 - 2 - Sandro Boeck
32 - 6 - Marcus Lin
33 - 1 - Eli Jensen
48 - 3 - R Appleby
- Joined
- Jul 7, 2013
- Messages
- 2,614
Lately I have been draw to guardless hunters and there have been some great examples here. Here are my choices for finalists.
1 - 2 John Doyle
15 - 1 Ben Seward
18 - 1 Adam DesRosiers
28 - 4 Sandro Boeck
36 - 3 Haley DesRosiers - my favorite knife of this competition. I will have to pry that away from Kevin one day...
40 - 1 Haley DesRosiers
1 - 1 Tim Steingass
1 - 2 John Doyle
15 - 1 Ben Seward
18 - 1 Adam DesRosiers
28 - 4 Sandro Boeck
36 - 3 Haley DesRosiers - my favorite knife of this competition. I will have to pry that away from Kevin one day...
40 - 1 Haley DesRosiers
1 - 1 Tim Steingass
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2010
- Messages
- 661
My picks in no order. There are a few more that would work for me as well
Post # 12 #1 Ben Breda
Post # 15 #2 Ben Seward
Post #27 #1 John Doyle
Post #38 #3 Tad Lynch
post #40 #3 Haley DesRosiers
Post #50 #1 Mike Quesenberry
Post #51 #4 Stu Branson
Post # 12 #1 Ben Breda
Post # 15 #2 Ben Seward
Post #27 #1 John Doyle
Post #38 #3 Tad Lynch
post #40 #3 Haley DesRosiers
Post #50 #1 Mike Quesenberry
Post #51 #4 Stu Branson
The Amazing Virginian
Gold Member
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- Feb 24, 2010
- Messages
- 9,911
Wish I had more time to participate in this more fully, especially as I am so fond of hunters.
Anyway, here are my faves in order:
Post 8, #1 Kyle Gahagan
Post 4, #2 Sam Lurquin
Post 15, #1 Ben Seward
Post 18, #1 Adam DesRosiers
Post 18, #4 Harvey Dean
Anyway, here are my faves in order:
Post 8, #1 Kyle Gahagan
Post 4, #2 Sam Lurquin
Post 15, #1 Ben Seward
Post 18, #1 Adam DesRosiers
Post 18, #4 Harvey Dean
Tim the Wizard
Street Samurai
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2012
- Messages
- 3,787
Post 9, #1 S. Davenport "Samurai Stuart"
Post 12, #1 Ben Breda, JS.
Post 16, #1 Osprey Knife & Tool, Apache Hunter
Post 26, #1 Travis Fry, Mammoth with scrimshaw
Post 33, #3 Rusty Waide
Post 48, #3 R. Appleby
Post 51, #4 Stuart Branson
Amazing work from everybody, and it is so hard to choose based on pictures alone. Congratulations to the featured artists and craftsmen.
Post 12, #1 Ben Breda, JS.
Post 16, #1 Osprey Knife & Tool, Apache Hunter
Post 26, #1 Travis Fry, Mammoth with scrimshaw
Post 33, #3 Rusty Waide
Post 48, #3 R. Appleby
Post 51, #4 Stuart Branson
Amazing work from everybody, and it is so hard to choose based on pictures alone. Congratulations to the featured artists and craftsmen.
- Joined
- May 28, 2007
- Messages
- 4,419
To me, half of the knives here are fighters so even though I like them I'm leaving them out.
1 #2 John Doyle
2 #1 Wes Barnhill
10 #1 Karl Anderson
36 #2 Josh Fisher
The Barnhill knife is quite odd for my taste but speaks to me more then most hunters i've ever seen for some reason. Its the kinda thing where ordering a similar one probably would not have the same effect on me. And speaking of knives coming together, I think the Doyle is just a great example of parts flowing wonderfully. I've always loved this model from Karl with the belly in the blade and this one in particular. The Fisher is just pure beauty from under the radar.
1 #2 John Doyle
2 #1 Wes Barnhill
10 #1 Karl Anderson
36 #2 Josh Fisher
The Barnhill knife is quite odd for my taste but speaks to me more then most hunters i've ever seen for some reason. Its the kinda thing where ordering a similar one probably would not have the same effect on me. And speaking of knives coming together, I think the Doyle is just a great example of parts flowing wonderfully. I've always loved this model from Karl with the belly in the blade and this one in particular. The Fisher is just pure beauty from under the radar.
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Kevin Cross
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Sep 13, 2006
- Messages
- 863
Post 21--Knife 1 Fry
Post 27--Knife 1 Doyle
Post 18--Knife 2 Breda
Post 8--Knife 1 Gahagan
Post 44--Knife 1 Steingass
Post 36--Knife 1 Gahagan
Post 12--Knife 1 Breda
Post 27--Knife 1 Doyle
Post 18--Knife 2 Breda
Post 8--Knife 1 Gahagan
Post 44--Knife 1 Steingass
Post 36--Knife 1 Gahagan
Post 12--Knife 1 Breda
- Joined
- Nov 21, 2005
- Messages
- 3,972
I have a lot of catching up to do. Have been out of pocket since Christmas, or I would have made some hunter submissions. But, man, what a great lineup! Had to do a lot of head scratching to get it narrowed down.
Glad to see hunters join the year end fun here on the forums.
1) Post 4, #2 Lurquin Hurak. An all everything design, hunter included.
2) Post 4, #4 Markman Taurus. Popular design by Erik. I am a fan.
3) Post 10, #4 Andersen Tasmanian Blackwood honey. Karl has always been a favorite hunter maker of mine. This one speaks my language.
4) Post 15, #2 Seward hunter. Love this one. Would like to dirty up Ben's handle.
5) Post 19, #4 Fisk Sendero. Jerry's Sendero's are all delicious. Would love to own this one.
6) Post 31, #7 Jason Knight with lots of style points. Thanks for posting, Coop.
7) Post 50, #1 Mike Quesenberry clean hunter. Quiet elegance here.
- Joe
Glad to see hunters join the year end fun here on the forums.
1) Post 4, #2 Lurquin Hurak. An all everything design, hunter included.
2) Post 4, #4 Markman Taurus. Popular design by Erik. I am a fan.
3) Post 10, #4 Andersen Tasmanian Blackwood honey. Karl has always been a favorite hunter maker of mine. This one speaks my language.
4) Post 15, #2 Seward hunter. Love this one. Would like to dirty up Ben's handle.
5) Post 19, #4 Fisk Sendero. Jerry's Sendero's are all delicious. Would love to own this one.
6) Post 31, #7 Jason Knight with lots of style points. Thanks for posting, Coop.
7) Post 50, #1 Mike Quesenberry clean hunter. Quiet elegance here.
- Joe
- Joined
- Aug 18, 2009
- Messages
- 1,915
Post 1 Knife #4 Darcy Ellis
Post 10 Knife #3 Karl Andersen
Post 12 Knife #1 Ben Breda
Post 15 Knife #2 Ben Seward
Post 24 Knife #1 Chris Montgomery
Post 27 Knife #1 John Doyle
Post 40 knife #1 Haley DesRosiers
Post 10 Knife #3 Karl Andersen
Post 12 Knife #1 Ben Breda
Post 15 Knife #2 Ben Seward
Post 24 Knife #1 Chris Montgomery
Post 27 Knife #1 John Doyle
Post 40 knife #1 Haley DesRosiers
- Joined
- Jun 11, 2010
- Messages
- 489
Alright, here it is. I rather think guards get in the way and are a waste of time, and my choices reflect that:
#1, 2 - John Doyle. I know he didn't invent the guardless hunter, but damn. I like the subtlety of the damascus accents.
#7, 1 - Russ Andrews. Hard to beat an integral, and this one is the poster child for the K.I.S.S. principle.
#21, 1- Travis Fry. Ok, so I have a little bias here, but I sell more of these than any other knife I make for a reason. They aren't all this fancy, but it has everything you need and nothing you don't.
#36, 3 - Haley DesRosiers. I've gotten to handle a few of these DesRosiers integrals and would be happy to have any of them to use.
#40, 1 - Haley again. Should probably spread the love to Adam, but I like this one.
#48, 2 - John Doyle, again. The textured blackwood is lovely.
#1, 2 - John Doyle. I know he didn't invent the guardless hunter, but damn. I like the subtlety of the damascus accents.
#7, 1 - Russ Andrews. Hard to beat an integral, and this one is the poster child for the K.I.S.S. principle.
#21, 1- Travis Fry. Ok, so I have a little bias here, but I sell more of these than any other knife I make for a reason. They aren't all this fancy, but it has everything you need and nothing you don't.
#36, 3 - Haley DesRosiers. I've gotten to handle a few of these DesRosiers integrals and would be happy to have any of them to use.
#40, 1 - Haley again. Should probably spread the love to Adam, but I like this one.
#48, 2 - John Doyle, again. The textured blackwood is lovely.