BEST Hunting knife?!?! -$100

J

jdk81

Joined
Sep 24, 2014
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12
I'm sure this is a very broad question, and is different for every type of hunting, and from person to person.

Here is my scenario:
I hunt everything I can. This knife will be used during the butchering process for deer. Skinning, gutting, quartering, ect. I believe drop point blade will be my best blade style. Don't have a plethora of experience when it comes to knives, so I am open to any suggestions.

I suppose I am asking what company has the best 4" or under, fixed blade, drop point? (I think)

Open to anything!! Thanks!
 
I have been hunting for a decade plus from Bear to Dove and everything in between and what I have found is that each species carries with it it's own challenges. The one thing I have realized slipping through the muck and mud, snow and gravel, climbing over logs and jumping off what I can only call cliffs is that blade retention is imperatively important. Find something with either a snap or a hook and loop closure. Price hasn't really had much of an impact, I have used Buck Paklite Caper/Skinner on most everything lately and have been impressed with how well they perform and how easily they are cleaned because they have no handle for anything to get stuck/wedged in. I have also used the Benchmade Lone Wolf Mountainside Skinner and the Knives of Alaska Lite Skinner and they were fabulous but I was worried about them the whole time I was out and have not taken either back since. My suggestion is get the best steel you can afford in the least expensive package you can find and make sure it wont "shake" out of it's sheath while you are in a blind/tree/hillside. Best of luck and let me know what you decide.

If you are hunting something larger (elk, moose, etc...) bring a hatchet so that the knife doesn't have to do all of the work, splitting hips and so on.
 
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For shear utility and value, it's hard to beat the old Schrade sharpfinger. You can find USA made 1095 steel versions with original snap retention sheaths for not much money.
 
I really like this knife-maker. Why not buy a custom-made by one of our knife-makers?
I copied this link from the KnifeMaker's ads in the Exchange. He is a knifemaker who hunts, just like he advertises. This knife in the ad is 1/8" thick, which is a bit thicker than you might want for caping/skinning.
I have two of his 3" blades that are about 0.100" thick that will slice better and still has plenty of strength. Here are the specs on my blades by him...and a pic of my fixed blade by him.
GL Drew
easy to carry; excellent workmanship, nice jimping.

An easy-carry knife to carry with scabbard that can be worn left or right. The attached the belt loop is flat against the back of the scabbard so the knife can be carried easily in a day pack or in the back pocket.
Stock removal from 3/32 inch 52100 steel. Miked blade thickness is 0.106". (This is a sturdy blade. I'm keeping one just like it, but in a different grip material.) Mine in the pic here...is new, unused, sits in a cardboard box, and is for sale in your price range if you prefer. Give G.L. Drew a PM or email, however, and ask him what he suggests.
Specs of mine...here in the pic...
Flat grind finished with a belt polish
bloodwood handles
Overall length: 7 inches
Blade: 3 inches
Leather scabbard with belt loop

You can go to the next link and click on his user-name and either PM or email him and ask him what he would recommend. His price will go a bit over a hundred...$130 in this link... I have included a pic of mine, bloodwood grips, at the very bottom of this post...that he made and sold to me on the Exchange... I'm not quite sure why I bought two, since they sit in a cardboard box... Good luck.

G L Drew KnifeMaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Hunting knives made by a knifemaker who hunts!
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1221891-Spear-Point-Hunter

 
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There are so many great knives out there, today. The Kershaw Field Knife Hunter, the Kershaw Diskin Hunter, the Benchmade Hunt Steep Country, Buck Omni Hunter, Buck Caper, Bucklite Max (large or small), the Classic Buck Skinner, and the beautiful Canal Street Trailing Point Hunter (D2) and D'Holder Hunter (19c27), and so many more.
 
I use my Bark River Huntsman for everything except small game like squirrel and rabbit but I'm sure it would work just fine for those too. I just have more dedicated knives for small game.
 
Johnson adventure blades (made by kabar) gamestalker would be another one to look at. I have no experience with it personally, but I know it was designed for hunting :). It is also very affordable.
 
Spyderco Moran drop point or trailing point. Weighs almost nothing. Vg-10 blade. Excellent sheath retention and comfortable handle. Also fits your budget.
 
I am 57, I have been hunting and cleaning deer all my adult life (and upland game and waterfowl). One comment first: I much prefer fixed blade over a folder, the folders get really messy and it is hard to clean them.
Bark River Knives are hard to beat, usually between $125-$225, and up. Benchmade makes some nice hunting knives in the $115-$130 range. What I have probably used more than anything else is my Case XX Leather Hunter two knife set. You get a larger knife with a 5.125" blade and a smaller one with a 3.125" blade, and a leather sheath that carries both knives handsomely. You can get that set for about a hundred bucks, which I think is your target.
For a little less money, check out a Buck 118 Personal or a Buck 119 Special for a little over $50.
If you really want to go cheap, check out a Cold Steel Pendleton Lite Hunter for about $16.00.
I own Bark River, Benchmade, Buck, Case XX and Cold Steel hunting knives, I use them all, I probably use the Case the most.
 
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My favorite all-round hunting knife is a CS Master Hunter in Carbon V, tho a bit larger than you indicated. Fallkniven F1 is virtually a smaller version of the MH, though the handle is not as grippy as CS`s Kraton. I carry my knives in my daypack until needed, hence no worries about losing it off my belt. Others I`ve used and like are Grohman`s Canadian Belt Knife, Marble`s Campcraft and Fieldcraft, and Buck`s massive 119.
 
I was considering the new Spyderco Swick 4 for a game dressing knife - S30V for $70. I've never used that config before though.
 
I have gotten 4 Bark Rivers in the last couple months that i plan on trying this deer season. You can find some very good deals on the exchange.







 
What ever you decide to get, be sure to get a drop point or trailing point skinner. I've used them for years and they really shine when field dressing game. Here's a couple. DM
 
No list would be complete without looking at a Spyderco Southfork, which was a collaboration with Phil Wilson.
Best...
 
Mora Companion and spend the leftover money on socks or boots.

Deer are not hard to field dress, I have field dressed them in a pinch with a Case Trapper and a Victorinox Tinker. People tend to want knives that are significantly heavier and larger than is necessary.

You won't look super cool in front of your buddies doing it, but a pair of EMT shears is faster and easier to field dress with than a knife. If you prefer to cut through the breast bone the shears will zip right up it without dulling the edge on your knife.

The Mora has a thin, slightly flexible blade that gets wicked sharp. Its also very easy to control and is quite handy for most chores around the camp as well as field dressing.
 
The Mora will work. Plus if you are prone to loose stuff, you won't have a nervous breakdown after you find it missing.

As far as hunting knives go, I like Bark River stuff or a Blackjack classic. Blows the budget. The Spyderco Moran is a great little field dressing and skinning knife (not a full tang), but not so good for butchering unless you just have to. I use a couple different Dozier customs for hunting chores, but none are less than $100.

The Kabar Becker BK-16 or BK-15 should work for you. The Schrade Sharpfinger (USA preferred) would work also. It is the butchering part where I want a longer bladed knife. So, get yourself a BK-5 for the butchering part.
 
Check out the gentleman from Japan, Virtuovice, on YouTube. He has quite a collection and has reviewed most of them. He definitely likes Bark River's line-up.
 
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