Best production Hunting blade

[tiger_blade]

Just decided to skin three bulls and two goats. So, tried with three different hunting knives from three different companies from their best hunting knife lines.

First one Benchmade snody model 201 hunter. Very well design and blade grind very smooth for skinning. Out of the three, best finishes and payed most for this one. D2 steel, so should hold an edge. At almost 95%, I felt the blade needed a light touch up. But, I decided to do it later. After finishing the first bull, now, just a few strikes on Gatco X sharpener on the ceramic medium side (not fine) to bring the edge. Then using few times on my KSF leather honing strops using the green side (not black side) brought knife to factory edge hair popping sharpness.

Now the buck 191 Zipper. Very nice finish and design compared to what you pay for this blade. Surprisingly it did not lose it's edge even after one and and a half bull skinning. remarkably used the same method for sharpening as BM 201 but with less effort and it got back to the factory edge. I was quite shocked as being made out of 420HC this blades out performs some of the blades made out of S30V. I don't know what those buck people do with HT on this blade but that is a superb performance for an ordinary steel. Buck definitely mastered their Heat Treatment method. I was very surprised.:thumbup:

Now, comes SOG NorthWest ranger. Mine is the Japanese made AUS6 steel. Really good design and finish small bowie knife type. I really like the design. Just after 40% of the way, blades lost it's edge. . Now, after getting pissed off, I decided to sharpen it (finish the rest of the skinning using the Buck). Mother of God . This blade won't sharpen on any of my sharpening tools. I was loosing my mind. It won't come to it's factory edge at all. So, I decide to sharpen it using my Japanese whetstone. Now, it showed some changes and but never got back to it's factory edge. I had to re-profile the entire blade's edge to almost convex. But, it will sharpen only on a whetstone surprisingly. This pretty much pissed me off as you don't wanna carry large Japanese whetstone in the field. Just not possible.

So, I am very impressed with buck Zipper. Buck people knows their tools and they are in the business for a long time. From their experience they were able to turn ordinary steel into a super cutting tool.:thumbup::thumbup:

 

[Jason B.]

Nice review.

Not surprising about the BM, I was never all that impressed with their HT. SOG AUS6= nuff said. The buck is impressive though and a great example of how much difference the HT can make.

Have you ever used a spyderco mule team knife?

 

[A.P.F.]

Just get this Vanguard and you can thank me later.

 

[tiger_blade]

Nice review.

Not surprising about the BM, I was never all that impressed with their HT. SOG AUS6= nuff said. The buck is impressive though and a great example of how much difference the HT can make.

Have you ever used a spyderco mule team knife?

Never had one. spyderco mule team knife looks like made out spring steel. I've experienced with that steel. Very good for large knife.:thumbup:

 

[tiger_blade]

Just get this Vanguard and you can thank me later.

Man I am mad at you. You just got me nuts for these knives. Now, I am getting all models. Made me loose my wallet. Thanks man. Hell of a deal and blade.:thumbup:

 

[Stainz]

There was a run of the 192 Vanguard in CPM154, too. I bought one in a knife store in Foley, AL for <$70!

Stainz

 

[Big Mike]

Nothing worse then having to stop and sharpen a hunting knife halfway through the job.


I was often frustrated by the knives I was using untill I discovered Bob Dozier's D2.

Dozier K-4 Straight Hunter.


Mike Stewart's A2 is another that works very well, as does his 154-CM and the new CTS-XHP.


Like you discovered with the Bos HT on that Buck; heat treatment and edge geometry are just as important as matalurgy.


The Dozier and Bark River knives might be considered semi-production or semi-custom by some, and are more expensive then most "production" knives, but for a hunter the money is well spent.




Big Mike

 

[tiger_blade]

Thanks Big Mike. I own quite a few Bark river like Bravo 1 and Bravo 1 SS, Gameskeeper, and many others. I like very much because all their edges are convex. I used Bravo 1 in the field. Holds an age like a diamond even after chopping woods for ours. Sharpening on leather strop is breeze. Gets very sharp very fast. Don't have much experince with Dozier but an admirer as being a formal student Bob Loveless - my most favorite knife maker. Dozier's hard to come by. But, I have one from Dozier's student Dan Crotts. Very well made. My only complain is the handle - not thick enough to hold a strong grip especially when you have large square hand. During skinning and other chores, your hand gets very sticky with blood and fats from the blood. You loose grip very easily when cutting through thick hide. So, I always look for a bit rounder handle with enough room to get a secure grip.

Even owning all this premium knives, never thought that a blade from a local sports shop would give me shocks . Glad to know that a great blade is available at a great price for all the hunters out there.

Nothing worse then having to stop and sharpen a hunting knife halfway through the job.


I was often frustrated by the knives I was using untill I discovered Bob Dozier's D2.

Dozier K-4 Straight Hunter.


Mike Stewart's A2 is another that works very well, as does his 154-CM and the new CTS-XHP.


Like you discovered with the Bos HT on that Buck; heat treatment and edge geometry are just as important as matalurgy.


The Dozier and Bark River knives might be considered semi-production or semi-custom by some, and are more expensive then most "production" knives, but for a hunter the money is well spent.




Big Mike

 

[johniac7078]

the buck zipper is really good. I have dressed and skinned many deer with mine and honesty I only give it a very slight touch up on a strop after I thoroughly clean it at the end o the season.