Blade Tech Pro Hunter review

Dexter Ewing

Dexter Ewing

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Oct 3, 1998
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Blade Tech Tim Wegner designed Pro Hunter


The Blade Tech Pro Hunter folder is one serious piece of equipment. I first fell in love with Tim Wegner’s [Blade Tech president and founder] design back when Spyderco reproduced their version of it, the model C48 and its little brother the C49. Though primarily designed for field dressing tasks associated with your own version of “take out food”, the Pro Hunter design also excels at other tasks not associated with hunting. When Spyderco decided to discontinue this model, I was one of many who were disappointed to see this one go by the wayside. However, at SHOT 2003, Blade Tech Industries unveiled their version of the Pro Hunter. Oh what a time to rejoice! They refined the Pro Hunter design, making it even better than it ever has been. Granted, a lot of these improvements are minor, but as they say – the little things mean a lot.

In the blade department, the 3 5/8 inch long semi-skinner shape has remained. Blade steel has been upgraded to premium CPM S30V, and the blade hole has been enlarged to a tear-drop shaped one, in which Blade Tech dubs as their own “V-hole” design. The V-hole allows for a more secure thumb purchase as well as ease with opening the blade while wearing gloves. The 2003 models feature an integrated choil now, thus further improving the grip when precision is key. Those of you who are familiar with this knife design will quickly note the addition to deep traction notches at the thumb rest area of the blade spine as well as a short section of notches close to the blade tip. The choil also features this same traction notch pattern.

The handle shape is the same – a single integrated hand guard and a gently curving handle shape to accommodate the user’s natural grip. Blade Tech offers choices of black G-10 or carbon fiber scales. The G-10 offers a really nice grip since its textured slightly on the surface, while the carbon fiber offers its unique, hi-tech appearance. In the heart of the beast lie dual nested stainless steel liners for rigidity and heft. The lock is of a liner lock® and there is a portion of the scale cut away for easy access to the liner. The liner is also notched for a secure purchase upon unlocking the blade. One of the things that Blade Tech offers in regards to pocket clip positioning on the Pro Hunter that will really be liked by Southpaws and right handers alike – the choice of left hand/right hand carry AND tip up/tip down carry…all on one knife! The Pro Hunter comes out of the box with its clip installed for tip down right hand carry. Since I’m right handed, I left the clip in this position. Also, the knife sits lower in the pocket with tip down carry, which is good if you don’t want a lot of the handle sticking out above the pocket like it does with the tip up carry.

As it was said before, I am really enamored with this design. So much so that I ended up purchasing both handle versions of this knife. Both knives came out of the boxes in excellent condition. Between the two versions, the carbon fiber version is a bit lighter in the hand than the G-10. Regardless, both knives carry very well clipped to the pocket or IWB due to the thin handle profile. In use, the Pro Hunter handles like a dream. The semi skinner blade shape has plenty of belly for big and small slicing jobs while leaving enough blade tip present in the event that it needs to be used. Due to the handle shape, your hand will always stay in place on the handle with no slippage. When I first handled the carbon fiber Pro Hunter, I was skeptical. Mind you, carbon fiber is my favorite handle material for a folder as its very stiff and strong while being ultra light at the same time. Some carbon fiber is finished to a high gloss, meaning it is slick to the touch - which the carbon fiber Pro Hunter is. I didn’t think it would stay “seated” in your grip as well as the G-10 one does. Well, to my pleasant surprise, the carbon fiber Pro Hunter fared well and my concerns over grip quality were quickly abolished. Due to the handle shape, your hand always has a secure and comfortable grip even with wet or sweaty hands. Still, it would be nice if Blade Tech would consider lightly blasting the surface to rough it up slightly. Though on the other hand, the high gloss finish does look really nice and enhances the fiber’s weave effect and the way the light plays off of the fibers. But sometimes, looks aren’t everything. As far as edge holding characteristics go, S30V steel is tops. It is a perfect choice for a knife like this. During this evaluation period, edge maintenance was performed using a Spyderco 204 Sharpmaker and a DMT diamond steel. This put kind of a toothy edge on the blades which in turn allowed the knife to sail through various materials, including food, with ease.

So, don’t let the name fool you. Even though the Pro Hunter was primarily designed to serve the serious hunter, anyone who needs a heavy duty folder will benefit from the knife’s design and construction attributes. Tim Wegner’s design has evolved nicely since the time it was produced by Spyderco. It is now a more refined cutting instrument of high caliber. If you enjoy well designed and well made working folders, then you’ll certainly enjoy this one.

Pic was liberated from Blade Tech's site:
 
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Nice review, Dexter. I like the provision for multiple positioning of the clip, the carbon fiber or G-10 scale choices, the open back construction, and the S30V blade of the updated Wegner.

However, while I can appreciate the improvements on the Wegner by Blade Tech, I personally prefer the Spyderco version. Maybe it's because the new Wegner is leaning more toward a single purpose skinning knife. In particular, I dislike the added "deep traction grooves" at the top front of the blade. While the grooves can give more grip in certain cutting situations, it also makes extra work for cleaning the blade after use. I prefer easier cleaning. This has been the chief reason why I haven't bought a Blade Tech Wegner.

I'm still looking for a (new, if possible) plain-edged Spyderco Wegner to go along with my combo-edge.
 
I have this knife in carbon fiber and I like it a lot.

However, I do take issue with the 'eccentric pivot pin'. If you want to take this knife apart, getting it back together is a challenge. Expect a lengthy session with a pair of needle-nose pliers, and endless tightening and loosening of the pivot screw to get the blade adjusted. It is an idea with merit, but I have many other folders that use a normal pivot pin without experiencing blade play.

On the plus side, we have a generous size folder with a great blade shape, and great steel. There are many excellent design features such as recessed liners, more thumb traction points than I've seen on any other blade, thin and pocketable. Very ergonomic.

On the down side, the blade well (or liner space) is a bit too thin for the blade size, IMO. The action is not particularly smooth, and the eccentric pivot pin.

I know this sounds negative, but I recommend it highly... a very cool knife for the price.
 
Great review, thanks. I love the look of this knife and it is very high on my list of want to buys.
 
I carried a Spyderco plain edged variant many years ago. I was very impressed with its overall good utility. When I first got it (based on forum reviews) I thought the blade shape was weird and questioned whether it would really work for someone who doesn't field dress wild game. My initial reservations were soon put away as I used it for everyday things and discovered for myself what everyone else was saying.

The Pro-Hunter doesn't have the shallow temporary appeal of a black evil tactical knife. That's a shame because it is infinitely more useful in real life.
 
Is the handled rigid? Will it flex when gripped tightly? Will the handle bend from pocket carry when sitting down, etc.?

Thanks.
 
The handle is pretty rigid. It has either G-10 or carbon fiber and each slab has a nested steel liner. Makes for a pretty stong knife.
 
flashman, are you asking about the BladeTech Wegner (latest versions) or the Spyderco Wegner (discontinued model)?

shootist16 already commented about the BladeTech Wegner. I'll add that the Spyderco Wegner has a ss liner on one side of the handle and a full-length ss backspacer which helps to stiffen the frame (as if G-10 needed the help). Unless you're superman, I don't think the handle will flex under your grip nor will you be able to bend it during pocket carry when sitting.
 
Quite apart from using the knife for processing game, the grooves on the top of the blade allow you to shorten up for any type of cutting where a small, well-controlled edge is required -- like carving. And groving of the liner edges and adjacent blade bottom near the pivot creates a sort of "choil." Love it.
 
Great review, Dex. I have had a liking for that Wegner design for a long time. Your review only confirms my inner feelings. :) :)
 
Dexter,
thanks for sharing your review with us. So I take it that if I used it as an edc utility knife, I can't go wrong? It was specifically designed for a hunter so he or she can skin. thanks


IF WAR IS HELL, TAKE A BETTER PITCHFORK THAN THE DEVIL
 
I have found that there are a few designs that transcend their original purpose. The Wegner design is at the top of that list. I first noticed it with Spyderco's version. My friend Chris Christman and I were talking several years ago. he mentioned that I should really get a Spyderco Wegner. I said, "isn't that a hunting knife?" He insisted that I would like it. I took his advice (hey another excuse to buy another knife :D ). Upon holding the knife I feel in love. It may be marketed as a hunter, which I believe in some ways hurt sales, but this design excels at utility. I also believe that it would do very well as a defensive tool. As a matter of fact the Spyderco Wegner was originally slated to be the official knife of Gunsite. When Spyderco discontinued the Wegner I was understandably saddened. You can imagine my excitement when I learned that Blade-tech was going to make it again. The Blade-tech version is more refined than the Spyderco. It still has the essence of the original design though, with some improvements.
 
Just purchased a PH. AWESOME! I have owned/carried a Military, Police, Endura, Delica, mini AFCK and handled a whole lot more. IMO, this knife takes the cake hands down. I can't see any current production knife near this price range, maybe a whole lot more, replacing it. Love it.
 
FYI,
I just discovered that the torx wrench supplied with any Leuopold scope base mounts/ rings is a perfect match for the pivot screw on the PH. May come in handy in a pinch.
 
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