BRK&T Gameskeeper vs. Montana Guide

G

GOP1

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Aug 14, 2007
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Anyone have either or both? Looking at one of these for my next hunting knife. Trying to find out if the handguard and extended choil are worth having on the gameskeeper. It will mostly be used on White tail, Mule deer, Elk, a pig once in a while. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Is there something else I should consider...I'd like to keep it under $175.
 
I've handled a Gameskeeper. Great knife. On my list of "will eventually have" knives. It is very stout. .210 thick. It will slice like a laser, however.

Based on your posting it looks like its primary use would be for cleaning game. While the Gameskeeper would suffice, it is built tough enough to handle that, as well as other general camping duties while in the backcountry. I'd go with something a little smaller if it were strictly for game. There are many Bark River knives to choose from.

If your looking for "one" knife for game, camp choores, ect, hard to go wrong with a Gameskeeper. It can handle it all...
 
The choil on the Gameskeeper is there so you can choke up on the blade for detailed work. That is about the only advantage. They are excellent cutters and were designed to quarter Elk sized game. Excellent 4 inch blade.
 
The Montana Guide is a Gameskeeper with a guard. I believe that is the only difference. It radically changes the feel of the knife imo. the Montana guide feels HUGE in my hand--a perfect knife if you have gloves on.
 
okbohn said:
The Montana Guide is a Gameskeeper with a guard. I believe that is the only difference. It radically changes the feel of the knife imo. the Montana guide feels HUGE in my hand--a perfect knife if you have gloves on.
Click to expand...

I've handled a Montana Guide, but not a Gameskeeper. The Montana, like Okbohn says, feels huge. VERY nice.

Correction: The Montana Guide is a (slightly) smaller Gameskeeper without a guard. That's probably what you meant to say Okbohn.

GAMESKEEPER: A2 4.250" 9.100" 0.217" 7.000oz Convex Full Exposed

MONTANA GUIDE: A2 4.000" 9.000" 0.188" (weight?) Convex Full Exposed
 
For dressing big game like whitetail deer I think the Montana Guide would be best.
 
You could also look at a clip point skinner/hunter from BRKT for about half the price, and just as good for skinning/butchering game. Not as good for super heavy work though as the blade isn't nearly as thick.
 
Not to add to your list, but I asked myself the same question, and I decided on the Rivers edge camp knife. Check that one out. The major, but not only deciding factor was the hidden tang, and the great shape to the handle. I took it on a boy scout outing last weekend, and I was more than pleased. :) You can see them here: http://barkriverknives.com/gallery/album183
 
For dressing game smaller than elk (i.e. deer) the Fox River by BRKT is better than either the other knives. I have a Gameskeeper and Fox River. The Fox River is lighter but has a longer cutting edge. It is 0.17" A2. Both are close to un-breakable, both batton very well for a small knife. The Gameskeeper will pry better (Elk Joints, etc.). I carry the Gameskeeper when elk hunting and the Fox River when deer hunting.
Boy, you guys are fast. I have a River's Edge also. Great knife, not quite as tough but stainless and longer.
Ron Athay
 
You can't go wrong with either though I would prefer a guard if I were to be using for hunting and in wet weather. Heard too many instances of hand slippage to the blade to be comfortable using without a guard.
I own a Gameskeeper and beat the piss out of it and it still keeps ticking. Great knife.

Check out Jerzee Devil for mucho pics of them.
 
Thanks for the replies...I never thought picking a hunting knife would be so difficult.
 
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