Budget hunting knife recommendations - Marbles OK?

R

rocko

Joined
May 31, 2002
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Heya all - looking for a new 3.5-4" fixed blade hunting knife for deer season this year and would like some recommendations. I really don't want to spend a fortune - trying to keep it around $60-70. Unfortunately, it appears that the search function is still disabled for non-members and most of the discussion here revolves around EDC - having trouble finding threads about this topic.

I noticed Midway USA recently started carrying Marbles knives, and my C&R affords me a dealer discount there. The Trailcraft seems like a handy length for gutting purposes - dealer price at Midway is $45 with the rubber grip, $52 with the gamegetter grip, and $62 with the leather grip. Any experiences with these knives, and are these decent prices?

Any other recommendations, along with places to purchase?

Thanks,

Rocko
 
Marbles makes great knives. It sounds like a good way to go. The sheaths aren't always that wonderful, but the knives are great performers.

If you're new to convex grinds (which the Marbles have), here's a link to convex info and how to sharpen them.

Convex Grinds
 
they are good knives, but my experience with them last year wasnt so good. I bought a woodcraft and the sheath was too small and when I inserted the blade it cut through the sides!!! the sheath was made EXACTLY the same size as the blade. somone didnt account for the belly of the blade having to go through the top of the sheath first!!:rolleyes: . The only other problem was the handle was a little small for my hands. Other wise it would have been an awesome knife!! Ive heard people now say the sheaths are a little to big, so maybe, whoever they're contracting to make these sheaths will get it right!?!?

those are good prices on the knives, but if your looking for something inexpensive (and decent) have yo thought about one of the buck vanguards? or one of the buck alpha hunters in ats-34? they would both make good hunting knives (course thats what they're made for!)

:)
 
rocko,another good deal is the new queen fixed blades with D2 steel.SMKW has them starting at 24.95 for the delron handled ones.The carbon steel old timers fixed blades are a good knife for the money. theres nothing wrong with any of the above recommendations and you'll proably get more good suggestions.
 
Let me preface this by saying that I don't hunt, unfortunately, so you might want to take my opinions with a grain of salt. But I do know a bit about knives and have read a lot about what goes into a good hunting knives, have some buddies who hunt, etc. I think Queen's D2 carved stag bone canoe knife (3 3/4" blade; 7 5/8" overall) is a GREAT knife for $37.95. D2 steel is great stuff. Check it out <a href="http://store.knifecenter.com/pgi-ProductSpec?QN89SB">here</a>. If your hunting blade having the look at feel of a traditional knife is important to you, you can't go wrong here. If you want, you can save a few bucks and get a more basic handle. Check the whole line <a href="http://store.knifecenter.com/pgi-CustomListProducts?Queen%20Fixed%20Knives,2,16,=,que,&,157,=,fixed">here</a>.
 
Rocko,
As gailt and mnblade stated, the Queen line of D-2 bladed hunters are really worth a look. The handles on some are a bit compact(3 3/4" and 4" long) and the stock is on the thin(3/32") side(which I like a lot) but they are dirt cheap and they are serious cutters.
I have one and it was well worth the $35.00 I spent on it. Jigged bone scales and the heat treat was done right. The thing cuts all day long with nary a complaint.


edited to add:
BTW, the sheaths are a pleasant change of pace from the crap that usually accompanies fixed blades these days. These are decently thick 7 to 8 oz. leather pouch type sheaths with a plastic insert and the sheath covers much of the handle. A gem IMO.
 
Cold Steel's Master Hunter is tough to beat. It comes in decent AUS8 stainless or superb Carbon V high carbon steel. The Kraton grips are great users -- especially when dealing with messy chores like field dressing game under cold conditions.
 
I got my brother-in-law a Spyderco Moran a couple of hunting seasons ago. He loves it. Said he skinned several deer before sharpening it. It uses VG-10 steel. The kydex sheath that comes with it is very nice as well.
 
Rocko,
I've have a CS Carbon V Master Hunter, and have used it several times in recent years to field dress deer. It does a nice job. I recently discovered Gene Ingram's hunting knives (Geno in the Sale by Maker forum), and I am a very satisfied customer. He may have something that strikes your fancy in the price range you are looking.
Jim
 
Rocko, I have a trailcraft and it is one of my most carried and used small fixed blades. It's a good knife at a good price. Get a lot of control while skinning and cleaning game and it still cuts well even when not "hair popping" sharp. Check out Buzzbait's convex grind site for care of edge. There are a lot of choices out there but if you like the Trailcraft it will do you well.


Dean
 
IMHO Marbles is the way to go for an affordable High Quality Hunting/woods blade. Most prefer the 52100 steel, meaning the now discontinued Marble knives. Check out the Sport 99 Loveless collaboration and the Plainsman. The Sport 99 is a great all around camp and skinning blade. Either one is in the 60-80 dollar range unless you prefer the bone and exotic stag versions, which run higher. My sport 99 is in Green Micarta and they run around 120- if you can find one. The stacked leather is little more than half that.

BTW The Marbles online site doesn't list all the options or blade styles that are available out there.

Cheers,
Hal
 
I like the Marbles Fieldcraft for cleaning deer. I prefer the 52100 models that are discontinued now, but according to a test done by Buzzbait, the new steel is also a good performer.

But in general, with Marbles you get time proven traditional designs and that great convex grind. A fine combination, in my opinion.
 
I have a fieldcraft, and it works great...can't go wrong with that...!;)
 
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