Clueless About Steels

Good points guys and thanks for the input. Here is my current list of considerations:

KaBar Marine Hunter
I love the looks of this knife. My only concern is that the blade is 6 inches and may be too cumbersome for field dressing/skinning. Also, it has a cross guard which could get in the way when using my thumb along the spine of the blade.

Marbles Ideal Hunting Knife
I think either the leather or the jigged bone looks very nice. The blood groove is a little large for my taste but still a neat American icon of a knife.

Buck 119
Great looking with the wooden handle. Same concerns with the blade length and cross guard. I am going to go look at some tomorrow. I may consider the shorter Woodsman or Pathfinder models.

Buck Vanguard
Blade is 4 inches and I was wanting closer to 5 inches. I also prefer a clip point for fine cutting. But then again, as I mentioned earlier, I also carry a Buck 110 which could be used for fine cutting.

Boker Stag Handled 5 inch Bowie
I like this a lot but don't know much about the brand.

I was also consdering a couple of the Case fixed blades but someone mentioned earlier that they don't think the fixed are up to snuff with their folders.
 
A couple things. The Case folders that use their "Surgical steel" may look nice, but you can do much better steel wise. The 420HC is much better IMO. Better yet are the case "CV" chrome vanadium/ non stainless knives. They are the same steel that Cold steel used to call "carbon V" IIRC. They take a better edge, and are much easier to sharpen/learn to sharpen on than their " Surgical stainless".

Also be aware if you like the buck 110's they have the Cabellas version with S30V, and the Bass pro version with CPM 154cm. Both excellent stainless steels.

The SOG "team leader" is advertised as being 440C. According to the SOG folks in the SOG forum here it was changed to AUS8A too late to get the specs changed in the catalog and with the programmer. IMO, SOG does AUS8A right, and it should be a nice knife for the money. I have the Duratech 20CV version and IT IS an excellent knife which I will be reviewing soon. It's most definitely not a hunting or camp knife though so don't get it if that's what you're looking for. The AUS8A IIRC has a different grind and point and I haven't gotten to hold, examine or use one yet so no opinion on that.

Of everything mentioned so far I'd pick the Bark river brand and make sure it was an A2 steel model. Next would probably be that Marbles. The Kabar is a great knife, but not the best for hunting & skinning. If you like it, you should get it. Joe
 
Just got back from Sportsman's Warehouse and handled several of the knives I've been considering. The clerk, as well as some of you, reinforced the point that some of the "prettier" handle materials become slippery when your hand get wet. He also made the point that a lot of people buy those to collect and not so much to use. I handled the Benchmade Rant drop point and really dug it. Felt good in the hand. Had a nice grip and good length. Even though it is a drop point is seemed close to a clip point which is what I prefer in a hunting knife. I just wish it came with a leather sheath. Anyone know where I can get one and not break the bank?
 
I've recently discovered the Bark River Boone hunting knife. Now I'm thinking I should probably save up my bucks and spring for that since it seems to have everything I want in a hunting knife. I haven't handled one in person. Anyone have any experience with this knife?
 
John, nice carnage. Thanks for sharing. Now I'm just trying to figure out handle material. I'm looking at black canvas(classic but common), green canvas(may be too drab), ivory canvas(something about this catches my eye, looks formal), I really like the stached leather with the brass spacers, natural canvas also has a cool look.
 
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