Deer Hunting Fixed Blade

[meliaant]

Hey folks...advice time...I'm more of the "backpacking folding knife" sort, and know little about hunting/skinning fixed blades...drew my cousin's name in the Christmas grab this year, and he's an avid hunter...would like to get him a nice fixed blade skinner for under $100 (preferrably under $75, but the more suggestions, the better)...thanks!

 

[elkins45]

Beretta Loveless Hunter, dropped point version with the Zytel handle. You can find them for as low as $37 (+ shipping) online if you look. There is no better hunting knife, only more expensive ones.

I have dozens of knives, some much more expensive, but the trusty Beretta is the one I always turn to when deer season begins. I can't recommend it highly enough.

 

[deermaster]

If you could find an older USA made Scharade Sharp Finger, it would make an excellent skinner. Should be able to find one on ebay for 30$
I know you said fixed blade, but I have been using a large Case Hunter 2 blade for my deer this year, and it worked great. You could get one new for 60$ or so.
And another couple classics are the Buck fixed blades:
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...&parentType=index&indexId=cat20889&hasJS=true
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...&parentType=index&indexId=cat20889&hasJS=true
The two Bucks are more general purpose blades than skinners, but very useful to any deer hunter.

 

[meliaant]

How's the Spyderco Bill Moran? Good for deer hunting?

 

[Col. Cornelius]

This summer, I got a Buck Gen 5, with the CPM154 steel blade, leather sheath, and rosewood handles.

GREAT deer field dressing and skinning knife!

The higher quaility steel was a bit more, in the $80-$90 range. Buck also makes a 420HC blade with charcoal grey wood handles and cordura sheath in the$50-$60 range that is very nice.

Another option is the Buck Vanguard, which I prefer for elk (since it has a little bit longer blade). For deer size animals, I prefer the smaller Gen 5.

 

[Leftoverdj]

How's the Spyderco Bill Moran? Good for deer hunting?

There are two of them; the FB-02 would be the one to get. The upswept point on the 01 is too apt to poke a hole in the hide where you don't want a hole in the hide.

I favor a somewhat narrower blade, but that may be just me. I'd happily use an FB-02 if that's what I had. Just avoid any extreme blade designs.

You might also take a look at the AG Russell Deer Hunter. It's easily in your price range. The neat thing about it is that a miniature version is available for about $20, the Hunter's Scapel. There are times that a small knife comes in useful in dressing out deer. A matched pair would be within your budget and a spectacular Christmas present.

 

[cgmblade]

I'm partial to the Buck Vanguard. Like Col. Cornelius said above it is available in 420HC at very reasonable prices. I have Cabela's Alaskan Guide version in s30v which cost me $80 to $90 iirc. I haven't used the Gen 5 but I like the looks of it.

Here's a picture of my Vanguard.

 

[cmdionne]

RAT Izula would be a good buy, a couple of the WSS guys have used one on their deer this year

If you want to go Custom, a couple of our makers here have offerings in your price range. They both have their own subforums in the "Makers" section.

Stomper (JK knives) has a couple that would fit the bill and be around that price, notably his EWOK, which is what I have on my belt this season.

Also Koyote has some knives which would fit the bill. I think he even has some avaliable for purchase right now.

 

[nodh]

Fallkniven WM1, is about 70 bucks. A smallish hunting knife. The company sometimes call it "a fixed folder" because of it size. Popular with bird hunting and such. A good backup to the bigger Fallkniven knives.

A bit more (about 100 bucks) is the ever so popular F1 survival/hunting knife. Very popular with the bushcraft/military people.

Then a bit more expensive is the H1, a really great hunting knife that doubles as a survival knife.

Then it goes on in the knife family that ends with the huge NL1 and the MC1 mine probe that looks like a sword.

 

[puukkoman]

I'd heartily recommend a shorty Ka-Bar. The 5" blade will be great for general hunting/camp chores, it's got plenty of belly for skinning, a nice tip for field dressing, and you can use it to split a pelvis without ruining the edge and crying about it. The 1095 steel will sharpen easily, and be very strong, while the blade coating helps prevent rust.
I used to have one of these, but gave it away to a cousin who needed a knife (on a hunting trip, actually). I just today received my replacement, which has the full-size 7" blade. I think this one might be a little large for a hunting knife, but I plan to use it for a general camp beater (I have my slightly more expensive BRKT Wolf River for skinning and butchering).
At about $50, you certainly can't go wrong with either size.
:thumbup:

 

[DallasSTB]

AG Russell Deer Hunter. Excellent value at around $55

http://www.agrussell.com/ag-russell-deer-hunter/p/AGDHhhhD2/

 

[JD Mandrell]

I used a RAT Izula this year, wrapped with paracord and it did just fine, except the paracord had to be removed washed and rewrapped...which is making me consider getting a RAT RC-3 for next year with micarta scales.

 

[Mannlicher]

I'd rather save up, and buy one good blade, than have a box full of inexpensive stuff.
This is my deer hunting fixed blade, a Randall Made #11 Alaskan Skinner

 

[longbow]

I use a CS Master Hunter in Carbon V. I have been using it for 20 yrs iirc. It might be a few yrs older even. I have had it a long time that is for sure. A great distal taper to the point, a nicely dropped point hunter too. Good belly for skinning. Best I have used. keepem sharp

 

[jpeg87]

for deer sized game, RAT Cutlery RC-3 or RC-4. or an Izula for smaller sized game.

 

[DavidZ]

Buck Vanguard model 192 from Cabelas. Get the Alaskan guide version. A great hunting knife.

 

[Guyon]

Here's a picture of my Vanguard.

That is a great knife and one of my favorites. I have the same knife in a Bass Pro version that came out in ATS-34. It's a mainstay in my pack.

 

[Samael]

Hmm. Beretta Loveless . . . check. Buck Vanguard . . . check. Randall model 11 . . . check (two of 'em, in fact). I have 'em all, and love them all too. Beautiful knives.

Which one gets used the most? Easy. My Buck Vanguard in S30V. No contest.

 

[GWashington1732]

Kershaw makes one that you can probably find for twenty five dollars, it's a pretty decent knife.

 

[nodh]

Get a plain Mora knife. The Mora 2000 is for those who want something extra, but a plain Mora is the choice of swedish hunters. It cuts really well for its price, it is expendable if forgotten in the woods and you dont get sad if you loose it.

So, get a really nice knife that you use with care and a bunch of cheap Moras for those messy jobs.