First time hunting knife

D

Dobermann

Joined
Feb 11, 2007
Messages
6
Hi Ladies and Gents,

Failte from Ireland, I am new to hunting and am about to embark on my first deer hunting trip, I need a knife and your advice would be greatly appreciated.
To try and give a budget $100-200 tops
Not too big a blade fixed I reckon, don't know enough yet to know if I need a gut hook, most deer we will be shooting are sika / fallow and red plus the odd bunny. It doesn't have to be pretty just damn good. :)

Your advice greatly appreciated

Dob
 
The best hunters I know usually carry pretty modest knives. Lots of oldtimers laugh at the greenhorn with the giant bowie on his belt.

Everyone will have opinions, I'd recommend something around 4" or so with a kind of upswept blade. Then it will skin good and be handy around camp.

Buy something with good steel above all else. Something that will hold it's value so if you find you don't like it you'll be able to trade it in towards something else. I assume you've talked to the guys you're going hunting with about this? What brands are they taking into the field?

Of all the knives we had around Elk camp last year the one that was probably the most used was a stubby little skinning knife with a gut hook. I used my Puma White Hunter on the Elk I skinned. For your price range, I'd recommend a White Hunter, it's a good all around hunting/survival knife.

Mostly, I'd say it's great that you're doing your homework and coming to this site. Everyone here will have different opinions, but they will all be eager to help you out.

Enjoy The Journeys, both of hunting and knife collecting.
 
Pop on over to the For Sale by Maker's section. You can often find a nice custom handmade knife over there that would fit in your budget.
 
Please NO gut hook ! Learn to use a knife properly and you won't need a gut hook. About a 4" blade with slight drop point is what I prefer. A Cold Steel Master Hunter is very practical. A Fallkniven F-1 or H-1 is excellent .Lots of choices out there .
 
scottang1 said:
Pop on over to the For Sale by Maker's section. You can often find a nice custom handmade knife over there that would fit in your budget.
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Please take scottang1's advice into consideration. There are many very fine hunters and campers in the makers section for 1-200 dollars with nice sheaths and good warrantys. There all pretty good guys to deal with. Did you say Sika deer? They are crafty buggers, at least over here on the Eastern Shore.

Anyhow I like a 4" blade also for deer you can go bigger or smaller thats just my prefernce. I dont like a guthook but thats always debatable. I like a toolsteel, but stainless is alright. There's so much to choose from, I ran into Rapid River Knifeworks at the Eastern Sportsmans show and bought a very good priced knife from them. A2 and a good price. You'll get lots of advice but I am sure you'll have one jump out at ya, good luck.
 
Is their one knife that stands out from the others.
ie 3.5 - 4 inches long, great steel, no gut hook, good scabbard, etc

The Fallkniven F-1 or H-1 seems to be the leading runner so far any other contenders?
 
Ontario Rat-3 will do anything you need to do deer hunting.

Buck 110 folder will do it too. Puma lockbacks, etc.

I have gutted, skinned and carved up more than one deer with nothing but a Spyderco delica, although a little heftier knife is nice for cutting through the sternum.

Come to think of it, I have been deer hunting many times with a case trapper or similar small folder, and carried a buck 110 in my pack just for cutting through the sternum.
 
Do yourself a favor and get the Fallkniven H1 with the G3 lamination. You will be amazed at how long it will hold an edge.

Ciao
Ron:cool:
 
I would go with a Cold Steel Master Hunter for a fixed blade or a Cold Steel Ultimate Hunter for a folder. They do not cost very much and are practical knives.
 
The Falkniven H1 and F1 are indeed excellent.

And, yes, I can hardly believe the quality and the craftsmanship of the knives, at the prices they are regularly advertised for, over in the Knifemakers forum. Definitely check them out.

Might also want to consider a Swamp Rat Howling Rat. Perfect length, holds an edge, good ergonomics, and excellent grip retention when slick w/ blood.

Good hunting!
 
Bark River Knife and Tool makes very nice and affordable fixed blade knives.They are made from A2 steel with a convex grind.Very sharp and easy to keep that way.:thumbup:
 
I do not hunt, but I have to believe Bark River Knife & Tool has something for everyone. Great prices, lots of A2 and a bunch of models.
 
Another for the F1. It does extremely well on deer. Easy to clean, good grips, excellent blade.
 
Thank you very much for all your advice guys it looks like I will go for the Fallkniven H1 with the G3 lamination for my first ever hunting knife.
Next question is where should I buy it considering I need to get it sent here (Dublin - Ireland) and if I need to sharpen it what is best? I have a Global Duo Stone Whetstone Knife SharpenerGrits 240/1000 is this any good? and where should I look for advice on sharpening etc.

Kindest Regards

Dob
 
abcdef said:
I do not hunt, but I have to believe Bark River Knife & Tool has something for everyone. Great prices, lots of A2 and a bunch of models.
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I agree:thumbup: , I don't hunt but I do like knives and Bark River has very nice quality gear,big range too.
 
Yup, Bark River would be my vote as well. Fox River, Clip Point Skinner, mini skinner...all would do well.

Check out dlttradingcompany.com.
 
You do not remove 'gamey 'flavor [ spoiled meat] by aging .The most important thing is to immediately dress out the deer .Then get it cut up and in the freezer as soon as you can. Do not age it unless you have a proper butchers cooler and the skin must be removed...I do not understand the difficulty in removing the hide . Most of it is pulling then cutting some membrane and repeating until the hide is off. Some even just pull it off with a vehicle.Dressing out is not too messy if yo've hit it in the right place .Everything should come out together . I carry a 4" knife ,a folding saw to cut pelvis and breastbone,canteen with water , paper towels ....I've done a lot more than 4 deer !!!
 
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