Recommendation? Fixed blade for hunting

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

I'm looking for a fixed blade under $250 and between 4 & 5 inches (I believe). I'm going to use it turkey hunting and maybe eventually white tail. I love natural materials (except bone). Stag, woods, etc. I prefer drop point but am not against clip point. I'd like a knife I can have for years to come and hand down. I enjoy the patina look on knives from years of use. Leather sheath. I'm not partial to snap closure. It doesn't need to be super thick blade stock either.

 

[afishhunter]

Buck 113, or Schrade Old Timer 154(?) "Sharp Finger".
The vintage pre-2004 Sharp Finger could be had in 1095 or "Schrade +" stainless. (I've seen both.)
Post 2004 offshore made Taylor Schrade and the current BTI Schrade are stainless only.

Blade is around 3.75 inch, however many a Turkey and whitetail (and/or larger) have been made ready for cooking by these two.

The Sharp Finger and 113 were and remain very popular with hunters since the late '70's or early '80's when they came out.
Both budget friendly, well under $70 (current BTI Sharp Finger with 7CR14MoV "440A Equivalent" blade is under $30)

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Buck 113, or Schrade Old Timer 154(?) "Sharp Finger".
The vintage pre-2004 Sharp Finger could be had in 1095 or "Schrade +" stainless. (I've seen both.)
Post 2004 offshore made Taylor Schrade and the current BTI Schrade are stainless only.

Many a Turkey and whitetail (and/or larger) have been made ready for cooking by these two.

I was looking at the 113 and my bother has the sharpfinger. Is buck, case and Schrade about as old timey as it gets? I wouldn't mind a custom or a lesser known company. The Schrade has plastic handles.

 

[Tx308]

LT Wright GNS

 

[Auglaize117]

I would try and get ahold of Josh Fisher. He's a maker here on bladeforums. He takes custom orders and is great to work with. He uses 8670 carbon steel. Holds a great edge and gets a great patina.
Knife on the left is a nessmuk I had him make, but im sure he can make a great drop point:

 

[BP_]

Here are a couple customs and a shortened Buck in your price range, and ‘close’ to your blade length. Being custom you could have the length adjusted to your needs.



Makers pic (has too much patina to see the name these days)


A nice Buck 117 or 192 is an option as well

 

[Grateful]

My first choice would be a Buck 192. It’s the best I ever used for deer hunting. I’m sure it would be great for turkey too. It works great on small game.

 

[dsutton24]

I've skinned a lot of game with a Buck 102 Woodsman, and have done so with the same knife for over forty years. The only of your criteria that the 102 meets, though, is its durability.

If you want tool steel, leather handles, etc, try to find a Western L46 or L48. Great knives.

And, don't pass up the good old Buck 110. Not a sheath knife, etc. but they're great all purpose hunting knives.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

I've skinned a lot of game with a Buck 102 Woodsman, and have done so with the same knife for over forty years. The only of your criteria that the 102 meets, though, is its durability.

If you want tool steel, leather handles, etc, try to find a Western L46 or L48. Great knives.

And, don't pass up the good old Buck 110. Not a sheath knife, etc. but they're great all purpose hunting knives.

I have a 110 ebony, 110 ebony finger groove and 110 drop point, s30v stag. I love them and the stag would be my first pick to go with but cleaning the knife is a concern. To me a fixed blade is considerably easier to keep clean.

 

[AnW]

Just got this Bark River Mountaineer. I intend to use it in the upcoming deer season.

 

[3fifty7]

A Custom Shop Buck 113 with nickel bolsters and Elk scales and S30v ain’t a bad combo.

 

[ddavis]

Hess knives checks all your boxes... natural handle material, patina with use, leather sheaths, great knife to hand down to the next generation, good solid 1095 steel, convex edge, in your price range, in your size range.

 

[Auglaize117]

AND YET ANOTHER HARPOON

I know, I know it's time for a change up but this has been my most popular pattern and I have had a bunch forged and heat treated for some time now. I promise I will move on to other patterns soon :rolleyes: This one is a stock removal knife from 52100 high carbon steel Heat treated in my...

bladeforums.com

This would suite your needs if you wanted to go go custom route. His knives are outstanding.

 

[pjsjr]

I have a 110 ebony, 110 ebony finger groove and 110 drop point, s30v stag. I love them and the stag would be my first pick to go with but cleaning the knife is a concern. To me a fixed blade is considerably easier to keep clean.

I know I responded to your post in the Buck forum, but you didn't say you had and liked the 110. So, how about a 101? It's the fixed blade version of the 110.
It's discontinued, but you can find them in various flavors. I think there was a recent thread in the Buck Forum on the 101.

 

[Camillus]

I'm looking for a fixed blade under $250 and between 4 & 5 inches (I believe). I'm going to use it turkey hunting and maybe eventually white tail. I love natural materials (except bone). Stag, woods, etc. I prefer drop point but am not against clip point. I'd like a knife I can have for years to come and hand down. I enjoy the patina look on knives from years of use. Leather sheath. I'm not partial to snap closure. It doesn't need to be super thick blade stock either.

I would see what Horsewright can do for you.

Or duckchildress

GEC fixed blades are also good