Frost Hunter

Tim-Gabz

Tim-Gabz

Joined
Nov 24, 2003
Messages
5,337
Hi there, I am a newbie. I would not go so far as to say I am a collector but rather a very interested accumulator and user. Having acquired some lovely knives I have also acquired some unsuitables (what is new?). Having given up on stainless for a field knife for some time I used to use a Glock 81 which performed a treat but its profile was very difficult to use on game and mundane tasks. I am seeking a C223 frost carbon 9” blade hunting knife to be used for everything in a camp including skinning and chopping and would appreciate anyone’s comments and tips.
 
Tim,

You like the Glock knife, thats unusual where I'm from...I found mine had wire edge rolling and rusted very well , even for carbon.

Pluses: nice outline, nice sheath set-up...neede better steel/heat treat, and better edge profile.

IMHO a Victorinox Kitchen blade ( one of the thicker 5" ones) would be a better field knife.

get a pruning saw for "chopping" and you will be better off.
 
Hi Tim.

Most "skinning knives" are 5" or less and good "belly" (curve) towards the end of the blade. I suppose you could skin with a 9" Frosts bowie or "camp kife," but it would be less than optimal.

If you are looking for "one size fits all," be prepared for a tool that does everything but not all things well. That's how compromises work out.

You might think in terms of a good skinning knife, a folding saw, and a good hand axe. For slashing through light brush, a machete would be good.

Use the "search" function here at BF and check out recent threads to get the benefit of the experiences of others. Lots of information here on different steels and their particular strengths and weaknesses - AND how the design of the blade and quality of work that goes into it may be even more important than the type of steel used.

Good hunting.
 
Hi there,

Thanks guys.

I appreciate the comments, you have read into what I really need rather than what I asked.

I am sure my wife will love the hijacking of her Victorinox kitchen knives that she went to the effort to take from me but for a good cause well…..

I am very surprised at the Glock comments. Rust was a big problem. Mine was an early one given to me as the former owner, the Glock distributer, who could not sharpen it. I could. It was a phenomenal performance blade. I was relieved of it by yet another friend and since Skinning with a semi Tanto profile was not really a good prospect I yielded. If Glock produced a version with more of a Randall or English fighter profile it could be great.

I have many knives and use most of them regularly. Nothing beats a good skinner for skinning or either a pruning saw or an axe for wood, for alternative use they are often pathetic. In a good hunting camp these can be included in the inventory, hiking it becomes more difficult. Stainless is often a poor all round performance substitute for carbon and to reach the same area of performance the compromises are often considerable or expensive to ameliorate. I am seeking a knife that can do these chores with least compromise so that it can be used hiking, tucked away (oiled) under the car seat for opportunities or when the skinner or axe is left behind.

Tim
 
One good thing about the Glock knife is that the width from edge side to spine side is so small, it makes it very hard for an opponent to grab the back of the spine and disarm you, or turn the blade on you.
 
I couldn't find the Frost (or is it Frosts of Sweden) knife you were talking about for direct comparison. For those of us in the United States hunting knife blades are usually under 5" in length so your request for a 9" blade is a little confusing. For a carbon steel camp knife that can also be used as a hunting knife my first thought is one of the Becker series from Camillus knives. The BK-9 would have a blade length around what you are looking for and the blade is profiled for good cutting. Take a look at the camillusknives.com website.

Once I shoot something fairly large like an elk there are knives that are used to "process" the carcus. These usually look more like kitchen knives and aren't carried in a sheath. The Russell Green River knives work well for this. Knives called "sheep skinners" are popular. Here is a link to a place that offers a selection. They are made of a carbon steel that takes a great edge:

http://www.frontieramericatrading.com/FP0116Russell Green River.htm
 
I've seen some of the European "Hunting Knives" that are a lot larger than what American hunters carry. Most of my hunting friends carry folders about the size of a Buck 110 or smaller. My father, who didn't hunt anything larger than whitetails, said "A blade more than 3" is a waste."
Also have videos of Ron Hood using a 9" blade for just about anything. He grips on the back of the blade to control the tip for small work. Also has a video of an Amazonian Native kid cleaning a bush rat (think large racoon size) with a machete.
If you like the Russell Green River knives, you might also check out the discontinued Cold Steel Hudson Bay knives.

http://www.milesfortis.com/church/akc20.htm
http://www.oldjimbo.com/survival/hb.html

They fequently show up on eBay.com for @$20 US.

Good luck

Diablero
 
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