Been looking for general big game hunting knife and, since I have some unused Cabelas gift certificates, have narrowed it down to 2 that they carry: the Knives of Alaska Hunter Series Alaskan or the Cabelas Alaskan Guide Buck Vanguard in S30V. Any input appreciated.
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Hekp with Hunting Knife
- Thread starter dawgvet
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muskrat man
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go with the buck, JMHO
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This would be a great question over at the W&S sub forum:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=692
I don't have any input on the two blades you mentioned but would ask, have you looked at the Bark River Knives. I have used the Woodland, Highland, and the Gameskeeper model and they are top notch. A2 tool steel, and the sharpest convex edge out of the box I have ever used.
http://www.barkriverknifetool.com/
Good luck:thumbup:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=692
I don't have any input on the two blades you mentioned but would ask, have you looked at the Bark River Knives. I have used the Woodland, Highland, and the Gameskeeper model and they are top notch. A2 tool steel, and the sharpest convex edge out of the box I have ever used.
http://www.barkriverknifetool.com/
Good luck:thumbup:
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Don't forget guys, he has some unused Cabela's gift certificates to use, so choices are limited to what Cabela's carries.
While I don't have any experience with the knife, I have to say the Vanguard looks good. Based on the reviews on the Cabela's site it is well received. Not to mention, MM knows a wee bit about knives and steels.
So that might count too.
It's a shame you can't get Bark River knives from Cabela's though, as Tarmix101 makes a good recommendation too.
While I don't have any experience with the knife, I have to say the Vanguard looks good. Based on the reviews on the Cabela's site it is well received. Not to mention, MM knows a wee bit about knives and steels.
So that might count too.It's a shame you can't get Bark River knives from Cabela's though, as Tarmix101 makes a good recommendation too.
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Another vote for the Vanguard. I have this knife in ATS-34 with the rubber handles. Excellent knife. I've dressed my last couple of deer with it.
I also have the Alaskan Guide Buck 110, and that S30V takes a wicked edge. Don't forget that it has a Paul Bos heat treat.
I also have the Alaskan Guide Buck 110, and that S30V takes a wicked edge. Don't forget that it has a Paul Bos heat treat.
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First off, I have no experience with any of the Knives of Alaska line. So I do not have any relevant data or secondary feedback on there performance.
However, Christmas 2005 I gave my best friend a Buck Vanguard without the gut hook option and with the dark wood round stock handle for his gift. He has since field dressed (4) white-tail bucks he took in the 2005-2006 season in the mountainous terrain of north Georgia with it and has told me that he likes it best(out of all his sporting knives) as a using mans medium to large game knife for processing game and general camp chores. I have hunted, fished and camped with this Gent since childhood back in the early 1970's. If he tells me it is a solid cutter than that is what it is.. All the best of good fortune with your new tool no matter what the choice.
However, Christmas 2005 I gave my best friend a Buck Vanguard without the gut hook option and with the dark wood round stock handle for his gift. He has since field dressed (4) white-tail bucks he took in the 2005-2006 season in the mountainous terrain of north Georgia with it and has told me that he likes it best(out of all his sporting knives) as a using mans medium to large game knife for processing game and general camp chores. I have hunted, fished and camped with this Gent since childhood back in the early 1970's. If he tells me it is a solid cutter than that is what it is.. All the best of good fortune with your new tool no matter what the choice.
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I didn't read through your OP very well
:foot: . I have never used either of the knives mentioned however, I have used a Buck 110, and a 112. I can speak to the Buck line and have had very good luck with my folders. I'm sure you would do well with the Buck Vanguard in S30V. I do not own a knife in S30V either (Im a carbon blade guy) but have read many good things regarding the steel.
You can do a search in general and use the term Vanguard". You will find a lot of good info there as well.
Good luck:thumbup:
Go with the Buck.
Based on my own experiance with Buck knives, and those of my fellow service men, you can't go too far wrong with one. Its backed by a company with one of the greatest warentees in the buisness, as well as the nicest family you would ever meet. My own use of Buck knives goes back to the 60's, and I never had one let me down.
The added thing for me is that at the Blade show in Knoxville, and later when they moved it to Atlanta,I had the chance to speak to Chuck Buck and his reps. Once in a while you get a feeling about a person when you can speak face to face with them. The Buck family is our kind of people. I trust them.
Based on my own experiance with Buck knives, and those of my fellow service men, you can't go too far wrong with one. Its backed by a company with one of the greatest warentees in the buisness, as well as the nicest family you would ever meet. My own use of Buck knives goes back to the 60's, and I never had one let me down.
The added thing for me is that at the Blade show in Knoxville, and later when they moved it to Atlanta,I had the chance to speak to Chuck Buck and his reps. Once in a while you get a feeling about a person when you can speak face to face with them. The Buck family is our kind of people. I trust them.
Thanks for the input. I'm kinda leaning towards the Buck as well. KoA may be a stronger knife, but I like what I've read and heard about the Buck family. Kinda rare these days for a successful company to still be family owned and good folks to boot. Any more opinions?
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I think the Alaskan Guide Buck Vanguard in S30V is alot of knife for the money. I prefer to have a gut hook for skinning purposes, how ever all production knife gutt hooks are to small to work well.
Leon Pugh