Recommendation? Hunting Knife for Deer and Hog

Kels73

Kels73

Joined
Feb 20, 2012
Messages
1,347
I'm shopping for a new hunting knife. It will be used to dress, skin, and process deer and hog. I'm leaning toward the 192 Vanguard; however, I'm also interested in the 105 Pathfinder and the 103 Skinner.

I'm interested in hearing the opinions and experiences of fellow hunters. Which one do you recommend? I prefer to only purchase one knife that I can use to get the animal from field to freezer.

I'm also interested in hearing what version of the knife you prefer. For example, which blade steel do you like? Do you prefer aluminum or brass? What about phenolic, wood, or rubber for the handle?

I'm open to other fixed-blade suggestions too.

Thanks in advance.


Update: I opted for the Buck 118 Personal. I share some of my reasons why in post #57.
 
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Kels73 said:
I prefer to only purchase one knife that I can use to get the animal from field to freezer.
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The 118 is what I have used for many years. Any of Buck's steel is good, I have 440C in the one(1970-ish) I have used.
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Wannabe Rambo Guy said:
I just threw one in my Amazon cart for whenever I have the extra funds for it. Thanks, Kenpo lol! Well this thread worked great for me anyways lol! Kel's, come over here and meet, Kenpo.. have a great day today, fellas.
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Oh dang I didn’t even realize this was the Buck section. Sorry if that annoys anyone I just was thinking generally speaking what knife.
 
One knife.....?
I'd go 118 or a 105. I've seen many a deer processed with those. My hunting buddy has only used a 118 for almost 40 years. But he loves his new 105.
Field dress to boning, it will do the job. Makes a decent fishing knife too.

I like s30v. but I've field dressed multiple deer with 420hc without needing to sharpen the knife.
I think the handle is a matter of preference.

I don't have any experience with hogs but I hear they are tough on a knife. Thankfully they are not around here.
I really like my Vanguards for field dressing, but a good point was made about boning. With that in mind I'd go with the 118 or 105.
If your not worried about a boning knife I would go with the Alaskan Guide Vanguard. Awesome knife, and a good price for what it is.
Good Luck.
Let us know what you came up with and why. It's always interesting to hear why folks chose what they do.
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Kels, welcome to the Buck forum. A 192 Vanguard would work, though I don't have experience w/ that model. I use a 103 or 110 drop point. Sheath knife or folder, your call. Any of these 4' blades will get the meat home. Should you want to tackle further processing, I would go with a 6" boning blade the style of a 121. It could do double duty as a fillet blade too. Any steel will work, depending on your sharpening abilities, whether you should purchase the upgrade steels. Good luck, DM
 
Wannabe Rambo Guy said:
I butchered at a shop that took care of hogs, deer, etc, during their hunting seasons.. exceptions of the year round hogs.. but whatever you decide on for a knife, just don't forget a boning knif, brother
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Thanks for the advice. I appreciate it. If need be, I'm happy to supplement my hunting knife with some butchering knives once I get the animal home. However, I would like to have a hunting knife that can do as much possible in the field, especially if I decide to quarter the animal and pack it out.
 
GPyro said:
One knife.....?
I'd go 118 or a 105. I've seen many a deer processed with those. My hunting buddy has only used a 118 for almost 40 years. But he loves his new 105.
Field dress to boning, it will do the job. Makes a decent fishing knife too.

I like s30v. but I've field dressed multiple deer with 420hc without needing to sharpen the knife.
I think the handle is a matter of preference.

I don't have any experience with hogs but I hear they are tough on a knife. Thankfully they are not around here.
I really like my Vanguards for field dressing, but a good point was made about boning. With that in mind I'd go with the 118 or 105.
If your not worried about a boning knife I would go with the Alaskan Guide Vanguard. Awesome knife, and a good price for what it is.
Good Luck.
Let us know what you came up with and why. It's always interesting to hear why folks chose what they do.
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Is that 105 in S30V still available? That is sweet!

As for a boning knife, I'm open to buying one if necessary; however, the issue of boning has me leaning more toward the 105. The fact that it's also a decent fishing knife adds to the appeal.

Have you ever handled a 105 with brass? Does a brass pommel make it handle-heavy?

As for hogs, I'm relatively new to Florida. This will be my first year hunting them. Everything I've read says that a muddy hog hide is very tough on an edge. Apparently some hog hunters use a box cutter to get through the hide, then they switch over to their hunting knife in order to preserve the edge.

Thanks for the response.
 
David Martin said:
Kels, welcome to the Buck forum. A 192 Vanguard would work, though I don't have experience w/ that model. I use a 103 or 110 drop point. Sheath knife or folder, your call. Any of these 4' blades will get the meat home. Should you want to tackle further processing, I would go with a 6" boning blade the style of a 121. It could do double duty as a fillet blade too. Any steel will work, depending on your sharpening abilities, whether you should purchase the upgrade steels. Good luck, DM
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Thanks for the welcome.

I'm glad to hear that the 103 is good for field dressing as well as skinning. I wasn't sure how well it would perform certain tasks, like cutting around the anus.
 
Kels73 said:
Is that 105 in S30V still available? That is sweet!

As for a boning knife, I'm open to buying one if necessary; however, the issue of boning has me leaning more toward the 105. The fact that it's also a decent fishing knife adds to the appeal.

Have you ever handled a 105 with brass? Does a brass pommel make it handle-heavy?

As for hogs, I'm relatively new to Florida. This will be my first year hunting them. Everything I've read says that a muddy hog hide is very tough on an edge. Apparently some hog hunters use a box cutter to get through the hide, then they switch over to their hunting knife in order to preserve the edge.

Thanks for the response.
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Kel's, where you at, brother? In central?
 
Oh ok, brother. I'm by Daytona. Was gonna say, you pop a hog and haven't got the time, I'd take care of it for you on a day off for nada since you're out here on the forum. Those suckers are nasty and everywhere out here
Kels73 said:
I'm in the military. I'm stationed at Eglin Air Force Base in the Panhandle near Destin.
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Kels73 said:
Have you ever handled a 105 with brass? Does a brass pommel make it handle-heavy?
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The brass one is a bit handle heavy. I sorta like it. But if you just want a workhorse of a knife, there's nothing wrong with the lighter no frills phenolic handle.

I'm unsure if the s30v 105 is still available. I know stock was low on them last fall.

Keep your eye open as there are some deals to be had on some of the Open Season Series knives in s30v and s35v blade steels.

Buck always does the Father's Day Sale coming up.
 
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