Hunting knife gift idea

J

Joshumar

Joined
Jul 31, 2015
Messages
4
I am somewhat new to the knife world. I am looking for a nice hunting knife as a gift for my father in law. He is an avid hunter. I haven't hunted in 10 years so not real confident in my knowledge of blades. I am looking to spend in the $300 range. Any good suggestions?? Thanks in advance.
 
I would look long and hard at the Spyderco Southfork, designed by none other than Phil Wilson. It is purpose designed for hunting.

For a lot less money, the new Cold Steel Master Hunter with 3V steel is a bargain (and some more expensive knife companies blatantly copy it).
 
There are alot of good options, I'd look into some nice custom work.

Some of my favorite makers here are TM hunt, James Terrio, and JK knives. All have subforums here
 
Talk to your father in law. As an "avid" hunter he likely has an idea of what he'd like.
Nothing worse than getting something that ends up in a drawer and forgotten.
 
Ask him when he hunts does he prefer and/or carry a fixed blade or a folder. If he says fixed blade then for $300 there are a lot of great choices. I recommend a Bob Dozier knife if he doesn't already have one.
 
Hunting knives are pretty hard to buy for someone else. Personally, I'd tell him what you would like to do, and ask him for help in picking that special knife. He may well have a "dream knives" in mind already.
 
What size are you looking for? For hunting I'm thinking right around 4" (give or take) is a perfect size for cutting and skinning...

If you're looking for something up in that higher range, Bark River makes some nice knives in a variety of steels with a large variety of handle materials... A2 or 3v for toughness, (requires a bit more regular maintenance to avoid rust spotting), or s35v or elmax for stainless, (holds an edge longer, but a bit tougher to sharpen when sharpening is needed)

Benchmade saddle mountain Skinner or Hunter are nice options in the >$100 range... s30v steel, again, good edge holding and stainless, but tougher to resharpening when needed.

Knives of Alaska is another solid option in the >$100 range; d2 steel. Not a true stainless, but almost, great option for toughness and edge holding with near stainless properties, another one that can be tricky to sharpen though when needed.

All those are made in the USA too if that matters to you or him.

If I were I were to pick a knife myself in that range though, something a bit more exotic, in your high end, (if he were to appreciate such things), I'd go with something from Arno Bernard, a south African knifemaker...
Here's one example, the Kudu, just under 4" with crodile leather handle; $320
http://www.knivesshipfree.com/arno-bernard-knives-grazer-series-kudu-crocodile-leather-61712/
Almost all his Knives are made in n690 steel (a couple are in s35v) which n690 has great stainless properties, respectively tough and holds an edge respectabl as well, all while not near as tricky to sharpen as the other stainlesses that I mentioned since it doesn't have even close to as much as the harder carbides.
 
Last edited:
Go look in the knife makers forum, for your price range, you can get him a hand made knife by one of the makers here. I've bought several from here, my go to maker is Big Chris Knives.
I'm very happy with and would rather have a hand made knife any day.
 
Have a look at the Kizlyar T1 Hunter. Coated blade, Total Length: 240mm (9.45 inches) Blade: 130mm (5.1 Inches) x 4.6 mm thick. Holds an edge and feels great in the hand. I know they are not big in the US, but they are is Australia.
 
Thanks to all for your input. It's nice to know there are folks out there willing to help without making you feel like am a hole for not knowing everything!! I will let everyone know what I end up getting
 
Look at what Hess Knifeworks offers. Excellent knives at one-third of your budget.

Just picked up these one for $78. Most places they're about 100 bucks.

Hess%2520Whitetail.JPG
 
leghog said:
Look at what Hess Knifeworks offers. Excellent knives at one-third of your budget.

Just picked up these one for $78. Most places they're about 100 bucks.

Hess%2520Whitetail.JPG
Click to expand...

Yep, anything from Hess Knifeworks would be a perfect gift to a Hunter!
They make a lot of knife for the money.
I got the Tiburon and it's wellmade, elegant and very sharp out of the box.

1418471415-IMGP5921.JPG


1418470423-IMGP5920.JPG



Regards
Mikael
 
Take a look at the Cabelas Alaskan Wildlife series. These are made by Buck for Cabelas. I like the 192 Vanguard size and shape for a general purpose hunting knife. Made is S30V steel. Comes with a nice leather sheath. Runs around $110.

Check out some of the Dozier offerings sold by AG Russell. These are handmade knives in mostly D2 steel. Of course you can order one form Bob Dozier as well if you are willing to wait. Most hunters love them. Look at the K-22 Buffalo River skinner which runs about $205 in Dozier's featured inventory today. http://www.dozierknives.com/images/documents/inventory/07.28.15.k-22.jpg This is a knife he should prize.
 
I am looking on a site called usamadeblade.com. Knives look nice and I feel like I a, safe with anything on that site. Am I correct in my thought ??
 
They have a pretty good selection. Make sure there is a sheath included. Otherwise, you are looking at getting one handmade for additional cost.

Basically, you should probably be looking at up to about a 4" blade and no longer than 5" for most hunting chore applications. Most people seem to prefer a drop point design. I like a slightly pointy drop point design like the Cabelas Alaskan Guide series mentioned in my post. One that is very practical is the Blackjack 124 or the larger 125. The 124 was released in May and I really like it for a hunting knife. It is made by Bark River in A-2 steel. Check it out at DLT which is where I purchased mine with a stag handle ($200). These are generally patterned after the classic Randall knives with the choil. Here is an example. http://www.dlttrading.com/blackjack-124-sambar-stag-17
 
Joshumar said:
I am looking on a site called usamadeblade.com. Knives look nice and I feel like I a, safe with anything on that site. Am I correct in my thought ??
Click to expand...

I have not bought from this site before, but they got a White River Sendero Bushknife for sale!
If that one actually is in stock, that would be a good alternative.



Regards
Mikael
 
So after looking around I found Bark River knives classic drop point hunter, Elmax steel. Can anyone speak about this knife maker? Any e pertinence with them?
 
They make excellent knives. Knives Ship Free and DLT have a substantial inventory of the line. Their standard steel is A-2. But they are making knives now in higher end steels. Elmax is a good steel.
 
Joshumar said:
So after looking around I found Bark River knives classic drop point hunter, Elmax steel. Can anyone speak about this knife maker? Any e pertinence with them?
Click to expand...

I own and use many Bark River Knives.
It's one of my favorite brands.
I have had a lot of personal contact with the owner Mike Stewart and it has always been very positive!


Regards
Mikael
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top