Hunting Knife, which one?

W

Wabajack

Joined
Jan 16, 2007
Messages
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Hey all,

I am currently looking for a new folding knife to take on less "gear-bound" white-tail dear hunting trips, something I can toss into my pocket. Something between the price of $50-90.00 would be preferable but I would love to here all suggestions. And a more "tactical" look, something with rubber/micarta handles, thumb hole or stud, and a 3"+ blade with a sound locking mechanism.

Any thoughts/suggestions? and what are your preferences for this role?
 
Oh I would say the Spyderco Manix or Mini Manix, Endura, Ocelot(paws can get stuff in em though).

Bladetech Wenger hunters.

http://www.blade-tech.com/Knives-Accessories-c-279.html

My preference is a fixed blade about 4 inches, However I have done deer with my Kershaw DOW III, and other folders. Bladetech makes some good looking folding hunters.

My father used an Old Lakota Folding Lil Hawk(still does) and he loves it. I dont think they are made by the same company any more but they lock like a vault.

http://www.knifepro.com/product.asp?ProdID=8192&CtgID=
 
Good non folding hunting knives: Fallkniven F1, H1, WM1, TK6.
Folding knives: Fallkniven U2 (quite small), P, TK4.
 
I still love my Benchmade Mini Griptillian. Cabelas offers a version with a D2 blade and there is the Doug Ritter Mini-RSK version as well (http://www.equipped.com/rsk_mk1.htm ).
The cabelas version is within your price range. The Ritter is less than $20 over your high end.

Kinda tactical, correct size (3" blade), outstanding lock (Axis-Lock), durrable, and available in both tactical and high-vis colors.
 
It doesn't fit any of your criteria, but for a "less gear bound" white tail deer trip, if I were looking for a good folder, I would look no further than the Buck 110. The Buck alpha series folders may be more to you rliking, but the 110 is the standard by which all other folding hunters are measured.
 
I use a Spyderco Stretch, it was made to be used as a "hunting / skinner".
 
I use a Spyderco Pro gri[p with the combo blade. Light as a feather but tough as heck. Also a Buck 442C.
 
It's hard to beat a Cold Steel Bushman. It's a hell of a knife for $20.00
 
I don't know about tactical look but I have gutted more deer with a folding Gerber Gator both the clip point and the drop point than anything else. I prefer the drop point immensely (it has better steel too) but started out with a clip when they first came out. Buck 110 was always too slippery to me. I love my Endura's for EDC but I prefer the finger guard and rubber of the Gator for hunting. Did I mention I like the Gator? One hardly ever hears anything about it. http://www.gerbergear.com/product.php?model=6064
 
Well, I've never been horribly fond of cleaning game with folders. I've done it, but the cleaning of the knife takes longer than it does with a fixed blade.

For folders, I'm not sure if the Puma Game Warden is still being made, but it would probably be in the $50-90 range. Of course, the classic Buck folder is nearly identical for quite a bit less, as is the Ka-Bar MULE.

For fixed blades, you can't get much more tactically proven than the Ka-Bar Mk II, or the slightly lower quality Ontario version- lets face it, they've been in service with the Corps for over 60 years, you still see them on Marine's belts today. They are about $50 bucks.
 
Wabajack,

Like most knife decisions, this is personal and subjective. I prefer a medium fixed blead with substantial belly, a gut hook, and a "grippy" handle. If these characteristics are useful to you in gutting or skinning a whitetail, they can be found on folders as well.

A quick look on the Cabelas website came up with the Buck Omni Hunter, as well as several others.



-- FLIX
 
I used to use a Gerber ez out jr, it worked fine for all the detail cutting, for the ribs and pelvis i used a folding saw.

Now that i have gotten to know the line I use a Bark River mini canadian. The better steel just keeps an edge longer. and its just as small as most folders being recommended here.

I would make sure you get a knife that you can clean, as deer tallow and guts smell pretty bad after a week in your pocket.

I would stay away from "cheap" and buy a good knife, and as far as tacticool looking, looks are often a detriment to how a knife works.

Size is is counter productive as well, remember most surgeons use itty bitty blades to open you up, and gutting a deer is supposed to be that, a surgical process.

Big combat utility knives have no place in the hunters bag for dealing with game, if you feel you need one for camp chores, feel free, but for game they are far too clumsy..
 
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