I need a Hunting knife. My Bk2 just doesn't cut it

jbass said:
BK-16
Esse 3
Esse 4
Tops BOB
Tops Dragonfly
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All good suggestions - I either own or have owned all of the above except for the Esee 4. For a general "playin' in the woods" knife, any of them would do well - in fact, very well.

Having said that, for a dedicated hunting knife - one used for skinning and gutting - not "bushcraft" stuff (battoning, chopping stuff, etc) - I'd still opt for the Hankins. For a dedicated cutter/slicer it's really hard to beat....
 
I'd say get an Ontario TAK 1 . Good solid knife but not too big .


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HOLD MY BEER AND WATCH THIS !
 
Here's a Dozier to take a look at from AG Russell: http://www.agrussell.com/b%F6ker-plus-dozier-anchorage-pro-skinner/p/BO-D250BM/

I realize this isn't the "real thing", but it looks like a great hunting knife.

Added: A while back I purchased a Puma SGB "Elk Hunter" with stag handles. This is a nice knife although I don't know precisely where everything was manufactured even though it says " German Blade". This is Puma's less expensive line. Supposively, the steel comes from Germany and is shipped to China for the rest of the construction. The thing is razor sharp from the factory and it feels really good in my hand.
 
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I liked the assisted blades on the S&W but didn't like the painted blade or handle. Put some Citrastrip on it and left it over night...all the paint came right off...now it looks more like pewter...keeps a pretty sharp blade and I think it was under $45
 
I have three knives that get taken on hunting trips. My real work horse is the Buck Vanguard. Not micarta handled (I use the rubber handled version), but an outstanding performer that has never let me down on goats, pigs and rabbits. Beyond that I also have the Becker BK-15 which just excels as a butchering knife, and the Bark River Fox River which is a lovely, easy to use blade as well.
 
Check out Bark River knives they sell many models in many steels with hundreds of handle Materials to picks from!!!! I use I Bark River TrailBuddy as my skinner all around hunting blade
 
The KOA are great knives. I have used their caper for years. I borrowed the design and had a custom made in better steel. Their D2 is good but it is difficult to sharpen IMO. The make a model out of ATS34 that is great for cleaning game. The Jäger may be the name. I would strongly consider these as well as a BK17 Strip the 17 and pick up micartA scales and you have good general hunting blade.
 
BK11 - perfect size, IMO for cleaning game - cost < $40
Micarta handles for same - cost about $20

Leaves you > $40 for bubble gum and such.

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Beckerhead #42
 
Go to youtube and watch all of the knife/hunting videos by user virtuovice and then pick one. He does the most exhaustive testing of hunting knives that I've ever seen. Their deer range in size between whitetail and small elk. He shoots between 70 -100 per year and processes them on video and then shows the damage tot eh knife edge. He also shows xrays of the handles so you can see the tang.

This guy has darn near tested every production blade in most types of steel available. He also shows how to sharpen them and talks about how hard they are to sharpen.

I've owned and tested many, many knives and used them to process my deer as well as others, but normally less than 10 per year. After 25 years of this I have a pretty good handle on what works for me. I wouldn't use some of the blades that have been recommended, nor would virtuovice. He does have videos of the test using them posted. Heck, I used a pocket knife with a 3" blade to process a deer from field to freezer, so don't get all caught up in something fancy. Also, if you spend $100 or more on a knife for this task spend it on blade material so you don't have to sharpen you knife during the processing of a large elk. Again Virtuovice talks about and shows you why and which is best. He processes his deer a little different than I do, but I stll think he is pretty much dead on, when if comes to knives he recommends. He goes high dollar, but a $15 Rapala works pretty darn good too. Keep that in mind. :)
 
GingivitisKahn said:
BK11 - perfect size, IMO for cleaning game - cost < $40
Micarta handles for same - cost about $20

Leaves you > $40 for bubble gum and such.

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Beckerhead #42
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I love the look of that. Is 1095 work well or does it dull quickly?

I was looking at a bark river bravo 1 in a2. Is it really worth the extra money for a2?
 
wolverine_173 said:
I was looking at a bark river bravo 1 in a2. Is it really worth the extra money for a2?
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It isn't A2 that makes BRKT's more expensive, it's the brand name. And of BRKT's line-up, that is the only one I've owned and let it go not long after. The handle was uncomfortable and slick (especially hunting), the blade very thin at the edge but very thick at the spine similar to the BK2, the thumb-ramp is among the worst, straight-point rather than drop... just too many things wrong with the design. And it's usually >$100

You mentioned Survive! knives - their GSO-4.1 is very similar to the Bravo 1 in size but outshines it in performance. I haven't handled the newer SK-4 but would be confident in it as well. However, neither is as pretty as the BRKT and both >$100

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...comparison-to-BRKT-Bravo-1-amp-Swamp-Rat-HRLM

My two best recommendations may be to look here: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/754-For-Sale-Fixed-Blades
or here: http://www.agrussell.com/knives-by-purpose-hunting/c/133/

preferably the first link, as that would put you in contact with a maker who might be able to craft just the right knife for you and at a competitive price as well. My $0.02
 
BK16

I have resisted a BK2 due to it's size, the 16 is just a function piece of art. And, butterflies dig it:

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Also, I fully believe that a hook saves alot of the blade, and makes everything as easy as zipping up your jacket:

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Benchmade 5w
 
wolverine_173 said:
I need a Hunting knife. The BK2 is just too big. I would like something with micarta handles that my kids would want when im gone. I would use if for deer, elk and fish. Would be nice if it were less than $100
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Look into customs, there are many makers out there that produce knives in your price range. I am expecting this knife in this week from Aaron Gray at Gray Wolf Knives. Blade is just over 4" of O1 with a flat grind and a tan canvas micarta handle with black micarta pins. In your price range as well.


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A 3 to 4 inch blade works great on elk. I have used a BRKT woodland special on an elk and it was the perfect size.
 
I'm not sure what style you like but go with a hollow grind. It makes skinning and gutting much easier. Stay away from a flat grind unless the blade is really thin.
 
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