Knife for hunting/survival

troutfisher13111

troutfisher13111

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Mar 30, 2006
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I am looking for a good knife that can be used for deer hunting, but is sturdy enough for survival situations if needed.

I hunt some good sized woods in NY's adirondack mountains and if I was to get lost or put into any other survival situation, I need a knife I can count on. However it can't be to big to field dress whitetail deer, or weigh me down.

I am currently looking at the Ontario RAT "TAK", but if there are other suggestions, let me know.

Also, what steel would be best for my intended purposes, D2 or 1095? Thanks.
 
Well, you don't know it yet, but your perfect knife is the A2, full tang, full convex ground, Bark River Knife and Tool Gameskeeper. Sharper than any Ontario right out of the box, easier to sharpen, probably way tougher to kill, and not a hint of that silly tactical flash that frightens the hikers.

All in all, a 4.25" inch bladed piece of perfection.

GK.GreenFernFiberSP.jpg
 
Depending on your budget, you might consider a SOG Northwest Ranger or Sealpup Elite (non-serrated). I have both, but just bought the Sealpup Elite and I really like this blade. It is not a fancy blade, but it is very functional. Don't be turned off by the plastic looking handle on the elite, it works very well with the knife.
 
Take a look at some of the offerings from Knives of Alaska. Most of their models are D2.
Scott
 
I like the D2 steel also. I am a fan of Bob Dozier knives. Most are smallish knives. My favorite is the straight hunter model (K-4, I believe) with a 3 5/8" blade. I would not hesitate to take one of these knives hunting and or use in a survival situation. My previous post mentioned SOGs... there is a considerable price difference between a Dozier knife and the middle sized SOG blades.
 
Razorback - Knives said:
Take a look at some of the offerings from Knives of Alaska. Most of their models are D2.
Scott
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Every time I see one of your posts, I see the Tusker too and I think, "What a beautiful looking knife!" Thought I should tell you.

Doc
 
DOC-CANADA said:
Every time I see one of your posts, I see the Tusker too and I think, "What a beautiful looking knife!" Thought I should tell you.

Doc
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Thank you DOC. I appreciate that.:) That knife resides in Idaho with a fellow Hoodlum from Ron Hood's forum.
This is one of the KOA knives I have. The Yukon with desert ironwood and D2 steel.
Scott
 
Ya know Scott, every once in a while, when someone asks for a recomendation, you could shamelessly promote yourself;) .
 
Thanks shotgunner11. There are just so many great knives available out there. I think we are living in the best of knife times these days. :D I do still enjoy using knives other then my own and want to share what I've found works well for me. I'm on the edge of buying a RAT-7 after working on the one I posted.
Scott
 
Razorback - Knives said:
Thank you DOC. I appreciate that.:) That knife resides in Idaho with a fellow Hoodlum from Ron Hood's forum.
This is one of the KOA knives I have. The Yukon with desert ironwood and D2 steel.
Scott
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The knife in the thumbnail looks like a modified Russel Belt Knife.

Doc
 
I wouldn't stop at one knife.

A sturdy folder that can easily be opened when your hands are cold might be something to consider for your second blade.
 
You're probably not looking for a bigger blade since its primary use will be field-dressing deer. But you might want to consider a slightly bigger blade since a survival situation often entails chopping wood/building a shelter. For a couple ounces more, a few inches longer, and much less expensive, you can get a hand-made, differentially tempered, convex-ground blade made from the finest spring steel at Valiantco.com. Check out the Mini-Kukri:

http://www.valiantco.com/world1.html
http://www.valiantco.com/world/KukriMiniFS.JPG

Certainly would make splitting the pelvic bone of a deer real easy - not to mention chopping some firewood or building a quick shelter.

I have a Valiantco golok (13-inch blade machete) and it's one of my most prized pieces of outdoor equipment.
 
troutfisher,you're on the right track with the Ontario TAK.I would prefer the larger RAT-7 for chopping in 1095 for ease of resharpening,and a SAK for finer work like field dressing small or large game and other chores.Prefered impliments on the SAK would be a file,saw,can opener and large and small blades.YMMV.tom.:cool:
 
shotgunner11 said:
Ya know Scott, every once in a while, when someone asks for a recomendation, you could shamelessly promote yourself;) .
Click to expand...
Yes, I agree. I don't have one of them but everything I have seen of yours look really good!

If Scott's heat treat is good I'm sure they would be awesome knives!
 
Any of the knives already mentioned would be great choice, but I'm surprised no one has mentioned the CS Master Hunter. Besides been an excellent hunting/skinning knife, it is a good all around camp knife, and is one of Doug Ritter's choices for a production survival knife. The price is right too at $52.00 from whosalehunter.com.

Cold Steel Master Hunter

Regarding steel, I do not own any D2 knives, but I seem to remember that D2 is somewhat more brittle than most Carbon steels. I may be mistaken, but I'm sure someone can either confirm or refute my statement. One of the reasons I like the present incarnation of Carbon V (50100-B) is that 50100-B (the same steel used by Camillus for its Becker line) is a Chrome-vanadium modified form of 1095 (although its matrix sets it closer to 52100). It gives you better edge holding and edge retention and is stronger and tougher than 1095, while keeping its ease of sharpening.
 
the cold steel srk is also a good value for the money, and will do a great job for you, it is tough as nails, if you dont like the handle you can get any of a number of the knife makers here to rehandle it for you. it is carbon steel, will handle just about any camp chore and is not too big to carry easily.

alex
 
+1 on the CS master hunter.....solid knife in Carbon V.

dont forget a multitool....i like the Victorinox Swisstool Spirit.

these 2 tools should be able to get you thru most any survival incident. should be great for deer also.
 
Take a look at the Fallkniven F1, S1 etc.. These are great knives for the money!

I have the F1 (I live in upstate NY and hunt in the Adirondacks) and can hardly wait for deer season so I can start wearing/using it. It is incredibly sharp, easy to put and edge on, and holds and edge very well. It has a thicker spine than most knives its size and is very tough. (I don't climb trees with a fixed blade during bow season, so I carry a Benchmade AFCK or Mini AFCK... maybe my new Spyderco Manix this fall.)

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
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