Knives of Alaska opinions

jimh0220

jimh0220

Joined
Apr 15, 2008
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OK, so I was molesting the knives at the sporting goods store yesterday, and they had a SALE!!!!!! I picked up a Knives of Alaska camp knife. D2, beautiful leather sheath, nice feel all around. I am thrilled with it, and got a killer deal, so life is good!

Here's the question: What's your feel on this company and their product? I just have not heard much either way, except at the store were I bought it. I would rather get REAL info from blade addicts who know a bit more!

Well?
 
I've got the same knife, have had it for about three years and absolutely love it. I was my go to knife when I worked in the bush. The large choil is great for getting good purchase on smaller tasks. Most recently forced a patina on it with paper towel and vinegar, the small rust spots were starting to bug me, and got a sweet sheath from On Scene Tactical.

As far as the company they have been helpful in the CS realm will the many questions I have had, and there products are great. I am looking into one of their fillet knives.
 
the d2 steel models are great for edge holding. they are based out of texas & many of my friends were well satisified with the standard d2 knives. heard some complaints on the diamond blade ones made by a new process of friction forging.
dennis
 
Saw a bunch of these knives in a past Cabellas catalog. All of them looked good and made with quality materials. I hesatated for the same reasons as you....just didn't know anything about the company. Glad to hear they are a good outfit to deal with. They have some good looking designs.
 
Walmart has ( or had last I looked) a complete line on them online. They look really nice.
 
I own several KOA knives as well and have enjoyed them. My understanding, as per an article I read about the company, is that the Pres/Owner of KOA is an avid hunter, outdoorsman, adventurer type. He personally designs and field tests his models to ensure the needed performance is met. It sounds like he is a perfectionist when it comes to his cutlery so I don't think we should be concerned about any corners being cut. Granted, KOA is somewhat of a sleeper in the industry, being overshadowed by just about everyone, but they quietly go about the business of producing quality, field tested cutlery. And that, my friend, is reason enough for me to continue to use their product.
 
I have 3 of their products, great pieces and also great customer service. Dont be afraid of using them hard they hold up to everything i throw at them and that is ALOT. :D
 
I've never owned any KOA knives but I've handled quite a few and played around with a Bush Camp of my friends. They seem like very good knives with comfortable handles and nice leather sheaths.

Did you get it at Wholesale Sports?
 
nevermind35 said:
I've never owned any KOA knives but I've handled quite a few and played around with a Bush Camp of my friends. They seem like very good knives with comfortable handles and nice leather sheaths.

Did you get it at Wholesale Sports?
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Yeah. They had it marked down 40% (woo hoo!). Used it a couple of times now, and I LOVE IT! Definitely well made!
 
Charles Allen owns Knives of Alaska and Diamondblades, out of Dennison, Texas. He's a pro guide up in Alaska as well. He takes a personal interest in the knives he makes.
As chance would have it, I was one of the first to receive one of the Diamondblades when they first came out.
A couple of weeks after I got it, I get a phone call from Mr. Allen asking me how I liked it!
Knives of Alaska is a real stand-up company. They make very good products.
 
Wierd! I just got back from a local retailer where they had a clearance on the Bush Camp Combo set. I didn't know much about them so I came on to BF to do a little research, and here is your post with the same question. Not to hijack your thread, but I did have one question. Was this knife made with AUS-8 or D2? I asked the guy at the store and he told me "I don't know, most people are not concerned with steel type". I walked away. Ha.

Finn-lander
 
They are great knives. I have several of them and just sold an Elk Hunter on Ebay this Friday. I spend a lot of time outdoors and my go to field dressing knife is a Trekker series Whitetail Hunter with an orange handle.
 
For reference, Knives of Alaska are made in Texas--sort of like how Arizona Iced Tea is made in New York. :p

They're sturdy, well designed knives, but I don't like the bead blasted finish on a more corrosion-prone steel like D2 given how full-blown stainless knives react to moisture when given that surface treatment. The sheaths didn't get me very excited either, but that's a matter of personal preference. :)
 
DennisStrickland said:
the d2 steel models are great for edge holding. they are based out of texas & many of my friends were well satisified with the standard d2 knives. heard some complaints on the diamond blade ones made by a new process of friction forging.
dennis
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What kind? I haven't heard anything negative about them except the price.
 
One of my friends has one from them that he's used the crap out of for several years now, for everything from hiking to camping to cleaning a LOT of game. It's held up well. I spent some time last year making it scary sharp, and after cleaning two deer it's still in great shape.
 
I have the smaller filet knife and love it on speckled trout. I will buy a camp knife at some point.
 
Finn-lander said:
Wierd! I just got back from a local retailer where they had a clearance on the Bush Camp Combo set. I didn't know much about them so I came on to BF to do a little research, and here is your post with the same question. Not to hijack your thread, but I did have one question. Was this knife made with AUS-8 or D2? I asked the guy at the store and he told me "I don't know, most people are not concerned with steel type". I walked away. Ha.

Finn-lander
Click to expand...

Uh...what retailer?
 
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