KOA Elk Hunter or Magnum Wolverine

J

Joe_Lane

Joined
Jul 15, 2014
Messages
40
I'm looking into a fixed blade for mostly field dressing deer. I have my eye on these two KOA models.

Can anyone steer me either way? I will say I like the profile of the wolverine better, but I also like the idea of the big comfortable choil of the elk hunter.
 
I have the Elk Hunter in D2. Perfect size - I wouldn't go any bigger for deer. Not sure who heat treats the steel for them but it is outstanding. I have skinned and quartered 4 deer last year and it is still hair shaving sharp.I was hell bent on getting a Dozier but this knife just works really well for me.
 
I've never actually used a clip point to dress a deer. After reading about it, I'm thinking no. So it's either the elk hunter, or something very similar.
 
So now I'm interested in the cs master hunter and the Koa elk hunter. Any options on how the San Mai 3 steel will hold up compared to d2?
 
Jay S. said:
I have the Elk Hunter in D2. Perfect size - I wouldn't go any bigger for deer. Not sure who heat treats the steel for them but it is outstanding. I have skinned and quartered 4 deer last year and it is still hair shaving sharp.I was hell bent on getting a Dozier but this knife just works really well for me.
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Exactly right. I have a Brown Bear Combo, Alpha Wolf and a redundant set which is the Triple Knife Set that has the skinning knife. D2 can be a bit difficult to sharpen and as I stated on another thread, will chip a bit on the smaller knives only after several very hard uses. However, they remain sharp after several hard uses. As Jay stated I've gutted, quarterd, skinned and even boned out several animals before having to re sharpen them

In any case , when I do need to sharpen them I send them 45 minutes up the road from me to Dennison Texas-Corporate Ofc, and they will refurb/re sharpen then for $10 a knife. Their warranty and sharpening fee is worth every penny. Primarily because they don't necessarily need re sharpening every year unless you 're a use exceeds a normal hunting season.
 
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I sold all of mine but the caper as they were such a pain to sharpen. D2 just hates me. Great designs, but not my first choice in the steel. I have wanted one if their Jaeger models for some time now. If I find an old one in ats34 I'll grab it.
 
Don't have either but I did have a caper in stag and I can say that the d2 is a really great steel so I'd say either way your getting a good knife. The only reason I no longer own my koa is my father wanted it more than me.
 
I own a bear cub great little knife. koa are a great value. And as said though D2 takes patience to sharpen, for me any how.
 
I have a confession to make. I found a CS master hunter at about 10 bucks under what they go for online and I took it. I was also going to get the elk hunter and test them both out this season but I don't think I'm going to be able to shake my itch to get a bark river.
 
If you do decide on the KOA knives, get the Elk Hunter if you are planning on using it for dressing game. The Wolverine is a good all-around field knife, but the bowie style clip point is not the best for skinning as that sharp point will tend to pierce smelly things you'd rather not puncture. It would be a great choice as a roaming, field knife. The D2 from KOA is pretty awesome stuff, the way they heat treat it.
 
Another good choice for all around knives from K of A is the Alpha Wolf. it is not entirely different than the Elk Hunter and will serve you well.
 
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