KOA light hunter vs Alaskan Guide Series

[todds21]

Newb here to this forum and need your expert advice on a new piece of steel. I have searched and it seems everyone really likes the
S30V steel in the Alaskan Guide Series knives. I am trying to decide between a KOA or Buck. I have never owned a KOA but have
owned several bucks (I still have my grandfathers 110 folding hunter that has been skinning animals for over 40 years and still great).

KOA light hunter
http://www.knivesofalaska.com/images/catalog/specificLarge/LightHunter.jpg

Alaskan Guide Series Alpha Fixed Knife
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...rid=&parentType=&indexId=cat600798&hasJS=true


Does anyone think I will notice a difference between the 2 steels? The D2 tool steel I believe is less rust resistant. The KOA I believe
is a thicker blade. I know buck is a great company to deal with.

I am sure that both of these knives will be great just trying to weigh the pros and cons. I have several hunting knives that have
always served me well, just wanting another addition thats a different than what I have. I have a CS trailmaster and am very
impressed with the Carbon V steel for sharpness but it does stain. From strictly appearance I think the KOA light hunter is
sexier, but i suspect the S30V is a better steel than the D2. Thank you for your advice. This knife will gets lots of action
skinning hogs and deer. I have never had a problem with rust, don't live in that humid of a climate and do keep my knives
oiled when in storage.

 

[Troop]

I have the Buck Alaskan Guide Series Vanguard, in S30V, and I love it.
I'm pretty sure Paul Bos does the heat treat on those knives. The only thing...it's not full tang.
I also have the now-discontiuned, but I think still available from Cabela's,
KOA Alaskan Hunter drop point, and I love that too. KOA does a real good heat treat on their D2 blades. The only thing I don't like about it is that the handle is a little small for my big mits, and that the Sure-Grip slabs didn't line up as truly as they could have been- a quality control issue, I guess.
If I had to make a choice if I knew I was going to be "in the sh*t", I'd take the KOA, only because it's got the full tang.
Another thing...D2 has a relatively longer and proven track record than S30V. (I know that I just opened a "can of worms" with that statement.)
Alot of rumors about edge chipping, this S30V. So far, my S30V blades are holding up pretty well ref. general utility/hunting uses.

 

[todds21]

Well my decision on which one turned out to be an easy one. I picked this combo up on ebay for $70. I have not used it yet but its shaving sharp and feels real good i my hands.