Looking for a good fixed blade hunter......

ac700wildcat

ac700wildcat

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May 24, 2011
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Hey all, just signed up for an acct a week or two ago but I've been reading the forum for a while.

My brothers 40th birthday is coming up and I want to get him a really good hunting knife. I'm looking for around a 4 inch blade with one of the better steels like s30v, 154cm, etc. He has never had a really good knife and with four kids probably won't be buying one anytime soon, so I really want to get him something nice. I've been watching the custom knifemakers for sale section and have found a few that would be great except they end up being a carbon steel and not stainless. I know right now he is using Buck Woodsman.

Any suggestions would be great!!!
 
Fallkniven. I gave my son a Tre Kronor 6 for his birthday BTW but you can't go wrong with any of them
 
ac700wildcat said:
Hey all, just signed up for an acct a week or two ago but I've been reading the forum for a while.

My brothers 40th birthday is coming up and I want to get him a really good hunting knife. I'm looking for around a 4 inch blade with one of the better steels like s30v, 154cm, etc. He has never had a really good knife and with four kids probably won't be buying one anytime soon, so I really want to get him something nice. I've been watching the custom knifemakers for sale section and have found a few that would be great except they end up being a carbon steel and not stainless. I know right now he is using Buck Woodsman.

Any suggestions would be great!!!
Click to expand...

Contact Bill Davis (wcdavisknives.com) and ask about a 4" loveless-style drop-point hunter (or anything else you like on his site). He usually works in 154cm but has done s30v on request - in fact, my hunting knife from him is just such a one!

Another maker I recommend is Bob Dozier, and the K-2 model. Dozier is considered THE master of D2 steel, but he also does work in other steels.

There are many other great makers out there, so keep your eyes open. Bryan Baker (who has worked with CRK) used to sell knives on ebay and may still, works in the steels you mentioned.

A lot of manufacturers sell 'high-end' stainless hunting knives: fallkniven, bark river, entrek ... too bad the Scrapyard War Dog is sold out, but it isn't as stylish as some other knives anyway...

Well, good luck!
 
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Dude, rock his world with a Bark River Gameskeeper!
 
Thanks for the suggestions, the definitely give me some choices. As of right now I'm kinda leaning towards the Bark River Lite Hunter or maybe a falkniven F1. I am going to wait a bit tho and keep watching the knife makers forum and see if something pops up there. I like the looks of the Bark River Gameskeeper too, but their site says its A2 steel which isn't stainless, or is that wrong?
 
What is wrong with carbon steels? At least the survival/bushcraft experts I know (Ray Mears, Cody Lundin, Dave Canterbury) use carbon steel blades. Probably for a reason. But of course: whatever floats your boat.
Anyway if I was you I'd go with an ESEE 4. 1095 isn't considered to be fancy but the knives have an awesome reputation - based on experience I agree with these reputations. A really good fit and finish plus the coating protects the steel from rusting and you have an awesome service and warranty.
Swamp Rat knives make fine knives as well which are probably a bit closer to custom knives and a little bit more expensive. If it has to be stainless steel the F1 is probably a good idea - maybe with some micarta grips.
 
Can you give us an idea of how much you're willing to spend? My recommendation would be different if you said $40 than if you said $200. Some knives I would be happy to use this fall when I'm dressing a deer include:

Beretta Loveless drop point hunter
Entrek Javelina
Fallkniven F1
Dozier Buffalo River Hunter
Bark River Gunny
Queen D2 drop point hunter
 
The Gerber Freeman models in S30V would be good choices. A higher end steel and decently priced to boot.
 
You don't have to break the bank to buy a great hunting knife. The traditional, albeit 6" x .175", Buck 119 'Special' can be had for half of it's list price, $34, at most WallyWorlds. A smaller one, ~4", and a bit harder to find, is the Buck 192 'Vanguard'. Mail order ~$65 - an upgraded version was available from Cabela's as their 'Alaskan Guide' version in S30V - ~$100. The 192 has a walnut Dymondwood handle and brass butt and finger guards. The 119 comes with a black phenolic handle and brass finger guard and pommel. An upgraded version, 119BR, with rosewood/brass is available via mail order for ~$70. There is always the 119 'Folding Hunter' - an ebony Dymondwood/brass handled lockback folder - $27 at WallyWorld. These Bucks are made in the USA - except for their sheaths - and are delivered sharp, with a significant hollow ground 420HC (SS) blade. I have Barkies, Benchmades, CRK's, etc, but these basic Bucks are still hard to beat.

Stainz

PS I agree re the US-made Gerber Freeman in stag and S30V - a bargain - love mine. Still, you could buy two each of the Buck 110 and 119 - at WallyWorld - for the same price. Find them on the web - look at them - neat knives.
 
I've heard that Buck's got a lot of high value fix blade hunting knives. the Coldsteel Pendleton huntee series & master hunter are good too.
If you want to go for something more expensive, you can get a gerber freeman s30v or Queen knives I think. overall I highly recommend Dozier D2 fix blade.
 
Here are a few 'upgrades'. Top down - Gerber Freeman in stag & S30V; CRK 'Nyala' in S35VN; and the Benchmade 15005-2 walnut handled Bone Collector in D2:

IMG_4594.jpg


All came with quite decent leather sheaths. While the Chris Reeves example is inexpensive for the marque, it is still $229 - with no discounts. The Gerber runs ~$125+, while the BM lists for $110 - a bargain. Also, S30V/S35VN are SS - D2 is not. Okay, it's not a fertile patina garden, either - but it will show 'character'.

Stainz
 
My two cents, I would go with the Chris Reeves Knives, (CRK) Nyala.

That comes seriously sharp and is some very fine steel.

Fine gift idea for your brother, btw.
 
I'd go Cabelas AG Buck Vangaurd in S30V.In my opinion,Bucks S30V is hard to beat,period.Plus it will only run you a Benjamin,give or take.
 
Not knowing your price range or what specifically your brother hunts for, I'd simply say that Bark River knives make excellent gifts.

Are you familiar with Scandinavian-style knives? Some are very inexpensive but completely functional, while others are more "gift-worthy." Helle, Karesuando, Järvenpää, and others make beautiful knives with traditional styles, natural handle materials, and in stainless steel.
 
As far as price goes, I'd spend up to $200 or maybe a bit more. I don't want to get him just a run of the mill $35 knife, I'd like it to be a bit more special than just something I picked up at walmart (no offense to anyone that uses one of these as I have a few that go hunting with me too). Mostly it would be used for deer hunting and someday I know he hopes to get a moose tag or an elk tag. As far as my reasoning for staying with a stainless steel, I just think the ease of caring for a stainless knife is good to have. After a day of hunting and maybe field dressing a few deer and just wiping the knife off with a paper towel or rinsing it quick with water, I'd hate for him to forget it in his pickup when he got home and then find out it had rusted the next time he goes to use it.
 
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