Looking for a new Deer/Elk knife? Under $250

J

jezzab101

Joined
Jun 13, 2017
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Hi, all I'm getting prepared early for deer and elk season (or maybe I just want a new knife and know I need a new hunting knife?) I'm wondering what you guys think and suggest? I am open to any suggestions in my price range, my only requirement is it has to be under $250ish. I would like a good steel, and have a good sheath/be able to get a good sheath.
thanks
 
Check out Dozier as he makes a great hunting knife with a nice sheath also. There are a couple on the ex for sale right now I believe. Good luck on your hunt as there are so many to choose from.
 
Look into Manly Drugar or Patriot. Both are sturdy fixed blades with excellent edge retention and way under your price limit.
Cheers!
 
I’d go custom.

@G L Drew is an avid hunter and knife maker. Nothing like getting a custom just as you’d want it, from a guy who actually uses knives for that purpose.
All of his knives that I’ve seen would come in under budget.

I bought one of his about three weeks ago and while I don’t hunt, I carry it on my hip a lot as an EDC and it’s a fantastic knife.
 
I really enjoy the "traditional" build of Matt Lesinewski's knives (ML Knives). Prices are often closer to $300 but many come in at the $250 mark.

The wait is about a year but he usually posts one or two a day around 1:00 eastern time to his web page. They go fast so you have to check often. I believe he uses 1095 steel.

https://www.ml-knives.com/shop-available-knives/
 
All are under your budget ... but ...

Mora No.1 or 2

Buck 103 Skinner (maybe combined with a 119 Special. Both would still be under your budget though ... Copper and Clad has both the 103 and 119 available with 5160 blade steel, but, even if you bought both, you would still be under budget.)

Buck 110 Folding Hunter (You can get one with an S30V blade, choice of clip point or drop point from the Custom Shop, or SK Blades and Copper and Clad have other steels like D2, CPM-154, and 5160. C&C also gives a choice of Clip or Drop Point in 5160. Unfortunately, all of these 110's would still fall short of your budget.)

Condor "Nessmuk" or "Kephart"

Ontario RAT 1 with either AUS 8 or D2 blade

Ontario RAT 3 and above fixed blade

For skinning a blade of 3.75 to 5 inches is more than sufficient, and is not clumsy.

I'd suggest a good belt axe for the pelvis bone and for quartering. Maybe a single or double bit Estland or Condor?
 
Wow, some great suggestions so far.

I also suggest a Dozier. His D2 is about as sharp as sharp can get and it holds an edge for a very long time. It's also easy to sharpen back to scary.

After more than 3 decades of hunting and trying more knives, styles, and steels than I can easily recall I've settled into using a Chris Reeve Nyala in S35VN.
I'm able to do multiple deer on a single sharpening. It takes a VERY keen edge, is pretty easy to touch up with a ceramic rod in the field if need be, and is stainless- which is a nice thing to have in Michigan weather.
The only downside in my opinion is the excellent leather sheath that it comes with. I despise loop sheaths that I have to feed my belt through and I almost never take a leather sheath into the woods. I prefer Kydex with a Tek-Lok for the gear that I actually use, easy on, secure, and easy off.
Kydex can be sourced for a small cost that'll still keep the pair under your budget. The handle is long enough with enough traction to keep it solid in your hands without being too aggressive. The front of the handles are scalloped to aid in using a pinch grip, a grip that I use a lot when field dressing, the choil is deep enough to keep you away from the edge and it's chamfered and rounded for comfort.
It's a very stout blade from thick stick that has a hollow grind so that it slices well and is not fat behind the edge.

ESEE makes great knives that come with great sheaths for way under your budget!
The carbon steel stays sharp for a really long time and they have a top tier warranty in case you ever really mess it up. I just found that using coated blades is something that I don't like when it comes time to clean the goo off the blade after a successful hunt.
I believe they make uncoated stainless now which would be worth checking into.
An issue noted by many, including myself, is that the handles are kinda short on the older numbered styles they make. Plenty useable, just a bit short. There are aftermarket handles that fix the problem and I'm pretty sure the newer models " named instead of numbered " have longer handles. Just some food for thought.

Good luck on your hunt for both blades and game
 
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One type of knife that could lead down a dozen rabbit holes ... a hunting knife is kind of personal and most see it differently what makes the best hunting knife ...

so I'll just list a few of my favorites from under $100 to $400 ... all are fixed blades ... my preference for hunting knives ... you could add in folders and get another 100 answers ...

Buck Vanguard ... great hunting knife traditional drop point ... can be Buck's 420C which is good or Cabelas Guide Series in S30V with black coated blade ... well under $250 ...

CRK Nyala either the drop point or insingo both are great hunting knives ... right at your $250 mark ...

LT Wright ... his Outback great overall knife in 3V ... his Rogue River if you can find in stock or the GNS ... most under your $250 mark ...

Bradfords Guardian 4 ... M390 is a great knife ... has steel and handle options ... right around your $250 mark.

Esee ... 1095 steel but inexpensive and great knives ... the Esee 4 either the original or the Esee 4HM model would do well ... around $120.00 ... you could b
put Becker in this catagory too ...

Winkler ... they are a bit more expensive but very well worth the cost IMHO ... love the new Winkler/Knight colab the Jager ... or Winkler Hunting Knife or Blue Ridge Hunter are all great hunting knives ...

And lastly the custom route a great option ... I picked up a Carl Colson Pike County Skinner and it will be on my hip come whitetail season this winter ... again a bit above your $250 but something really special that will last me for years to come and is a quality beauty to pass down.

or one of the many great custom knife makers on our forums ...

Good luck in your search JJ
 
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Benchmade Hidden Canyon Hunter. Liked it great knife small with a great shape and jimmping for skinning. Nice scout carry leather sheath. Sold mine bc it was too pretty for me to use. S30V steel and mine came sharper than any knife I’ve bought. Pretty good buy at ~$115
 
If I had it all to over again, I would get a Dozier in D2 with about a 3-3.5" blade. I have 5 or 6 Dozier fixed blades. They are all good.

The Bark River Bob Cat is a pretty cool hunting knife as well. I believe the more basic handle choices are within your budget.
 
I have been happy with my Esee 3 hm over the last few animals. It has thin blade stock, good belly, and good ergonomics. 1095 isn’t fancy but easy to field sharpen.

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need a long blade for elk.
 
You are in a segment and price range with a dizzying amount of choices.
 
jezzab101 said:
Hi, all I'm getting prepared early for deer and elk season (or maybe I just want a new knife and know I need a new hunting knife?) I'm wondering what you guys think and suggest? I am open to any suggestions in my price range, my only requirement is it has to be under $250ish. I would like a good steel, and have a good sheath/be able to get a good sheath.
thanks
Click to expand...
BUCK has what you need, check their site / catalog or just get a 119 special.
 
I am a deer and hog hunter in Texas. I have many hunting knives both fixed and folding. All reputable quality knives. My hands down absolute favorite for skinning and quartering deer and hog is the cold steel ultimate hunter followed closely by the Spyderco stretch. It’s not hard to clean out either and they work so damn well. I have the XHP version of the ultimate hunter. You could buy both and still be significantly under budget!!
 
You say you can spend up to $250, but, do you WANT to spend $250? If you are willing to use a COTS knife from a reputable company that works extremely well the Buck 110, 118, or 105 will take care of all of your field dressing chores. For field dressing (including skinning) and butchering, a 110, 118, or 105 and a $20 dollar or so F. Dick or Victorinox 5 inch semi-flex curved boning knife will take care of you. The bucks come with fine sheaths already, and with the money saved you could buy a blade slip or a custom sheath for the boning knife and still have enough money leftover to buy a bottle of Lagavulin.

However, if you WANT to spend $250 and you need something you can impress your friends with, go custom.
 
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