My Alaska Delema. Too many knives.

fulloflead

fulloflead

Joined
May 3, 2002
Messages
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This MAY be a bit premature, but I'm going on a 10-day Alaskan fishing expedition in the summer.:D

The GUN thing I have figured out: Ruger Blackhawk 4.625" barrel. 250 grain hard-cast bullet at 1350 ft/sec. Should do just fine.:cool:

Somehow knives are more complicated for me:
The thing is that I'm always thinking about that trip now when I buy/trade knives...

It's just that I'm mostly a City-guy now and my knife usage has been opening boxes and BS like that. Now that I know about this trip, I'm just DIEING to use this as an opportunity to test and use a few knives really hard.

Problem is... I have too many to choose from and I can't decide! (Not to mention that I'll probably get about half a dozen more by then.)

Here's a list of my knives that I'm considering so far:

BM D2 Axis AFCK (My EDC defensive knife)

Swamp Rat Bandicoot (Ordered JUST for this occasion. Don't have yet.)

Fallknivien F2 (Tough, but thick.)

CRKT Big Eddy Fillet 9" (Seems perfect for filleting big fish.)

Spyderco Catcherman (Don't know what the hell I'd use it for, but cool and VERY sharp knife)

Knives of Alaska Super Cub VG10 (Thin pointy utility knife. A new steel for me.)
BM Ares (Just a favorite of mine)

BM Outbounder D2 (I LOOOOOVE D2 and I think the edge would last and I'd like to REALLY REALLY test D2)

Spyderco Lum Tanto folder (my favorite folder of all time)

CRKT M16 (I can beat it up and not feel bad about it. I can give it away and not feel bad about it - see below.)

CRKT Ryan Black-coated Neck knife (Just handy.)

Ka-bar (Tough and cheap. Always wondered about it's abilities.)



Obviously, I can't take all of them, but I'd like to TEST some of the better ones during the experience.

There's one more catch...
I'm lodging FREE with my buddy's uncle right on the Kenai River. I was thinking that, in return for his hospitality, if he expressed an interest in any of my knives, I would GIVE IT TO HIM as a token of my appreciation. (Of coarse, some would be tough to let go.)

Anyway, that's where I am now; 4 months from the date.
Let's chit-chat about it. Maybe you guys and gals can give me some direction so I don't stress over this or buy too many more "possibilities" between now and then.

By the way, it doesn't have to be ONLY objective advise. I'm totally open to emotional/enjoyment knife-usage advise too because my decision probably won't be totally objective, but will have to do with both; a practical and asthetic/enjoyment point of view. After all, it IS a VACATION!;)

Anyway, let's BS about the possibilities.
 
CRKT Big Eddy Fillet 9 should be a must since your going fishing, knive of alaska makes some nice fillets as well.
I assume your bringing along the bandicoot...GOOD CHOICE!
Bring the Fallknivien just in case, would be great to put to use and see how it does.
And carry the BM 806 d2 AT ALL TIMES!!!
;)
Hope you have fun!
 
I usually take my EDC folder and a few cheap fillet knives.You will be taking part in some serious combat fishing but if you catch a few moster kings it will be worth it.
Chuck
 
If it was my choice I'd go with the Bandicoot ( you luck into the Inficoot?) and the F2. Then you wave folder for EDC.

You said you'll be in a lodge but in case of any camp chores how 'bout a larger Becker. If you decide to give a knife to the fellow that'd a good wilderness knife to part with for not so much money.

dave
 
Yep, go with the bandicoot, and the F2 for backup

then take the afck or the lum for your EDC (or the outbounder, if you want to test it)

take the M16 to give to the dude


The Kenai is beautiful, Enjoy!!

PS: about the gun, if you're looking for bear protection, you'll want a large rifle or a 12 gauge. Most of the bear experts I've spoken to say most handguns will just piss 'em off
 
Originally posted by NFMee


PS: about the gun, if you're looking for bear protection, you'll want a large rifle or a 12 gauge. Most of the bear experts I've spoken to say most handguns will just piss 'em off
Click to expand...

Holy CRAP! I'm not going to lug a rifle around but at least I know not to leave the revolver at home. I was debating not bringing it. Not anymore.

You guys have good ideas so far. I forgot about the Swiss Army!
The Bandicoot will definately go (if it even arrives by then) and so will the fillet. I'll have to decide on a folder. The Becker idea was a good one too.
 
Don't forget to take a container of oil and a couple of marine tuf-cloths. just being in the salt-air seems to do it to some knives...:eek:

BTW, I'm terribly jealous...:p
 
fulloflead:

For handguns used for potential bear encounters,penetration is the first, last, and only consideration. You didn't say whether your Blackhawk was a 44, or 45, but both have available 300 to 325 grain hard cast loads that maximize the penetration potential.Sounds like a fabulous trip.

Darrel
 
Let's see. Up here you're gonna need that fillet knife. It would be wise to bring something to touch up your blade with as well. I bring a ceramic rod when I know I will be cleaning lots of fish. Lots meaning 5+ at a time. We dip net our 30 red salmon each year from the Copper River. I release most others I catch fly fishing.

If you catch kings though the pin bones are quite thick and you many need to steel your knife sooner. I'm not sure exactly when you'll be in the area, but in July you could be into silvers, kings, and of course reds (yummy). Pinks too. Not as yummyy imnsho.

I have a neck knife (BM Tether) clipped to the outside of my gortex waders. Quite handy while fishing. I used to carry folders inside the waders, but rust was problem with the bm 710hs and bm 705. Too humid I guess.

Bring the Lum or BM Axis lock. I'm partial to the Axis lock knives, but bringing your favorite would hurt either. I don't know much about the others. Just what I've seen here.

10 days should be quite fun. I only have the summer off. :D But with a new baby I'll be fishing less than in previous years.

I'm looking forward to putting my new Dozier Yukon Pro Skinner through its paces, when I'm not doing the Dad thing.

Bruce
 
Bruce,

Long time no see...nice to hear from you again. All well with the new family addition?

Every time I see one of the Alaska commericials, it brings me one step closer to living there.

Best wishes!

Dan
 
S'pose I couldn't keep my mouth shut on this one, considering the location and all...

First off in regards to the firearms....IMHO...don't screw around with a shotgun. I've met alot more squirrelly people along the river banks than bears, and the Blackhawk'll do ya' just fine for them.


Couldn't help but to notice something missing from yer list besides the sharpener- That would be a Multi-tool. Ya' just can't say enough good about them things.

As far as the actual knives....

I wouldn't bother with the Tanto blades.

I'd stick with the 806D2, the multi-tool, and a cheap fillet knife or three. Just the handiest package.

A small neck knife would be cool too, incredibly handy when in waders or sitting in a boat. Not a necessity, but definitely nice. I used to carry one of those lil' Blackie Collins jobs. Cheap lil' thing, but very handy, and it did the trick every time.

A BM Outbounder in D2? I didn't know that was an option...think you may have just helped me choose my own next knife.

As far as fixed blade camp knives I'll keep my mouth shut. Never seen the Bandicoot, although I do have an undying love for Beckers, and I think that Outbounder sounds awesome.

Hope ya' enjoy yer visit up here! if ya' wind up in the Wasilla area, look me up, I'd be glad to hook up with ya' for lunch. (that goes for any other Forumite that comes up here as well)
 
I' ve lived about 3 miles from the Kenai River for about 36 years and all you'll need is your fillet fillet knife . You can bring your gun but unless your going hiking you won't need it. The summers on the Kenai now days is like rush hour in L.A. except with boats. I don't even fish on the kenai anymore because of the congestion. I don't know if you've every been combat fishing before but it's not relaxing at all. Hopefully your kin has a boat to fish from because you'll have better success and less chance of getting a hook in the head from the people on either side of you if you fish from the bank. My suggestion would be to fly out on one of the charters if you want to see the country and maybe some wildlife. Enjoy your visit.:)
 
If your BlackHawk is a .44 Magnum let me recommend some heavier ammunition. Garrett Cartridges makes a 310 grain penetrator that does 1325 fps. This stuff was specifically designed for dealing with bears and is the official issue for the State of Wyoming's Grizzly Bear Team. My Taurus Raging Bull has a long enough cylinder to accomodate their even hotter 330gr/1385fps version and that's what I carried on my Alaska trip.

As far as knives, you've got a great bunch to choose from!

Have you considered leaving the Big Eddy Fillet at home and using the Catherman? It should be up for the job and it would save you a lot of weight and space.

I would carry the AFCK because you're used to it and because it's a great knife.

The Bandicoot and Super Cub sound like a great choices for this sort of trip. And that Outbounder will be great as long as you watch out for rust. (I worry about D2 neck knives.) I would probably leave the rest at home to save weight. ...Heck, who am I kidding, I'd probably take my whole knife collection "just in case". :D

Have a great trip!

--Bob Q
 
The Blackhawk is a 45 Colt and I'm thinking about opting for the Corbon 300gr "Magnum" loads.

My buddy went by himself last year and I gave him a 6" fillet knife to take with him. He said it was too small for the fish he was catching. He had to make a cut, then lift the meat and cut once more. He saw the 9" one I have now and seems to think it's the perfect length.

If I lost my AFCK overboard boy would I be pissed! I'm thinking about a black-coated Lum I'm trading for.
 
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