Need a new hunting knife

P

papadb10

Joined
Mar 15, 2005
Messages
26
I am shopping for a new hunting knife. I need a fixed blade 4 in. or less for field dressing, skinning and defleshing white tail deer, basic camp chores. I have several knives I have gathered over 40 yrs. of hunting. Bucks, Case, Schrade, and lots of folders. I would like to find a hunting knife in one of the really fine steels available now. I am looking at the following knives but am open to suggestions of the very knowledgable people of this forum. I want a knife to use, not just to put in a safe and admire.
I want a knife made in the USA and would like to keep close to $200 or below. Thanks for any input.

Bark River Hunter with G10 orange handles. A2
Bob Dozier Buffalo River Hunter D2
Gene Ingram Drop point D2
Northwoods Mini Skinner A2
Ontario Rat 3 D2
Buck Vanguard from Cabelas S30V
 
DozierSlim.gif

Dozier is hard to beat.
I don't have a May or Ingram knife...yet.
 
Hard to beat Bark River Knives - try the Fox River , it is ideal for skinning deer.

This year I also used the Becker Necker to skin several deer. Hunting partners laughed at the 'throwing knife' but like how well it performed for $30
 
You've got a nice list there, and I have some experience with em. Most of them are D2/A2 and I think thats a good steel for what your doin, D2 has alot of bite to it so when goin through flesh and muscle, its a darn good steel. A2 to me takes a little smoother edge but still has some bite to it. I think the Bark Rivers prices are hard to beat, those and the Dozier are very pleasing in my hand but hay all hands are diff. Both are nice I am more partial to my Dozier than my Northstar,huntsman and forager. The Rat-3 is really no frills but I love mine, i use it alot for skinning and its very nimble and holds a good edge(its got a nice belly on it for skinning).

I think you should try and get a feel of at least two of them. Oh Ingram knives are nice too, i havent had the pleasure of using them just holding the one you mentioned and a few others. The only one in your list I dont like is the Vangaurd in S30V, to me D2,A2 and the blade styles you mentioned would do you better.
 
Spheenx; appreciate the offer, but I just bought 3 Buck 102's in ATS 34 last week at furfin&feather in Ohio, consecutive nos. and signed by Chuck Buck himself for a steal at 49 buck each. One for me and two for the grandsons. They are a little small for my meathooks and I am also partial to the D2 and
A2 knives after reading Cliff Stamps test reports. Roknjs; thanks for the tip on the Charles May knives. Those are very tempting, and the Refuge looks like just what I am looking for. Do you own any of these? I have always wanted a Dozier, but seems like I could have an Ingram and a Bark River for the same price as one of his. Heard a lot about how good his heat treat works though.
 
Take a look at the Fallkniven H1. 4", VG10, convex edge like the BRKT. The handle is Thermorun which is rubbery. Some like it, some don't. I pesonally like it because it keeps a good grip. I've used mine to skin out a few deer and been very happy with it. It's definately worth some consideration.
 
I have a couple of those you mentioned (Dozier & RAT-3), of the two I prefer the Dozier, his knives have a well deserved reputation for edge holding, and are real quality knives.

Two others worth considering, at less than half the price, are the Fallkiniven F-1 and Spyderco Moran DP, both in VG-10, another great steel with good edge holding abilities. A. G. Russell Deer hunter in D2 is another great value that cuts like the devil......

Good luck in your search, there are many great knives in your price range!

Treadwell
 
I just came across these knives in A2.

http://www.rapidriverknifeworks.com/products/droppoint.php

Anybody know anything about Rapid River?

The thing about the BR and the Dozier knives that I'm not wild about is the lack of a blade guard. I just see this as an essential part of a game knife. Splitting the breast bone on a deer take a bit of force sometimes, and with blood slicked hands/gloves, there is a greater chance of losing grip. This is the point at which I want a blade guard on my knife.

I have a Buck Vanguard in ATS-34. Good knife. Have dressed out my last two deer with it, but I still think my CS Master Hunter does a better job.
 
Just to add: BR does make a couple of hunters with a more pronounced blade guard. While I have a Woodland and a Northstar, I've been looking lately at the Huntsman or the Gameskeeper--both of which have a more pronounced guard. Still, I like the looks of that big guard on the Rapid River knife.
 
PapaDB-10

You have great tastes!

These are all good top quality knives.

I like Bark River fixed blades (with good guards as you don't ever want to slip your hand over a very sharp blade when out in the "toolies" miles from the nearest ER).

It hasn't been mentioned but you might also consider the Spyderco FB-01 or -02 Bill Moran fixed blade knife (comes both drop point and bowie style). Spyderco is the only maker that sells VG-10 steel blades which have a high RC value and yet are very tough and probably similar to the good tool steel blades like A2, D2, M2, etc. I like their handle, very comfortable and the knife isn't terribly heavy ( 3 oz) for a fixed blade.

http://spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=42
 
CRKT Partner is super lightweight with a great handle for big paws.
Kershaw Echo is a small/strong blade that gets her done too!
Fallkniven S1 is the supreme choice in my opinion.5"
Fosters are well made with VG10 steel.
I like rubber or stag handles on a skinner for better grip.
Bark River & Dozier's sound super too!
Nice to have a few blades on ya anyway!
Happy huntin friend!

http://www.fosterknives.com/checkknives.php
 
Of the choices you listed, I think the Dozier stands out above almost all of the others, head and shoulders. The only exception might be the Ingram, I've heard good things about that maker. If you don't mind paying for it, the Dozier would be my choice. I have found that it holds it's edge much, much longer than the Vanguard S30V. I like my Vanguard, but it's not in the same league. I've read in other forums that the QC on the Rats and Bark Rivers has been spotty.
 
Cold Steel Master Hunter in Carbon V. I have used one for 20 years or there abouts and it is probably the best designed pure hunting knife out there for a "cheap" price. If you put G10 handles on it you would have a helluva camp/tactical knife. keepem sharp
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top