Need help finding what I'm looking for...

A

airtight_python

Joined
Nov 16, 2008
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I need a new hunting blade with a price under about $80. Essentially what I am looking for is a knife with the features of a RAT5. Only with more belly and uncoated steel. A clip point might be ok too, I haven't decided. Steel that will hold an edge forever and well textured scales are most important. I need lots of suggestions please! :)
 
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There are a couple threads about hunting knives going currently.
At the time I'm typing this, one of them is on page one, and the other is on page 4.
The thread on page 4 has 3 pages of replies to it already.
Hopefully those will help you out if you don't get much response to yours.

BTW Welcome to BladeForums
 
Buck 119
Buck Nighthawk
Short Ka-Bar USMC
SOG SEAL Pup
Ka-Bar Becker BK-2
Kershaw Hunter
There's a few more by Buck too
 
I can't tell by your post if you mean an Ontario RAT5 or a Rat Cutlery RC-5. Your mention of the hunting knife makes me assume the Ontario version. The Rat is a 1/4" steel beast meant for survival.

Take a look at the AG Russell Deer Hunter. It's a 4" D2 blade that is very thin and light, but strong. No frills but a nice knife. Here's a link

http://www.agrussell.com/ag-russell-deer-hunter/p/AGDHhhhD2/

There are several nice hunting knives on that site, some very reasonably priced. Queen make a nice looking hunter with D2 steel in that price range too.

Now if you are looking for outdoor, survival knives, that is a different discussion....
 
GWashington1732 said:
Buck 119
Buck Nighthawk
Short Ka-Bar USMC
SOG SEAL Pup
Ka-Bar Becker BK-2
Kershaw Hunter
There's a few more by Buck too
Click to expand...

none of these would make a good hunting blade. I have the Seal Pup, Becker, Kabar and Nighthawk and they are all too long, too fat or both to make a good skinner. I agree with the op, a belly is good, as is edge retention. The RAT5/RC5 is .25 inches thick... feels like a brick. I have one and love it for a beater knife, chopping wood etc but for skinning, not a good knife. The Seal Pup you can get away with but for its intended purpose you can do better for the money. AUS8's edge retention sucks in comparison to other 70 dollar knives, and other knives can offer much more solid control. AG Russel is a good choice, as is the Buck Vantage Pro. I think the RC5 has about as big a belly as you are going to get on ANY knife, short of a Kukri or other recurve design. Also shoot a PM to Koyote, he does an awesome short leuku that is probably within your price range-massive belly, great edge retention (15N20 steel) and scary sharp.
 
You are correct to assume that I am referring to the Ontario knife. I did realize it's too thick but failed to mention that undesired difference.

The AG Russell deer hunter is a nice knife in the D2, as is the Buck Vantage Pro. The Vantage Pro however is a folder and I should have mentioned I am looking for a fixed blade for this particular purchase.

Forgive me for not being familar with the terminology, but I feel the "thumb serrations" on the top base of the blade as well as the "finger groove" at the bottom base, both as on the Ontario RAT5 blade, would be benificial for control while doing the more delicate work. I feel a 4-5" blade is optimal.

There are so many blades to look at, it's a tough decision... if you can only have one kinda thing. :) What are the top 3-5 steels I should be considering for edge retention? I have an AUS8 blade and I DON'T consider it to hold an edge well. How are the 420HC Bucks?

I'm very much still open to suggestions... and if I must raise the budget a little for the right knife... well that is ok. Thanks fellas.
 
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The thumb serrations are known as jimping, and the finger groove is known as a choil. Both can help with control of the knife, and I agree 5 inches is the maximum you want for a hunting knife. 420HC won't hold an edge as well as AUS8, depending on the heat treatment. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=678540 here is a sampling of Koyote Knives and the designs they like to do. Thin stock, fine edged big bellied outdoors knives and depending on the model, size and handle material, are very reasonably priced. The steel is 15N20, which is a nickel-titanium steel, very corrosion resistant, tough and holds a superb edge. You can find many simple hunting knife designs in the makers' threads for very reasonable prices.
 
PayetteRucker said:
none of these would make a good hunting blade. I have the Seal Pup, Becker, Kabar and Nighthawk and they are all too long, too fat or both to make a good skinner. I agree with the op, a belly is good, as is edge retention. The RAT5/RC5 is .25 inches thick... feels like a brick. I have one and love it for a beater knife, chopping wood etc but for skinning, not a good knife. The Seal Pup you can get away with but for its intended purpose you can do better for the money. AUS8's edge retention sucks in comparison to other 70 dollar knives, and other knives can offer much more solid control. AG Russel is a good choice, as is the Buck Vantage Pro. I think the RC5 has about as big a belly as you are going to get on ANY knife, short of a Kukri or other recurve design. Also shoot a PM to Koyote, he does an awesome short leuku that is probably within your price range-massive belly, great edge retention (15N20 steel) and scary sharp.
Click to expand...

Wow, 25 years with a 119 Buck and all the deer, boar and coyotes as well as turkeys that have been dressed out and all I had to do was read your post to discover that it was a poor choice of knife. Or wait, maybe it's a fine knife as are the others listed. Maybe your just a rude know it all that has better typing skills than skinning, dressing and boning with a knife. The 119 has a fair amount of belly and the 420HC has held an excellent edge for years with minimal maintenance. I have many great years with the Buck products including the 110. To the OP please give a fair look at the other listed knives from the other posters. ;)
 
I've looked at the Koyote knives and they are not quite what I am after. No offense to the maker, great knives... just not for this buy.

I've searched out each other knives mentioned as well and the only one that catches my eye is the Becker BK2 (which was already on a different list)... but again, not for this purchase. :)

The Buck 119 is very popular.. A couple of my friends have them... just not for this guy.
 
What is the general thought about the Buck ErgoHunter Pro in S30V?

Though a little pricey to me... I could also get the ErgoHunter Pro Small Game for a nice caping knife and a matched set.
 
Not sure about the steel but designs might work...

Grohmann Original in carbon #R1CA

Bark River "Fingerling"
 
I would choose a Knives of alaska knife, the alaskan perhaps? It is a little (okay double) what you wanted to pay, but it has superb D2 steel and is built for the purpose you are describing. If you dont want to pay that much take a look at their elk hunter, or deer hunter models
 
Studlysmurf said:
I would choose a Knives of alaska knife, the alaskan perhaps?
Click to expand...

The "Muskrat/Cub Bear" or "Alpha Wolf/Cub Bear" combo's would be good choices also...and not that far above the budget that's already starting to slip.

If it slips enough get a Dozier....
 
With some price shopping you can find a BRKT Upland Special...I have this exact knife, and it's a wicked full bellied slicer...

bA135MGC.jpg
 
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