New member with a few knife questions?

T

Tolecl

Joined
Jun 15, 2011
Messages
3
Hello everyone. This is my first knife forum and it seems like there is a lot of knowledge here. My main interest is in the amount of different knives out there and my own lack of knowledge. I prefer fixed blades knives only for various outdoor activities. I was raised with Schrade and Old Timers. My personal collection consist of a gerber, a kershaw, and a cold steel. I like to use and abuse my knives, they are tools for me. Here is my confession, I like to get a good deal on my knives because they get used. But there is so much out there on the web it's overwhelming. I need a work horse that won't break the bank. I'm looking for a skinner and a bowie. Any help or advice is appreciated. Thanks for letting me be a part of this community. Also, I would like to know what manufacturers to absolutely stay away from. Thanks again.
 
If you were looking for something that "works" you would not be here! Like you said... there are a LOT of variables. Welcome! ...and good luck.
 
welcome!

there is so many insightful people here and im sure they will give you alot of different choices.

they are not super cheap but if you can, get an esee of some type. the 4 can be had for around 100 dollars and will take an ungodly amount of use and abuse and keep kickin.

welcome to the wallet drainer!:D
 
I'm not much of a hunter so I'm not much help to you... just wanted to welcome you to the forum, Tolecl!
 
First off, welcome. I'm not a hunter, so I can't help in that area but companies to stay away from are, in my opinion:
SOG
Strider
CRKT
Gerber
Dark ops
Smith and Wesson (Not really a knife company, but they suck)
 
TheUSMC2017 said:
First off, welcome. I'm not a hunter, so I can't help in that area but companies to stay away from are, in my opinion:
SOG
Strider
CRKT
Gerber
Dark ops
Smith and Wesson (Not really a knife company, but they suck)
Click to expand...

i have to say crkt has really stepped it up in the past year or so. i really like 'em.

sogs fixed blades are very nice imho but the folders do tend to have some blade play.
 
the buck diamondback guide is a good skinner for a bowie why not try a kabar heavy bowie.welcome to bladeforums
 
For a soild tough hard work kife that isn't expensive get a BK2.

for a inexpensive skinner get a buck paklite or buck 119.

also for general utility nothing beats the price point on a Mora, I like the clipper
 
Probably the best deal in a skinner would be an Old Hickory or Russell Green River. The handles are wood and the blades are 1095 high carbon steel. A couple of companies sell the Russell Green River blades and as kits if you want to try fashioning your own knife. From some of the pictures I've seen, some of the 'frontier' bowies appear to be butcher knives with a guard attached and the blade re-profiled. At 2-5x the price you can get knives with better ergonomics but you could always sand the handle and the skinning ability won't be any different.
 
Tolecl said:
I like to get a good deal on my knives because they get used.

I need a work horse that won't break the bank.

I'm looking for a skinner and a bowie.
Click to expand...

welcome. i don't know what your budget is but i'll make a few suggestions to get you started.

for a skinner, take a look at the bucklite max fixed blade.

for a bowie or large heavy use field knife, take a look at the kabar becker bk7 or bk9. if you want something even more inexpensive, take a look at the condor varan.
 
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I am not much of a fixed blade guy, but, depending on your budget, i would check out the bussekin family of knives, busse combat, scrapyard knives, and swamprat knives. i have heard nothing but good about them, and it seems like they are on the nicer end of things.
 
Well I picked up the Buck packlite today. I'm impressed with it, can't wait to take it to the field. It's American made which I also love and I like the warranty. So, I'm thinking about modifying the handle, maybe wrap it with something. Haven't decided, any opinions would be cool. Will check out Kabar and this BK2, and some of the other suggestions. Thanks for the welcomes and input guys, I appreciate it. I didn't realize Gerber, a long time favorite of mine, has gone down hill. So after some surfing I realize a lot of their designs really haven't changed that much in the last ten years. I'll keep the ones I have, but no more new ones. I really like Kershaw and where they are headed.
 
I'm a hunter and like you, I like workhorse knives that don't cost a ton. As to a skinner - you could do worse than one of the Becker neck knives - BK11 or BK14. They will set you back a bit over $30 each. Here's one covered in tallow from having just field dressed a small doe (had some more of her steaks last night - Yow!)...

20101126_ac_11.jpg


As to a bowie - how about a Becker BK9 Combat Bowie. It works its butt off for me, chops like no ones business, splits wood like a dream and even cleans fish. This one will cost you around $70 or so.

20110611_p07.jpg


You couldn't go wrong with either or both. You already mentioned BK2 which is another fine choice. I use mine tons.

Welcome!

---

Beckerhead #42
 
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