Newby Looking For Help

KBA

KBA

Joined
Apr 27, 2014
Messages
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So I am new to blades so please forgive any ignorance I may have. I have researched some and now seek the advice/knowledge of the experts. The knife I am looking for will serve only one purpose, field dressing game, mostly deer. I would like the blade to be VG10 (unless someone can recommend a better steel for this purpose), full tanged, a rc of 58-60, drop point, a blade length between 3 and 4, a non- slip handle (I have smaller hands), and a fixed blade. I would like the knife to last generations (heirloom). I tried the Ka-Bar Snody Boss 5101 but the handle was to small. I guess this question is asked a lot, so any links would help. Thanks for all the wisdom!
 
If you are looking at quality skinners that can be an heirloom piece, you cannot beat Gene Ingram or Charles May knives for the price.

VG-10 is a good steel for EDC, but for purposes of a field skinner, I'd suggest D-2 or something similar. VG-10 creates a pretty bad wire edge when sharpening and you don't want that in the field.

Other steels useful for skinning:
52100
S90V
440C
 
I agree with M. Freeze on the blade steel choice. D2 is my favorite for this task that I have found so far. Buck makes some great knives, but not quite heirloom. When I think Heirloom I think of handmade knives that are made with a wood or bone handle. 1095 and 440c are not as great as D2, but both are very common and will work good for this task. 1095 is actually a great steal when heat treated properly, just keep it maintained and oiled. Depends on your budget but I would surf the exchange or ask for a maker to make one for you with your blade shape preference (maybe an upswept trailing point that has good Belly). Knives of Alaska makes quality game knives that I would check out if I were you, they are a good production company for that task as that is their specialty.
 
Thank you for the suggestions. I need to look into those. Honestly, I would like to stay around under 150 which cuts a lot of good knives out. Looks like I have more work to do.
 
KBA said:
Thank you for the suggestions. I need to look into those. Honestly, I would like to stay around under 150 which cuts a lot of good knives out. Looks like I have more work to do.
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$150 is a solid budget, it cuts some out, but not all. There are still small time makers in that price range plus production knives in that range.
 
I was going to ask what your price range was. You might want to check out Big Chris knives on the "custom fixed blade" portion only the exchange. He has nice knives in that price range.

You can always score a nice used fixed blade in the exchange too. If you are going to use it, I wouldn't care if it's new or not.

M390 steel would be a good choice. Check out Bradford Knives on the forum too.
 
Think I am going to contact Chris for a M390 steel. Thanks again for the help.
 
I would get a benchmade 741 onslaught . it's 154cm stainless and was designed by the late great bob lum for field dressing game
 
I am no expert, but when I was reading your criteria, one knife came to mind.

The Fallkniven F1 pretty much meets every one of them:

Laminated VG-10
HRC 59
Drop point
3.8" blade
Non-slip handle
Leather sheath
Made in Sweden
Price: ~$145

I don't believe the tang is completely "full-tang", but according to Fallkniven's website the tang is "Broad, protruding", which will be more than enough for skinning game. The F1 is pretty much the exact knife you described, and the exact price you said. I've never had experience with VG-10, but I've heard it can take an outstanding edge and is very rust resistant, which is what you'll want for skinning.

Here's a couple of links:
http://www.fallkniven.com/en/shop/details/370/24/fixed-blades/survival-knives/f1l
http://www.amazon.com/F1-Survival-w...TF8&qid=1398648845&sr=8-2&keywords=fallkniven
 
Thanks again for all the suggestions. Keep them coming. And, if you don't mind teaching me a bit, tell me why. I'm really liking what I have read about M390 over D2, SV's, 440C, and 1095, just cant find any. Maybe Big Chris will get back to me before I settle (contacted through email). One thing to add, sharpening is a variable, need to learn how. This why I x'ed D2 out. Read it may be rough on beginners learning. The F1 as of now is my fall back.
 
buy a strop. makes sharpening more pleasant. I own two knives in D2 ( BHK bushcrafter - benchmade adamas )I've had no problem with sharpening either
 
KBA said:
Thanks again for all the suggestions. Keep them coming. And, if you don't mind teaching me a bit, tell me why. I'm really liking what I have read about M390 over D2, SV's, 440C, and 1095, just cant find any. Maybe Big Chris will get back to me before I settle (contacted through email). One thing to add, sharpening is a variable, need to learn how. This why I x'ed D2 out. Read it may be rough on beginners learning. The F1 as of now is my fall back.
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Here's a thread I found about Fallkniven's laminated steel. It seems like it might be laminated with 420J2, which will make it even more rust resistant. I've also heard that VG10 is pretty easy to sharpen. VG10 seems like a good steel choice to me.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/585774-Fallkniven-quot-Laminated-quot-Steel
 
jmflem said:
I just came across the Spyderco Bill Moran. It comes in both drop point and trailing point. VG-10 blade steel, ~4" blade, 3oz. They seem to be going for around $80-$100.

http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=43
http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=42
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Thought about that one when I first started looking but then I saw a xray pic of the tang. Just found info on the GSO 4.1. Looks good but but the 3.5 looks better. However cant find either on exchange or online for sale it that price range.
 
KBA said:
Thought about that one when I first started looking but then I saw a xray pic of the tang. Just found info on the GSO 4.1. Looks good but but the 3.5 looks better. However cant find either on exchange or online for sale it that price range.
Click to expand...

Yeah Survive Knives can be pretty expensive and rare to find.
 
Lots of decent knives out there, but to me "hierloom" calls for a handmade knife. Definitely try something here or contacting a maker: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/754-For-Sale-Fixed-Blades


My "hierloom" knife will be the Loveless-style drop-point hunter in S30V made for me by Bill Davis, but it was over your $150 limit... (the one pictured isn't mine but looks much like it)

knives-for-web02-0161.jpg
 
Yea, I think I am going have to get two. One to hunt with and then save for the heirloom piece. Just trying not to get addicted to steel lol. However, there are worse things. Beautiful piece in that pic. Certainly heirloom quality in my book.
 
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