Pls recommend a good hunting knife...gift for guy friend

V

Veegal

Joined
Oct 1, 2005
Messages
4
Hi everyone,

Sorry if this has been asked before...but I'd like to buy a nice hunting knife for a guy friend of mine as a birthday present. He is an avid hunter and fisherman. I have no idea what brand, type, etc. Any suggestions? I tried to do some research on my own and don't even know what's the difference between the AUS 8 and VG-10 steel.....:confused:

Since it's a gift, I'd like a nice looking knife as well as very functional....something that would really impress him and make him want to run out and use it. :)

As far as price range, I'd be willing to spend up to $200 for him.

Thanks all for your time and assistance!

Vee
 
I think I'd jump over to the Maker's section of the site, and buy him a custom made knife. There are a number of makers there who produce hunters in your price range; some are currently avaliable for sale in the Maker's "For Sale" section if you need it ASAP.

I feel that it's a much nicer gesture to give a knife that is unique and handmade than one that is mass produced and anyone could buy at their local hunting shop. If you have some time before your friend's birthday, you could even work with one of the makers to design a knife just for your friend.
 
Yep, for $200 you could probably get a decent custom. Then your friend would have a one-of-a-kind gift.

Otherwise, look at Buck, Cold Steel, Bark River. I'm sure folks here will give you other suggestions as well.
 
If your friend is more of a hunter and less of a knife nut, then consider getting him one with a stainless steel blade as opposed to one of the many carbon steel blades. When he sees the blade change color after usage he may think he has a cheap worthless knife and this could be far from the truth. Some people equate shiny blades with good quality. There is lots of information on this forum about steel types. Good luck with your purchase.
 
Hey, at least you know there are such steels as AUS-8 and VG-10, which is more than most people. Anyway, for around $200 you could hardly do any better than a Dozier knife, available right away from A.G. Russell, no 10-12 month wait.

I would also highly recommend a knife from Tom Krein. He has a 3 or 4 month waiting period, but some of his knives are available now from Steel Addiction. That Model 1 would be a great choice and not a very common knife.
 
A fancy hunting supplies outlet named Cabelas has a special verion of Buck's most popular hunting knife model made for them. It is the Cabelas Alaskan Guide version of Buck's Vanguard hunting knife. It has brass guard and butt cap, a high grade rosewood handle, and most importantly it has a very premium S30V alloy blade heat treated by Paul Bos, one of the countries' best heat treaters. It also has an extra protective black coating on the blade, but I don't consider it a real plus. To find it go to:
www.cabelas.com
in the search box on the left enter Alaskan Vanguard
then click on the box.

You want the Rosewood Plain Edge model.

The following link may get you there directly (or it may not work).
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...uard&noImage=0&returnPage=search-results1.jsp
 
You could also check out www.swamprat.com

The Howling Rat is one of the handiest skinners going and is really an exceptional knife for hunting or fishing. ~$90

The idea of a custom knife is great and I'll bet all the makers would appreciate someone who would actually use their stuff rather than hide it in a safe. Just don't get one so pretty that he won't use it. LOL

I would also say, stroll over to the makers area and have a look around.

Lucky guy!

Rob
 
If you have limited time before your friends birthday you might need to go with a production knife, or a knife made by a small workshop.

You might want to have a look at the Fallkniven NL4 or NL5, the Northwoods Willow Leaf in D2, or some of the Wolverine drop points.

It might be worth getting in touch with a good dealer who keeps a variety of quality production and custom knives in stock. My suggestion would be to talk to John Cable at www.cableknives.com
 
Don't even look any farther than a Bob Dozier hunter or one from Gene Ingram. Both of these guys make two of the best hunting general utility knives in the knife world in hand mades in my opinion. D2 is a great steel and cuts forever. Both of these makers do D2 right.

Gene's grinds are about as good as any I've seen too. Not that Bob is lacking there himself but I just got two knives from Gene in Wharncliff blade styles and they are top shelf. For the money you can't go wrong with either of these guys knives.

Bob's horizontal kydex sheaths are the best there is in the knife world IMO and they make what is otherwise a typical hunting knife double as a tactical in the way they can be quickly drawn out to use in a pinch. They are also very condusive to comforatble carry and concealed carry the way they clip on your belt.

http://geneingramknives.blademakers.com/

http://www.dozierknives.com/
 
Thanks to all who responded to my question! :-)

Unfortunately, my idea of getting a knife came a little too late for a *real* custom knife since the birthday is in a couple of weeks. But I like the idea of getting a custom knife over a mass produced one, soooo, I'll probably go with a custom knife maker and see what they have available now. I've sort of narrowed it down to John White, David Winston and Schuyler Lovestrand. Some sites show available inventory of their knives. I noticed that some custom knives sites sell *used* knives though in mint condition...and since it's a gift, I do prefer brand new. My budget may have to be adjusted a little if I go with John White or Lovestrand. :o But their knives look very nice. :D

Thanks again everyone!

Vee
 
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