• Preorders are LIVE for the 2024 BladeForums Traditional Knife

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    Requirements: Be a Gold or higher member or have been a member of the forums since 6/2023 with at least 100 posts in the Traditional Forum. Preorder is for people who live in the continental US only, international orders will be separate.

    Delivery expected in Q4 2024, hopefully before the holidays.

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Rookie Needs Help

R

rhrose

Joined
Feb 3, 2003
Messages
12
I am wanting a small fixed blade skinning/hunting knife with a blade length around 3 1/2" to 4". The knife will be used for skinning and boning out deer sized game. I know my budget limits me somewhat, but I prefer not to spend more than $70. Quality is very important to me, as is the ability of the blade to hold a edge and be easily resharpened in the field with a sharpening system like the Myerco "Sharpen-It". I would appreciate your opinions of the A.G. Russell "Deerhunter" with either the VG-10 or D2 blade (which blade steel is best?), and the Fallkniven "F1" with a VG-10 blade. I am also open to, and encourage your recommendations for other - or better choices. TIA
 
I can't say enough for the Fallkniven. I bought mine last year for deer season. Skinned and quartered one decent size doe. Even after skinning, field dressing including breaking the breastbone that knife still shaved arm hair. Friggin amazing I touched it up with a fine stone and it has done great. Definitley worth the money. It has also become my primary backpacking and all around survival knife, IF I knew what I know now and I were you I wouldn't hesitate. Hope that helps:D
 
See Cliff Stamp's post on the Deerhunter in 3 steels - my preference would be D-2 for the better edgeholding - just means you have to clean it afterward - and if it develops a patina just adds character to the knife.

Bill
 
The Fallkniven is a stout little knife capable of a lot more abuse then your typical small knife. Convex edges are nice but a little harder to maintain (or is that just different to maintain :confused: ).

As I understand it (based on reading about the knife not, actual use), the DeerHunter is an excellant knife in its own right but, is a thinner knife so, while it would be better in the kitchen slicing ham or tomatoes, it is not as robust for harder use outdoors.

Either of these two will serve you well. Depending on where else you will use would be the deciding factor.
 
I also think the Spyderco Moran is a great choice. Either blade style
should be fine. Happy Hunting!
 
I second the F1. Used for hunting/ skinning for 3 years now. Great knife for the money.

Also you may want to look at the Swamprat Howling Rat or Bandicoot, both $90 each with shipping.

Or maybe a Cold STeel Master Hunter, never used one but have read good things of it.


dave
 
My brother-in-law is an avid deer hunter. Several years ago I bought him a Spyderco Moran. It quickly became his favorite. He wasn't the only one impressed with it. Several of his hunting buddies now use the Moran. They get a lot of deer and their seal of approval sells me on the Moran as a hunting knife.
 
The Deer Hunter at AG Russell with a D-2 blade is a great knife and you will spend less than $70.00. Plus you will get a lifetime guaranty. Hard to beat. 48harley
 
All excellent suggestions. A top pick would be the F1 and Normark's Concealex sheath, as close to a perfect match as any knife and sheath I've come across yet. You might also look at Marble's Fieldcraft, one of my favorite carries. Mine is in the old carbon steel, 52100; don't know if Marble's still makes them as they have switched to some kind of stainless, but you might find one around. Have a look at ragweedforge.com for a wide selection of Scandinavian blades (puukkos) at very attractive prices. The Cold Steel Master Hunter is another superb choice, particularly in Carbon V, although it may be a bit larger than your specifications.
 
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