Spyderco Impala or Military vs. Benchmade Griptilian?

[txgolfer45]

I'm looking primarily for a hunting folder. Duties include deer field dress, ducks, turkey field dress and general use out in the field. Which would you recommend? Or something different?

Thanks,
Scott

 

[ras]

Of the knives mentioned I'd go with the Impala, plain edge, no gut hook -- unless you really like gut hooks, I see no use for them. The Impala has a nice profile for skinning.

 

[lambertiana]

For your stated applications, I think the best blade design is the Impala, followed by the Griptilian. The Impala comes with VG-10 blade, while the Griptilian has 440C (unless you get the D2 version from Cabelas, which will hold an edge longer). For those applications the Military is too pointed and doesn't have much belly.