What knife do I get for hunting?

J

johnnyKnives

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Sep 21, 2008
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144
I've seen the name brands like Gerber and Buck, but thought there might be some good knives out there that I've never heard of to start my collection. I want a knife that I can use for small game (squirrel, rabbit, etc.) and larger like deer, maybe a hog?

Do I need more than one for these applications?

Thanks for any recommendations.
 
I have both the Upland Special and Fox River from Bark River Knife and Tool. Both have worked beautifully for me. I would also recommend a Rat Cutlery RC-3. It is also a good rugged knife.


Fred
 
Welcome to the insanity of collecting (...a and using?) knives!

If you have a WalMart or Academy Sports near you, check out the Buck 119 'Special'. W-M is cheapest - and includes a nylon sheath - better for possibly wet conditions. The other source has leather sheaths. Expect $34-$39.

If you want a large folder nearly as capable, the Buck 110 'Folding Hunter' - which runs $25-$29 from the same sources. I pocket carry one frequently. Both knives have healthy and sharp blades of 420HC, a stainless steel. Both knives are US-made (ID), although their sheaths are imported (PRC or Mexico). You can't beat their availability. Checkout the Buck forum here for more info.

Stainz

PS I have - and love - Bark Rivers. They start at a C-note and go up. Those 'utilitarian' Bucks are great... I have a sheathed 119 in my kitchen drawer - my best butcher knife!
 
Thanks. I looked up the Bark Rivers, but none were folding. I think I want one I can carry around. But, again, being new, I wondered what was out there beside Buck and Gerber that might be a good one (folder, sorry should have said that.)
 
Take a look at Fallkniven H1. It is a really strong knife that can also be used in "survival" and "bushcraft" scenarios.
A really good hunting knife developed by hunters in northern Sweden.

The Fallkniven F1 is also a good knife for hunting.
 
If it has to be a folder.I can only think of the Buck 110.You can get the Cabelas version in S30V or several other options in the custom shop.
Personally I use fixed blades for these tasks,a lot easier clean up.

Good luck,
 
The inexpensive Spyderco Native (about $40 at Wal-Mart) is a great folding knife in premium blade steel (CPM S30V) and sized just right for just about everything. Nice and light, too!

I always recommend these to someone looking for their first "better than the usual stuff out there" kind of knife. Oh yeah: it's made in the USA!

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
desmobob said:
The inexpensive Spyderco Native (about $40 at Wal-Mart) is a great folding knife in premium blade steel (CPM S30V) and sized just right for just about everything. Nice and light, too!

I always recommend these to someone looking for their first "better than the usual stuff out there" kind of knife. Oh yeah: it's made in the USA!

Stay sharp,
desmobob
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Although the Native is a great utilty knife,I wouldn't recommend it for a hunting knife.Just my opinion.
 
I have the perfect solution for you. I carry the Benchmade MiniGrip with sheep's foot blade. I have used it on duck, dove, squerrel, and would have no problem using it on hog or deer. It is my Every Day Carry and I don't leave home without it. I put a convex edge on mine and I have one of the old ones in 440C.

Many people have a Grip or MiniGrip and have great things to say about them.
 
I dont like folders for hunting, because when you clean out game, it gets prety messy in there, and with a fixed blade you dont have to worry about getting all that stuff in your knife. I would recommend the Rats as well, they are a good blade for not too much money, Fallknivens are nice too
 
JTR357 said:
Although the Native is a great utilty knife,I wouldn't recommend it for a hunting knife.Just my opinion.
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jacktrades_nbk said:
i couldn't agree more :D
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I'm curious as to why you guys feel this way. :confused:
I could certainly understand recommending something else, but to recommend not to pick this knife is something different altogether.

In the last 30 years, I've field-dressed deer and other game with everything from a small Schrade stockman to a big Ka-Bar combat knife (on purpose or by necessity).

My favorite type hunting blade is a 2.5"-3.5" drop point. When I bow hunt or rifle hunt from a treestand, I avoid wearing a fixed blade and carry a folder. I've dressed two Adirondack whitetails with my Native and I can assure you, it was perfectly suited for the job. Other than an extra minute spent cleaning it afterwards, it was no different than using a similarly sized and shaped fixed blade.... He did say he needed a folder.


Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
Well, if not a regular Buck #110 Folding Hunter - or it's S30V brother made for Cabela's as the 'Alaskan Guide' series, how about a Buck #419 'Folding Kalinga Pro' is S30V. Below, you'll find it along with a highly polished collector's tin (Wally World - Christmas special - $30.) Buck 110 in 420HC. The fixed blade at the top is the fixed Kalinga Pro in S30V, Buck #408. The #419 is a stout liner lock - and I carry mine sheathed in my pocket. It will draw some stares at a dinner party where they serve meat without steak knives... and you pull it out and use it. Don't ask me how I know this...

IMG_0456_edited.jpg


As I haven't cleaned/gutted anything that doesn't have fins since LBJ was President, I can only conjecture on their use with four-legged beasties. The Euro crowd seems to appreciate the upswept tip, a la the K-P, where Americans like a Drop Point to Bowie style for hunting. The up-sweep is better, it would seem, for skinning - if care is used in gutting, where the drop point seems safer. Anyway, the #419 should certainly be <$100 inc s/h now, while Cabela's gets ~$68 + s/h for the 'Alaskan Guide' 110 in S30V (Wally World has the excellent 'regular' 420HC 110s for $25 + s/t up the street!). I love the Buck 110. I really like the 419, too - but it would leave before most of my 110s - they really are utilitarian,

Stainz
 
desmobob said:
I'm curious as to why you guys feel this way. :confused:
I could certainly understand recommending something else, but to recommend not to pick this knife is something different altogether.
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You can't take the Native apart to clean out all the blood & guts.That's all.It's a great knife none the less,just wouldn't recommend it (or any folder) for cleaning game.
 
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I really don't have much use at all for Gerber. I'm sure it's a great company, but not for me.
 
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