What knife do I get for hunting?

Dont waste your time with gerber. Bucks are good, but anything by Knives of Alaska is better. The best for skinning IMO.
 
Buck is a great company but gerber...meh. Folder for hunting? You sure? If it is not set in stone i would go with the previously mentioned RC-3. If it has to be a folder then...well I am not sure, but you should definatley be able to take it apart to get all the blood and gunk out.
 
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johnnyKnives said:
I've seen a few buck recommendations. What do you think about Gerber? Thanks.
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Gerber doesn't seem to be what they used to be. Some people still like them, especially "older" ones, but I've read so many complaints about their quality and reliability now.

if it has to be a folder +1 for the Buck 110. Great deal for what you get and a good start to any collection.
 
It seems by general concensus that two knives everyone should have is a RC-3 and Buck 110. Thus far, I have neither. I do have a Buck 112 and a RC-6... but I think the RC-3 will be in my future REAL SOON!

Get a RAT knife, you won't be dissapointed. Just make sure the blade says RC-#, instead of RAT#
 
To me Gerbers are vanilla to me. Ive had a few, no real complaints, but if $$ is an issue, I love my Native.. Have you thought about a budget folder ($30-40) and a budget fixed together (Mora, etc)??
 
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For cleaning game, I would steer you away from a folder. Unless it can be taken apart and cleaned.

Insisting on a folder? I'd give this one a try, a folding version of the DH Russell - Ghrohmann knives.
http://www.agrussell.com/d-h-russell-classic-folder/p/DHRhhh300S/

On a budget? Ka-Bar makes some folding hunter models designed by Bob Dozier. $20-$35. And I believe they can be disassembled for cleaning.

I would probably stay clear of Gerber Knives, as none of the new styles appeal to me and the materials are sub-par. I do have an older Gator and an EZ-Out that would make OK hunting knives in a pinch. The grips are great, but they cannot be cleaned.

Are you interested in traditional-styled knives? I've been happy with all of my recent purchases from Case. They make many knives designed specifically for trappers and hunters. Check out their Arkansas Hunter, Bird Hunter, Folding Hunter, Trapper, Moose, muskrat, Mid Folding Hunter, Pocket Hunter, etc. - the sorts of knives that American sportsmen have used for hundreds of years.

To demonstrate, here is the hunting knife (Camillus) my father used every season for 30+ years:
WesternKnife.jpg
 
I am of like mind as some others here in that I don't really like a folder for cleaning game. It often happens that you end up cleaning game out a long ways away from a sink, and dried blood and fat stuck in the cracks of a folder just sucks. Yes, it can be cleaned, but its much easier with a fixed blade.

As for recommendations, I really like the Buck 104 (I think that is the number, the one with the 4" clip point blade), for an inexpensive and yet very good hunting knife. On the high end, I like the Busse Game Warden.

If you must get a folder, I would recommend going with an open back frame lock. Very simple design and very open to make cleaning the easiest possible. Buck Mayo designs would be good (TNT for high end, Northshore for low end) as well as the Benchmade Monochrome.

Personally I'd stay away from BM Axis locks in a hunting knife. I love the lock (I actually have a 710 in my pocket right now) but for something that is gong to get covered in blood, there are lots of little hollows and small parts in the Axis lock that that blood could sit in. That is just my opinion though.
 
they make good points. out of curiosity Johnny,why folder over fixed for this?
 
Dantor said:
they make good points. out of curiosity Johnny,why folder over fixed for this?
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Because I had no idea what I was saying. I wanted the folder so I could carry it and use it in the field on squirrel, but that's probably dumb too. I think that I need both now. I should get the non-folder first. Since I have no experience in cleaning game and have only owned pocket knives, I really didn't know about cleaning them and gunking up the knife. Thanks everyone for educating me. :thumbup:
 
LOL honest answer Johnny! we've all been there ;)
good luck and keep us posted and don't forget to take pictures!
 
johnnyKnives said:
In the fixed, do I want serrated or "regular" plain edge for skinning?
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personally I don't like a serrated blade for anything. Others might disagree, but I doubt that anybody is going to recommend a serrated edge for skinning.

A serrated edge rips more than it cuts cleanly. It is probably good for cutting rope or zip ties or something, but nothing that I do very often.
 
I don't think some people bothered to read your original question. You want to initially use this for small game with the option of using it on larger game. For this combination of uses I recommend a blade with a narrow point and only moderate thickness. The Buck Folding Hunting Knife model 110 has a do-it-all blade shape. The clipped point is narrow enough to get inside the pelvis of a rabbit and yet the length and shape do well on deer. Many of the suggestions you have received are not pointy enough for the small game.

People are steering you right when they say that cleaning a folding hunting knife can be a real problem. That is one of the reasons to favor an all-metal and all-stainless folding hunting knife. You may find that you want to soak your knife in bleach after use. If you have a plastic or wood handle you need the bleach to kill absorbed odors, but the bleach may attack the finish on those materials.

The perfect folding knife would be a Buck 560, but that model is discontinued. It had the Buck 110 blade with a titanium handle. You can find them on ebay or pawn shops.


The blade shape is not as optimal, but you could try a Benchmade Monochrome. It is high quality and all-metal. The tip is fairly narrow and its size would cover a lot of work. http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=BM10300P
 

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Hey Johnny,

There is a wonderful looking little custom fixed blade knife for sale right now in the custom for sale area.
Two tone micarta handle, integral guard, looks like nice grind lines, and has a nice tool steel blade.

$100, sheath included. :eek:
Don't think it will last long.
If not, check out the for sale area at BladeForums as well.

Good luck! :)
 
For folders, a Buck 110 from Walmart is about $30. If you want to upgrade, either the Cabela's S30V version or getting one in BG 42 from the Buck Custom Shop can be had for under $100.

For fixed, some good ones are CS Master Hunter in Carbon V (if you can find them), Buck Vanguard (also available in S30V), Fallkniven F1 or (better yet) H1, many Marbles knives in 52100, a ton of Bark Rivers. All good!

Happy hunting!
 
I wanted the folder so I could carry it and use it in the field on squirrel, but that's probably dumb too. I think that I need both now. I should get the non-folder first.
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A fixed-blade for cleaning squirrel...

Cleaning squirrels is very easy with a little practice. You need a small thin blade with a pointed tip that can sharpen easily and be cleaned thoroughly.

A small kitchen paring knife would be just the thing. Make a leather pocket sheath for it, and you're all set.

Specifically-designed hunting knives for that same purpose, check out the AG Russell Woodswalker and the AG Russell Hunters Scalpel. $20 for either, sheath included.
 
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