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When is a knife a hunter?

golok

golok

Joined
Oct 20, 2000
Messages
4,453
I keep coming across knives that are labelled as "hunters". Each time, I look at one so described, I tell myself "it looks like any other knife to me."

Maybe the blade is shaped differently.

How does a person define a knife as a hunter? And, what are some examples of classic hunters?
 
To me, a knife is a "Hunter" when you are using it hunting. Period. I don't care if it's a big ole honkin bowie; if you are using it hunting, it's a hunter. John Fitch likes to carry and use a 9-10" bowie while deer hunting. Of course, he is as big as a house. :)

Traditionally though, most people think of a nice drop point blade of 3-4" as your normal hunter. Most people would probably envision something like a Loveless style drop point as the typical hunter. To me though, whatever feels good in your hand works.
 
What Danbo said; a knife is a hunter when you use it for that purpose.

n2s
 
I agree that almost any knife put into use while hunting becomes a "hunter." However, my guess to your question is that some manufacturers feel that certain design elements of a particular knife would be useful in performing tasks that a hunter would normally be doing. Defining exactly what those design elements "should be" make for interesting conversation.

The blade profile, length, steel, and grind of what a hunter "should be" is a highly subjective matter--it probably depends on the thinking of each individual "hunter." So is the makeup and design of the handle. Another consideration is if the "hunter" knife will be used to make the kill (e.g., when hunting boar) or if the knife will only be used for dressing game or if the knife will also need to do double duty with camp/trail -side chores.

I'm also interested in learning from the more experienced hunters about their thinking on the tools of their passion.
 
there are many knives designed to be hunters. some have drop point blades, california clip blades, skinning blades, ect. In my own opinion I think any knife you can use to hunt with makes it a hunter!!! such as a case yellow trapper!!! I used one for many years for skinning squirrels!!!!
 
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