Recommendation? Which knife for hunting?

Striven82

Striven82

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Jan 1, 2019
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So, I was afflicted a while back with the "knife addiction." I started a humble collection of folders that I liked, but after a while I found that I only seem to carry my military. I'm now in the process of selling off the rest of my collection, and just getting another military some day if this one dies. So, knife addicts, there is hope. Anywho, I never really got into fixed blades. I think I am due for a new fixed blade, mainly for deer hunting purposes. My current knife is a Schrade PH2 that was given to me as a christmas gift when I was prolly 12 years old. I'm 40 now. Anywho, I'm looking for a good knife for field dressing a deer, not too big, but I need to be able to get my entire hand on the handle. I'd like a better steel than 1095, But I'm also not interested in anything too exotic. Pricing should be somewhere in the $150-300 range. I can go over, but it would have to be for a really good reason.

There are just so damn many knives / makers out there it's hard to tell the forest from the trees. Any guidance would be appreciated.

Thanks folks.

(also mods, I just posted this and I think it got knocked down, not sure what I did wrong, if this is not supposed to be here, please let me know, thanks...and maybe the 3rd time is the charm)
 
Benchmade do a puukko or a leuko in magic steel for probably under $300. Which I have been eyeing off for straight up bushcraft.

It is an old proven design. And cpm v stainless is supposed to be all the advantages of a stainless with all the advantages of a carbon. (But I am not a steel guy. So I might be wrong)


But my theory is that any knife that essentially handles food should be easy to wash. And there are no real crevices or corners that is going to hold gunk
 
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A really great production knife that just works you might want to look at is the Buck Vanguard. Well within your price range.

There are a few makers on the forums that for around your upper end you could get something special. Robert Erickson comes to mind. Here is one I got from him.

4D9D89EE-B81A-42EE-A6C8-C7A3307E3EBD_1_201_a_resized_1.jpeg
 
There are a ton of great hunting knives out there. It's just going to come down to your budget, how often you'd like to resharpen your blade, and what size of game you're using it for.

A few recommendations would be: Benchmade Saddle Mountain Skinner, Benchmade Altitude, Grohmann (No. 1,2, 101,103, or 108), Joker Nessmuk (one with the non-scandi blade), Buck (103, 113, 119, or 401 Kalinga), or the Kershaw Blur. There's a lot of butcher knives of varying price out there that would do a good job.

I've also been looking longingly at the Bush Camp by David Mary Custom knives (a collaboration with Chad Rector of the Good Knife Company) that looks great.
 
I'll vote for a Cold Steel Master Hunter VG 1 San Mai. I sharpen blades for some neighbors who hunt and two of them use it. One has VG 1 and the other is 3V. The kray-ex handles have good traction if you get messy processing game.
https://www.knifecenter.com/item/CS...-hunter-vg-1-san-mai-iii-blade-kray-ex-handle
Again, there is a 3V version too. I see no need for 3V tbh.

I know some folks poo poo CS since the GSM buyout. I've never had a problem with a CS blade. YMMV.
 
gazz98 said:
I'll vote for a Cold Steel Master Hunter VG 1 San Mai. I sharpen blades for some neighbors who hunt and two of them use it. One has VG 1 and the other is 3V. The kray-ex handles have good traction if you get messy processing game.
https://www.knifecenter.com/item/CS...-hunter-vg-1-san-mai-iii-blade-kray-ex-handle
Again, there is a 3V version too. I see no need for 3V tbh.

I know some folks poo poo CS since the GSM buyout. I've never had a problem with a CS blade. YMMV.
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Second this. I use both the CPM-3V (my most used hunting blade) and the San Mai version.

It is darn near perfect for field dressing and field breakdown.

If you are only gutting, you may want something with a smaller blade.
 
JJ_Colt45 said:
A really great production knife that just works you might want to look at is the Buck Vanguard. Well within your price range.

There are a few makers on the forums that for around your upper end you could get something special. Robert Erickson comes to mind. Here is one I got from him.

View attachment 1956830
Click to expand...

First, Holy smokes this is beautiful, JJ!!


How about an Ember 3.5 by REK Knives REK Knives
 
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