Recommendation? Which knife for hunting?

[Deino]

Not mine, from a friend of mine, my hand though. Custom built in the price range, D2 dressing knife. Not a survival, brush craft nor chopper.

Edit for better picture

 

[Lesknife]

For some 35 years I’ve used a Buck 110 for field dressing deer and other critters. Only in 2012 did I get a Buck 192 Alaskan Guide drop point to share the duties of skinning along with the matching 110 AG in s30v. You really don’t need a bigger blade. My brother and relatives live in Alaska and most hunters up there even on moose and big brown bear they use no more than a 4 inch blade, some use a 3 inch bladed trapper .

My main desire is that the handle is large enough and grippy enough to keep a good grasp and my hands and wrist don’t get fatigued on large game.

 

[Chowser]

I grew up in a hunting family and none of us carried a fixed blade - always folders, either a 110 or the Puma equivalent. I see now the utility of a good fixed blade but didn't feel like I missed out at the time.

 

[Alone]

My Dad (*RIP) was a life-long Hunter and Sportsman, and the ONLY knife I ever saw him afield with was a Buck 110. He swore by those things, and would score a new one about every 10 or so years. I watched him gut/skin/quarter what seems like a million Whitetail with those things over the years. So, excuse my fanboi status when it comes to Buck, but the proof is in the pudding as far as I'm concerned. They make several folders and fixies that I know would serve you well. Beyond that, they're into their 5th Generation, and 120 years of production probably teaches you a few things about making knives, in my humble opinion.

I'd also have to also agree with many of the guys here and recommend one of the BF Makers. (* David Mary immediately comes to mind) There are so many beautiful and functional blades offered in the "Knifemakers' Market", every friggin' day, that you could drown in opportunity. David immediately came to mind because he deals in so many steels, but seems to be playing with a lot of AEB-L lately. I have a feeling that he would gladly build you ANYTHING that your brain could imagine.

 

[KenHash]

My Buck Vanguard broke. So I replaced it with a Cold Stee; Master Hunter in Carbon V and that was my go to Deer Seeason knife for over a decade.
Today you can't get the Carbon V, but Cold Steel offers the Master Hunter in 3V or VG1 San Mai.
When you go through multiple deer during the season, your knife gets really bloody and generally disgusting. With a Cold Steel Master Hunter you can throw the whole knife into a bucket of soapy water even overnight.
Knives that have brass bolsters, stacked leather or fine wood scales are infinitely better looking. But not as impervious to the blood and guts of deer season.

 

[toker]

A Spyderco Mule would be a good choice and you can pick almost any steel you want.

 

[emtyhopper]

I like Bark River and Dozier hunting knives. Both make several great options.

Here is my favorite hunting knife....a Bark River Manitou in CPM- CRUWEAR.

 

[David Mary]

T The Grendels I have some Bushcamps on the bench as we speak.

I should add they are technically Good Knife Co Bush Camps rather than David Mary since Bikerector designed them.

I have a feeling that he would gladly build you ANYTHING that your brain could imagine

If I can do it, I will.

 

[Alone]

...If I can do it, I will.

"If"?

 

[David Mary]

There are things I have not yet done, like hollow grinds, or folding knives, or metal bolsters, for example. And some things I have been... pushed into doing, that I was not satisfied with my results, and thus won't presume to do again for someone until I do it for myself first, to my satisfaction.

I have a feeling that he would gladly build you ANYTHING that your brain could imagine

People can imagine an awful lot. But like I said, if I can, I will. Thankfully what you have imagined so far is within the scope of my abilities.

 

[Billy The Blade]

Not mine, from a friend of mine, my hand though. Custom built in the price range, D2 dressing knife. Not a survival, brush craft nor chopper.

That thing looks huge...
(I know, that's what She said)
-Is'nt it alittle unwieldy ?
B.T.B.
P.S. Some beautiful pieces shown, along with great recommendations

 

[Billy The Blade]

For that amount you can have something made exactly how you want.......

I recommend Phillip Patton, A maker here... Also Vojta Destensky.....
Here are mine from above makers...View attachment 1956709


View attachment 1956710View attachment 1956711

The top beauty reminds me of a Loveless design alittle...These are All quite Knice, but have they Tasted any blood at all ? B.T.B

 

[Striven82]

Just paid for the NitroV Edc from Cahoon. I think it'll be just about perfect. I somehow didn't even think to look in the makers section. There are some really beautiful blades in there. Something about handmade that the factory stuff just doesn't have.

 

[Deino]

That thing looks huge...
(I know, that's what She said)
-Is'nt it alittle unwieldy ?
B.T.B.
P.S. Some beautiful pieces shown, along with great recommendations

I have medium size hand and it feel surprisingly good, his extra large hand will probably feel even better for him. It does feel not that heavy, probably because of the hidden tang balance. D2 for a medium blade like that is not ideal for chopping anyway, so I understand why he doesn't take a full width tang. His hunting folders are Cold Steel Spartan and Cold Steel Voyager for the handle shape because of the same concern as Lesknife.

 

[stipe82]

I have used the Cold Steel Pendleton Lite Hunter for years. I've gutted and skinned countless deer. Great steel and even better price. You can pick one up for around $20.

 

[SimplyMinded]

Sharpfinger. Been around a long time and easy to sharpen. Used it for decades and never had a problem. I'm still using a pre-China one from my Grandpa and if it ever has an issue I have Dads too. I've yet to try a newer one and from what I've read I hope I don't have to. I've used other knives too but not as much as the sharpfinger. You do have to be careful as they're pretty pokey.

 

[jfk1110]

The top beauty reminds me of a Loveless design alittle...These are All quite Knice, but have they Tasted any blood at all ? B.T.B

The Pattons have.. Use them all the time.... The Loveless' pattern is for my birthday next month.
I'll blood it then while hunting....

 

[jfk1110]

Just paid for the NitroV Edc from Cahoon. I think it'll be just about perfect. I somehow didn't even think to look in the makers section. There are some really beautiful blades in there. Something about handmade that the factory stuff just doesn't have.

Congrats!!! He makes some nice blades and great looking pants for it too.

 

[mauser9]

Been using a Puma Skinner for years. Works as well as the others at least for me.

 

[Wild Willie]

I've used a case slab side in their stainless since I was 17. Haven't hit the deer woods in a couple of years, but that's likely what will be on my belt when I decide it's time again.