[SaltH2OHokie]

Looking for a new knife. I carry a folder everyday and decided that I'd like a new one for Christmas.

Here's what I'd like it to do or be or be "like":

1.) Slightly longer than average folding blade (something around 4" blade). If I can get a folding blade that long, then I can have a hunting knife that is my everyday knife...

2.) Sharp.

3.) Durable

4.) Don't break the bank.

Anyone have any thoughts? My buddy has a nice Benchmade that seems like it would fit the bill, but then I asked him what he paid for it and number 4 was off the list...

[SaMx]

give the spyderco endura a look, although I might not have enough belly to use as a hunting knife

[ArfinGreebly]

. . . with some Swedish Goodness.

The following are all available at www.ragweedforge.com, a trove of quality at good prices.

Let's begin with the EKA Swede-92 (back lock). $37 bucks.
I have a couple of these.
http://www.ragweedforge.com/swede-92.jpg

Followed by its brother, the EKA Swede-82. $54 bucks.
I have one of these.
http://www.ragweedforge.com/swede-82.jpg

The Swede-92 has a rubber/plastic handle that improves the grip when wet or damp. It has a slimmer (flatter) profile than, say, the Buck 110, but it has as much blade.

Superb steel. Excellent edge. I carry the 92 regularly, horizontal on belt.

The EKA Nordic is more expensive ($95 bucks), but it's a serious piece:
I don't have one of these yet.
http://www.ragweedforge.com/t8.jpg

They have several other models. You may find something else you like there.

I have it on good authority that their Swede-88 is also an excellent knife, but its blade is not quite 3 inches long.



I can also recommend some American Goodness. I have one of these:
Buck 297 Sirus - (signed)
http://www.noisyroom.net/pix/thr/2008_0420-Knife/Smaller/2008_0420-Knife016.jpg

Alongside a Buck 110 for size comparison:
http://www.noisyroom.net/pix/thr/2008_0420-Knife/Smaller/2008_0420-Knife027.jpg


Assisted open. Liner lock. About $55 bucks. Blade is about 3.25", closed length is about 4.25". Pocket clip. A real handful of knife. Also available in 154CM (Bos heat treat) for about $88 (298 Sirus). I have one of those, too. Very nice.



Not surprisingly, there are some other really nice candidates.

What you see here is a Case XX Folding Hunter. Around $65 bucks.
Beside a Buck 110 for size comparison.
http://www.noisyroom.net/pix/thr/2008_0418-Knife/Smaller/2008_0418-Knife037.jpg

With both blades open.
http://www.noisyroom.net/pix/thr/2008_0418-Knife/Smaller/2008_0418-Knife047.jpg

Note: the Folding Hunter blades do not lock open. Good springs, though. I would surely have no problem using it as a hunting knife.



Oh, and BTW, the Buck 110 is about $27 bucks at most Wal*Marts, or $37 bucks at other places. It is, after all, the original classic American folding hunter.



And finally, just to add a touch of the unusual, there's this:
Case XX Large Sod Buster (about $30 for black/stainless)
http://www.noisyroom.net/pix/thr/2008_0322-Knife/Smaller/2008_0322-Knife039.jpg

Plenty of handle
http://www.noisyroom.net/pix/thr/2008_0322-Knife/Smaller/2008_0322-Knife051.jpg

The one I usually carry is actually black-handled with a stainless blade. Looks like its smaller brother, here:
http://www.noisyroom.net/pix/thr/2008_0124-Knife/Smaller/2008_0124-Knife-04.jpg




Don't be deceived by the simplicity of the Sodbuster. It's a lot of knife -- as much blade as a Buck 110. The Sodbusters don't lock, but have great springs. And, yes, they make fine skinners.

[MaterDei]

Benchmade Griptilian!

[tomh1426]

+1 Griptilian, strong lock, easy to open/close and it wont break the bank.
They make a D2 version for a little more!

[ArfinGreebly]

If you like a little versatility, there's the Case XX Changer, a lockback hunter with multiple blades.

There are two configurations, both at about $75 bucks.

(Stock photos)
Here's the one I have:

Rosewood, with slim utility blade.
http://www.discountcutlery.net/media/ca2031.gif


And the other configuration, with guthook:

http://www.discountcutlery.net/media/CA137.gif



Yes, all the blades fit in the belt sheath.

For everyday use, I'd probably carry just the knife with my favorite blade, and use the belt sheath for field applications.

And if I get another one, I'll try for the orange G10 scales.

You'll have to pardon me for avoiding all the obvious and popular configurations.

Don't worry, there will be plenty of posts for those, too.

[jhansman]

The blades don't run to 4", but any of the Kershaw Ken Onion designs are excellent knives and affordable.

[Leadhead]

I recently bought a used Benchmade Rukus(just over 4 inch blade) for $5o Cdn...it's quite the handful but actually carries quite nice in my pocket.
The guy I bought it from has another one brand new in the box and he's asking $150Cdn shipped which these days is about $120 US.
The Doug Ritter Griptillian is a little smaller,lighter and quite practical and also around $120 new..
http://www.aeromedix.com/product-exec/parent_id/14/category_id/151/product_id/1080/nm/Doug_Ritter_RSK_Mk1_Folding_Knife
What's your budget?

[bikerdoc]

Fellow Virginian, Where is the salt water in blacksburg? lol
Seriously,

Afrin got it right, look at all his sugestions first.
My .02 would be also to look at the spyderco endura, delica, Native, and tenacious.Price range 39 t0 75 bucks
half the fun of getting a new knife is looking at all the stuff available.
The bladematrix web site is quite extensive and will let you see all brands and models
have fun and good luck

[hso]

Ryan,

What sort of hunting do you do? Requirements for upland bird will be different from whitetail, so a little more information would be helpful.

[SaltH2OHokie]

Thanks for all of the great suggestions. Whitetail primarily, duck coming close second (usually in swamps as opposed to blind hunting) and squirrel a distant third.

Hunting, although not year 'round would essentially be it's primary "actual" use since I normally use my pocketknife from day to day to...pick my fingernails if they get stuff under them and open packages as needed by people around me. 99% of my non-hunting days see very little "true" use of the knife...but I do need a good knife for the other 1%.

Since I know some people finish their hunts in different ways, I'd need a knife first for gutting (or finishing the kill, depending on the situation) and then later for skinning. Actual butchering is usually done at home with more choices in knives, but gutting and skinning are usually performed where the deer drops and then somewhere on the hunting property, respectively.

[Envisaged]

X2 on the Kershaw Onion line. I think the Shallot is the longest.

http://www.kershawknives.com/productdetails.php?id=432&brand=kershaw

[alaskanativeson]

Definitely +1 on the Griptilian. Great knife, I'd recommend anything from Benchmade with the Axis lock.

[SaltH2OHokie]

I think I'm going to give the Griptilian a shot since I really like Benchmade from my limited experience with their knives. By the time I get the sucker hunting time will be over for this year...such is life.

That Case knife with the interchangable blades is an interesting idea that might suit me well...might try for that one sometime soon, just to have it, even if I only take it hunting/hiking/camping. I have a larger version that is for deboning/cutting tree limbs/whatever you want, but it is BIG...a tiny version would be sweet.

[franconialocal]

+1 Spyderco Endura. Great knife.

[alaskanativeson]

It really does depend on your budget. You've gotten some good advice here and it sounds like you've made a good choice, I carry the mini-griptilian and would be more than happy to use a regular one. Of course there's a great deal of history in the Buck 110 and the Sodbuster that attest to their utility.

[BHP FAN]

+1 on the Sod buster.Nice knife sharpens to a razor like edge,then holds that edge almost forever.Not ''Tacticool'',but practical.

[SeekHer]

Figure how much you want to spend on a knife. Decide whether you want a fixed blade or folder and then the blade length. Decide whether you want wood or synthetic handles then decide whether you want a Kydex or a leather sheath.

After deciding the parameters of what you want, line all the models up on the store counter, side by side and go "Einie, meenie, minee moe---and whatever one you land on will be the perfect knife for you.

[hso]

I'd suggest a small fixed blade since primary duty is gutting the kill. You'll have to check state law to see if you can carry a fixed blade every day legally.

[22-rimfire]

I carry a swiss army knife (SAK) daily; my choice is the Adventurer model. It is always on me. Goodness, I have tried a lot of different knives for EDC and I always end up with the SAK in my pocket. I don't need a knife for self defense and don't want one for that.

A small fixed bald like the Sypderco Moran model would be a great field knife for occasional use hunting or in the woods. I also like the Spyderco Endura (I have three of them) a lot and I keep it in my "work bag" rather than my pocket. Truth be known, I have three or four knives in that bag but only the SAK in my pocket.

I've never met a deer that a regular pocket knife can't handle the field chores. Hunting I carry a Trapper design along with a fixed blade... plus the SAK.

[mercop]

Best knife for the money= Spyderco Endura
Favorite production utility folder= Al Mar SERE 2000

[EMT40SW]

Benchmade Vex $40 new

[bobby n.]

go to any dollar store and look in the fox cutlery ..or check them out on line... blade stays sharp, fast open light weight and rust free..i covered mine in camouflage tape and use it every day. mine cost me two bucks

[eventer289]

Spderco Endura, Benchmade Griptilian, Ontario Rat 1, Cold Steel Ti-Lite, Kershaw Cyclone