[troyboy94]

I am looking for a good durable sharp hunting knife to clean deer, squirrels, and fish. I also am looking for a good durable everyday pocket knife. Price is not an issue on either. Suggestions?

[kingpin008]

Might want to have a look at some of the responses to this thread:

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=470107

[ArfinGreebly]

There are so many good knives available that your answers are going to look like a knife store catalog.

Can you give us any guidance along the lines of what sort of style you prefer? Do you want a modern locking folder, or something along more classic slipjoint lines?

I mean, I can name a half dozen brands and as many patterns right off the top of my head (come to think of it, I just did that in the other hunting knife thread).

If money is not a problem, how "not a problem" do you mean? Anything up to $500? $300? $100? Some of the members here can fit you with a custom hunting blade that's in the $200 to $300 range, or more if you're in the mood.

We've got a guy here who makes custom pocket knives that are to die for -- but they ain't cheap.

So, can you give us some parameters so we have some working limits?

[troyboy94]

under $150

[jbkebert]

http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww241/jbkebert/knife004.jpg

This a harvey king custom that ran me $150 it is made of D2 steel, and a black ash handle and comes with a hand sewn leathe sheath. Knife holds a edge very very well and is easy to touch up. 3 1//4" blade 3/4" thick.
http://www.harveykingknives.com/

Made in Alta Vista, Kansas

[JEB]

buck 119 special. for more delicate tasks get the 110 folding hunter. you can have both of them for less than $100. i have both and have never looked back. for daily carry i love my kershaw leek. sometimes i carry the 110 but need to carry it on the belt due to its size.

[ArfinGreebly]

Not American made, but Norway has some classy pieces:

From Ragnar's Forge: http://www.ragweedforge.com/HelleCatalog.html

BraKar

The BraKar is fairly new. The composite handle is similar to the Harding, and is shaped to provide a slight guard. The laminated stainless blade is just over five inches long and .129" thick. The knife is about ten inches overall. This is a large knife for Scandinavia, and would be useful for butchering as well as general camp chores. $86.http://www.ragweedforge.com/brakar.jpg


Futura

The Futura is an upscale model with a stylish grip that offers good control without the hindrance of a guard. The laminated stainless blade is just over 4" long and .126" thick. Tthe knife is about 8 3/4" overall. There is a snap style sheath. $83.http://www.ragweedforge.com/futura.jpg



Now, for an "everyday" pocket knife.

For something along more modern lines . . .

Spyderco: http://www.knivesplus.com/spyderco-knife-native-iii-sp-c78pbk.html
http://www.knivesplus.com/media/SP-C78PBK.jpg


Kershaw: http://www.knivesplus.com/KE-1660-Kershaw.HTML
http://www.knivesplus.com/media/KE-1660.jpg



For something along more traditional lines . . .

Kershaw again: http://www.knivesplus.com/KE-3120-Kershaw.HTML
http://www.knivesplus.com/media/KE-3120.jpg


Kershaw, more of a gent's knife: http://www.knivesplus.com/KERSHAW-FOLDERS-CLASSIC-WOOD-HANDLES.HTML
http://www.knivesplus.com/media/KE-4100.jpg Whiskey Gap, 2 1/4"
http://www.knivesplus.com/media/KE-4150.jpg Wild Turkey, 3 1/8"



And, finally, for the die-hard traditionalist:

Case XX: http://www.knivesplus.com/case-knives-harvest-orange.html
http://www.knivesplus.com/media/CA-7409.jpg

http://www.knivesplus.com/caseknifeca-2741.html
http://www.knivesplus.com/media/CA-2741.jpg

http://www.knivesplus.com/CASE-KNIVES-YELLOW-STAINLESS.HTML
http://www.knivesplus.com/media/CA-80035.jpg



I'm really just scratching the surface here. These reflect my own preferences. They're knives I would happily own (some I already do, others are "on my list").

Perhaps something in that list will help solidify a direction for you.

[Tully M. Pick]

Check out Don Llewellyn's small skinner. I use it for all types of stuff.

http://www.dlknives.com/Small_Skinners.php

Hell of a deal for the money he charges for it, in my opinion. Right in your price range, too.

My favorite pocket knife is the Benchmade Mini Griptilian, with the plain edge and thumb stud. Easy one-handed operation, durable, and still locks up tight after years of use. There's another thread on Benchmades in this forum where people posted all of their favorites. It might be worth a read.

[hso]

Price is not an issue on either. Suggestions?

under $150

There's a lot to choose from in that range so you should get some good advice.

[HoosierQ]

For $11 dollars you can get a Mora from www.ragweedforge.com. Get the Craftsmen series (of which I have several) or the Clipper series for modern handles.

I have the #780 Triflex. Mora has got to be the best combination of great steel, good craftsmanship, scary sharpness, and price. I have never bought just one...I always get two or three and pretty soon there'll be one where ever I go (car, toolbox, kitchen, etc). I stuck a stainless on in the butcher block in the kitchen and my wife uses it to slice tomatoes and such.

For hunting, they even make 'em in orange!

[TimboKhan]

Man, thats a pretty wide range of knives. I am not attached to the hip with any particular hunting knife, but Don Llewellyns (Valkman here on THR) little skinner is a pretty good deal. It may seem wierd, but a small blade like that, coupled with a larger handle, actually makes skinning substantially easier.

For production knives, gazillions of people have bought Buck knives and used them with complete satisfaction. No reason you can't too, and they have a pretty wide selection of fixed blade hunting knives, all of which fall into your price range.

For a pocket knife.... Cripes, I can't even begin to list how many "good, durable" choices there are out there. A lot of it depends on what you want to use it for and personal taste. Personally, I am a fan of Spyderco. I will buy knives from other companies and everything, but with everything else being equal, I will buy from them before anyone else. If your taste runs to slipjoints, which can be handy as all get out for small skinning chores, I personally like Case and Boker. I am not a huge slipjoint guy, and so my taste reflects simply the most popular choices there are in that arena. I also am a very big fan of the Benchmade Griptilian knives. The axis lock they use is a delight. The Kershaw Leek, as mentioned by several, is a fabulous little knife, as are a few other of Kershaws offerings. You know, you can't hardly go wrong with a good ol' Swiss Army Knife, either. I happen to prefer the Super Tinker, but there are a bunch of choices out there. You will find that there are a ton of guys here that make a SAK a part of their daily dress. I personally carry either a Spyderco Endura or a Benchmade Griptilian on me every single day, but I also keep a SAK in my work bag. The knife part is handy (and those blades take a heck of an edge), but I actually do use the tools (specifically the scissors) regularly. Along those lines, you may actually find more usefulness in a multitool, though since you specify pocket-knife, I will assume you mean just that.

My best advice is to take a gander at some of the big online knife stores and shop around. I like looking at A. G. Russell and New Graham. Between those two, you should be able to see a representative example of just about anything you would want to look at.

Don't be put off by the cheap prices on the Moras and Opinels. They are good, proven, practical knives. You may not care for the aesthetic or something and that's fine, but don't discount them just because they are cheap.

[bikerdoc]

Doc'S Rule:

You must have one gun, and one knife, for every year you have been alive. Get busy son.

Seriously, look, read, ask, then buy what you like. Learn about the steel.
Me, I like the old made in the USA, or Irish Schrades.

[Black Toe Knives]

How about something like these.

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr105/ke4ozo/HPIM0892.jpg

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr105/ke4ozo/HPIM0882.jpg

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr105/ke4ozo/HPIM0888-2.jpg

[22-rimfire]

I'd start with a Case Trapper. You can't go wrong and could probably get 3 within you budget.

[Black Toe Knives]

Two that may fit the bill.

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr105/ke4ozo/HPIM0898.jpg

[wheelgunslinger]

Wow Jim, those are nice looking couteaux.

My big question would be what kind of hunting are you doing? A big fixed blade is almost worthless on small game. A wee folder is really trying on elk.

I believe that simple is good and simplest is best. I don't own any fancy knives for outdoors work.

[Black Toe Knives]

Thank you. Wheelgunslinger, I respect that. The one top is called "The Grant" is name after Robert Grant who teaches Bushcraft, the art of survival in the wild. He commission me to make the first one for him. The one you are looking in the picture is going to gentleman in Australia. He also needed a Bushcraft style knife. It is ones they carries everyday. This design is inspired by the 3 '' survival style knives made and used by Adventure Teams.

People lives depend on my knives everyday. They commission me to make them.

[wheelgunslinger]

Right, that's what I really meant with my comments. Your knives pictured aren't what I would call fancy in execution, but maybe in material.

They are nice and useful pieces. Didn't mean to say that your pieces are fancy doodads.:)

[hso]

Stay away from goofy tactifool blades for dressing small game.
They're not intended for the purpose (their primary purpose is to skin the unwary out of cash) of handling small game.

[troyboy94]

Cut the piss out'a my hand today skinin a squirrel, had to get stitches ,but first finished skinin it. I'm tired of dull knifes not made for hunting!

[the lone gunman]

http://photos.imageevent.com/brobert/hosting/SQUACKS.wmv


you wont cut yourself using this method to skin a squirrel.

[Clipper]

I've used my Case trapper for every task you mention, except spliting the chest and pelvis bones on deer. For those I use a cheap dive knife I picked up at a Florida flea market...

[troyboy94]

What do you guys think about a Case Russlock. I found one from ages ago it looks like it has a nice edge and could easily skin a squirrel or deer.

[TimboKhan]

No reason a russlock wouldn't do the trick that I am aware of.

[22-rimfire]

A.G. Russell sells some really nice affordable fixed blades under $100 that are quite good. Check out the Queens.

[red rick]

I just bought a Benchmade Activator + 201 for large game and I really like it. Also look at the Buck Alpha Hunter. For small game I just use a pocket knife, mine is a Old Timer with 3 blades, if you want a fixed blade for small game look at the Buck Ergohunter Small Game. My favorite fillet knife is a Rapala 6" soft grip, I have a Dexter and a Normark, but I like it better.

[Black Toe Knives]

This Hollow Ground Hunter is design after the very first knife I sold. I Love this one. Thank you for looking.

5/32 thick Twisted Damascus is Alabama Damascus By Brad Vice.
Grind is a Hollow Ground..
Cutting Edge is 3 3/4''.
Overall Length is 7 7/8''
Construction is Full Tang.
Handle is Antique Ivory Micarta with Two Mocaic pins and SS Thong Tube.




Warranty
I have a no non-sense Guarantee, you break it under normal use. I Promise I will fix or replace it as long as I am able to work in the shop. Plus if for any reason you are ever unhappy with it. Send it back to me for a "FULL REFUND" Because I don't make a knife I wouldn't love to own.

Jim Adams


http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr105/ke4ozo/HPIM0914.jpg
http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr105/ke4ozo/HPIM0915.jpg

[LAK]

Swedish Mora.

I like the ones with the rubberized handles. They take a super edge (oh yes, they will cut) and the handles provide a sure grip. I like fixed blades because they are easier to keep clean.

And they are dirt cheap. Sportsmansguide.com has the carbon variety for about $12 each. $150 will buy and probably ship a dozen. Use them for everything and wear one out every year for twelve years. Carry an extra one as a spare in case of a mishap.

[Pilot]

I like the Bark River line of fixed blade knives. Several to choose from for hunting. I like this one.

http://barkriverknives.com/gallery/album68

[md7]

troyboy,

for hunting and for occasional carry, I tote a Buck 110, and/or Case Trapper with the old school CV steel blades. have skinned deer,and rabbit with both. i'm certian they would do the trick for squirrels. both can be purchased with your price limit.

[lgbloader]

I've used my Case trapper for every task you mention, except spliting the chest and pelvis bones on deer. For those I use a cheap dive knife I picked up at a Florida flea market...

I use my Case trapper or Case Canoe for pretty much everything too with a hammer & hatchet or a Ka-bar for the pelvis bone as well.

Case Canoe is my daily carry and I would feel lost without it.

LGB