[griff383]

My brother in law wants a new hunting knife for christmas. I have some favorites but wondering if anyone cares to suggest something that I may overlook.

I dont think hes partial to anything so.... fixed or folding & drop or clip point. Lets just try to keep the price around $50

[BullRunBear]

Check out the Mora Craftline Robust knife. The one I got is from Ragweed Forge for about 15 bucks. Strong and sharp with a servicable sheath. I think the description on the site has a link to a video review. Might be a good place to start.

Jeff

[rcmodel]

http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/CA385/Case-50-inch-Fixed-Blade-Leather-Handle-and-Sheath-90-inch-Overall-315-5-SS

http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/BU105/Buck-Pathfinder-5-inch-Blade-Fixed-Blade-With-Phenolic-Handle

http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/BU103/Buck-Skinner-Black-Handle-4-inch-Blade-and-Phenolic-Handle

http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/QN4180OK/Queen-Premium-Drop-Point-Hunter-35-inch-D2-Steel-Blade-Solid-Oak-Handles

http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/AZF2/ANZA-Full-Tang-Field-Hunter-6-34-inch-Overall-with-Wooden-Handle

http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/KS1085/Kershaw-1085-Diskin-Hunter-4-58-inch-Fixed-Blade-G10-Handles

http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/BU692BK/Buck-Vanguard-Rubber-Handles

http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/BM40036100/Benchmade-Lone-Wolf-40036-Orange-Utility-Hunter-Fixed-375-inch-Plain-Satin-Blade-Nylon-Sheath

rc

[hmphargh]

3 Moras, 4 if you can find a good deal.

[Valkman]

I'd get him something like a Buck 119, or maybe a smaller bladed Buck folder if that's too big a knife for him.

[hso]

What does he hunt?

There are knives that are suited to Elk and those suited to Whitetail and then others for upland game/birds.

[griff383]

Sorry probably should have clarified that, mostly whitetail

The new Buck ergo line looks like it could be a winner too, anyone have any experience with those?

[content]

Hello friends and neighbors // I now carry the Swiss Army Soldier and a small Machete, great combination.

Enjoy the search.

[scratcherky]

Buck 110 folding hunter will last a lifetime with outstanding customer service. Get one with leather sheath.

[Zeke/PA]

Consider a Case Trapper,Chrome Vanadium,Yellow composition scales.
Available at Smokey Mountain for $36.00.
Takes and holds an edge very well.

[hso]

While a lot of whitetail have been broken down with Case and Buck folders I recommend a fixed blade for ease of cleaning. Too many nooks and crannies in a folder for blood and offal to stick to for me.

Proven performers over the years have been -

Frosts Moras
Buck hunting knives
Kabar hunting knives

[Zeke/PA]

To each his own BUT I wouldn't take a Buck knife as a gift !
Personal preference, no harm intended.

[Dave1965]

Traditional marine kabar from ebay

[SleazyRider]

While a lot of whitetail have been broken down with Case and Buck folders I recommend a fixed blade for ease of cleaning. Too many nooks and crannies in a folder for blood and offal to stick to for me.

It took me 45 years of hunting to finally figure that out, Hso, and truer words were never spoken.

[Molasses]

Quote:
Originally Posted by hso
While a lot of whitetail have been broken down with Case and Buck folders I recommend a fixed blade for ease of cleaning. Too many nooks and crannies in a folder for blood and offal to stick to for me.

Originally Posted by SleazyRider
It took me 45 years of hunting to finally figure that out, Hso, and truer words were never spoken.
__________________




^ What they said. Only folder I ever felt like I honestly got clean after gutting a deer with it was an old Normark that was held together with screws (which even had coin-slotted heads to make it easier!) and after the fact, the whole thing went into hot soapy water, one piece at a time.
Every other folder I've used, I could imagine a little bit of blood promoting rust somewhere down in the (not trying to be cute here) guts of the knife.

[Zeke/PA]

I have used a folder for years and after a gutting/processing chore, the knife gets a good bath in BOILING water.
Left open on a paper towel, the knife "air dries" no harm done.
Some things DO require SOME care.

[mdauben]

Folder? Buck 110

Fixed? Schrade Sharpfinger

Each runs about $40-50 depending on where you buy them.

[Zeke/PA]

mduaben,
I must agree on the Schrade Sharpfinger.
I picked up two awhile back as part of a find at a local store that was selling out.
Both are made in U.S.A 158OT's complete with sheath , box included.
They ARE sharp!!

[Deltaboy]

Any of the older made in the USA Shrades will work great !

[Unistat]

To each his own BUT I wouldn't take a Buck knife as a gift !
Personal preference, no harm intended.
What is your reason for this, if I may ask?

If it is a "made in the U.S.A." issue, you should know that Buck has moved all of their production back to the U.S. as of this year.

[Zeke/PA]

Unistat,
I really don't think that the Buck knives that I have seen take and hold an edge well and they lack the workmanship of other brands.
I mentioned "U.S.A." in my Schrade comments because the U.S. Schrades are fast becoming collectors items.
My hunting blade is a 50 year old Queens Cutlery folder that only cost $4.50 at purchase at a time when folders were just becoming popular.

[lobo9er]

http://www.impactguns.com/data/default/images/catalog/535/koa_cub_bear.jpg
alot of good suggestions. I bought this one for whitetail this year about $40 on amazon free shipping KNIVES OF ALASKA "Bear Cub" D2 Steel sharp out of the box and a nice sheath. In my opinion this is a really nice all around size knife.

[lobo9er]

I too am not a fan of cleaning guts and blood out of a folder.

[RatDrall]

If I were going deer hunting, I'd wear my $200 Bravo 1 on my belt for fun, but use a $12 Mora Clipper to field dress it. For field dressing, I never saw the need for a big knife, and folding knives are hard to get all of the blood and membrane and whatever off.

Not too many people hunt deer with knives :uhoh:

[Zeke/PA]

I'll keep saying it!!
Treat a folder the same as you would ANY knife after field dressing chores, NAMLEY give the knife a good bath in BOILING water .
Swish the knife around a few times,set it out a layer of paper towels and the knife AIR DRIES !
Been doing it for years and I'm using a 50 year old Queens Cutlery folder.
The knife is shaving sharp and as clean as the day it left the factory.

[plumberroy]

Look at a condor rodan . It is a lot of knife for around $30
Roy

[josiewales]

I have a Cutco 5718 for sale for less than $50.

[Ed N.]

Hard to beat a Buck 110 for the money. My dad gave me a 110 about 35 years ago, and I'm still using it. It's a very well made knife, and he'll treasure it more as the years go by and remember how he got it, just like I do.

[mr.trooper]

Buck 119 'Special' - Classic hunting knife, still made here in the USA

[Fred Fuller]

It's hard to predict what any given person will prefer in a hunting knife. The more experience they have dressing deer (or whatever), the more their personal preferences become clear in their own minds. Blade size, shape, handle style and composition, all will differ from person to person. And ultimately there are few really wrong answers.

Over the years I have come to prefer a shorter blade, 3-4", drop point in shape, with a handle that allows use in a variety of positions. Being able to choke up on the blade, and use it safely from a 'pinch' grip, is important to me.

Over time many of the makes/models I like have climbed above your given price limit. And the genuine utility blades that are really a lot of knife for not much money (the Frost/Mora family) might not be what you'd want to give as a gift. But there might still be some options to consider.

For instance, the Beretta branded copy of the Loveless design is a pretty nice knife. I have one that I have used some around the house and farm but have not yet dressed a deer with. So far I'm happy with it, and it does a reasonable job of meeting my list of needs above. See http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/KB205/Beretta-Loveless-Skinner-Zytel-Handles-3-58-inch-blade for picture and description.

My favorite 'using' knives seem to come from Bob Dozier. His blades offer a lot of custom knife for the money IMHO, but they are still outside your price range. However, Boker makes a couple of knives that are close to Dozier's basic style that you might want to look at. See http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/BO02BO251/Boker-Plus-Dozier-Arkansas-Traveler-2-78-inch-Blade-Olive-Wood-Handles or http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/BO02BO253/Boker-Plus-Dozier-Anchorage-Pro-Skinner-3-12-inch-Blade-Green-Micarta-Handles if you can spend a bit more. I have these two as well, and while they aren't up to Dozier's D-2 blade steel and finish standards, they are nice knives.

The above are knives that I personally would be happy to receive as gifts and would not worry about giving as well - hope this helps.

[Elkins45]

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/940433-Found-my-long-lost-Beretta-Loveless-with-the-help-of-my-tractor-New-Pix! Read this thread to see why I recommend the Beretta Loveless Hunter so very highly.

You can get one here: http://www.bladematrix.com/BE-178-BE178-Beretta-Loveless-Hunter-Zytel-handle-knife_p_1228.html