which hunting knife brand is the best and made in america?

[MCgunner]

Hmm, I've got a couple of Buck 110s that won't hold an edge and also a Schrade Uncle Henry that won't. Don't know why, they were fine new and even could shave with the Bucks, but after while they got to where they wouldn't hold an edge and they didn't look worn out or suffer any unusual uses. My Gerber is razor sharp and has stayed that way over the years.

I have a Case Kodiak, got an acid etched bear on the blade, brass furniture, stag grips, for a christmas present in the mid 70s. I've used it some, but it's way too big and heavy to carry. It's a neat looking knife with a good edge and blade. My Gerber has been on my belt constantly through probably 15 hunting seasons now. It's very light, non-slip, love that thing.

 

[coyote204]

Buck's my game

I prefer Buck knives all the way. I've used them for years and like the way they keep an edge. Buck also stands behind their products. Gerber knives make me want to say bad words. I've had a few and they won't hold an edge at all. The serrated versions have brittle edges. Gimme a Buck and I'll be happy.

 

[MCgunner]

I prefer Buck knives all the way. I've used them for years and like the way they keep an edge. Buck also stands behind their products. Gerber knives make me want to say bad words. I've had a few and they won't hold an edge at all. The serrated versions have brittle edges. Gimme a Buck and I'll be happy.

If I can find any of my previous 110s, you can have 'em and I'll take your Gerbers. If you can get an edge on those POSs, be happy. I think I tossed 'em, though.

I'll give 'em one good review. I have a Buck multitool who's blade is very good compared to anything I ever got on a leatherman, though I carry my leatherman supertool because the rest of it is so much better. The blade on that Buck multitool actually would make a pretty decent hunting knife. I never liked the 110, though. They're good for a while, then wear out or something, quit holding and edge. The Schrade Uncle Henry I have is worse, though.

 

[coyote204]

I have never had a 110. I have used a Vanguard and an alpha hunter and find both to be good blades. I prefer the folding alpha hunter myself. I have actually had a Gerber multiplier for several years and like everything but the blade. The Gerber's that I hate are the Gator's. I've had bad luck with them.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I have never had a 110. I have used a Vanguard and an alpha hunter and find both to be good blades. I prefer the folding alpha hunter myself. I have actually had a Gerber multiplier for several years and like everything but the blade. The Gerber's that I hate are the Gator's. I've had bad luck with them.

I own two Bucks, and my dad used one in Etheopia in the '40s and skinned a lot of big game with it. I used the same knife as a boy and skinned and butchered many a deer with it.

I know there was a rumor one time that Buck had changed steel and the "new steel" was inferior, but I never had a problem with a Buck.

During the Viet Nam War, Gerber sold a "survival" knife that was more or less a takeoff of the British Commando Fairbairn knife -- which may be a good fighting knife but is definitely not a survival knire. I figured that any company that would do that isn't looking for any of my money, and have never owned a Gerber.

 

[TrapperReady]

MCgunner - I used a Buck 110 for a very long time... and never with that great of an edge. In the past year, I picked up a Spyderco Sharpmaker and tried again. I now have two 110s which are hair-popping sharp, and it only took about 4 or 5 minutes on each knife.

 

[scubie02]

MCgunner - I used a Buck 110 for a very long time... and never with that great of an edge. In the past year, I picked up a Spyderco Sharpmaker and tried again. I now have two 110s which are hair-popping sharp, and it only took about 4 or 5 minutes on each knife.

Yeah, I was going to say, just send me the buck's you have that won't sharpen, and I'll sharpen them properly and have some nice knives...

 

[MCgunner]

MCgunner - I used a Buck 110 for a very long time... and never with that great of an edge. In the past year, I picked up a Spyderco Sharpmaker and tried again. I now have two 110s which are hair-popping sharp, and it only took about 4 or 5 minutes on each knife.

I've been using a rock. Then, I bought this ceramic thing, okay, but nothing that great. I'll look for the "Sharpmaker". If it'll put an edge on that Schrade Uncle Henry, it can sharpen anything.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I've been using a rock. Then, I bought this ceramic thing, okay, but nothing that great. I'll look for the "Sharpmaker". If it'll put an edge on that Schrade Uncle Henry, it can sharpen anything.

When I make knifes, I differentially harden them -- the edges are much harder than the rest of the blade. Knives like this are sharpened on a belt sander to a wire edge, then stropped to remove the wire.

 

[bratch]

How do the new Case Trappers compare to the old ones?

 

[TrapperReady]

I have two Case knives. One is a wood-handled electrician's knife that my father carried for maybe 40 years and I've had for nearly 20. The other is a yellow-handled trapper I bought new last year.

The old one still has very little blade movement and takes an incredible edge. The blades are both completely brown with "patina". The new knife seems well-built and the blades are easy to sharpen. They're still fairly shiny, although they do rust and discolor easily.

The real question is whether the trapper will still be going strong in another 59 years. I can't say, but if the Internet is still around when I turn 100, I'll be sure to let you know.

 

[Shotgunner60]

Go for any BENCHMADE. Made in OREGON!!!!!!

 

[MCgunner]

Anyone like Kershaw knives? I've never owned one, though about those changeable blade ones.

 

[huntingnt]

Go with a Cutco

My mother in law bought me one for my wedding. It has a strange "Double-D" serrated edge that you have to send back to the factory to get sharpened, but it takes a long time to get dull. It went through three elk and four deer before it had to be sharpened. I could hack away on a rib bone and skin right after. The only downside is the sheath, it's plastic lined and can be noisy on the hip so I just put it in my pack or vest and the problem is solved. You can read about them here:
http://www.cutco.com/jsp/catalog/detail.jsp?categoryId=90&ensembleId=10273
If I remember correctly they are about $80, but worth every penny.

 

[milcaztra]

Lower price
Cold Steel Master Hunter ~5" carbon blade
Swamp Rat Howling Rat 4" carbon blade (needs edge reprofile)
Benchmade, usually ATS134 stainless
Kabar, 7" carbon

Higher end
Bob Dozier D2 steel high Rc hardness
Randall, carbon/stainless, 01 steel for much better performance

High end
Mad Dog Arizona or Texas Hunter, 01 steel chromed, excellent field knife

There are a lot of inexpensive knives that work great, but once you get in the the higher end knives, the door opens to custom and handmade work. It all depends on your preference and budget. You pay more but can't go wrong with a 4-6" Mad Dog, Randall, or Dozier.

 

[T.R.]

This is my favorite knife and I've used many styles and makes over the past 3 decades. Named Golden Spike. A good sharp point but plenty of belly for skinning,too. Handle was genuine stag from India for many years but material was substituted with man-made phenolic plastic in late 1990's. The handle shape and size is perfect for man's hand but still useable for women and young teens.

Schrade held the enviable position as America's oldest knife maker. But about 1.5 years ago, their profits fell off due to buyers focused upon cheap Chinese iimports. They closed their doors and sold off machinery, bench stock, and patents. Now reorganized and back in business but all knives made offshore. This knife is still built right and sold for almost half it's price of just a few years ago. A keeper!
TR

 

[scubie02]

How do the new Case Trappers compare to the old ones?

more and more of the case knives, alas, feature their "Tru-sharp" stainless steel, which frankly isn't the greatest steel as stainless goes, as oposed to the old Chrome Vanadium that they offer fewer and fewer models with, which is a MUCH superior steel, but is not stainless which most people want nowadays.

I've owned some expensive knives with the latest wonder steels, but still haven't found anything superior to Case's old Chrome Vanadium, Cold Steel's Carbon V (rumored to be the same as Chrome Vanadium), etc. Hold an edge like the wonder steels, but MUCH easier to resharpen. I've pretty much sold off most of my expensive knives, and have gone back to the classics.

 

[TrapperReady]

scubieO2 - Based on your post, if my trapper shows rust and blade discoloration at the drop of a hat, am I right to assume it's chrome vanadium.