Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game RAR of hunting knives

Seems here on the fire we have several threads discussing the value lines of rifles such as the RAR, the savages, the tikkas and how for their reasonable prices they seem to shoot with more expensive offerings. How about knives? In this day of having to have a custom knife made of exotic steel forged by elves , let's hear about some of your trusty old $20 knifes that has served you well in the field.

I have a old western folder made with I'm sure 440A stainless that has served me well and dressed and skinned multiple deer. I also have a couple of colt branded fixed blades made in China that cost probably $25 or less that get shaving sharp and are good for a couple of deer before needing re sharpened and that s usually a few licks on a steel. Moras are another. I could go on but let's hear about your $20 favorites.

For the first 25 years of my career as a wildlife biologist, I used a Buck 110 folder for everything in the field. When we went into the lab, I used commercial butchering knives and scalpels to do necropsies, but that 110 was the only knife in my pocket or on my belt until it disappeared from my luggage at the airport in Kodiak, AK. I keep thinking that I will buy another, but I just can't believe that it would be the same...

The only knife in that price range that I still own and use on occasion is a Camillus version of a KaBar. I think it was the first knife I purchased with lawn mowing money a long time ago. It holds an edge pretty well.

I have what I'd consider cheap knives but the only ones that seem like they're a good value were older Kershaws and a couple Gerber Pro-series in ATS34.

My favorite fixed blade is a Kissing Crane Medium Hunter with Yellow Delrin handles. Im pretty sure its made in China, and its probably 440A...but its a damn nice little knife thats skinned more than a couple of deer. I wouldnt mind finding an original Kissing Crane in that pattern, but for now it works great..I think I paid 25 for it.

Another very handy knife that I keep close is the Cold Steel Canadian Belt Knife...I think these are about 15 bucks. Its definitely not a Grohmann, but its pretty solid.

Vicky Parer is the first thing that comes to mind. Under $5

http://www.webstaurantstore.com/vic...ing&gclid=CLzIx_uVyccCFUgWHwodNfcLAg

Buy the Cabelas branded one with S30V steel. Better than the original IMO...

Processing a deer is not that demanding of a job for a knife. The 4 deer I killed last year were all taken from field to table with a Case trapper and a couple of cheap fillet knives. I could easily put venison in the freezer for the rest of my life with a Mora number one ($15) a Rapala fillet knife ($15), and a soft Arkansas stone....I'll splurge and spend $30 to get one from Dan's. That's $60 and I am set with totally adequate tools.

Compared to custom knives "made with exotic steel forged by elves" , that cost hundreds of dollars, anything that can be had from Case or Buck for somewhere around a $50 price point that fits your hand and tastes is a tremendous value. Any of them will gut and skin a lifetime's worth of deer, and give you a little pride of ownership....They were what was desirable in the 70's when I was a kid and I still consider them to be "nice".

I have 3 110 Bucks. My oldest one is the year they came out or thereabouts. I can't help myself if I see a good deal on one as they have been my go to knife for all these years. My original one has skinned so many deer over the years and been sharpened that the blade is pretty much worn down and I should have it replaced but its to sentimental to me to take a chance to send it away.

And if you watch the sales, you can sometimes pick up a 110 for $25-$30.

As mentioned already I have to go with the Mora line of knives. They are very affordable and take an edge very well. I always seem to have one in my pack, garage, tackle box etc.
My daughters first fixed blade was the Mora scout model and she still uses it. She was actually trying to carve a spoon with it two days ago.
I also bought two more and gave them to a couple of kids I know when they first got their hunting licenses a few years back.

I'm a big fan of the Buck 110.
My father gave me one prior to my first big game hunt. Down through the years I have acquired and used many more expensive and exotic knives.
Nowdays I've pretty much come full circle and that 35 year old 110 goes hunting again. It's not only for sentimental reasons - the 110 is still up to the task.
For the money I don't think there is a better value on the market.

Here's a couple or three 'utility' knives I use every yr. None are HI dollar but dependable and I've been using the Remington drop point/gut hook since 1995. Don't remember where I got it, but less than $50. ( I think I got it from Smokey Mtn Knife Works)


This is a 'Bear Paw' multi tool 'type'. I keep this one in my back pack. I like drop points except when skinning. This one skins very well. I use gut hooks every time. This B P also has a bone saw that will cut wood.


This is a 'cheap' $30. Winchester brand stick knife I got from Wally W. Can't find one now. It's sharp and holds an edge but not TOO hard to resharpen. For an inexpensive knife, I really like this one.


Jerry

ps - You can see I USE these knives. They aren't show ponies.

umm...speaking of 'show pony' !!


In the words of Crocodile Dundee,
"Now that's a knife!"













This Bowie is 15 1/4" long, w/D handle,& burnt stag horn.

I don't know what I'm going to do with it but....
I always wanted something similar. Right out of the box it "SHAVES".

I haven't had it long enuff to test the quality but it is 440 SS and if it doesn't cut well, I can always use it as a 'hammer'.

Jerry


ps - I'm just having fun today.

Puma SGB. Great stuff.

None of my knives cost $20 or less.

My pocket knife is a Case Russlock, my hunting folder is a Case XX-Changer. Next is a Knives of Alaska Light Hunter, a couple of Ingrams & a very nice Levengood.

If there is more cut/$ out there, I'm not aware of it. I love my customs, but I use the [bleep] out of my vickies. Which reminds me... I need another handful.

Biggest waste of money I've ever spent is on custom knives. I probably couldn't find them if I tried as they are scattered all over the house. A few vicky parers and a havalon gets it done for me. I should probably trip the ingrams I have.

About all I use, plus a case or an old timer folder.

A Buck 110 and Case Trapper my grandpaw gave me have been getting it done as long as I can remember.

New - Buck Bucklite Max 486

New - Gerber Paraframe 1

New - Opinel #8 or #9 stainless

New - Victorinox 4" serrated paring

Used - Buck 442