Home Forums Gear Knives and Blades I'm ready to step up, & need advice

this is good advice. my favorite steel is ats-34

I know exactly how you feel. Go ahead and buy a "big boy knife" if you want something super nice. I have a couple that I don't use much. However, try applying a small micro-bevel to one of your current knives. You might be surprised by its improved edge holding ability if you have never tried this trick.

Plenty of knife enthusiasts on Youtube have been nice enough to do videos describing the technique better than I can. It has helped me out a great deal when it comes to producing better edges. For example, last year I gutted, skinned, and quartered a decent whitetail doe with a Case pocket knife which would still half ass shave when I was finished and the doe was on ice. I did not cut off the legs or the head with the knife nor did I split the pelvis with it but I did cut through the sternum. IN times past I would probably have dulled a couple of knives doing the same thing on a deer because my edges were weak. I probably could have made at least a good start on another deer with my Case last year before it got dull enough to start aggravating me, maybe finished one off. In the scheme of things that knife is made of "soft" steel. I have learned that a clean, quality edge on a decent mass production knife will last a surprisingly long time. About 30 years ago an old guy told me he could clean a bunch of deer with his Buck knife before it needed sharpening. I thought he was lying but he probably wasn't.....I was just a little ignorant. I should have took the time to ask questions but I knew everything back then.

Another good thing about micro-bevels is that you can easily touch them up a few times if necessary before you have to regrind everything.

Rick Menefee makes some good blades. I like his work a lot, along with Tim Olt, David Winston, Gene Ingram, Larry Rossi.
This one, by Rick, has gotten a lot of use.

Find out if there is anyone local making custom knives. Go visit with them. Have them show you their knives, and ask questions. Handle the knives. And then buy the one you like best.

Ive made knives, as an expensive hobby and a means to blow off steam after 5 PM, for 34 years now and am closing in on #3000.
My preferred steel is CPM154CM stainless. Great steel, made in the US (Unlike ATS-34, 440C, and many others). It cuts great, maintains sharpness, easy to re-sharpen and is a joy to work. I also forge, using W2, O1, 1075 and 1084, as well as old files.

To the OP: A $5 Home Depot razor blade will indeed work up a deer. What separates my knife (and other handmades)is workmanship and pride of ownership. I start with American made steel and ensure that it is worked, heat treated and tempered properly...that's what you are paying for. Some of my knives are shown below. You can't find them in the big box stores for a reason. When you study up on various makers & finally make your choice, you'll enjoy your one of a kind knife for years to come.

This is a personal knife of mine. It skinned and quartered an 8x6 bull elk in 2013, then once I came home, it gutted and skinned 4 deer...and still shaved without any touch-up. That's why I love CPM154CM steel:


Copy of a Randall 23:


Cute little every day carry:


I work with Damascus as well:


Cute little hunter with stabilized pecan handles:

Very nice Godogs'.

this

He made a standard drop point hunting knife for me that I won't EVER get rid of. I'll give it to my son when my days are through.

How much?

^^^This!^^^

A Gene Ingram in S30V is hard to beat! And he is one of the nicest knife makers to deal with in the business.

I also own several from Bob Dozier made of D2 that work real well. But it's at least a 3 year wait, and not near as nice as a Ingram, IMO.