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

This ^^^^^^

I have a Buck 501 Squire folder like this (still have it, though). Opening day of deer season in Texas is about November 1, but it still can be 85-90 degrees in the afternoon. One such day, we killed three deer from our camp and needed to take them apart and get the meat on ice pronto. I usually carry two or three knives. When one gets dull, I just close it and switch to another, leaving cleanup until the meat is squared away and re-sharpening till campfire time.

We were well into the third deer when I realized I had never switched knives. Back then, that was a $25 knife; even today, it can be had for $40-$50. But it holds its own against the expensive mass production knives, and even alongside the customs.

I've never had much luck with Mora knives, either carbon or stainless. The blades are very thin and those that I've owned could take a very sharp edge, but they wouldn't hold an edge.

Have used a bunch of knives over the decades, including most of those mentioned. For the past 12-15 years have used the same Victoronix Swiss Army Knife (the Camper model, if I recall correctly) on hundreds of deer and pronghorns. It works great, and started working even better after I treated all the blades (including the saw) with Gun Shield. Can just rinse it off in hot water for a few seconds and everything comes off.

Have used it on bigger stuff, and it's okay on caribou and small elk, and even once was the first knife to start on a water buffalo bull, because nobody else had any sort of knife along. But was happy when somebody else showed up with bigger knives!

B B -

I have at least 3 Buck 110s and indeed they are very good knives. 1 has nice wood, 1 has average wood, 1 has synthetic handle.

Regarding price --- find one for $20.00 these days.

Since I have more'n one, I haven't checked prices but I guess $40.00ish.

I HAD a friend, now passed, that could NOT sharpen his Buck 110. I sharpened it for him several Xs. Wish I still could sharpen it for him.

Jerry

jwall,

I am familiar with that feeling.

Must also note that Victoronix Camper Model Swiss Army knives, which feature an easily sharpened stainless steel, are usually a little (but not a lot) more than $20 these days. But I have picked up several for less than that used at gun shows, and for far less than that from a guy who sells knives confiscated by TSA. 10 bucks is about average.

I like the Mora 711 a bunch. Bought a Mora Robust, but keep going back to the 711.

I've been a Buck fan for years, but I no longer use any thing but the Outdoor Edge Razor replaceable blade folding knife. If I dull a blade it's easily replaced with a fresh razor sharp replacement. No sharping for me if I don't want to.

Any of the Cold Steel offerings, "Bushman" would work fine.

Mornin "Mr. T"----(grin)

I have a couple of razor blade knives - never used 1 on a deer. I was thinkin the razor blade would cut THRU the skin toooo easily.

Have to give it a try this Fall. I really like the idea of throwin the dull blade away instead of sharpening.

Jerry

jwall, wow you're up early, good morning to you. Yeah, you must be careful them(Outdoor Edge knife) 'cause they are sharp. They are also very strong unlike the easily broken Havalon Piranta replaceable blade system knife.

Kershaw Chill-$16.

It's my everyday carry and works well for me. Really like the clip, which is handy as hell when you are holding something with one hand and need a knife in the other. It gets used like a tool for everything from cleaning battery terminals to cutting up something dead. Worst thing about it is the word "China" on the blade...

I really can't wrap my mind around packing a $300 custom for what I need a knife for, but to each his own.

I'm normally an early riser but not always on air first thing.

I've been considering an O E knife. I'll tell em YOU sold me on them. Be looking for your kick back. <G>

Jerry

I like Kershaw as well. I have 3 of the skeleton pocket knives. You are right about the pocket clip. I have 2 other, don't remember title, Kershaws that I like for skinning but they're holster models.


Per - $300. for customs -

I have a few similar comments but the least offensive (more p c version) is....

AIN'T GONNA DOIT ! !

Jerry

I love Victorinox blades. The one Victorinox watch I had, not so much.

tjm10025,

Then we've had the same experience!

I had one Victoronix watch, and it died quicker than any other watch I've owned in the past 30 years.

Opinel. $12.95 on Amazon. They come very sharp, stay that way reasonably well and are surprisingly easy to sharpen. They lock open, lock closed, are very light and quit rugged given their simple construction. I have used them to field dress a number of deer and antelope and, if I am careful, they cut through the ribs just fine. I have had several, never had one break though, like all my pocket knives, they tend to go missing fairly regularly...but at 13 bucks, who cares? Buy a few spares.

Hey, this thread cost me money! Remembering all the Buck 112 Rangers I've had over the years and given how perfectly happy I am with a fixed blade BuckLite I have, I ended up ordering three more, two folders and one larger fixed blade plus a Cold Steel PendletonLite! I have owned exactly two custom knives, one with D2 and one with uber-steel. Still have one, but it's a certainty that the knife I can sharpen will be the one I carry.... 420CisAOK

Like this but a RMEF version.

Mtn B -

Y E A H ***


I'm only 1/3 the knife looney that I am Rifle Looney. People like>>>YOU<<< will make me spend mo money!!!

Jerry

The buck 110 and 112 models have long been favorites of mine. I also really like Victorinox knives, especially the Farmer model. I carry one of those along with a Case Trapper with CV blades daily. A useful knife doesn't have to be expensive.

Edit/Correction:

This thread made me do a little 'recon' of my knives.

I only have 2 (two) Buck 110s...

I have 1 (one) Buck 112. Had actually forgotton the 112.


I like the size of the 112 a little better BUT....
I use the 110s much more.

Jerry

Got a walnut handled one in my pocket now. Cleaned a few deer with it. Got to watch out for that lock though.

My favorite is a Gerber 2" or so folder I got with a pair of Danners years ago. Light, thin and strong. Don't carry it anymore, 'cause I keep losing it. Next time I might not find it.

Anything Victorniox.



Travis

I had a Buck 110 ... maybe the first knife I ever bought. I find that it's a hell of a lot of weight per inch of cutting edge. Fine for the truck. I prefer a lighter knife.

For a while they made the 110 with a titanium body. Should have bought one. Hell, I should have bought 3.

Instead, I get by with the Gerber LST family, a medium size one in my pocket and a "magnum" in my pack. They're cheap if I lose them, light to carry, and take and hold an edge well enough to get a deer out of the field ... that is really all the function I require.

My favorite fixed blade utility-price knife is a Buck Vanguard with the rubber handle.

Tom

Schrade 141OT, either old USA stock or new China made. If you want a nice well-balanced heavy-duty fixed-blade working knife.

I got hold of a couple of VG-10 blanks for right on $20 each. Probably the best knives for gutting and disassembling deer I'll ever get my hands on. I put curly maple on one and some nicely figured walnut on the other.been using them for 3-4 years and have yet to sharpen either one. I gutted, skinned and disassembled three deer in '13 and four in '14 with the walnut knife.

VG-10 steel is incredible stuff, but it's usually a lot more expensive. Very hard, extremely abrasion resistant, sharpens surprisingly easy. I've been using it for about fifteen years, mainly for butchering.

Tom -

One of my 110s has a synthetic, black plastic, handle. It is 'noticeably' lighter than the wood handle one.

Actually ordered that one by mistake. My son in hi school could carry a pocket knife with a certain length. Don't remember exactly how long. I ordered this 110 syn. not realizing how long it was.

I got him another and kept this one. Sharp point, excellent cutting edge and LIGHT. I don't know if they are available now or not.

Jerry

In keeping with the OP's question, these Kabar Doziers are a great cut/$ value and have served me well in the field. But they are $0.23 over the price point.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...IKX0DER&pf_rd_r=00FD2BQ26AS4F5R1QTGM

Sure a lot of positive reviews on that Ka-bar Dozier knife. Had to have one lol! Thanks 725.

Pretty sure you'll need a couple more!

http://www.buckknives.com/product/bucklite-max-small-knife/0673FAM01/

$20 at the local home improvement store.

Really. "argggh" "argggh" !!

"Gotta get me some" !!


Jerry

I own a bunch of Knives, including knives from Marbles and very nice custom ones from Winston. I have an old 110 and an equally old 105 Pathfinder that have served me quite well.

But these days I carry a very old Buck trapper in my pocket and an Outdoor Edge 90% of the time.

I'm outta town now. Just left W W. Got a couple of pics to post this PM.
Incl. prices

Plus a pic of my B 110 w/Syn. Handle.

Jerry

Not saying that your way of thinking is wrong or that mine is right, but by that line of thinking the only gun that is worth carrying is a Ruger American in 30-06. At least when it comes to dollars spent for a piece of gear to perform a necessary function. A truly well made knife, especially hand crafted, is something that I truly enjoy.

God bless,

MM

Okay - Made it home. Before lunch the wife and I stopped at W W and I looked at and took a couple of pics of knives.



This Buck 119 and price shown. I bought one yrs ago $30.00




This B 110 is now $28.00

MY 110 weighs - 7.4 oz


This is a B 110 LITE - weighs 3 oz.


Note the similarity between the 110 blade and my Remington. They are not the same but close. I like both.


The Remington weighs 4 oz.

For some reason, I have always hated the Buck 110...cant tell you why, just dont like them. Now, the Case Shark knives, on the other hand...

Was at Cabelas this spring, they had Kershaw 3/4 tons for $7.90. I bought 4 of them.

Very sharp, haven't used them for anything too substantial yet.

I've been using a Buck 119 for years and love it. Holds an edge very well and it's not so pricey I worry about using it.

We all have our preferences. Red-Blue, Ford-Chevy (can you believe some EVEN like dodge?) grin.

I remember my Dad and His Dad raving about a certain brand of knives. Actually there were 2 name brands and they merged.

Well, well, things certainly have changed. Over the yrs. past I've had several of 'those'. They ARE easy to sharpen but WILL NOT hold an edge. I would not give a NICKEL for any 1 of them. I still have a 'few', don't know exactly, I remember 3 or so. They just occupy space.

There is another brand that is highly praised. They have never melted my butter.

The O P asked about what we USE, not what we don't like.


Jerry

This last year I tried out a Buck Omni Hunter. It has a nice wide skinning blade(folder) that held and took an edge very well. Used it on four deer without issue. Aside from that I have two Moras in my pack when hunting. Can't say enough good about them for the price.

I have a wooden box full of hunting knives that I've bought, found, been gifted, but the one that gets used 99% of the time is my Buck 110. My best friends dad gave it to me about 15 years ago. I can sharpen it easy and it holds an edge to my standards. It has gutted, boned, skinned, and processed more deer, elk, bear, grouse, trout, and even one beef than I can remember.

I think I can here it calling now, "put me in some elk blood".

Another vote for the Case Shark folders. I never paid much attention to them until a good friend gave me one about 30 years ago…lost it on a hunt last year and looked several times after…even with a metal detector… replaced it since but it's not the same.

$28 for a lifetime of service, can't beat it!

On an impulse purchase (rarely have those), I picked up one of these yesterday at the local store to check out.
http://www.amazon.com/Outdoor-Edge-Razor-Lite-Knife/dp/B00P6LZHM4

Ain't that the truth. What's not to like IF you can sharpen one. Some haven't learned how.

Jerry

I am lucky not be sharpening challenged. I touched mine up this weekend

I carry a 20 year old schrade sharpfinger. does everything from gutting to boning to skinning to caping.

Only used it on Whitetails here...Done 4 last year before I needed to touch it up. I call it "scary sharp"

The Sharpfinger was great blade.

I have several of them, all US made and 1095.

Amazing how a good fixed blade knife is NEVER a wrong choice - at least with people who actually hunt.

I have a Buck Selector with a drop point blade that I've used for years. It's orange handle has kept me from losing it while field dressing. I would like to find a clip point blade for it if anyone has one for sale

+1

Although Joel did the "16 Bore" just as I wanted and it's the only custom I've got. Good work and reasonable prices.

Dagburnit: 3 new BuckLites arrived today. 1 total POS, 1?, 1 WTF?

Should have stuck with the 673 at the top.

The larger black 679 came in a sheath that is the most uber-retarded damdest thing ever. I can't even begin to wonder WTF they were thinking in Idaho Falls? It's like a freaking taco! It's a gawdammed knife handle enveloping belt taco!

Most disappointing, the 484 small folder is already titz up, doesn't stay fully closed and doesn't lock solid! Didn't last an hour!

The 482 medium folder may work, "may" being the key word or may 'plode like the 484. Yah, it might be ok. Since I already cut the clip off, guess it's going to have to be.

Used a Buck 110 for years. In the last 10 or so, I've been using Gerber Gators clip point non serrated. They've been great.

I have a couple knives with some of the harder steels and find them to be a double edge sword (pun intended). They are harder to sharpen but do stay sharp longer. I'm pretty content with 440 steel.

pretty handy for deer.

the AUS8 blade is easy to keep sharp.

put the ingrams on the classifieds, they'll go fast.

Knives are purely utility tools to me, and tend to be an item that I loose more often than I'd like. I don't have any worth more than $30, I don't think. In my hunting pack I carry a small hook knife with the replaceable double ended blades and 2 Mora's. The hook knife gets used for all initial skinning cuts. Its small enough to not puncture the guts but still get through the hide, and it unzips even elk and moose with ease. The Mora's have been great, really don't need more than 1 but they are cheap and light so an extra can be handy.

I've used the two same Gerber's for almost twenty years. Both are Gators one is folding with 650 steel. The blade is hard and holds up to tough use, like cutting the ivory teeth out. The other is fixed blade with softer steel. That one can be sharpened enough to shave with and is used for skinning. Last year I used a Havalon folding replaceable blade knife on two elk and one buck mulie. The blade is as sharp as a surgical knife and it does a heck of a job. Just have to be extra careful not to cut your fingers off!!

The Buck of all Bucks, semi retired....

The Buck Titanium Folder model 186!!! When I was a 10 year old squirt, I coveted one awfully hard.

Boned out a buck with it yesterday on top of a mountain. Wasn't too impressed. I'll do a few more and then really make up my mind. Didn't seem to stay sharp for very long.

This little knife has cleaned, skinned and quartered several deer, turkey, and dove. For about 30 bucks, I couldnt be more impressed. County of origin is a bit sketchy, most likely China...but it is one of my favorites. The steel holds an edge fairly well, and sharpens nicely.

Still shopping.

ElCheapo success. Could not be more pleased by this one: it's a Bahco 2444 made by Morakniv with Sandvik SS in Sweden. It was $8.50 delivered.

Another vote for a Vicky. Use them for everything.

that is well worth $8.50.

have a few Moras that I use for cutting / boning meat. Can't go wrong with them, esp. for the price.