Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting Gene Ingram knives

Just in case anyone here is looking for fantastic hunting knives, I will repeat what I posted on the "knives and blades" forum as some may not check it.

I just received a combo from Gene Ingram, Lite Skinner and Drop Point Caper, in D2 with Desert Ironwood scales. I have some pretty fine other custom knives and, over the years, I have had and do have a lot of highend gear.

I will simply say that ANYONE who appreciates superb, functional art SHOULD get one of these sets, I have never seen or used knives of this quality, they are like Leicas, ID or MR, it just don't get no betta!!!

Kute:

I have been looking hard at a set for quite awhile. I think that a good set of hunting/skinning knives are hard to find, and this set seems very close to perfect as far as blade length,shape,etc.

I am looking to order a set with the Green Micarta handle or in African blackwood. Decisions,decisions......

Kute, I really like the Ingram's and will definately end up with one. Will say however, I've NEVER, EVER used a better knife than the plain-jane Grohmann/DH Russell Canadian Belt Knife. For actual tearing critters apart nothing compares IME.

If you don't have one, get one.

I have to wait until mid January to get mine!! Glad you are happy with them....

If you're thinking about the Ingrams, order a set now. I ordered the pair last week and delivery is mid July.

I've gotten to the point that I'm sick and tired of mediocre gear and am willing to make life time investments in gear, and get on with it.

Well I just placed my order. I am looking at Aug 10th for delivery.

Kute: Did you get the regular or premium ironwood?

Gotta agree with the fellas about Ingram's wares. I bought one sometime a few winters ago. Turned into 3 somehow in a very short time span after receiving my first. Those are some good knives and Gene is great to work with you on the orders.

I've placed an order with David Winston for one of his, it'll be see how those Mississippi knives compare to each other.

+1, mine always seems to make the Amex list

That's been my experience, too.

I carry a smaller knife (often a pocket knife) for gutting, but the Grohmann does the rest. Super design. I especially like the flat-grind version, in carbon steel.

I received a knife from Mr. Ingram last summer, but it didn't fit my hand worth a shizzle, and the blade dimensions were not as I ordered, so I was a little disappointed. My wife took a shine to it, though, and it fit her hand like a glove, so she sorta adopted it. Must say that the workmanship is very, very nice, and it is easy on the eyes. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> The sheath is a nice, snug fit, too. Just wasn't the knife for me.

A case study on the economics of this would be fun. I'm guessing the better, initially more expensive gear would be cheaper in the long run for certain items, but not all. I guess there's reasons we still use gramps rifle, but not his longhandles... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

1ak and Walker, funny story... by 1997 I'd already been using the DH Russell knife for around ten years. My dad, who hasn't hunted for over fifty years and has no idea what sort of knife I use, happened to be in Nova Scotia on vacation. He stopped into the Grohmann factory in Pictou, looked around and bought me, yep that's right, a Canadian Belt Knife. It arrived for Christmas that year and I laughed out loud as I heard the Twilight Zone theme in my head... I treasure that knife. He told me later when he picked it up he was amazed and couldn't imagine a finer game knife.

Smart guy... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I bought my Russell Belt Knife in spring, 1966 and used it intensively for many years until it was stolen from my truck over 20 years later. I skinned my first bear with it, sharpeded with an axe file and it was my constant companion worn everyday on my belt when working in forestry. We all had these and carried them on the belt, sheath inside the back pocket of our pants do as not to get stabbed if we fell.

These ARE a good knife and the carbon steel one is by far the best, especially if you remember to oil it lightly with ordinary vegetable oil, every so often. Mine rusted and was kinda misshapen from the axe file, but, it still did the job and they were cheap to buy.

However, these Ingram knives are in a whole different world from the Canuck Belt Knife, the subtle design and superb craftsmanship take time and handling to appreciate and they are simply my idea of perfect. They are NOT "work" knives, I have others for backpacking etc. and they are not "weapons", either, I have those as well; these are just for "making meat" and I am simply in awe of them, just "blown away".

My instincts weren't as good. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

When I first laid eyes on the #1 Belt Knife, my initial impression was .... "WTF??!" To be honest, I thought it looked kinda gay. Still, I'd heard so many guys brag it up that my curiosity finally got the better of me, and I ordered one. Turned out to be a good move. Can't imagine another knife undoing a big critter as easily as that one does.

Walker, like the old preacher said (and it applies to the Russell #1): It's better felt than telt... (grins).

They also make a really neat skinner or two plus the "Trout and Bird" which I prefer for gutting deer. The problem is that nobody seems to actually stock the carbon steel models as the "stainless" attracts most buyers.

I much prefer a carbon steel knife and have three that I use instead of the very lovely custom 440C and 154CM knives I also have. My elderly custom skinner by a local guy, my Gerber Mini Mag and Trout and Bird go on every hunt where I actually intend to shoot something, but, they will be retired now after well over 30 yrs. and this Ingram's set will take over...if, I manage to actually HIT the game I find!!!!

I appreciate the report and it's nice to hear about the Ingram crafsmanship but has anyone here used their Ingram on an elk?
The way people talk about them you would think they can go through a whole elk without sharpening it and its ready for the next elk.
This season it took me 2 Cold Steel knives to do an elk. That would be skinning and boneing the elk for a haul out. If one Ingram can pull that off it would be super knife and I'll pay for one in a heartbeat.

I hope at least Brad and maybe some others can give some input here on Ingram function.

Thanks! A curious mind would love to know.

SU, can't comment on the Ingram regarding elk, but can comment on the DH Russell no.1... have never had to sharpen mine (stainless, which I prefer) taking apart an elk. Cold Steel might very well be the biggest POS knives I've ever used. I have a "Master Hunter (what a joke) in Carbon V... used it on one elk some years back and relegated it to the kitchen for cutting vegetables... in fact it's here at work where I'm writing over by my juicer! It excells at cutting the plastic tomatoes from the grocery store (grins).

Brad, thanks for the candid comment.

My Cold Steels have worked a little better than your experience
with them.

SU, no offnese meant and my CS experience is only with the Master Hunter in Carbon Steel. Ross Seyfried touted the knife some years back so I "had to have one"... I was shocked once I'd used it and made me wonder what he'd been smoking!

I have several CS knives and have had others, they do NOT hold an edge very well, although the "San-Mai" laminated steel is far better than their other steels. My Master Hunter is in the vehicle with my Swede saw, Wetterling's axe and shovels, etc., it is a useful HD "tool" for rough work, but, absolutely sucked when I gutted a Blacktail with it just after buying it circa 1990.

I found that Ross Seyfried's recommendations concerning gear were very adamant, "it is the BEST", but, his opinions seem to change AND, according to one maker I spoke with he got his knives from this guy for free...... I bought Russell High Country Hunters in 1988 on his recommendation and they were among the worst mountain boots I have ever owned, they are useful for walking my Rottweilers and that's about all.

I will, hopefully, be able to give a report on the Ingram's use on Elk and Moose next Sept.,,but, I expect that they will be totally satisfactory.