So, having only dabbled in knife 'collecting' from a while back, and mostly from a military perspective, I'm short of knowledge on latest/greatest makers/designs. However, what I WANT: 4.5-6", drop-point (or?), heavy hunter/tactical/survivor, that's going to fill my needs for practical use AND staying alive, whether I'm hunting/cleaning/skinning, farting around in a jungle somewhere, or on a mountainside somewhere else, or going through more SERE, or sticking in something living, as a last resort. Needs to be non-flashy, but not necessarily 'tacti-cool'. Not looking at some $400-800, cool kid edition, but willing to pay for good to get good. Want to likely have a custom leather or kydex made to carry a few other essentials like my preferred fire starter and magnesium, some hooks/braided line, etc. Any heavy chopping/sawing, and I'll have tools to resort to for that (usually), but I guess it needs to fill in a pinch? Becker BK2 seems along those lines, but I have no idea of quality of that or anything else these days.
All of the knives and makers mentioned above are some of the best. You may also want to look at a Dozier Wilderness in D2 or a Blind Horse Knives PLSK1 in o2 steel with the sabre grind. These are both bigger knives.... I also like the BHK Woodsman Pro but it is somewhat smaller blade. My $.002....
For a all around strictly hunting knife, Gene's #6 Drop Point is my absolute favorite of all the knifes I own. It resides permanently in my back pack.
While I'm out hunting or working at the Ranch, my so called "survival" knife rides on my hip. Usually one of my many Cold Steel Bowie models is hard to beat for the money, IMO.
Two knifes are always better than one!
Last edited by chlinstructor; 06/09/16.
"Allways speak the truth and you will never have to remember what you said before..." Sam Houston Texans, "We say Grace, We Say Mam, If You Don't Like it, We Don't Give a Damn!"
I could pick bigger, true survival or tactical blades, or smaller true hunting blades, but the 4.5-6" is a pretty firm criteria on blade length....otherwise it won't work within certain parameters I deal with. I'll keep checking every lead y'all can give me. There's usually a folder, a multi tool, and even hatchet and caping knife and hand chain and folding saws in my pack....this would be something to stay on me, that could cover in a pinch and be a primary fixed knif/tool.
BTW, the wait on doziers?
Anything on A.G. Russell? Used to be well regarded, and the sandbox hunter looks promising, but 'unavailable'?
The BK2 is a sharpened pry bar. It's tough but so heavy and thick it's usless to me, it's more of a short chopper. I don't like it, except the Beckers have great handle ergonomics. Bark river Gunny might suit you, or the Gunny Hunter, it doesn't have the ramp.
Eating fried chicken and watermelon since 1972.
You tell me how I ought to be, yet you don't even know your own sexuality,, the philosopher,,, you know so much about nothing at all. Chuck Schuldiner
You need to provide Dale Atkerson an example of the blade shape and length and ask him to make you one out of D2. Dale will make you a working knife that is RIGHT and will stay right.
I've done this with 2 knives that Dale made for me, and they're exactly what I wanted and made exceptionally well. They are very hard working knives for me and they exceed all expectations.
My one knife for all places, any season, all purposes and maybe poke a fella is a Treeman Tactical Hunter. Handy enough to carve a whistle and tough enough to chop through 8" of lake ice.
mike r
Don't wish it were easier Wish you were better
Stab them in the taint, you can't put a tourniquet on that. Craig Douglas ECQC
My one knife for all places, any season, all purposes and maybe poke a fella is a Treeman Tactical Hunter. Handy enough to carve a whistle and tough enough to chop through 8" of lake ice.
I'd tell the OP to start his quest, by disabusing himself that there is a 'one knife fills all needs' blade out there. Buy what works best for hunting, and processing dead animals, and then buy something for that 'tactical operator' inside you, that is struggling to get out. Compromise knives never really satisfy anyone.
If you don't mind hunting for one, I'd suggest trying to find one of Nathan Carothers' Field knives. Some will come up for sale on bladeforum from time to time.
Like all good makers, I sent one back to Nathan and he did an overhaul on it for free and sent it back on his own nickel.