Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game Favorite Hunting Knife

I occasionally wonder what some of the old Western or Solingen knives we bought as kids would be worth if we hadn't owned them as kids.

Had a Stag Solingen that I used as a practice throwing knife...

My favorite? Randall Model 11-4 but I've used a ton of different blades, including a $3.99 paring knife that do the job just as well.

I turned 51 this year, and so I feel like I have turned a corner. The knife that I have used the most up to this point, is a Cold Steel Master Hunter. The knife that I will never give up till I become ashes for someone to spread is a Marbles from Gladstone Michigan, that my Grandfather gave me. The Knife that I use most now, is a Randall Made Denmark Special. Tool steel, stag handle and sharp as a nightmare. I need to pass on the Cold Steel. My son will get the Marbles (and the story) and I guess I will use the Randall till I am through.

Cold steel master hunter San Mai has been my go to for years. Just the right size, comfortable handle and holds a good edge.

One more time again-Buck Vanguard. Cheap Mora knives would be a strong second.

Ruana That is a 1 off I had them make.

That’s pretty damn cool. Do you have a picture you can post? I’d love to see a 1 of 1 Ruana. 👍🏼

I 've carried a Buck 110 Folding Hunter since Reagan's first term.

About a decade ago, I bought a 113 fixed blade skinner for the meatpole. It's the same steel, and I like the blade shape better for working up inside a deer's chest. It also cleans up easier than the 110.

Does that mean you hunt deer with a Savage Axis?

I have well over 100 knives and like them all. There are a few cheaper models, all the way up to custom builds. And oddly enough, for deer and antelope I prefer an Opinel 8 . Probably because it was given to me by my uncle over 60 years ago I keep it Incredibly sharp

Just bought one of these for deboning for grinder work.

https://www.knivesofalaska.com/Store/professional-boning-knife/professional-boning-knife---flexible

Took my new knife from Tuskbuster to Colorado trout fishing. Limit of 4 daily and 8 in posession. Buddy and I kept the lasat 2 days limits and I gutted and gilled while he rinsed and shrink wrapped them. The knife was perfect for the job

They're going into my buddies smoker about now...

I have gotten very practical over the years. While I can afford and appreciate custom knives, they are too heavy to carry where I like to hunt. Heck, Havalons are too heavy.

I prefer one simple knife that I can process a sheep or deer or elk without any difficulty, under 1 oz weight :


If I am bear or elk hunting within 2-3 miles of a road, I might splurge and pack a slightly heavier knife, at about 2.6 oz:

If I could only carry one knife it would be the bottom one, a Puma that my father gave me in 1992 for a bighorn archery hunt.
I have used it on every animal since then
The top one is a Marttiini that a Finnish friend sent me when he moved back.
The hatchet used to stay in my pack for cutting brush, etc , but I have also used it for sternums on moose and other such duties.
It has since been replaced by a Kukri that a friend made for me.
The Leatherman is always on my belt , regardless of where I am - unless of course, I am wearing a Tux! LOL
Cat

Nice trout. Reminds me of a few places in Colorado.

Another knife I will be using this fall. This one is in CPM
Magnacut.

That’s a dandy knife.

Very nice.

After skinning a grizzly and two moose this fall thus far, my choice hasn't changed...bought an Ingram and it feels awesome but truth be told, after 5 minutes of working on a moose I put it up and went pack to the havalon.
Got a bunch more things to kill this fall and suspect everything but the havalon will collect dust.