Do you have any recommendations for a hunting knife around 100-200 bucks? Thanks.
P.S. If someone deletes this post like the last one, it would nice to tell me why.
Frank,
Are you looking for a knife for yourself to use or a gift for someone else? If you are looking for a working knife you can get some great quality knives in that $100 range or less. I use Case knives and have for years.
good luck
Look up Siggma Knives ! I personally know Jim Sigg and own 2 of his knives . His knives come with a life time guarantee if you brake the blade he will replace it !! Need I say more .
Your thread is still there...its over in the packs and knives classifieds.
Have you looked at the La Clair skinner? It is on Ron's website. It will be my next knife.
look at Helle. Real nice knives.
www.mlknives.com (http://www.mlknives.com) or www.mlkknives.com, (http://www.mlkknives.com,) I think it is the latter, anyhow I have about seven or eight of matts knives, they are great, he can even custom build you one.
puma made in germany/spain
You may want to take a look at Great Eastern Cutlery. GEC make's some of the finest production pocket/hunting knives in the country. They are a small shop with limited production runs. Very high quality at a good price. I carry a #73 lock back with a 1095 high carbon blade, every day.
Glen
A girl I know wants some recommendations for her boyfriend. He's a hunter. So far, there's some good stuff here.
Mat at www.mlknives.com (http://www.mlknives.com) is a GREAT guy and his work is TOP NOTCH!!!!
For what? Skinning or field dressing in the backcountry? Piranha havalon.
Utility hunting blade, Gerbers are made in Oregon and tough as they come.
Are you handy with a few basic tools, helle has some great blades you could make real social pretty easily.
Contact TG Member Skullworks (Clarence Smitherman). He is a very nice guy and does some great work. I bought a knife from him last year for $135.00. I'm very pleased with the knife he made me.
Here is a link to show some of his work.
http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=110;t=003097
Two syllables....K-Bar
good point can't beat a K Bar for price or use!
There are many knives in that price range. I suggest choosing a knife based on the most common purpose, ie field dressing deer or small game, woodcraft, etc. Hard to beat a drop point blade about as long as your index finger. I really like scandinavian style knives.
There are a lot of great knives in that price range. I personally prefer 154CM or ATS 34 steel for a knife blade because it's fairly easy to sharpen and it really holds an edge well.
We've been getting very good feedback on this one.
http://shrewbows.com/laclair_skinner/index.html
What are you looking for? A belt knife that looks and feels right in the field while your hunting traditional archery? Something more primitive with pre 1840 craftsmanship? A folding blade modern and light to hike up the side of a mountain in Alaska to cape out a goat? Something to field dress a deer with less than a mile from your truck in Texas?
The only time I like Stainless is around saltwater and then I don't really like it, just accept the practicality of it in a folder. Sure stainless is popular but so are compound and crossbows :)
Just saying, there is a lot of stuff to think about when buying a knife. Recently I found a old belt knife from the 70s, maybe earlier, got it for 8 bucks and its real nice. A small belt knife in high carbon steel seems like a good match in the field for a traditional archer.
knives of alaska all the way
Ron, thats a fine looking knife for the price, anyone would be proud to have that in the field, real practical looking. Should make a real fine tool.
http://gfredasbell.com/GFA_Knives.php
These are some inexpensive but functional knives that you might consider.
As other's have said,you really should start by defining the use the knife will be put to. That said, Buck, Gerber, Knives of Alaska, CRKT, make very attractive and practical knives that will "work" every bit as well as the more expensive custom and semi-custom knives. Of course when you factor in the knife as a gift, the skilled knifesmiths already mentioned offer great products at a somewhat higher price range. You may want to check out the www.knifecenter.com (http://www.knifecenter.com) for additional ideas.
Matt Lamey is another TG member who makes very nice knives and real nice to talk to also.
http://lameycustomknives.com/Site/Welcome.html
A good Mora knife from The SG runs for under $20. High carbon blades that really hold and edge and you can buy a few of them for under $100. They are perfect for deer sized game. I have been using the K-Bar Little fin for deer hunting for a long time now and I have 5 of them, just keep switching them out as they get dull on deer throughout the season and at the end sharpen them all.
I have a Dunn I really like and am looking hard at a Blind Horse, my father in law just got one and it's really sweet
You should be able to skin up to 200 bucks (and a few does) with any decent knife. You may need to sharpen it once though.
Sticshooter makes some great knives. Send him an email and see what he can do for you.
Helle knives are great-two of them might total 100 dollars. Usually I get 40 year old Puma knives on the auction site. They sharpen up real well and the edge lasts for a while too.
I can skin and butcher a whole Hog with barely a touch up.
My personal choice is the Buck 105 Pathfinder- Its the classic American field knife. around 50 bucks and its made in the USA. I have given them as gifts for years. If you want to make it fancy there are limited editions with diferent handle materials available from several distributors
There are a lot of good brands out there and it boils down to the style and preference you personally desire. I use a Buck Vanguard with a drop point blade that I've had for about 20 years and it has been a good knife. They currently run around $60.00 I think. If I had to buy another knife it would be another of these or a classic Puma.
Some sponsors here make good priced/high quality knives.Take a lookon the sponsor classified.
I like Randall Knifes, a bit pricey but well worth the extra money.........
Take a look at our Helle knives. You might find what your looking for there.
Mike
Ron LaClair has some great knives on his website, the Shrew Skinner is a favorite.
The Asbell website has a darned good assortment of quality knives also.
If limited to one knife, I would seriously consider a Case Trapper style.
That is a loaded question just like which bow should I get :) Knives for me are all about the feel in the hand and in the heart. Almost all will work just as a $100 factory bow verses a $1000 custom bow...both will put meat in the freezer.
Go to the knife forum, you'll see some really nice knives in your range plus you'll see some unbelievable custom blades.
Another option is bid one up on St Judes Aution. There will be plenty of knives up again this year. That way you can feel like your chewing Double Mint gum...Double the Pleasure & Double the Fun :thumbsup: Doc
QuoteOriginally posted by bgbuck153:
Look up Siggma Knives ! I personally know Jim Sigg and own 2 of his knives . His knives come with a life time guarantee if you brake the blade he will replace it !! Need I say more .
DITTO
I have two of Jim's knives their awesome.
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/LaClair_Skinner1.JPG)
http://shrewbows.com/laclair_skinner/index.html
I had James Emmons make me a knive and it's super sweet. Here's some of his stuff...
http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=48;t=001114;p=1
Rapid River Knives from Michigan is very good.
http://www.rapidriverknifeworks.com/
While smaller than most are accustomed to, the older Puma 4 Star is the best gutting knife I've ever used, and I've probably gutted some 300 plus deer over the years, with all the "block permits" amd antlerless tags in our area.
Here's a couple 4 Stars from 1977-78 in mint condition for $175-$350. (top 3 on page)
If you want a killer gutting knife, look no further. I have the top one listed for $275.
http://www.pumaknifeman.blogspot.com/
These are all good suggestions, and the point about use is critical. Custom knives are gorgeous, and at least some are very functional. The products of Skullworks, Doug Campbell, and other custom or semi-custom makers are incredible--better than nearly all users need, but that's fine. We could all use a little more art and excellence in our lives. For flat-out function and dependability, though, I would look at the Moras on Ragnar's Forge. I carry one when I need to cut weight to a minimum, and it's excellent. He has many different price points there, and it's a great site. Mine, a tri-laminate, was, as I recall $14, but he has a nice bushcraft tri-lam for $20 now. Not much for aesthetics, but when a knife is that functional it has its own aesthetic. For a general use knife in the backcountry I carry a Koster bush craft knife--beautiful, reliable, truly great steel, $100. Then I got carried away and bought a Fallkniven H1 Hunter for a little over $100. It's what I use if I need absolute reliability, am around salt water, or in extended wet conditions. It is sold in several steels, from VG10 at about $125 to 3G powder steel at $200 at this point. I have the cheaper, and it's fantastic if a little heavy. I would also be happy and proud to carry a Bark River production knife, which I'm surprised no one has mentioned as a very, very fine knife at $150-200. I also carry a neck knife with a fire steel taped to it, either a beautiful Doug Campbell or a Buck Mayo Kaala if I'm going to be real sweaty or wet. Knives are almost fetishes to many people, so your biggest problem will be going through all the incredible choices.
http://www.coldsteel.com/hunting-knives.html
For a fixed blade knife, I don't think you could do better than a Helle. A few years ago I skinned two bull moose with a Polar blade and never needed to touch it up. As far as folding knives, the Buck Crosslock is still my favorite. As an added bonus, neither of these will cost you a hundred dollars.
While no longer handmade like the old ones, the new Puma 4 Star is still a super knife and under $100.
http://pumaknifecompanyusa.com/productlisting.aspx?EndUse1
Depens on what your after along with personal choice, for a hunting knife I use a buck
(http://images.imagelinky.com/1301773617.jpg) (http://images.imagelinky.com/1301773617.jpg)
I own a Fred Asbell knife (neck and belt)and like them alot, really inexpensive for what you get and worth every penny.
I also own a Hen and Rooster Bowie, alot of their knifes are made in a town in Germany where the "premium" metals are manufactured (Henkels Cutlerly amoung others)
Top of line is the custom stuff found on here and more expensive (as it should be).
That's why I say personal choice, keep looking and you'll find something you have to have.
Jason, two bulls with a blade that length is impressive. How do you sharpen that knife and especially finish the edge? Helles are terrific knives, I agree; I bought a Harding from Chad Sivertsen years ago for my son, and for a kid who loves to use my stuff he will only carry the Helle. The way that knife holds an edge is almost wrong.
I've been pretty impressed with the Knives of Alaska line.
Try Blind Horse Knives, Large workhorse
Ok, am I the only one who still has antlers on the brain and first thought was a knife to last through 100-200 field dressings?
Guess I need help.
QuoteOriginally posted by JockC:
Jason, two bulls with a blade that length is impressive. How do you sharpen that knife and especially finish the edge? Helles are terrific knives, I agree; I bought a Harding from Chad Sivertsen years ago for my son, and for a kid who loves to use my stuff he will only carry the Helle. The way that knife holds an edge is almost wrong.
A Harding blade would have been better, but the Polar was all I had. I use two sharpening stones -- medium and then fine -- to put an edge on the blade. I completely agree with you about how well those Helle blades hold an edge; it's second to none.
Wow! This thread took off!
For a general hunting knife, a 4-6" drop point is hard to beat. Your price point gives you a lot of options. Like Tippit said, check out the hunting knife section and you'll see all kinds of knives within that range, real nice knives too! We got some real talented bladesmith's here on the gang!
JL
Bob Dozier.....
QuoteOriginally posted by Justin Swim:
Try Blind Horse Knives, Large workhorse
2nd for Blind Horse knives, pathfinder 2.
emerson knives #16
I haven't seen them mentioned but I am a big fan of Boker. It is my go to knife... So much so it has skinned EVERY big game animal i have ever killed.
My workhorses are a Buck Vanguard and a no-name three-blade pocket knife that I call by a pet name.
Any other knives that I use are either special gifts from dear people, or specialized (like filet knives) and backups for actual butchering.
The Vanguard (I own three) is commonly available, and a comparable folder, with high carbon steel blades, can be found from Schrade or Boker. The walking-about-the-woods-with-a-friend feeling can only be had with a gift knife from a kindred spirit.
My pocket knife, before rescaling. This knife gets first dibs on a fresh game animal.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/Killdeer/Everready2.jpg)
Buck Vanguard for heavy work. I have two rubber-gripped and one rosewood.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/Killdeer/TG%20Uploads/Knives/27834-vanguard.jpg)
Gift from a friend... priceless! (Click it. It gets bigger.)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/Killdeer/Hunting%20and%20Camp/2009%20November%20Hunt/th_IMG_21582of2.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/Killdeer/Hunting%20and%20Camp/2009%20November%20Hunt/IMG_21582of2.jpg)
Killdeer
Wow! This thread is moving! I'm gonna compile some stuff from here and the pm's and give the girl from links. I'm also gonna send her the link to this thread. You guys are awesome!
I have 3 excellent knives that fit. an Emmons, a JRJ and an Anza. Just depends on what bag or pack I happen to be carrying when hunting. I found out long ago that with one knife it was always going to be in the "other" pack. Dressing out a deer with a pocket swiss army knife takes twice as long as with a good 4" fixed blade.
QuoteOriginally posted by Gatekeeper:
Contact TG Member Skullworks (Clarence Smitherman). He is a very nice guy and does some great work. I bought a knife from him last year for $135.00. I'm very pleased with the knife he made me.
Here is a link to show some of his work.
http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=110;t=003097
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Here's mine..
(http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/ac55/cachambers/cocoknife.jpg)
I have two Hess knives. Deer antler handle on on one of them awesome knives! handmade here in michigan
I sure like my KaBar Becker BK11 for field dressing deer (and whittling, and carving up my dinner and splitting small kindling and on and on). Tough to beat the price - around $30.
In action...
(http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff187/GingivitisKahn/black_friday_2010_doe/20101126_ac_11.jpg)
Check these out. I bought the Brow Tine Hunter last year and it is wonderful.
http://www.knivesplus.com/CRKT-FIXED-BLADE-HUNTERS.HTML
My Dads old buck 3 blade folder has skinned more small game than I can remember.I inherited after he passed and then gave it to my nephew along with a nice bow so the tradition could continue.
I was just digging around in Cabelas bargain cave and they have some Dozier designed and Boker made hunters marked down from 79 to 49 bucks. That seems like a heck of deal for somebody. Just make yourself a nice Trad looking hand made sheath and your off to the hunt.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Bargain-Cave/Hunting/Knives-Tools|/pc/105591780/c/105649380/sc/105658380/B246ker-Plus-Dozier-Skinners/715244.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fba rgain-cave-hunting-knives-tools%2F_%2FN-1102666%2FNo-48%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_105658380%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253Bcat105591780%253Bcat105649380%26WTz_st%3DGuidedNav%26WTz_stype%3DGNP (http://www.cabelas.com/product/Bargain-Cave/Hunting/Knives-Tools%7C/pc/105591780/c/105649380/sc/105658380/B246ker-Plus-Dozier-Skinners/715244.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fbargain-cave-hunting-knives-tools%2F_%2FN-1102666%2FNo-48%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_105658380%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253Bcat105591780%253Bcat105649380%26WTz_st%3DGuidedNav%26WTz_stype%3DGNP)
Here is another sweet hunter from CRKT marked down from 150 to 49. It even has a pretty nice looking leather sheath, at least it looks good in the picture, like its hand stamped. Maybe cut the stitches on it and hand stitch it back with white linen and wax.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Bargain-Cave/Hunting/Knives-Tools|/pc/105591780/c/105649380/sc/105658380/CRKT174-Pro-Hunter-Special-Buy-Knife/1145180.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbr owse%2Fbargain-cave-hunting-knives-tools%2F_%2FN-1102666%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_105658380%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253Bcat105591780%253Bcat105649380 (http://www.cabelas.com/product/Bargain-Cave/Hunting/Knives-Tools%7C/pc/105591780/c/105649380/sc/105658380/CRKT174-Pro-Hunter-Special-Buy-Knife/1145180.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fbargain-cave-hunting-knives-tools%2F_%2FN-1102666%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_105658380%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253Bcat105591780%253Bcat105649380)
There are some fantastic knife makers right here on the forum too.
Some of the best deals can be found by looking under knives/hunting on Gunbroker.
Call Eddie WHite of shadow knives. I have a custom sheep horn hunter from him that is the nicest nice I have ever had and I have had A LOT. I think it was a buck 85. BILL
I just sent her the link to this thread. If she has any questions I can't answer, I'll post her question. Thanks guys!
skullworks, clarence smitherman, thats what i'd get,check on knives and knife makers!
Blackbearforge.com Mi We can make any knife you want from simple to fancy, in that price range.