Trad Gang

I'm looking for a fixed blade, full tang knife for skinning and general hunting use.  I'd like something under $100.

I'm considering:
Grohmann #1
Black Widow Skinner
Buck Gen-5
Buck Ranger 113
Buck Woodsman 102
Case Hunter Drop Point #518

I'd like a quality leather sheath with it.  Preferably made in USA. My goal is to get each of my sons a good knife that will last them a long time.

I'd like to hear your thoughts.  Other knives you'd recommend, ......or not.

Thanks.

For about $25 more their's a guy that goes by (Skullworks) you can get a heck of a good one. I been using mine for 4 years now. And all my boys have one also.

doug77

Gerber steadfast or marine Kbar

Or you can go to Dryad's websight (a sponsor here) and look at the line of Helle knives.  i have a couple of them and they are nice!

I guess I should have said that also. Their is a lots of sponsors that can set you.

doug77

X2 on the helle, wonderful knives.

ragweed forge is a website that sells them and
I believe it is run by another trad gang member.

Helle knives or a Mora.

Grohmann or the Buck 113. Both will do exactly what you're looking for, and are great knives for a reasonable price. I recently found a 113 online for $35. I don't think you can find a better fixed-blade, made in USA knife, with a quality, thick leather sheath for that price.

Buck makes some incredibly decent inexpensive knives, however, I agree, try the Helle stuff.  Save even more by buying the parts and building it yourself.  Customize the shape any way you want.
ChuckC

Boker are pretty good knives for around $40-60

Mora Tri-Flex, A handful of knife for the cost.  http://www.twotracksbow.com/store/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=29785

For the money I don't think you can beat any of the straightbladed Buck knives.

heck of knife for the money and you can do you own handle.

I guess if Chuck can post here so can I.  Take a look at the Helle knives.  Great quality at a great price.

Mike

The ka-bar marine fighting knife is a good all arounder made in the USA. I think they are like 65 bucks. I don't personally like the handle, and the balance of the blade might not be the best for skinning purposes...

I like the Moras though, even though they are made in Sweden. Great price, great knives. Feel good in the hand and you won't be afraid to use them!

The ka-bar marine fighting knife is a good all arounder made in the USA. I think they are like 65 bucks. I don't personally like the handle, and the balance of the blade might not be the best for skinning purposes...

I like the Moras though, even though they are made in Sweden. Great price, great knives. Feel good in the hand and you won't be afraid to use them!

For the money my all time favorite is the Buck Vanguard.
The wood handled ones come with a nice sheath.  There are many editions of this model.

Killdeer

Sorry about the punctuation.
New phone.

i've put handles on at least 5 helle blades so far - best value around, at least for me.  if diy isn't feasible, there are more than a few great helle knives to choose.  oh yeah, helle is a trad gang sponsor, to boot.  :thumbsup:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v82/rfdee/archery/h2.jpg)

Gotta say buck special. Easy to sharpen and very reasonable.

i have a buck 102 and it was my knife for years from fish to deer and still looks almost new. have not used it since i got a old buffalo skinner. but i think the 102 is a great knife. the boys would love and be able to pass down.

I have them all, Love them all, I don't think you will go wrong with any of them,.
God bless you all and have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Steve

Look at the LaClair Skinner.

I'd get them the highest 3 inch to 4 inch quality folder I could get

154CPM steel with micarta or rubberized type scales
Assisted opening and Kydex sheath if possible

The USA Schrade knives are also excellent.

Look for a used Bark River Knife and Tool blade. They can be had for under $100 and are both beautiful and fantastic.

how about G Fred Asbells, I love mine

I would reccomend the Buck 113 or the 105, In my opiniion the 105 is one of the best all around knives you can get for under $100. Its a little more blade than the 102 but not as big as the 119 special. The 113 is destined to be a classic. They are both made in the USA.

Love my Grohmann #2 belt knife. Don't let the size fool ya I took care of a moose and a deer this year and it worked equally well on each.

Knives of Alaska   :thumbsup:

Helle is good knife, schrade, Kabar is great but former marine here.  I have been carrying an outdoor edge this year with flip/zip,  guys, I can tell you that I have never used anything quicker to open up an animal without worry of cutting gut and it is awesome on cutting around legs and back.

I'd try to pick up a Boker for a factory knife.

Green River knives are also great knives for the money.

I have a buck 113, and i think for the money it is a great knife with a great leather sheet and made in the US. this is my first Buck, and I realy like it! Will deal with everything from grouse to moose!
I like the Mora knifes, Not made in the US, but not made in China either. As for the helle knife, I heard great things, but can't be better than the 113.

I like Bucks as well.Knives that is.

You may want to check thier new line of Alaskan Series knives carried by Cabelas.Thier a tad over 100$.But thier superb knives with thier S30V steel and special coating.Thier beautiful knives as well.

Thanks for all the good recommendations.  Keep 'em coming.  I'm doing some research now!

Check these out, I think they would make for a great gift!!http://www.cabelas.com/product/Camping/Knives-Tools/Fixed-Blade-Knives|/pc/104795280/c/104740380/sc/104330880/Browning174-Full-Curl-Sheep-Horn-Series-Knives/716046.uts?destin ation=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fcamping-knives-tools-fixed-blade-knives%2F_%2FN-1100724%2FNo-48%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BBRprd727447%26WTz_st%3DGuidedNav%26WTz_stype%3DGNP&WTz_l=SBC%3BBRprd72 7447%3Bcat104330880

Oups, I don,t know if this is legal?!?! if not just can it!

ESEE , Grohmann , Helle are all good value ...

I have a few "fine customs" and love them.. However, I also have and use a "Yukon" model by "Knives of Alaska".  

Shaped close to the Canadian style "Russell'... Full tang, great grip, quality sheath and excellent edge holding qualities.

I would search out Knives of Alaska and check out their products.

Gene

I got a buck knife it has a cocobola handle to match my bow riser I saw it one day just walking through the store an had to have it. it has been a great little knife.

Buck 102 is a great deer gutting knife.

Buck 102 is my best hunting knife ever! Cant go wrong with a buck.

GFA?

(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/100_2835.jpg)Boker is my favorite but got a Mora from Two Tracks that I'm really starting to like.


Rob

I have a GFA Western knife that is also a solid deal for the price.

And don't overlook CRKT. You can usually find the Russ Kommer 'Brow Tine' model for well less than $100, and it is also an excellent all-around hunting/camp knife.

But it's hard to beat a USA-made, fixed blade Buck for the price. Everyone should own one.

Can't beat a case!

My Kabar is retired after riding my hip for almost 3decades.  He is electrical taped but happy in medals case.  Moras are super knives for the price.  I bought one of the wood handled models and made a new handle from my riser wood and antler.  Short, sharp and easy to maneuver.  I have gerber, buck, several custom knives, but that mora makes the trip. I guess I am afraid of losing a hundred. Dollar blade when that little sweetheart does the trick, and she is custom!

Mora carbon steel, a steal at $9!

A+ on the Helle's from Mike.

Check out the Swedish company Fallkniven. The F1 is issued to their military. I've used and abused this knife, and it's like a Timex watch...keeps on ticking. The steel sharpens easily and stays sharp. I think it's now about $100.

i have a lil buck knife and it has been with me since  i was 14 and love it would be lost with out it i even bought my dad the same style last year for Christmas but they are the woodsman knife great choice i think

Helle is the way to go...may not be made in the USA but can be bought by a American who makes some awesome bows to boot...seriously..I have owned hundreds of knives of every type and model and manufacturer but when it is hunting season..a Helle blade is on my hip..well made easy to sharpen, holds a edge and very strong and I reccomend the swing sheath for the knife..wont even know its there..very versatile and functional...even though I never actually bought a knife..I have gotten all the blades they sold and made them in knives and made the sheaths..awesome blade and heck you can buy 3 knives for under $100...one of my polar blades gutted 4 deer and cut all 4 deers up for proccessing before I had to sharpen and I put the blade on a DMT stone with about 10 passes per side and its hair poppin RAZORSHARP that you can shave a full grown beard with (which I did on a bet and won)  ultimately its your choice and good luck on your decision as there are a ton of great choices to chose from

Thanks for all the replies.  I think I've narrowed the field down to either the Buck woodsman (102) or the Grohmann #1.

QuoteOriginally posted by GrayRhino:
Thanks for all the replies.  I think I've narrowed the field down to either the Buck woodsman (102) or the Grohmann #1.

You can't go wrong with the Buck Woodsman.  My father won one in a muzzleloader shoot a long time ago and gave it to me when I first started hunting when I was 12.  I've been carrying it ever since.  I'd love to get a nice expensive custom knife, but I know I would still just grab my Woodsman when heading to the woods because of sentimental reasons.

Not sure if this is a viable option, but.....I have an Old Timer "Little Finger" that is hands down the best knife I have ever owned. The company was bought by Schrade, which I believe went under. The brand name has been resurrected, but isn't the same knife. If you can get your hands on a used one, you'll love it. Brown synthetic handle which is extremely durable, but the best thing is the steel. It take an incredible edge, holds it well, and the knife handles like an extension of your......well, fingers. They are great, but beware of the newer copies....they come from container land.

I have already listed my favorites. I just want to point out that for under $100 you can still buy a quality knife made in the USA. Case, Buck and Bear and Son all make thier knives here. There are even some individuals like Stickshooter and John Greco who make good hunting knives for under a c note. I am not saying you are unamerican if you by a knife that was made overseas. I have over 100 knives and I own a bunch of foriegn made CRKT, AG Russel and Muela knives I bought because of thier design. I also own a bunch of Buck and Case Knives. All I am saying is give the American makers a look and then buy the knife that best suits  your needs.

Acquired a new favorite just this year, ESSE Izula II. Not terribly trad looking with a Kydex sheath, but beauty is as beauty does. Just right for working up in a chest cavity without losing any fingers!

Those Helle knives will cut you just looking at them.They are shaving sharp !

buck gen 5 gets my vote.

i have cleaned 3 deer so far with no sharpening. it will still shave hair. very well balanced and looks good to boot!  :)

I've used a variety of knives over the years.  I like Bucks and various custom models that I have owned, but for a fixed blade I always have one or both of the Helle blades that I fitted with handles.  They are rugged and sharpen easily - hard to beat for the money.

If I had to carry just one knife in the woods it would be my Becker BK-2 Companion (second from top). It's one tough, awesome blade for the money. Paired with the Becker BK-11 (third from top) it'll cover most anything you need to do. Well made by KaBar and both for around $100, maybe less.

(http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z208/DannyBoats/DSC00779.jpg)

Grasping a Becker makes you feel invincible. When the zombie apocalypse happens, I want my BK2 & BK14 lashed to my SHTF bag.

DannyBows, tell me about your knife on the right side, second from the bottom with no lanyard.

Here's another Becker vote.  I typically carry my BK11 neck knife (for processing game) with either my BK2, my BK9 or a tomahawk (for making blinds and so forth).  Tough to beat excellent American steel backed by KaBar's fantastic warranty.

The Beckers can be identified by the BK number on the blade and I'll leave it to the reader to detect which is the Shrew Hawk.

 (http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff187/GingivitisKahn/599_IMG_0800.jpg)

You can easily get both the BK11 and the BK2 without breaking your budget or if you find the right deal, you might be able to get both the BK11 and the BK9.

Smithhammer, my thoughts exactly. My Beckers stay in my Go-Bag when I'm not using them.

GrayRhino, that is one I had made by Clarence Smitherman (Skullworks). It's Damascas and the wood is cross-cut Black/White Ebony. It's a nice size and fits the hand beautifully. 7 1/4" long, 3" blade.

GingivitisKahn, I have the same knife system with a small Damascas Hawk. One of these days I'm gonna get that Micarta handle for my BK-11.

This is my BK-9 with an Ontario Spec Plus 10 Tanto. It also stays in my G0-Bag.

(http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z208/DannyBoats/DSC00434.jpg)

I also love the Becker Ka-Bar knives. Especially my BK-7. The shape, weight, balance, and grip just feel so good. I wish there was a slightly smaller version, something like the "Campanion" but lighter in weight that I could easily carry on my belt in a hunting situation.

I was at Gander Mountain last season and saw this one piece Buck. It's a little knife the handle and the tang are one in the same, easy cleaning. I didn't have a lot in the bank at the time but I said that if it is made in the US I'll buy it. It was and I did. I think I only paid $20 for it. I just went and looked at it and all I see on the knife and sheath is 140. So I guess it is a Buck 140? I like it a lot, small, easy to clean, made in the US, takes a nice edge; what more could you ask for in a field knife?

Yea, just checked on-line. It's the Buck Paklite Skinner 140 and they are selling for $20, it's hard to go wrong at that price, pick one up I think you'll be happy with it.

I believe you can also get the Paklite as part of a combo with the Buck Omni Hunter, in a sheath that holds both. Just about all you need for any field work, at a great price.

I guess my postulation was the guy wanted to field dress a deer not chop a path thru the jungle.....I think he would have said "machete" if that was the case....

QuoteOriginally posted by DannyBows:

GingivitisKahn, I have the same knife system with a small Damascas Hawk. One of these days I'm gonna get that Micarta handle for my BK-11.

Really glad I got mine.  It's a great knife without and an even better one with the micarta.

QuoteOriginally posted by FarmerMarley:
I also love the Becker Ka-Bar knives. Especially my BK-7. The shape, weight, balance, and grip just feel so good. I wish there was a slightly smaller version, something like the "Campanion" but lighter in weight that I could easily carry on my belt in a hunting situation.

Ah - you're looking for the Becker BK10 Crewman.  I believe KaBar may still have a very few of those left from a special production run they did recently.  The blade is about the same length as the BK2 and the same thickness as the BK7 and BK9.

I like the Helle knives, I bought the blades and wood and make my own, but the ones they sell are beautiful and reasonably priced.

Mora knives are amazingly sharp as are the Helle. You could get KHALVERSON to make you a GREAT knife with leather sheath, and that would be made in the USA!

I emailed and found that the helle knife kits will be in stock at Dryad in mid December.  With all recommendations here, I'm thinking that a few of them could be a fun and rewarding project with my boys.

I would go with the Buck 119 I own one and it is my main skinning knife along with my folding 112 hunter. I have 2 custom knives and can get them nowwhere near as close to being sharp as the bucks. Also look at a Boker.