I need some advice in choosing a good all purpose carrying knife. I know there are fantastic custom knife makers but I am looking for one off the shelf. Fixed blade only up to 150.00
Thanks
Helle knives are well worth the money and won't break your wallet. Dryad sells them.
Fix blade, folder, size.... price???
I have a SOG Flash II that I like a lot. And my other one is a Casexx
trapper. that is a great all around knife. These are for the folders, that I prefer these days, I have a bunch of others that I don't use as much any more.
As for the fix blade, I have a small Buck Ranger Skinner, that is really nice. and I have a Gerber Sakai that was given to me by a japanese client I guided on the Yukon river a few year ago.
The gerber is the second one from the right and the buck is the second one from the left
(http://i1118.photobucket.com/albums/k614/DavidYukon/PhotoLibrary-1205.jpg)
You could always buy a nice Laurie or polar blade for under $20 and put a nice handle on yourself. Get a great, semi custom knife cheap.
Too hard to choose,but a Victorinox lock blade,with the saw blade is a hard one to beat for price/function/does it all.Great steel.
It's hard to beat a Marble's Plainsman model. An exceptional knive made in Gladstone, Michigan. They've been making them since the late 1800's. It is a fixed blade design much like the old Western and Case brands. It has a leather belt sheath too. Horserod
for what you are looking for a Buck knife is had to beat
I have a Schrade "Old Timer" I've been carying for years. Liked so much I finally broke down and bought a new one a few months ago. Good dependable knives.
QuoteOriginally posted by Horserod:
It's hard to beat a Marble's Plainsman model. An exceptional knive made in Gladstone, Michigan. They've been making them since the late 1800's. It is a fixed blade design much like the old Western and Case brands. It has a leather belt sheath too. Horserod
X2 my plainsman is one of my favorite knives.
Look up Bark River knives. IMHO one of the best.
On a side note:
Why Marbles and BRKT are my favorite knives, they utilize a convex grind. Easiest grind to sharpen and keep sharp.
There are a lot of knives out there. I needed a good camp general carry knife for the woods. Did a bit of looking and I ended up with a ESEE 4. Full tang, 4.5" 4.25" cutting edge, 1095 carbon steel with a nice leather sheath. The price range is around 95.00 to 120. depending on the carry system you want. Just google ESEE.
BTW - Made in the USA.
Rich K.
X2 for schrade old timer put mine on piece of rawhide and works as neck knife as well
Just picked up a la Claire skinner and is a blade you could where on belt just hoping someone asks you to see it. Nice stag handle but not too fancy to worry about using it.
Blind horse has some real nice fixed blades too little fancier but really solid blade think could use to chop down trees.
After buying one of these I'd spend the rest of your money on a Fred asbell beaded sheath. Don't have one but have been looking at them for a while.
Will send pics tonight if I can figure out how.
http://shrewbows.com/laclair_skinner/index.html
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/LaClair_Skinner1.JPG)
Spooky that was a fast reply
Im going to have to order one of those Laclair skinners!!! Beautiful knife at a great price
I have a Cold Steel Master Hunter that is awesome. I think they're around $130.
Knives are like bows....you can't have to many....lol! I would say you can have a good knife but there are so many styles and models it's a personal choice that only you can and your wallet can make!
There are lots of options and a ton of great knives out here. What are you wanting it to do and that will help us with recommendations.
If I could only carry one. It would be my buck 102. Look them up. If you want a touch bigger the buck 105!!! Hard to beat. But I never leave without my buck 110 also.
Knives of Alaska--Light Hunter Combo w/ Sure Grip Handle. This pair of knives will do any thing. I have owned mine a dozen years and have exposed them to every imaginable situation. Simply the best!
Love my LaClair Little Shaver! $100
-Charlie
QuoteOriginally posted by Tatonka17:
I have a Cold Steel Master Hunter that is awesome. I think they're around $130.
x2
If you can find a cold steel master hunter in Carbon 5 steel you will love it. It's as good a steel as Randall 01 and 1/5 the price.
Buck model 119 ( I think that's the right model number) Incredible steel quality. It sharpens super easy and stays sharp forever.
I'd go with one of Ron's Skinners.
My current favorite belt knife is a Benchmade Activator 201. This has proved to be the perfect fixed blade for my needs. The D2 steel was a Cast Iron Bytsch to sharpen initially but it sure holds the edge. I have not touched it up in two deer and miles of salami plus assorted chores.
As a folder I have been carrying a Kershaw Knockout. Very handy and useable blade shape for general purpose (and every day carry). Also very quick to open one handed - which can be an asset at times.
To me, as an all good purpose and not to expensive, Ka-bar has proven itself. An US company, most knives made in US and a rich history. Available in different lenghts, from small to very big blades, with or without serrations and with different grips such as leather or black kraton. The 1095 steel has proven itself over the last years to say the least. Kabars can take some serious beating, stay sharp and are easy to re-sharpen. When you go for the black Kabar you have a knife that is suitable for all weather conditions. They will never fail on you.
You can also look at the Becker Dpt. from Kabar, very nice ones their too. In most cases you will stay far under the US$ 100,-
This dealer has it all, good prices, superfast shipping and all details about Ka-bar:
http://www.tomarskabars.com/index.html
I also like my Canadian Special form Bark River very much. I have it with mycarta handle and A2 steel and then it is around the US $ 150,-
I also own their Bravo-1 in CPM-3V steel, which is build like a tank.
Mind you that BR knives come with convex edges, which you might have to learn how to re-sharp.
Those are much my all-purpose knives I can recomnend.
Hope this helps and enjoy the ride!
I really like Bark River and Blackjack knives.... A2 steel and are made in the U.S.A....The Knives of Alaska knives are great as well...D2 steel and made in the U.S.A....The new Marbles are made in China....
If you're looking for a fixed blade, I have been really impressed with the Helle knives. The one I have is the sharpest knife I have ever used. Very easy to sharpen, and holds an edge forever.
It would be hard to beat Ron's skinner at that price point.
If you want stainless the Outdoor Edge's swing blade pak is a good one.
http://www.outdooredge.com/hunting-knives-swingblade-s/13.htm
Got my wife a PUMA® SGB™ Stag Bone Elk Hunter Knife for Christmas. Perfect size, about $55, great steel. I have a Puma White Hunter I bought about 45 years ago. Great stuff.
Bark River.
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/20130206_162629.jpg)
Any of the 2 dozen different Mora knives. $12 to $35 in price. Either stainless or high carbon, nice handles. Sheaths leave a little to be desired but come razor sharp from Sweden.
A great little fixed blade that I carry while stump shooting is the Graham Knives Stubby Razel. CRKT makes a production model for cheaper. I own both the custom and the production -- both are great. Short, stout and thick blade that won't bend, plus the chisel tip with the extended tang is perfect for hammering into stumps to get your arrows out. No need to worry about bending or breaking your knife's tip. Here's a pic of my custom one:
(http://opp-m.com/2/1/9/14219/assets/_LRsVey0_CSBkNi3.jpg)
Buck 105 or Case.
My Buck Model 110 Folding Hunter is the "Remington 870 Express" of my knife collection. I have many knives for many purposes, but the Buck 110 does almost everything...and does it all well.
Clip point design allows for delicate work. Classic lock back is safe. Takes an edge well. Price is still reasonable.
Not great for throwing....so I have AT LEAST one Buck 110 that's missing 3/4 inch of the tip due to my childish stupidity. Once broken, I ground the broken end into something resembling a point and the blade is still ok for skinning.
Kingsnake
Check out some of Ben Tendick's knives. He is an associate sponsor here and is making some great knives that get great reviews in a good number of places including Blade Magazine. For the hand made quality his prices are very reasonable.
Ben's screen name here is srtben. He lists some of his knives in the sponsors classified forum.
Chris
I've been carrying a buck 119 for 8 years now and wil second it's nomination for an all purpose knife. I have split reasonably thick wood, chopped saplings, cu up veggies, skinned hundreds of squirrel and rabbits, + coons, and gutted deer. It isn't a fancy model but takes a beating and does what I ask it to. Holds an edge quite well I just touch up with a fin stone after every outing.
No matter which all purpose knife you choose, consider throwing a basic lock blade fillet (fish type)knife in your bag. Works wonder on coring out that butt-holey-o area.
Anything with S30V steel will serve you really well. Sturdy as he'll since it's a tool steel but just soft enough sp that you don't need a diamond cutter to sharpen it. Also holds an exceptional edge.
I carry either a Buck or a Kershaw. Both good knives that will not break the bank.
I have one Buck that is a single bevel it gets very sharp and holds an edge like no other.
I have skinned and quarterd several elk with it with very little sharpening.
John
I always carry at least three knives . A Western, a large K Bar and a small caper.Usually I have a couple more in my pack just in case. I do agree on the Bucks though; Its really hard to find a more consistantly dependable knife and the snap around sheath on their larger hunters is pretty much fool proof against losing the knife. I also carry a touch up stone. sorry but I have yet to find the knife that will maintain razor sharpness when skinning elk. Least thats my take.
God bless you, Steve
The Alaskan Guide Series Buck Vanguard at Cabelas has S30V steel with a leather sheath for $99.00.
If you can find a cold steel master hunter in Carbon 5 steel you will love it. It's as good a steel as Randall 01 and 1/5 the price. [/qb][/QUOTE]
x3 Bought one many years ago, takes an edge, holds an edge.
Have a old Kershaw 1050 folder I'm right fond of too.
Like many of you all, I have used a multitude of knives over the last 30 years. Last couple years I have found a company that to me and my experiance on whitetails, squirrels, fish and turkesys as well as bushcraft. They are an American company with a LIFETIME warranty. Esee Knives. I plan on doing a full review in product section, when I get my camera fixed. I have three of them the candiru, the Izulla 2 (both great neck knives and the Esee 3. Feel free to message me with any questions or comments.
I really like my LaClair skinner. Had it a couple of years now. Great knife at an affordable price.
BOB
Hard to beat the Light my Fire, Mora collaboration for about $30. Lightweight, great steel and fire starting all in one.
select a knife (http://www.ralebladesmith.com/)
I absolutely love my schrade uncle henry. it's super sharp and holds a nice edge plus it's got to blades. the price is right as well at about $20 it's almost too good to be true!
well i would say any knife as long as it is SHARP and hold an edge :thumbsup: