Trad Gang
Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Irish on January 21, 2007, 07:39:00 PM
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Looking for a new knife. Skinner, not big, not small, fixed blade. Looking for good steel, easy to sharpen, holds up well, blade with some belly. Mostly for deer and hogs. Well guys, give me some leads.
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How much do you want to spend?
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pm sent<><
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Like to stay around $100, give or take.
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I use a whitetail skinner by outdoor edge an like it alot.It is a T handle skinner with a gut hook.They come with a life time warranty also.
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Irish, Meet you in Atlanta, I think I can take care of you...Doc
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Irish--The Helle Fjellmann sells for $53. Its cousin, the Veidemann, goes for $61. (That is the guthook version.) Both of these fit the description of what you are looking for: "Skinner, not big, not small, fixed blade. Looking for good steel, easy to sharpen, holds up well, blade with some belly."
You can view them by going to the Tradgang Sponsor List above.
You could also purchase either of these blades without handles for about $20. If you have a bit of spare time this winter, acquiring a Helle blade is Step One in a good project.
By my lights, dollar for dollar, Helle offers about the best deal in the knife world, and Chad provides unbeatable service.
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Irish; Get in touch with HighPockets and he'll make you one.
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I'm sure you already are aware that easy to sharpen and hold an edge are opposing qualities in a knife blade. Flexable and backbone are much the same and don't go together either. I just wanted to make note of it just in case someone reading this didn't.
Over the years I've tested a bunch of knives. I've found Buck has the best blade steal and temper of any production knife and will beat 80% of the customs for sell. Most of their better models sell in the $40 to $50 range. Russel's has an online guide that will get you up to snuff on the qualities of different metals used for blades by the better custom names. They sell them too.
If you have someone here make you one at least you'll know what steal to ask for to achieve you goals.
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I should of asked "best combination of holding an edge and easy sharpening".
I checked out the Randalls - now excepting orders for 2011 delivery - and I though O.L. had a long wait.
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I second Highpockets. :thumbsup:
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I agree that holding an edge and easy sharpening can be contradictory terms. I also believe there are exceptions to that and Helle knives are one of those exceptions, and yes I am biased. I'm sure there are other knives that can boast the same characteristics but probably not many in the same price range.
We have received many comments from customers relating stories of gutting and skinning multiple animals from deer to moose before sharpening was needed. And then they comment how easy it was to sharpen with normally just a touchup needed.
Happy Trails,
Chad Sivertsen
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Irish....did ya miss Tippit's post? If you don't take him up on that....yer missin out on exactly what you're looking for!
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JC, I am going to get a knife from Jeff.
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(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y110/robtattoo/161.jpg)
I've got a few of these blades left. W2 carbon steel, 3-5/8" blade length. I can handle it in a huge variety of pretty woods & styles, if you're interested. :readit: :thumbsup:
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Nuts! Too late :D
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robtatto, sent you a PM
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Originally posted by Irish:
I should of asked "best combination of holding an edge and easy sharpening".
I checked out the Randalls - now excepting orders for 2011 delivery - and I though O.L. had a long wait.
Russell's has Randalls in stock if you really want one.
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How's this for a production knife? It's not their normal steal but AST34 isn't a bad choice. :)
It is a Buck Koji.
(http://www.agrussell.com/var/storage/variations/image/p/h/p/phpfKyjZ3_550-.75x550_72297.jpg)
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Irish, get something good and sharp. I plan on doing some shooting down there in TX. Get something big enough to feel in your pocket. You know how it is trying to find that knife when you need it.
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If you want a Randall, contact their sole dealer, AG Russell. My wife got a Model 3 made for me through them in 4.5 months. Took a couple more months to get a left handed sheath made by Randall. Paid a bit more than if she had ordered directly from Randall though.
If you are looking at a fixed blade, see if you can find a Hattori HA-6 (Medium Fighting Bowie).
I got mine for about $130. This is one of the top custom knife outfits from Japan. I put my Hattori nearly up with my Randall.
I sent my Hattori to Sunrise River Custom Knives to have them make me a left handed sheath. At the same time I had them replace the leather washer handle with one of black canvas micarta, sanded to a 120 grit finish. This made a handle that is impervious to about anything while providing a nice tacky grip.
You can see this knife on their website on their "custom" page...
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Grohmann is a great knife, best design out there IMO for skinning game. Just got one and haven't used it; but I have read alot on how good they are; their reputation up here with guides and trappers is legendary.
Made here in Canada since 1957. Great steel, very nice looking and guaranteed for life, along with the sheath!
they run about 60 bucks Can. for the original #1
the bird and trout is real nice looking too.
BD (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v611/ashstyk/ash/Original.jpg)
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I have a new Helle Safari for sale in the classified section for $65/shipped in the lower 48. I agree that Helle makes a great knife! They hold a great edge and really perform well in the field.
JL
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I like the Cold Steel Master Hunter in VG1 San Mai III steel
(http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/csstoreonline_1934_22031270)
You can find them for around $60 online.
I REALLY like the Cold Steel Outdoorsman in San Mai III steel, but that is around $140 online.
http://www.coldsteel.com/outdoorsman.html
(http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/csstoreonline_1934_12192284)