Best all around hunting knife?

[IndianaSlim]

First, my backround about knives. I know nothing. Nada. ZERO. I carry a junk pocket knife that I sharpen with a 4" grinder while clamped in the vice in my farm shop. I'd like to get a decent hunting knife that will be used mostly for gutting and deboning deer. In reality, it will be used more for boning than anything else, as I'll end up gutting the majority of deer in the field with whatever is in my pocket. I'd like to stay under $100 if possible, but could spend more if I had to. I'd like something probably in the 4-5" range, fixed blade of course. And of course it has to be able to leap giant buildings in a single bound, fly faster than a speeding bullet, and hold the sharpest of edges forever and ever!!

 

[DarkRose]

What we use for gutting is a Buck Vanguard Zipper, works like a CHARM. Also use them for skinning. Great gut hook.
A.G. Russell Knives | Buck® Vanguard & Buck Zipper
Bottom image.

For deboning, we've got 2 knives we LOVE. Both of them the same model, one old version, one new version, the Case M3 Finn, fantastic little boning knives! It's just now being sold individually again, for years you had to buy it in a set with the larger version.
Case M3 Finn Leather Hunter Fixed Blade Hunting Knife 3-1/8" Clip Point Surgical Steel Blade Leather Handle Brown - MidwayUSA

I wouldn't put either of them on the list as a survival or SHTF knife though.

I think I've got the first link corrected now.

 

[randyb]

I am a big fan of the Moria brand knives. Cheap enough to buy several. Sheaths are crap, but the blade hold an edge and work will on skinning and other hunting tasks.

 

[sadclownwp]

call me old fashioned but i use my Kabar Marine Combat Knife

 

[TiminMishawaka]

Find a 50+ year old hudson bay/green river style butcher knife - 10 bucks (maybe). Get a good stone (I like DMT bench stones) - $40-50. Get a $12 dollar sheath from crazy crow.

That leaves you with at least 18 bucks to buy beer to celebrate putting together a complete knife system that worked for a hundred years for men who's lives depended on deer meat.

 

[UncleMike]

I'm partial to my Buck Pathfinder (105).
It's been my hunting knife for forty two years.
Mike

 

[djl02]

buck Alpha hunter,get something with a gut hook. .02

 

[x10]

I like a folder, I started out with a buck 110 which here is the new model
BUCK

when looking at knives remember you have to sharpen it so if you look at one with a "bolo" type blade or serrations then they are harder to sharpen, a good drop point without too much curve is easy to sharpen,

Shrade, case, ect. all the reputable companies make a good knife and your going to get knife fanatics with this post, so take the suggestions with a grain of salt

The reason I don't like a fixed blade knife is that they are alway exposed, and sheaths wear out and get cut through or they are hard and poky, a folder can be thrown in a pocket

I myself put a lot of store in made in the USA,

Also knives are made different in respect to blade hardness

A buck knife is usually hard to sharpen but will hold an edge very well, the Shrade's I have sharpen up quicker and hold and edge very well, I think if you stay with the bigger brands and stay away from anything that wants to be a tacticool knife you'll be ok,

Look at the designs that have been around for 20 years + they have been around because they work.

Good luck, remember if its big and heavy you have to carry it all day

 

[Knife Lady]

I have seen any of the ESEE knives including the little Izula cut or field dress a deer. I think the ESSEE4 is the perfect size and weight. There is also the short Kabar it is good stuff too. I like the sheaths better that come with the ESEE knives tho instead of the leather sheaths with the kabars. I prefer the kydex sheaths but to each their own. Most don not use the ESEE knives for hunting so if you dont go with the short kabar you can also think about the Buck omni hunter it is just the size you need and will do the job except for going through bone. It will be hard to find a knife to cut through bone unless it is a surgical steal.

 

[baldguy637]

My father and i have both used a Buck 110 folder for years. 20+ years and still going strong!

 

[rhino]

It's tough for one knife to do all jobs well.

The best compromise is probably a drop point with a 3-4 inch fixed blade. Drop points reduce the chances of piercing the intestines etc. when you're opening the abdominal cavity, but they also have enough belly to be decent skinners. There's a reason why Bob Loveless' style drop point hunters were and continue to be so popular.

I'd also go with a relatively thin blade, especially if you're doing boning primarily.

The production knife I know that matches those criteria is the AG Russell Deer Hunter: A.G. Russell Knives | A.G. Russell™ Deer Hunter

 

[Sailor]

Schrade old timer for me. When they were made in the USA.

Butchering I use a pair of 6" fillet knives.

 

[cooldadg]

I like anything that says Kershaw

 

[DarkRose]

My father and i have both used a Buck 110 folder for years. 20+ years and still going strong!

Before I got my dad the Buck Vanguard Zipper, a Buck 110 folder was all he and my grandpa used for field dressing and skinning. Those are gret knives too!

 

[Jack Ryan]

First, my backround about knives. I know nothing. Nada. ZERO. I carry a junk pocket knife that I sharpen with a 4" grinder while clamped in the vice in my farm shop. I'd like to get a decent hunting knife that will be used mostly for gutting and deboning deer. In reality, it will be used more for boning than anything else, as I'll end up gutting the majority of deer in the field with whatever is in my pocket. I'd like to stay under $100 if possible, but could spend more if I had to. I'd like something probably in the 4-5" range, fixed blade of course. And of course it has to be able to leap giant buildings in a single bound, fly faster than a speeding bullet, and hold the sharpest of edges forever and ever!!

Get a Buck 110 folding hunter, a Buck 102 or 105 fixed blade , or a Scrade or Old Timer Sharp Finger.

Buck Fixed Blades with Phenolic Handles - Knifecenter.com

 

[kboom524]

Schrade old timer for me. When they were made in the USA.

Butchering I use a pair of 6" fillet knives.

on the Schrade. I have two Sharpfingers that I have used on everything from squirrels to deer. Both mine were made in USA. Also have a Buck Vanguard that I use most of the time for deer during firearms season. Buck makes a great knife I know alot of people that use a Buck 110 for eveything. I also have used Gerber Gators both the folding and fixed bladed. The rubber handle is great for no slip while field dressing a deer. The gator folding is what I carry for bowhunting.

 

[Zoub]

I prefer fixed blades for Deer for the simple reason they are easier to clean afterwards.


PS for Jack: There is something about picking your teeth with a knife and realizing that the "stuff" inside that knife is from last season, 10 months ago.................major mental yuck.

 

[DarkRose]

I prefer fixed blades for Deer for the simple reason they are easier to clean afterwards.


PS for Jack: There is something about picking your teeth with a knife and realizing that the "stuff" inside that knife is from last season, 10 months ago.................major mental yuck.

It's worse when you see your dad doing it, and he's holding his teeth in his hand...

 

[Zoub]

It's worse when you see your dad doing it, and he's holding his teeth in his hand...

You didn't make that up, did you.

 

[Jack Ryan]

I prefer fixed blades for Deer for the simple reason they are easier to clean afterwards.


PS for Jack: There is something about picking your teeth with a knife and realizing that the "stuff" inside that knife is from last season, 10 months ago.................major mental yuck.

Could be worse...