Knife set for all my hunting needs

MaxKW

MaxKW

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This could also fit in the blade forum but I'm looking for hunting specific advice.

I'm thinking about getting rid of all my knives and getting a custom matched set made, a drop point knife with gut hook, a skinning knife and a fine blade caping knife. I'm looking for suggestions on a guy to do this, also pics and opinions on your favorite knives for big game hunting so I can steal ideas, what features should and shouldn't be considered in this build, handle and blade material etc. these would be the knives I have on my hip while hunting for many years. They don't specifically have to be custom made if something is available.
 
I've spent a lot of time trying out different knives, looking for the "perfect" one, and in the end went back to the old, inexpensive, wooden-handled Moras. There's no guthook on the ones I use, but I never had much time for that feature anyway. The only thing I really dislike about them are the cheap plastic sheaths. The Helles are very good too, and a little better quality.
 
I've used a pile of different skinning knives over the years and have a few favorites. I don't use gut hooks, never had a need for them and the gut hook itself gets in the way at times when I'm skinning. If you really need a gut hook, buy one of the Buck ones and throw it in the pack or tape it to the sheath. You'll probably have a hard time finding a custom maker who'll do a gut hook knife anyhow.

A 3.5-4" blade is about perfect in my books. Big knives just make big cuts and are unnecessary. I also prefer to have no choil or a very small one for a skinning knife. They snag hide and serve no purpose. Bark River make nice knives with lots of exotic or utilitarian handle configurations. Pretty much all of them have a convex edge, which is easy to maintain and gets very sharp, but it's not the most durable. They chip and roll if you drop it onto rock,pry bone/joints,etc. Most of the time I just sharpen my knives with ceramic sticks in a V configuration on a block, and that works fine as long as you don't let them get too dull.

Here's a pic of a few that get used the most to give you an idea. My favorite is probably the Fallkniven F1(top,black rubbery handle), though perhaps not worthy of a "hand me down" knife. The prettiest one is the Jenkins custom stag handle Loveless style skinner(middle), but I'm always scared to lose that one, so it only gets used sparingly and not in back country hunts. The orange handled Bark River is my moose knife. You can throw it aside and find it again immediately. I can't count the many times I've hunted for knives with a neutral colored handle while skinning moose.

I have a few caping knives, but the scalpels with disposable blades are impossible to beat, the biggest reason being the thinness and flex of the blades. Just buy a Havalon with a bunch of blades and you're done.

My $.02 anyhow, others opinions may vary.
 
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check out the buck knife website alpha hunter and mini alpha. I really like them.they are made with a S30v steel holds an edge very well , corrosion resistant but slightly more difficult to re sharpen due to the hardness of the blade.
 
If you want an heilroom set , something special to pass down to your kid you must go with a custom knifemaker.

A lot of good canadian knifemaker could make you a three matching pièces set for around $175.00 to $250.00 a piece and maybe less dependind on handle material, steel chosen and fine workmanship desired. You could have a hunting knife, a caping knife and a camp knife ( general purpose knife ) made.
 
you received good advices.

if you need really a gut hook try a zip blade from outdoor edge.

i use an havalon with disposable blades and a Mora with orange blaze handle.

you ll need maybe a saw too.

while guiding i ve been offered the Kodi pack from outdoo edge great combos but too heavy for my needs.

a friend used on two bisons this winter and was happy with, the steel of the japanese blade is very good.

hope this help.
 
hi
i'm sorta bias but i'll recommend my friend, Gill Cote ... he's got some nice stuff !
those are custom made, so you can go with the handle you like

careful with custom knives, it'll pull you in..... and you'll have a hardtime to even look at factory stuff, anymore

for stainless, i like cpm D2
 
Check out Ron Post Knives. My grandfather has skinned endless amounts of fur as a trapper with his knives. They certainly do the trick. I dont think you'll find a custom knife maker who will do a guthook though.

Hes located in South River Ontario.
 
MaxKW said:
That is a great product but not a "heirloom" type of set that I'm looking for
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Show the design to a custom knife maker and have something like it made in higher grade metal and your choice of handle material.

Just a suggestion. :)
 
medvedqc said:
...the steel of the japanese blade is very good.
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I agree. Last summer, my inlaws brought me a hunting knife made by their local smith in Kumamoto. We have several kitchen knives also made by him. The steel is incredibly durable and holds a very sharp (scary sharp!*) edge for a long, long time. The only problem with the hunting knife they brought is that it is a bit larger than I would like. It would be near perfect if it was about 30% smaller.

*I define "scary sharp" = basically no force is required to cut carrots, and if you cut your finger, you don't know it till you see blood (the wounds heal quickly, though).
 
I would like to suggest Ed Storch. Ph 780-763-2214. He is in Mannvillle and puts on courses. Next one starts May 17. You (or he)can do
the stock removal process or make a forged blade. You can pick blade material, shape and handle He even does damascus blades. He has an oven for heat treating and tempering your blades to the hardness you ant. I costs nothing to enquire.

Neil
 
...here's a very good Canadian knife maker...a real craftsman...personable...lives on the shore of Clearwater Lake in N MB...does excellent work...even does open-forge work...I believe he is a retired metal worker from the The Pas Tolko plant...Sid McKay...spotless shop...give him a call...

http://www.opasquiacustomknives.com

good luck
 
Bowie said:
I would suggest a Bob Dozier. His wait times are long, but there are frequently knives available on his website for immediate purchase. I bought two or three that way.
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Though apparently he's a bit of a dink, according to a knife-nut friend of mine that had some bad dealings with him.

Neilm said:
I would like to suggest Ed Storch. Ph 780-763-2214. He is in Mannvillle and puts on courses. Next one starts May 17. You (or he)can do
the stock removal process or make a forged blade. You can pick blade material, shape and handle He even does damascus blades. He has an oven for heat treating and tempering your blades to the hardness you ant. I costs nothing to enquire.

Neil
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I've heard bad things about Storch. Like the guys that showed up a bit early to do some heat treat and caught the last 5 minutes of a knifemaking class he was putting on. He charged them for the class.
 
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