Need help choosing a hunting knife

[Gman98]

Hey guys, I've decided it's time to get a new knife. I will be using this knife for anything from deer to moose, and anything in between. I'm not really looking for a custom knife and would prefer a fixed blade. Any recommendations?

Thanks, Alex

 

[trebark]

Easy...Cold Steel Master Hunter. It is the only hunting knife I've used for the last 24 years. It has gutted every deer and antelope I've killed. It has been sharpened so many times now that my buddies refer to it as the 'sharp stick.' It has many more years of service before I consider replacing it. And when I do replace it, I will find another Cold Steel Master Hunter.

The current version in production is stainless steel:

Master Hunter - Cold Steel Knives

It has been made in other steels as well. Mine was one of the original versions in Carbon V. They are all good.

Search for it on ebay and you will find many for sale at much less than 'retail.'

My brother has the version with the gut hook. We both agree that the gut hook is unnecessary and not very useful.

 

[Mike 338]

Yeah, I got a Master Hunter too. Used it for years. So far I haven't used anything better. Holds an edge as well as any. Touches up easily. Good practical handle. The steel stains easily but I kinda like that too.

I think I'll get a Havalon and see how I like 'em but the Master Hunter just keeps plugg'in away.

 

[lightflight]

Havalon. Never sharpen a knife again.

Edit: I know Havalon is a folding Knife. Maybe get one in addition to the fixed blade that you choose to go with. =)

 

[CB11WYO]

I recently picked up a Marttiini Full Tang Hunter (P/N 350015), but haven't had a chance to use it on game yet. Boy I tell ya it feels good in the hand though, built like a tank

Best deal I've found is from Knifeworks.com
Marttiini Full Tang Hunter, 9 3/4" Overall, Waxed Curly Birch Inlay Handles

I actually got mine straight from the factory in Finland.
Marttiini Full Tang Curly Birch - Marttiini

I spent a few years in Finland and ended up visiting the factory in person. I was really impressed with their quality. The Full Tang Hunter is my 3rd Marttiini knife, but my first for hunting. Hopefully get to try it out on a speedgoat come September

 

[Gman98]

Would a havalon piranta be big enough for moose?

 

[wyowinchester]

As with a lot of things, It's not how big it is but how you use it. Take,, caliber size for instance.

 

[SidecarFlip]

Would a havalon piranta be big enough for moose?

Absolutely plus Havalon (Havel Surgical Instruments) offers other blade designs other than the usual Piranta style on their website.

They are stupid sharp. Problem is (and I've found) that they don't cut around bone very well, they are brittle and if you deform the blade, it breaks, but for field dressing, it can't be beat but you nbeed another knife for boning. I just carry an Old Timer or a Buck 110.

And Havalon's are cheap plus Len sells them here on the attached store. I think the Piranta conmes with 10 extra baldes and a ballistic sheath for less than 50 bucks. A herlluva deal.

Havalon. Never sharpen a knife again.

Edit: I know Havalon is a folding Knife. Maybe get one in addition to the fixed blade that you choose to go with. =)

+10. So sharp you can cut a finger off and not know it....until you jnotice it's gone...

 

[lightflight]

Would a havalon piranta be big enough for moose?

I have the Baracuta which is a little longer and thicker blade. I have only used it on Mule deer but it is great. Best part is when it starts to get dull you just put a new blade on in seconds.

Piranta is a little smaller but I think I'm going to get one of those too and give it a try. Mostly due to the cost of replacement blades. $15 for 5 baracuta blades vs. $5-$10 for a dozen Piranta. The blades aren't interchangeable between the two dues to the thickness.

 

[SidecarFlip]

The tihing to always keep in mind with any Havalon (Havell) knife is, it's a surgical scapel with a means to lock it securely into a handle, whether a small folder or something else (Havel makes rigid handles but there is no practical way to carry one).

The folder makes it safe to carry. Always respect the blade. Being a scapel, it's stupid sharp, sharper than any conventional blade can be honed or stropped to at home. Never try the 'shave your arm hair' scenario with a Havalon. It will immediately cut your epidermis, thats what it's designed to do.

The cutting edge is machine ground and stropped. While you could theroitically attain a similar edge at home on a conventional knife, it would take hours and using it would dull it almost immediately, one reason Havel makes the blades replaceable. Their's dull too.

The blade steel is imported from Japan (I believe it's Nippon surgical grade)

Use the Havalon for meat (tissue) cutting and sectioning and a conventional blade for deboning and you'll be good to go. Just watch your digits when using a Havalon.

 

[hjl]

Hi
Anyone use the old Gerber flayer?
I have read somewhere that the owner could skin 2 moose with it without sharpening in between.
Anyone use the Grohmann pelt skinner model G100 I believe
Anyone use the new Raptor Razors. My son has bought a set but hasn't used them yet. They feel really good in hand. Man size.
Cheers
hjl

 

[338 bruce]

Knives of Alaska Alpha Wolf D2 - Sportsman's Warehouse I love this knife but only used it two years, its also made of different steel.

 

[coyotekiller82]

Knives of Alaska Alpha Wolf D2 - Sportsman's Warehouse I love this knife but only used it two years, its also made of different steel.

KOA's are mostly all I own for hunting knives/saws, including the Alpha Wolf. They work great and keep an edge if you don't abuse them.

I own a couple of Cold Steel tactical knives I bought for "fun" and really like them too...very sharp from factory!!

Been looking at the Havalon knives too, and will probably have one in the near future.

Any way you go, these three MFC's are a guaranteed good knife @ a reasonable price compared to custom knives.

 

[coyotekiller82]

Knives of Alaska Alpha Wolf D2 - Sportsman's Warehouse I love this knife but only used it two years, its also made of different steel.

KOA's are mostly all I own for hunting knives/saws, including the Alpha Wolf. They work great and keep an edge if you don't abuse them.

I own a couple of Cold Steel tactical knives I bought for "fun" and really like them too...very sharp from factory!!

Been looking at the Havalon knives too, and will probably have one in the near future.

Any way you go, these three MFC's are a guaranteed good knife @ a reasonable price compared to custom knives.