What is a Really Good Hunting Knife

[Darryle]

Morakniv from Sweden. They are not your typical hunting knife and not something I would proactively search out. Camofire had them on a few years ago, blaze orange hard durometer rubber handle and black plastic scabbard. So I bought a dozen, maybe two. Thy were like $15 ea. I keep one in the tractor, my truck, tool box at work, one in the kitchen and one in the bathroom. The one I kept in the tractor saw the most use, trimming twine, cutting calves, pigs, goats and a couple of barn cat toms. I haven't had it sharpend hand looking at the edge, no knicks or damage and it's still amazingly freaking sharp. I know I have a box with a bunch still in the original packaging.

I just looked and they have them from $20usd to $50usd with a sharpen and gut hook.

The one out of the tractor

 

[M77Fan]

Morakniv from Sweden. They are not your typical hunting knife and not something I would proactively search out. Camofire had them on a few years ago, blaze orange hard durometer rubber handle and black plastic scabbard. So I bought a dozen, maybe two. Thy were like $15 ea. I keep one in the tractor, my truck, tool box at work, one in the kitchen and one in the bathroom. The one I kept in the tractor saw the most use, trimming twine, cutting calves, pigs, goats and a couple of barn cat toms. I haven't had it sharpend hand looking at the edge, no knicks or damage and it's still amazingly freaking sharp. I know I have a box with a bunch still in the original packaging.

I just looked and they have them from $20usd to $50usd with a sharpen and gut hook.

The one out of the tractor

View attachment 509050

That is impressive work history. Having several good reliable knives scattered around is a great strategy.

The Swedes do know something about cutting tools. They also make my favorite Sven folding camp bow saw that I have had for nearly 50 years. Used it within the last month at elk camp and cutting fence rails.

Yours looks like it is the Mora Basic 546 with a 3.5 inch stainless blade (they may have changed the handle size). The handle is described as "barrel-like", which makes me wonder if it would be too round to accurately tell you the unseen edge alignment. The Companion, at 4 inches looks interesting. Their literature says it has a 3/4 tang, so you can apply working pressure to it, and it has carbon steel, making it easier to sharpen, but more rust prone. Not for bushcrafting, but a good utility knife.

BTW, my comment on the paracord handle was more generic, rather than aimed at your personal MKC choice. Your use sounds entirely appropriate. Nice they will re-do it on request.

I had not stated in my earlier comment that I am personally just not wild about the cord-handle trend. Don't like the feel with or without cord, and eventual accumulation of gick is not a plus on my balance sheet.

 

[Darryle]

@M77Fan I did not really dig the paracord handle before I ordered it. A buddy had one and it felt really amazing in the hand, but it was so light, cogs went to spinning. I thought this would be a great back up carry or a discreet carry for those times you don't want to openly carry a knife. I am not so concerned about aggressive human behavior as I am being able to cut the seat belts after a bad traffic accident, the straps of your waders in the event you fall in the water and they fill up or stab that testy longhorn bull in the side of neck and turn his *** into steaks.

The weight and the blade design were the two critical choices for me.


I wholeheartedly agree with you on the blood and guts in the paracord, that was the main reason I turned away from it for so long, I thought how are you going to clean that, gonna take a ton of hydrogen peroxide to get all the blood out.

 

[CDFrom]

Yeah it is and yeah it is.......

ok Maybe for long pig

 

[RockyRandy]

It is no surprise that there is 9 pages of post on which knife to buy! It is a personal decision for sure. I love my Iron Will knife because it not only has the regular cutting edge but it also has an edge on the top front of the knife which really comes in handy when boning out an elk. I just bought a Montana Knife Company and it looks to be an awesome as well. I have a addiction to knife and my Moto is you can never have to many.

 

[Papa762!!]

I have scads of Randalls and actually use 7-8 of then by purpose, with another bunch of Spyderco, and several Cris Reeve. Like them all. What goes with me is an Airman by Randall, Model 15, my favorite. You know I really like you if I give you a 15.

 

[flyguy1]

I have used all my Randalls too; that's what they were made for.

 

[436]

This one has been with me for a very long time, it's seen a few Deer and Elk over the many years I've used it, and it holds an edge like a old mizer holds a quarter.
Steve Morseth 91M1-5 Love this knife, it does everything. Cheers

 

[skipglo]

Christmas is coming fast, and want to get some of the amazing men in my life a really good hunting knife.
Open to any recommendations, not looking for folding knives.

You can get a really good knife for 40.00 today...don't get caught up in Big fancy names! Knives are about edge retention and ability to sharpen FAST in the field! I have alot of over $ 200.00 knives that aren't worth a pinch of doggey doo doo..... but don't they look nice! A knife that you can't sharpen in the field is about as useful as using a piece of twine...for a winch cable!

 

[manitou]

You can get a really good knife for 40.00 today...don't get caught up in Big fancy names! Knives are about edge retention and ability to sharpen FAST in the field! I have alot of over $ 200.00 knives that aren't worth a pinch of doggey doo doo..... but don't they look nice! A knife that you can't sharpen in the field is about as useful as using a piece of twine...for a winch cable!

Like I stated earlier... do those guys a favor and get them something in S30v, S35v, S90 or D2 if it is in your budget.
I seriously doubt you can get a good knife for $40 bucks. I would have to see that. If a guy never has had a really good knife steel with great geometry then, well, he would think a $40 knife is a good one.

Yes, there are "pretty knives" made with poor geometry and sub-par steels out there.

Wishing you the best...

 

[Idaho Lefty]

AVOID,.. LONG, Blades, 4 to 4.5 Inch FIXED Blades, will Skin,.. Elk, Deer, etc.,. just,.. FINE.
You want a bit of, a Curve at the Front of Blade for, skinning "Strokes".
GOOD Knives with, GOOD Steel, will cost about,.. $100 +-
Several good recommendations have been listed

 

[sp6x6]

Moose horn Track knife, I helped make the caper in sheath.Packed for many years, my sons now.I got from my father.The Strider above my main along with tyto/scapel

 

[Idaho Lefty]

I HAVE, an OLD Laminated Handled, "Track" Knife, sold by Ithaca with, a 4" Blade ( Not the Skinner version ) but enough Curve in front to Skin Hides,.. WELL ! I took a Rock to the back of it, to cut thru, the Spine of, a BIG bodied, Muley I had shot, to take him out of, a Rough Canyon,. in Halves.
I can get thru, One Elk or, 2 Deer, BEFORE Re-sharpening, is needed !
My Dad gave it to Me for Christmas around 40-50 years ago ( Mid 1980's IIRC ) and have found NO need to, EVER,..replace it.
My son has, a Gerber S-330V Hunting knife ( 4 -4.5 Blade ) that is "Better" ( Skinned 2 Elk and a Bear without, Re-sharpening ) BUT, he won't, Part with it,.. LOL !

 

[436]

Probably should have added this with my first post, my backup and out-of-the-way hunter is my Bud Nealy PESH-KABZ another do-it-all hunter, really easy to work with in the hand in awkward positions with big animals, razor-sharp and double-strong. Cheers