what all around knife?

[viva_che1363]

 sorry if this topic has been gone over many a times, but my wife wants to know what to get me for Christmas, and im thinking a new knife might be nice, but im not sure what i want. im looking for a good all around knife that i can use to gut and skin deer. what are your opinions on gut hooks? it it benificial or not? and what would your recommendations be, i like the buck zipper but ive only looked at it online. anyways just looking on some sugestions from you guys with more experience in hunting knives.

[JakeLand]

I use a gerber with gut hook it is the only knife I use and have used it alot the gut hook is a must it makes it so much quicker and easier

[The Weazle]

Swing blade.

[Kamo2112]

Swing blade.

Agreed on the swing blade. Great knife for gutting, skinning, and everything else you want to do in the field. Or the flip and zip. Both same knives with small differences and both from outdoor edge.

[huntnphool]

Cutco serrated edge is my packing knife. http://www.cutco.com/products/product.jsp?itemGroup=5718

[Boss .300 winmag]

If you don't like sharping knifes try the Havalon ones, I have Piranta (skinnning), and Baracuta (filet). Love them both. They use removable surgical type blades. And the best part they are made in good ole USA. 

[blackveltbowhunter]

   The Zipper is a good knife .... I have had good luck with nearly every Buck knife I have owned. And they are what I currently carry. Personally I prefer to not have the gut hook built in.... Its more aesthetics than function tho. I really like the Zippers twin the Vanguard... very solid blade. Either knife would be a quality multi purpose hunting/ general use knife. As well as several other blades in the Buck catalog.

   If your not into sharpening knives, the havalon is definitley the way to go, great knives. I really enjoy sharpening knives and stick with more traditional blades myself. But I have used them and the performed great.  Nothing worse than a dull knife, and these make it easy to have a shaving sharp knife all the time.

   

[Blacktail Sniper]

Cutco cerated edge is my packing knife. http://www.cutco.com/products/product.jsp?itemGroup=5718

First year using this style and really liking it.  Used a Buck 110 folder for over 30 years before that...never had a complaint.  Best to hold some different models in your hand if you can to get the "feel" of them, then go from there.

[Arnbo]

Hen& Rooster makes great knives,A little spendy But quality made.

[sirmissalot]

I can't seem to get most gut hooks to work for me but the swing blade looks cool and would probably work well. I'm a fan of the bright orange handled knives as I have lost a couple, one was camo... Why do you need a camo knife anyways. I am a fan of fixed blade knives, with a medium size blade and not too hard of steel. I have a diamond blade knife, love everything about it but its very difficult to touch up in the field. All that said I would recommend one of the knives of Alaska knives in blaze orange. There is one called Alfa wolf or something that is my favorite blade design. I would also take a serious look at the swing blade in orange.

[HORSEPOWER]

I carry two-  a Cutco hunting serated edge and a Piranta skinning knife. I don't care for gut hooks.

[earlmarne]

you can get a knives of alaska set for a reasonable price.thats my do all knives at this point

[huntnphool]

I carry two-  a Cutco hunting serrated edge and a Piranta skinning knife. I don't care for gut hooks.

I was never a fan of serrated blades until I was given one of these knives as a Christmas gift, its been fantastic.

[Wanttohuntmore]

I do not care for gut hooks either.  Last two years have been using the havalon, but before that a buck 110 folder.  The folder w/ a stone is hard to beat.   I know there's much better steels out there but it works.

My bull in 2010 was gutted and boned with a kobalt multi tool.  The steel is horrible, but it was all I had on me (don't switch packs in the dark and forget to transfer your hunting knife over!).

[Boss .300 winmag]

I tested the V45 buck selector knife from buck years ago thru North American Hunting Club. I don't think they made very many of them,  the gut hook in the picture has been used on lots of deer and is awesome.

[blackveltbowhunter]

   Those are cool knives. Would like to add to my collection at some point. My Bro in-law actually has a version that is a double blade. A full time clip point blade, and the selector blade. It came with 2 different selector blades the gut hook and a serrated or saw type blade. Extremely versatile and cool knife.

[Boss .300 winmag]

  Those are cool knives. Would like to add to my collection at some point. My Bro in-law actually has a version that is a double blade. A full time clip point blade, and the selector blade. It came with 2 different selector blades the gut hook and a serrated or saw type blade. Extremely versatile and cool knife.
[/quote

Do they still make them?

Searched their site, none on it.

[blackveltbowhunter]

No.. I dont beleive so.    That looks like a dandy you have there And you are correct they are pretty rare.

   The knife my bro in-law has, was given to him 15 + years ago when we were teens, and saw alot of use then.... Im not ashamed to admit I had knife envy  he still has it but it doesnt see much use these days.

[Boss .300 winmag]

They probably have patented it too, the design really works well. Wish I had the whole set.

[hughjorgan]

Cutco serrated edge is my packing knife. http://www.cutco.com/products/product.jsp?itemGroup=5718

I use a cutco as well, non serrated, holds an edge well.

[Ridgeratt]

I haven't used a Havalon but I do like to use a folding utility knife with these blades in it.
Wickedly Sharp.
 The selling point for me was when the salesman showed me they are unbreakable by leaning on one way past what I would have.
It took 2 blades to skin a moose but I can get an elk done with one most times.

[CAMPMEAT]

Swiss Army pocket knife. It even opens a beer bottle when you're done. 

[Hunterman]

I carry a Case XX on my belt for the past 40 years. I use to carry my brothers Case XX knife (after he died while serving in the Army) that dad got him after he shot his first and only deer. Now Quick Draw carries it, and I carry my dads.

Hunterman(Tony)

[shoot-em-dead]

my carry knife in the field is a orange handled knife of Alaska with a gut hook. I've had it for about 4 years and have used it for deer every year, and several pigs. It holds an edge longer than any other hunting knives I've had and I really like the orange handle. I will also add that I have been wearing a leatherman on my hip for many, many years and I use it everyday. The absolute best tool I own. I have done deer with it also but mostly use it for work.

[tlbradford]

A Leatherman Wave is awesome, if you need a saw for any big game.  I like a medium size knife with a drop point and a thick spine for years of durability, and a thumb rise for protection from slipping and for flipping the knife upside down for gutting.  I dislike gut hooks because I don't like the aesthetics and I don't like getting hung up when making punctures.

[singleshot12]

The Sod Buster Jr. made by Case.  My most used knife from birds,fish to even skinning deer

[jackelope]

When backpacking I  only carry a Havalon Piranta with 10 or so blades. When I'm hunting local I carry the same and one of Rainshadow's knives I had him make for me.
Cant go wrong either way. The Havalon takes a little getting used to but it's literally scalpel sharp.

[Bean Counter]

I use a gerber with gut hook it is the only knife I use and have used it alot the gut hook is a must it makes it so much quicker and easier

Gerber Gator II. Love me a gut hook.

[Biggerhammer]

In my opinion a quality knife for big game is the next most important thing to the firearm. Steel is steel, it's all in the heat treat. There are many custom knife makers out there that have perfected their craft. I have never been one to use a gut hook or own a knife with a gut hook. I don't know if your looking for a readily available knife or what price range your looking within. You may want to consider ordering a hand made custom and having it in hand before the next season. Sure, some of these knives take time but are worth it in the long run. A quality custom knife will last you a life time afield. The plus is you can order it in any configuration you please, steel, scale/handle material, pins, liners etc. I am very fond of good custom knives and enjoy working a animal with quality steel almost as much as taking them.

Several makers I would suggest and use are.

http://www.geneingramknives.com/

My newest addition to my collection. Ingram H325, D2, Mosaic pins, Honduran Rose Wood scales.



From top to bottom: #4 Bird & Trout, #1 Drop Point, #6 Drop Point, Pocket Shortcut.



http://www.charlesmayknives.com/

From top to bottom elephant ivory May's. MidSkinner, Noxubee, Tallahatchie.



http://winstonknives.blademakers.com/

Winston extended model 22(top) Winston model 69 bottom.



Winston model 22.



Winston model 38 "Skinner".



Winston's, Ingram's & May's.

[Austrian Hunter]

Cutco serrated edge is my packing knife. http://www.cutco.com/products/product.jsp?itemGroup=5718

x2 here.  The only knife I use for skinning and gutting. 

[Austrian Hunter]

Biggerhammer this is one very impressive custom knife collection you have their, very cool!!! 

[pd]

In my opinion a quality knife for big game is the next most important thing to the firearm. Steel is steel, it's all in the heat treat. There are many custom knife makers out there that have perfected their craft. I have never been one to use a gut hook or own a knife with a gut hook. I don't know if your looking for a readily available knife or what price range your looking within. You may want to consider ordering a hand made custom and having it in hand before the next season. Sure, some of these knives take time but are worth it in the long run. A quality custom knife will last you a life time afield. The plus is you can order it in any configuration you please, steel, scale/handle material, pins, liners etc. I am very fond of good custom knives and enjoy working a animal with quality steel almost as much as taking them.

Several makers I would suggest and use are.

http://www.geneingramknives.com/

From top to bottom: #4 Bird & Trout, #1 Drop Point, #6 Drop Point, Pocket Shortcut.



http://www.charlesmayknives.com/

From top to bottom elephant ivory May's. MidSkinner, Noxubee, Tallahatchie.



http://winstonknives.blademakers.com/

Winston extended model 22(top) Winston model 69 bottom.



Winston model 22.



Winston model 38 "Skinner".



Winston's, Ingram's & May's.

Nice collection, BiggerHammer.

[trophyhunt]

Swing blade.

Agreed on the swing blade. Great knife for gutting, skinning, and everything else you want to do in the field. Or the flip and zip. Both same knives with small differences and both from outdoor edge.

Just what I was gonna post when I saw this thread, I agree the swingblade by outdoor edge is a great knife.

[viva_che1363]

biggerhammer that sure is a nice collection of knife p$rn. i like the idea of getting a custom knife made but i think ill have to wait a while since we have a kid on the way right now. but thanks for all the replys everyone, ill be busy tonight looking up different knives to see what i like. i do enjoy the precess of sharpening and honing my knives so ill probably stick with something that dosent have the replaceable blades, although i can see where they have benefits.

[grousegetter]

I've been thinking real hard about picking up a knife from www.blindhorsekives.com
the brumby is the one I've been looking at. they have a few options for each knife, like the scale color, and the grind. I'm not sure which combo to get just yet...

[marlin]

Everytime I see one of those commercials for the "Bubba Blade", I want one. They have the filet knife and the stiffer one.. I want both. Anybody have those?

[Alchase]

My knives (I have many) are tools, If I had any one or all of Biggerhammer's blades or Rainshadow's, I would put them in glass case and drool on them.
 
I am partial to utility knives.

In my pocket daily is a SOG Flash II
http://sogknives.com/store/FSA-98.html

In my truck I have a SOG Multi-tool
http://sogknives.com/store/B66.html

And a cheapy Kobalt set I picked up for a couple bucks at lowes is in my truck door pouch
http://www.lowes.com/pd_70559-16878-62670_0__?productId=4176919&Ntt=knives

On my packs, each pack has a Leatherman Wave tool, Then I have a Browning fixed drop point on my pack and my tried and true SOG Seal Pup in the pack.
http://sogknives.com/store/FP6.html

When in the water, my SOG SEAL 30 years old and going strong.