Knife Comparison: Knives of Alaska Lightweight Combo vs Kershaw Blur S30V

[Wea300mag]

As I get older I have found a need to improve my tools in order to make the hunting process "easier". This year I wanted to try a knife with a S30V stainless steel blade so I purchase the Kershaw Blur S30V and was able to compare in to the Knives of Alaska Lightweight Combo. A couple days ago I had the opportunity to skin/quarter an elk using these knives and here are my opinions. Prior to use, both the Knives of Alaska Cub Bear and the Kershaw Blur S30V were sharpened on my Chef's Choice Edge Select 120. The Knives of Alaska Skinner was sharpened with my Lansky sharpening system. I skinned/quartered the first half (rear quarter, front quarter, &  backstrap) with the Knives of Alaska combo set. By the time I was finished with the rear quarter, the blade on the Cub Bear was getting noticeably dull. I’ve never had good results using the Skinner so I tend to use the Cub Bear for most of the work. I labored through the front quarter and backstraps to complete the first half. The knife worked great for separating the quarters and cutting meat but faded quickly in the skinning category.  For the other half of the elk I used the Blur S30V and it was a huge improvement. It started much sharper and maintained good sharpness through the whole process. I actually even preferred it's skinning capability to my Havalon, mainly because I didn't have to "baby it" for fear of breaking the blade. Two thumbs up for the Kershaw Blur S30V

Kershaw Blur S30V Specifications:
Blade: S30V stainless-steel with stone-washed finish
Blade length: 3-3/8 inches
Closed length: 4-1/2 inches
Overall length: 7-7/8 inches
Weight: 4 ounces
Price: $71 (Amazon)

Knives if Alaska Lightweight Combo Specifications:
Skinner length is 7 1/2-Inch
The Cub Bear Caping Knife overall length is 6-1/2-Inch with a cutting edge of 2-3/4-Inch. Both tools are made from D2 tool steel
Price: $142 (Amazon)

[MountainWalk]

I've owned KoA knives, the muskrat, which had a round tip, and the cub caper. Both were great designs, rusted easily and did not hold edges well. But they were easy to sharpen. Both had decent factory edges. Lost one and gave the other one away. Good review of the other brand.

[Bob33]

Interesting. D2 and S30V steels should have similar edge retention capabilities.

[bearpaw]

I have 3 KOA, they work and they are in a very handy kit, but I have seen numerous knife brands which hold a better edge. I myself would not buy another KOA, I would consider other brands.

[Spikorbust]

I have a Cabela's Alaskan Guide Series knife with S30v steel and was very impressed with how long the steel held sharp. Skin and Quartered an elk without sharpening. I did change the edge before hunting to 15 degree which the steel was hard enough to get a quality razors edge.