Looking at getting a knife for hunting and general purpose. What are some decent blades that won't break the bank? My preference would be a folding knife as opposed to fixed blade and sheath.
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Looking at getting a knife for hunting and general purpose. What are some decent blades that won't break the bank? My preference would be a folding knife as opposed to fixed blade and sheath.
whats your budget?
I have a Honey Badger, its fine. Pretty soft but very easy to get hair shaving sharp again. I think you can get them in a harder steel version that costs a bit more. I see Hunt Fish stock them now, but I got mine at the local independent for $100.
$50-$100 ishQuote:
Originally Posted by terryf
Pretty sure you can get Svord peasant knives for like 30-40 bucks. Exactly what you want.
Hands down a Svord peasant knife.
Hold their edge super well. Only down side is no locking mechanism however if you use them correctly they work really well.
Kinda reiterating what Beavis said.
Mercator are pretty good too. Nice and light.
Check out the Opinel range, made in France. Select your knife based on desired length and steel type (carbon or stainless). For your money you could afford two different sizes.
https://www.blademaster.co.nz/shop/S...el.html?page=3
I have several of them. The only downside is that once soaked in water, the wood swells a little making the blade hinge a bit stiff. So, presoak your knife and let the handle swell. Disassemble the knife and ease the blade gap with a piece of sandpaper, reassemble and you will never have another problem.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oI8Czx5Ug-Y
I have an Opinel but it isn’t as good as my Svord knives. The Peasant is ultra handy and my general purpose/drop point hunting knife is excellent. I had a guy remove a lot of the shoulder of the blade to make it easier for me to hone.That knife is still going strong after 41 years of use.
Ive got a honey badger. Skins small game fine. Is holding edge sweet. ( only used it for skinning mind) Bearing pivot. solid lock. excellent grip. Cheap sheath. Good knife.
Thanks for your suggestion. Those knives look excellent and a great price. Do you happen to have the 2.5" blade or the 3"? How does it feel in hand?Quote:
Originally Posted by Beavis
You’re in Auckland? I have a number to fit your specs…Mercator, Svord, if you’re not rapidly sorted I’ll fossick around and send some photos.
Mora Classic or Opinel if you want a folder.
Attachment 205140
ThisQuote:
Originally Posted by stug
I've got a RAT II as a pocket knife currently, and really rate it. D2 steel, a useful shape and made in Taiwan, not China.
The RAT I is larger and would would be better for cutting up deer. They are about the right price through Knife centre or similar. They are $109 at Blademaster in NZ
https://www.knifecenter.com/item/ON8...-nylon-handles
Attachment 205230
Easy win for the victorinox lamb skinner
In your price range I'd recommend the Opinel #9 as a lightweight folder. I've modified mine to have more of a drop point, and have refinished the wood to remove the high point at the rear, sealed it better, and drilled a hole for a lanyard. Even unmodified it is better than the mercator. I used a mercator for years, much perfer the Opinel.
The RAT I and RAT II are great knives, but get it in D2 steel the AUS8 is crap. May be out of your price range though. I own a RAT1 in D2 which I really like but usually take the Opinel hunting due to weight difference.
I've never used a Honey Badger, but they look great. Again get it in D2.
Plenty of good fixed blades in your price range. For the ultimate goodie but cheapie, get a Bahco!
With all these knives you'll need a wee diamond steel to touch up the blade in the field.
Using a regular steel on a regular basis is better for maintaining a sharp edge than an aggressive cutting diamond steel. When you can see flat spots on the edge, it's time for a diamond steel.
Fair point. I use a fine diamond steel simply as it's super lightweight.
Depends on the knife. A regular steel doesn't do much to a knife over 58rc, and isn't ideal for higher carbide steels like D2 eitherQuote:
Originally Posted by Bol Tackshin
What was wrong with the aus 8? It's definatley nothing flash but should be a serviceable stainless and should still hold an edge as well if not a wee bit better than the 1075 in the opinel.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dama dama
If you can stretch another 30 bucks and step up to a civivi they are excellent knives. Big jump in quality and steel treatment compared to the sub $100 knives
https://www.blademaster.co.nz/shop/S...ivi/C907S.html
On a recent trip I tried out a bunch of low-cost knives:
From top to bottom:
- Kabar Dozier Folding Hunter
- Kabar Folding Hunter
- Victorinox Hunter
- Svord Peasant
- Mercator
Attachment 205391
Honestly they're All pretty reasonable. Of the two Kabars, I'd rate the Dozier as being better all-round. It's lighter and the point isn't so pokey. The Folding Hunter is surprisingly heavy, being all steel construction. The Dozier is mostly plastic so it's light. Both Kabars can be opened with one hand if that matters to you. The Dozier is also available in D2 steel for a little bit more if you want more edge holding, but I think the AUS8 is fine.
The blades on the Victorinox and the Mercator are very similar to use. The Mercator in carbon steel is a little bit sharper maybe, but the Victorinox has a saw and a secondary serrated gutting blade that is viciously sharp but has a blunt point - good for opening up the gut cavity and cutting the diaphragm without damaging anything you didn't mean to. The saw is useful for going through the ribcage and pelvis if you like to do it that way.
The Svord is basic but gets the job done nicely. Not as narrow of a blade as the Mercator or Victorinox, so not quite as nimble for boning out. In the photo you can see that my Svord is slightly modified to make the point a bit pointier for penetrating cuts.
I would say that if you just want a sharp blade, the Mercator, Kabar Dozier, or Svord are a solid choice. I really like the Victorinox as a complete system for field use though.
That kabar fding hunter is a spitting image for my Kershaw folding knife which is my primary hunting knife. Small and easy to handle. Sharpen it before I head out and it easily handles breaking down and boning out a deer. Wonder if kabar bought the design off Kershaw?
Sent from my SM-A528B using Tapatalk
Both a copy of the original design which is the buck 110. Classic proven knife designQuote:
Originally Posted by Ned
Thanks guys. I ended up going with a Svord Peasant 3" knife. It just arrived today and I really like it. The edge is pretty dull so going to have to give it a sharpen this evening.
Attachment 205506
folding? Mercator.
ages old
Takes a good edge.
Light and lockable.
Ill tell you what
The bacho Utility knife from mitre10 comes out the box like a razor blade
Shaves easy
Holds its edge very well a mate of mine once field dressed 20 deer without sharping
They don’t look nice but they just darn work and if you loose it just buy another one
They are only about $15-20
or from left field a Havalon.
https://havalon.com/
Or the NZ made Victory knives.
https://victoryknives.co.nz/
but sometime something simple like a Mercator Folder is hard to go past and they hold a nice edge.
https://www.knifeguy.co.nz/category/...folding-knives
Z
Victorinox Sentinel, light lock blade, years of experimenting has resulted in this as an everyday carry..
If you are going to buy a svord, don't buy the Peasant, can't hold its edge.
bollocks....... they hold edge just fine,and are not hard to give a quick flick on steel to keep super sharp.
cheap but good??? actually watching croc dundee on the telly...you can buy a blank of that knife for bugger all and put your own scales on it LOL....
the wee 3" the OP has bought...Ive boned out a red hind with one...no steel on me that day.....also dressed out a house mutton. now I will admit the larger version is better/easier but the wee folder got the job done.
Quite like the havalon, mine has a normal folding blade one end and replacement scalpel at the other. Makes cutting around the butt a breeze, everyone's favorite bit!Quote:
Originally Posted by ZQLewis
Use the normal blade for chopping head off. I'm leaving a really nice Benchmade behind for it. Have also been happy with the wee K-bar folder mentioned above very handy and can get quite sharp.
I actually considered the blank set for a second there. I have a 3D printer so could have printed my own scales for it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Micky Duck
If looking for a replaceable blade knife, I can recommend the Outdoor Edge knives. Not to the taste of some, but does the job and cheap. They're being knocked out on AliExpress for very cheap, but can be bought in NZ as well. Been using one for a while and still using first blade which I resharpen. Unique design which means the blade is unlikely to snap with normal usage. It's nice to to carry a few spare blades on a multi-day trip. There's a thread about this style of knife somewhere.
I bought a Mora Kansbol recently and have been very impressed, lightweight, holds an edge extremely well. Bought it through TM for $70 but generally they go for under $100
https://www.knifeshop.co.nz/product/mora-kansbol
Not a folder; but the little 10cm, NZ-made Victory drop point hunter is a cracking wee knife. And only about $26...
Attachment 205881
fancypants Bacho LOL....Quote:
Originally Posted by Seventenths
I've been running a Kansbol for at least 5 years as my no.1 deer knifeQuote:
Originally Posted by Seventenths
I can't speak highly enough for its utility
Awesome grip
Takes a nice edge
It has cut up a lot of deer with no drama
