Hey guys, we sort of hijacked a thread over there and felt it would be good to just start a new thread.

Favorite hunting knife...don't forget those photos!

I had shown my best skinning knife that I got for under $25 --the Browning in the other post--

But this would be my best hunting knife--the--Ruana Sidekick-- I got it from my buddy Mike-- mine is a bit older and looks just a bit different-- need to say a few things--mine is much like this damascus knife but it is has a std steel blade --guessing-- 20 years old -- Mike purchased it to do the Hemp rope test-- It is said that the Ruana can pass the free hanging 1" hemp rope test (cut it free hanging clean with one swipe)up to 8 times before sarpening-- we nver got 8 times but we did get 4--
it is a fine knife-- I think it has as much charter as James's Randell
http://www.ruanaknives.com/customnoncatalogknivesinstock.aspx


I will try to post an actual photo of the knife

I like the Schrade skinning knife. It is simpple and holds aa good edge as well as being wasy to sharpen,

Without a doubt it would be one of my bill snow knives. They are like razors and hold edges longer than any other I've ever used.

I hear ya. I've been using the same Schrade lockback folder for 3-1/2 decades, and have never found a reason for anything else. It holds an edge forever and that 3-1/2" blade is easy to handle around a carcass.

A 2 blade Schrade that my Grandfather carried for who knows how many years. I'm pretty sure it's older than I am. I feel like he is there watching every time I use it on something.

Havolon, razor sharp. In fact it's surgical sharp. The nice thing is that, you can replace blades in 30 seconds and your back in business , you never have to sharpen them. Each knife cones with a dozen blades. I use mine to gut, skin, and bone. One blade wil do at least two deer.

I really am fond of my Knives of Alaska (really made in texas i believe) Alpha Wolf...great handle material, great blade and just balances very nicely. Although I wish it was just a touch smaller.

Second is the old Buck 110 folder. My dad used it and it was the first knife i ever bought.

I got this Gerber from a good buddy of mine (you know who you are) for Christmas. Can't wait to give it a try!



I also use Havalons.

Old Timer knife with Shrade blade is one of my old favorites. Have had it since High School.

I had to snap a picture of my favorite...an old Explorer Stubby
It's processed innumerable squirrels, ropes, cardboard boxes, deer, assorted meats and cheeses...

Note the custom:
-bent tip from using as a screwdriver
-etching from opening a bottle of acid for a motorcycle battery (forget to wipe the blade off)
-stippling on the back of the blade from using a hammer to cut heads off of catfish

That knife gives me the warm and fuzzies! Nice to see a well worn piece of equipment that has served well!

haha thats classic right there.

Critter Gitter, no offense, but I hope you never borrow my knife. LOL

I have 2 favorites. Cost together I don't think would break a $20 bill by much. One is an Ozark that a very dear friend gave me one year for Christmas. You can pick them up for around $9 at Wally World. The other one is an M-Tech survival knife. Got it for $10 on sale. I have other knives but these 2 are my favorites.

Neither one of these knives cost much but the Ozark reminds me of a great friend. The M-Tech is stainless steel & about the size of a small Kabar. Plus it flat out feels good in my hand.

All of that said I wouldn't mind having a Boker with ceramic blade.

One of my favorite knives is an old Camillus pilot survival knife. Once you work the edge of it over, it is very respectable. I have skinned multiple pigs with mine and has earned a place in my daypack.
I also really like the KA-BAR Warthog. It was one that REALLY surprised me. With these military knifes, you have to rework the edges down and put a good bevel on them. They are a lot better than most give them credit.
I have a handful of custom, hand forge, blacksmith made knives. I use them for my re-enacting of the furtrade time period. (And a lot of skinning when hunting.) What I have learned are the “best” ones are the ones that fit my hands well and accommodate my needs. IMHO, just like guns, not all knives fit everybody. Pick them up, handle them, and remember they are a tool.

PS, I had a file knife made of my favorite kitchen knife. Man, do I like that blade in the field.
Just my thoughts on paper so take them for what they are worth…

Mine would have to be my Cutco. It cleaned 5 deer this year and a few hundred ducks and it is still pretty dang sharp!

For a long time I have used a Remington bullet knife, a 3" single blade lockback, Yo MR. TEX, the Camillus knife factory is 15 minutes from my house, sad to say they went belly up 3 years ago, they employed about 125 people.

Top one is my fav. Does almost everything and is tiny and light. I use the bigger one for cutting thru ribs at the sternum and if a small deer, through the cartilage to separate the hips for easy field dressing.

These are customs by JohhnyZ here in VA. He has no national presence, though I have tried to get him to be more assertive. He enjoys the work so much, he doesn't want to expand too big for fear of losing the joy of making his knives. I can understand that. He makes his own sheaths and those are elk horn scales. The blades are from recycled saw blades, tool steel, or gravel mining "blades".

Those Cutco knives are excellent. I have used one. I just don't like the serrated ones cuz they make a lot of loose hair. Yours appears to be a std. blade. Haven't seen one of those at the shows.

I have a Schrade Old Timer Sharp Finger. What a joy to skin with once you get used to that long pointy blade. I've had that thing since I was about 20, which means nearly 29 years.

I got a Kershaw Alaskan about 15+ years ago and it's still my favorite go to knife.Got a new one this year that I've tried out a few times made by Havalon that's pretty impressive.

"Ol' Ern" from Simmons (top) and a couple of Schrade's that are in my collection.

Here are a couple of knives given me by T/C Arms for the use of two of my photos for their catalog; different years.

Top is the T/C number 7, or "Game Warden." This one is #118 of the Limited Edition of 250.

Bottom is the T/C Number 12; both in my collection and not used.

My favorite knife is an old timer that my father bought me when i was 14. It is an single blade locker and boy does it sharpen nice!
My favorite carrier is a victroinox locking blader with easy opener.

D H Russel Canadian pattern bird and trout.

This is one place in my hunting gear that I've never really spent any money. I have a fixed blade Western that Dad gave me back when I was a teenager. It is a fixed blade, rubber handle, sharpens nice and goes at least two deer before resharpening.

I've also used a Kershaw folding knife that is my general all purpose knife that also does well for skinning. Folded length is maybe 3.5". Actually used it to give my friend a quick lesson on field butchering...did a deer on the tailgate of the truck.

Pretty hard to beat a Buck 119 special for me. My dad has one, I have one, and my son will have one to!

The steel on these Faulkniven knives is unreal.

From top to bottom:

Buck Damascus Folder; Bear Damascus Hunter; and Case Ridgeback.

Top to bottom:
Uncle Henry, and a pair from Bear Cutlery.

That buck damascus is a beauty...as are the Bear's.
I was at the Eastern Sportsman's show and came across these guys.
http://www.dunnknives.com/

seemed to be a great product.

Hope you had a great time @ H'burg and didn't freeze your toes standing in line.