Folder knife for general hunting

[Oldbloke]

Well, it’s looking like I’ve lost my trusty kershaw 4" folder after what must be close to 25 years. Skun a lot of rabbits with it and butchered a couple of sambar too. Hardly run in. Lol. I hope the bugger who finds it appreciates it.

Sooo I need a replacement.

Any suggestions? Reasonably priced say up to $80. Steel types to look for too. I know 440c was rated highly but what else is out there?

P. S looking for a basic drop point.

[Gaznazdiak]

G'day Oldbloke,
Cold Steel make excellent products.

https://www.coldsteel.com/pocket-knives.html

[Urastus]

440 stainless are budget knife steel these days, but after saying that I'm still impressed with it. I have a chinese knife that is a sheepsfoot shape - well made and 440 stainless. Like most knives the bevel was different on either side. It took me hours with a lansky to correct the bevel on one side. When people say 440 is soft, I think it is because we are so spoilt with knife steels these days. However, back to a knife suggestion This is a fixed blade, cheap, 17cr17mov steel (a step or two up from 440), it gets lots a great reviews as a bang for buck knife. It's drop point flat grind with a kydex sheaf. It is a copy of a well known and very popular but much more expensive esee 3 knife. Prices are in US $, so will be more in AU. Judging from the knife you're replacing I'm guessing these are in the budget you have in mind. I've bought and received stuff from these guys; the general concensus is that they are reliable. https://www.gearbest.com/fixed-blades-knives/pp_235633.html?wid=1433363. One other awesome knife that gets rave reviews as a survivalist knife is the mora robust https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-Mora-Robust-Fixed-Blade/173704122678?hash=item2871929136:g:micAAOSw5bxcIha2:rk:1:pf:0 A review of the mora robust https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKlcBpKbAvM. My preference for hunting would be the first one; I prefer drop point and flat grind.

[bigpete]

Svord peasant

[Oldbloke]

Urastus, thanks for that. Agree the first looks better. BUT, after searching for 6 days found the bugger.
It's a kershaw 1046 elk spring. I see there not cheap.

[Blr243]

Opinel make different sizes. They are wooden handled folders made in France. Light weight. Nice flat blades. No shoulder. Don’t have to spend much time on the stone

[albat]

Opinel make different sizes. They are wooden handled folders made in France. Light weight. Nice flat blades. No shoulder. Don’t have to spend much time on the stone

this for sure i've used the giant Number 12 for years for general hunting knife light as a feather, bloody easy to sharpen carbon steel , theres a reason these simple knifes have been around for more than a century. just remember to spray it with inox after use

[Urastus]

Urastus, thanks for that. Agree the first looks better. BUT, after searching for 6 days found the bugger.
It's a kershaw 1046 elk spring. I see there not cheap.

It looks good.

[Urastus]

One more just in case someone else is looking. This is made by ganzo - chinese, but they generally have great reputation (check out youtube). This one is d2 steel - tool steel, high carbon, edge lasts a long time. Bearings. Not a drop point. Prices are in US but good company to deal with. Link shows 3 models, different colours and one carbon fibre. https://www.fasttech.com/search?fh11

And one of many reviews: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5jyocyiJ9U

[Gaznazdiak]

Not remotely what you're looking for Oldbloke, but it's one of my favourites from Cold Steel, so I thought I'd throw it in just for the Halibut.

The Vaquero. Never seen anything you can carry in your pocket that can hack and slash like these, while at the same time still be usable a a steak knife, albeit a big steak knife.

[Urastus]

I haven't looked at knives for ages. I found one more d2 steel that fits the bill. Drop point, thin blade, nice size https://www.knifewarehouse.com.au/esee-zancudo-framelock-black-d2/. And a review https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdE0abLGJ-s

[Oldbloke]

D2 tool steel. Sounds like a good buy.

[bigpete]

Not remotely what you're looking for Oldbloke, but it's one of my favourites from Cold Steel, so I thought I'd throw it in just for the Halibut.

The Vaquero. Never seen anything you can carry in your pocket that can hack and slash like these, while at the same time still be usable a a steak knife, albeit a big steak knife.

Try the rajah 2...

[Urastus]

Oh, I have to add another one - I've been on a knife researching frenzy. It has such good general reviews and looks better as a skinner. The following link goes to a page where all models of the knife are: the best according to reviews is D2 steel and plastic scales (not the carbon fibre scales). The current price is $80.50 for the recommended knife - apparently the carbon fibre scales are slippery and poor quality http://www.cuttingedgeknives.com.au/search_product.php?searchtxt=RAT+II These are very popular in the US as EDC knives (Every Day Carry) - it just means they're what we'd call a pocket knife

A review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-kif_QUPVI

[Oldbloke]

Well I found that knife )kershaw 1046 elk) only to be stolen abt two weeks ago.

Any suggestions in the current market.

[deye243]

Buck 110 bit out of your price range but perfect size for what you do including the deer I have three of them one I've been using for more than 35 years

[bigpete]

Old timer folders are good. So are the opinels.

[northdude]

After being here a while and reading about some of the laws over there, are you guys actually allowed knives? how about the good old mercator

[Oldbloke]

Off the net. This is the original.
3 1/4" drop point.

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Never did like black, easy to lose.

[northdude]

good timing for this thread. After a goat hunt on the weekend wife has decided she needs a new knife. Got a blade show coming up soon over here. The last one we went to there was an aussie knife guy here. Have you guys dealt with Joker Knives I think he calls himself.

[albat]

https://www.traveluniverse.com.au/Hunte ... x%20hunter
These are good, great gut blade and bone saw and you'd be hard pressed loosing it

[on_one_wheel]

Buck 110 auto elite would be nice

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It's a Shame we can't be trusted with one

[Oldbloke]

Blade steel is everything.

https://knifeup.com/154cm-steel/

https://www.crow.ee/en/p/steel-comparison

I'll have a look in the LGS next week with luck. But see a couple I like on the net.