Buck Hunting Knives
Filed Under Buck Hunting Knives, Fixed Blade Hunting Knives, Folding Hunting Knives, Folding Pocket Knives, Traditional Hunting Knives | Leave a Comment
Buck Hunting Knives - name by itself conjures up images for most hunters. Cold fall mornings, shivering in the dark to generate heat, strapping on your equipment. Dad saying “Don’t forget your buck knife”. Discovering that you forgot it anyway when you needed it.
Buck Knives are a right of passage. Even though I had several Hunting Knives by the time I was old enough to hunt, I wasn’t really a hunter until I received my first Buck. Growing up, a Buck Knife was the standard single-edged fixed bladed tool of the hunter.
Buck Hunting Knives are made with a full metal tang and a handle finished with a solid leather binding. I’ve never seen a fixed blade buck knife with a loose handle. And that says it all.
Other blades fade away with missing parts. Buck Knives get handed down or lost in the cold current of a mountain stream.
These knives are still made by the Buck family. Since the turn of the last century, the Buck family products have been fulfilling the needs of millions of outdoorsmen. In this era, the same quality inherent in the original designs can be found today, but the variety has increased exponentially.
Today you can purchase Folding Hunting Knives and all purpose knives, commemorative editions and multi-purpose fishing knives. Some of the pieces that have been specifically made for collecting are indeed works of art. There is exquisite detail with some editions sporting turquoise and silver or opal and mother-of-pearl.
There is an avid fan base for the Buck brand today (the Buck collector’s Club has over 1500 members). Their knives can be found in private collections ranging in scope from my teenage son to very serious collectors.
Folding Pocket Knives can sell for $100 and my old knife (being gently washed by the glacial melt) can be had for $350 or more. There are Folding Hunting Knives conventions held throughout the country with some that exclusively feature Buck Hunting Knives.
The quality and care placed by old Hoyt and Al Buck into their first pieces can be had today. Whether you are looking for a rare Yellowhorse edition or a sturdy blade to pass on to the next generation, Buck speaks of quality and time and honor. My Buck gets used out on the farm and I worry about it when it’s misplaced. My son’s blade sets above his computer – a mark of his transition toward manhood.
Traditional Hunting Knives
Filed Under Fixed Blade Hunting Knives, Folding Hunting Knives, Traditional Hunting Knives | Leave a Comment
When skinning an animal, one of the most important considerations is which knife to use. In order to get as much meat as possible from the animal it is essential that you use a good Traditional Hunting Knife. By using a second rate knife you would be giving up a lot of meat which could otherwise be used as food.
Finding the right knife is now more difficult than ever since the increasing popularity of Hunting Knives has lead many companies to begin to manufacture often inferior versions. If you are not sure exactly what you are looking for then sorting through all the different shapes, sizes and styles can be a real challenge. It is also important when choosing your knife to think about exactly which animal it is you will be targeting.
Your knife should be durable enough to be able to handle this animal and should also be suited to the type of hunting you are planning to do. Most good traditional hunting knives should last a lifetime as they are made from stainless steel. Most common among these are Folding Hunting Knives and fixed blade hunting knives.
Being immovable, the fixed blade type offers much more strength and provides the added advantage of having a nylon shield protecting the blade. Fixed blade knives, while by far the strongest option, are also the most expensive. They are more than worth the extra cost, however, especially if you plan to do a lot of hunting for larger animals.
A good knife is definitely a sound investment. Regarding handles, again there are many different types to choose from. Which handle you pick is largely down to personal preference but choose carefully because the handle is as important when it comes to skinning animals as the blade.
Having chosen you knife, the next thing to remember is sharpening. It is essential that you do this regularly to ensure you get all the meat that is possible off the animal. It is worthwhile to look on the internet and buy a good electrical sharpener which is the best way to quickly sharpen your knife. A final general tip for choosing Folding Hunting Knives is to pick one that feels good in your hand and which you will be comfortable using as a tool.
Go to the store and try out different handles and blades until you find the one that fits best. Since returning knives over the internet can be difficult, buying from your local store is definitely recommended. Hopefully with the help of this article you will be able to get the best knife for you and remember not to cut costs with your knife because your hunt will be all the better if you can get as much meat as possible from your kill.
Gerber Hunting Knives
Filed Under Folding Hunting Knives, Gerber Hunting Knives | Leave a Comment
Throughout the world, experienced knife collectors have prized and sought after knives from the Gerber Legendary Blades line since they first appeared on the market in 1939.
In addition to cutlery and multipurpose blades, Gerber produces some of the finest Folding Hunting Knives in the world. Known for their innovation, and designs that perfectly fit their function, Gerber Legendary Blades are held in high esteem by the most accomplished hunters.
Now, after almost 70 years, Gerber Legendary Blades is still as strong in the market as when its founder, Joseph Gerber, first began designing and producing knives. Even though the competition has grown, Gerber continues to stand out from the rest.
Although they make many fine Hunting Knives, there are a few that are particularly desirable. In this article, we review some of the most popular of the Gerber line.
The Firestorm is a folding knife; it measures 3.25″ when closed and 8.25″ when open. It has a stainless steel, tanto style blade and a steel handle with polycarbonate grip that makes it easy to hold onto in the field. It is both beautiful and a heavy-duty performer in the field. The Firestorm can be found for about $65.
The Harsey Fixed Blade Hunter has a stainless steel drop point blade and rubber handle. It has a 5.25″ full tang, and a total length of 10 inches. The contoured soft grip handle helps you keep a solid hold even when the knife is slick with blood or during adverse weather. This knife comes with a molded tactical sheath. The Harsey sells for about $45.
The Magnum Camo, Jr. has a 2.75″ blade with a extremely sharp yet durable edge, thanks to the 420HC steel from which it is forged. The overall length is 6.19″, taking into account the fiberglass-reinforced polymer grip. It is part of the Gerber LST series and comes in a striking camo finish. It can be found for about $40.
Of all the Gerber knives the Freeman Hunter may be the best known and most desired. It stands out because of its beautiful polished wood handle, carved from pear. It is designed as a skinning knife and allows hunters to quickly and skillfully handle both small and large game. Like all of the Gerber knives described here the blade is made of high quality stainless steel. It also sports finger grooves and a finger guard, and a sheath. It has a 3.25″ blade, and is 8.25″ overall. The Gerber Freeman Hunter sells for about $55.