Lets see those hunting and outdoor knives

[David LaPell]

How about instead of folders and tactical knives, we see some everyday knives.

This is one that I got from a friend but I don't know too much about it. It has been around for a while though.





I got this Blind Horse knife a few years back for my birthday. I gutted a couple deer with it so far and cleaned a few fish.



I bought this for my pack and hiking gear, a Ontario US Air Force Survival knife. I didn't need something as big as a Kabar USMC knife,and I like how easy it is to carry it.



These are a pair I have had for a long time. I have had the Uncle Henry for more than ten years. I have gutted deer, cleaned more fish and small game than I recall with this knife. Best $12 I ever spent. The little Old Timer on top was in my safe and my pack but now I keep it my safe, I figure when my son is old enough this will make a good first knife for him.

[Alnamvet68]

My latest acquisition; went hog wild over the last 2 weeks or so buying 5 knives total....

bmbcskinner.jpg

[Cyrano]

Bought this Buck in the PX at Ft Richardson, Anchorage, Alaska, about 1966. Been using it ever since. Even took it to Vietnam with me.

[mc5aw]

David ... I picked up one of those Ontario USAFs back in the '90s and have found it to be the best <$50 fixed blade I have ever owned. The enclosed stone is a plus, and the pommel is great for hammering tent pegs, etc. One thing to be careful of ... the areas where the leather meets the pommel and guard can get easily corroded. I had it happen, but a copper wire brush and some BreakFree (or WD-40) will clean it up. Otherwise, a great all purpose knife to keep in a Bugout bag, camping pack, etc. for a price that's easy on the wallet.

[G.T. Smith]

I'll try to send pictures of the two I use the most. The one with the 65 belonged to my Grandfather. It is stamped:
M.S.A. CC.
GLADSTONE,
MICH. U.S.A.
The one with the 37 is another one of those Ontario knives with the stone that was gifted to me from a fellow member, the stone, not the knife.
Have a great evening,

Gordon

[Frank46]

Got one of the pilot survival knives back in '66 for the grand sum of $10. Still have it and every time he comes over my buddy wants to see it. Frank

[Marshwheeling]

Here are a few that have seen some use. The Wirkkala puukko came from Brookstone 35 or 40 years ago. I bought the small Anza from the maker at a motorcycle swap meet, for about 15 bucks. It has gone on a lot of trips with me. The medium Anza came from their web site. I have had it for maybe 10 years.

[Cooter Brown]

Marsh, I've got that same exact puukko. I've had it about as long as you--a birthday gift from my sister. It's been a great knife and been used a lot. For a stainless knife it's fairly easy to sharpen and takes a good edge. Tapio Wirkkala is a very interesting man.

[Straightshooter2]

A Damascus Bowie I picked up at my LGS. I don't know who the maker was since they had bought out someone's collection from an estate. I thought this was the best looking of the bunch although it did have a slight bit of surface rust right on the edge. Some oil and a stone took care of that quickly.

CW

[labworm]

Old school German "Solingen" easily 40+ years old.

[rimfired]

Got a couple I've accumulated over the years.

The Schrade "Old Timer" and me go back to Scenic SE Asia. Carried and we both made it home. Great steel in those old ones.

[Berserker]

I have a couple Ontario knives, good price, and made in USA. I haven't used them a ton though.

The UP of MI has some good knife makers, that came from Marble Arms when it went under. I have a Hess Whitetail. I like it for the small size. You dont need a huge knife, and it is can be annoying when sitting in your deer blind.

Nice looking knives. You need to oil them or they will get some surface rust. I could probably steel wool it, but haven't bother. I have a maple handled one. The stags have a steel butt glued on, and a little longer handle. I got that one for my dad.
Hessknifeworks.com

I really like this Buck knife. $25 and cleans up nice. Made in the USA too.

[BearBio]

Randall=Sold it.


One by my buddy, Chuck Stapel


Hand made by me=used for SASS


Home made by me=buffalo horn handle=also SASS


Boker-used for hunting


Another by Chuck-also hunting


MY BBQ tig=another by Chuck


A Buck-also used for SASS


My hunting rig in Big Bear Country-Randall # 23==My most commonly used rig.


For serious social encounters=Randall No 1


One I am making to match the pistol=buffalo horn handle

[shouldazagged]

Don't have the most practical and brilliantly designed fixed-blades I've ever owned, as I gave them to my son to pass along to his boys, so I can't post pictures (even if I knew how). They are all from Bark River Knife & Tool of Escanaba, Michigan--the Upper Peninsula. Mike Stewart, the owner, was the head honcho at Marbles in their glory days. The ones I had were some of his earlier designs when the plant was still at Bark River. Canvas Micarta handles, and convex-ground, cryo-treated A-2 tool steel blades with fine stain resistance, diabolically sharp. They hold an edge superbly, but can be stropped back to sharp on a piece of cardboard, a leather strop, or the leg of your jeans. Balance is great, blade design is completely functional, and the knives are virtually indestructible.

In the last few years the company has been churning out new designs like mad, because there is a collector's market. Too many new designs, I think. But the basic standard models like the Highland Special are classics and amazing tools.

[Xfuzz]

Just before Christmas last year I was shopping on-line for some blades for Gifts.
Came across a auction of 100+ blades and placed a bid and won.
Most knives were 4 each in count.
Four different styles of Marbles....gave some away, sold a few kept a few.
Have a couple of these left...gonna give one your our camp cook at the deer lease this next season.
We normally Q a whole pig and several beef briskets.
He stated he want a "Fnacy" knife for craving.
Marbles Damascus blade.

[Berserker]

Originally Posted by shouldazagged

Don't have the most practical and brilliantly designed fixed-blades I've ever owned, as I gave them to my son to pass along to his boys, so I can't post pictures (even if I knew how). They are all from Bark River Knife & Tool of Escanaba, Michigan--the Upper Peninsula. Mike Stewart, the owner, was the head honcho at Marbles in their glory days.

Hess, Bark River, and Rapid River, are the three places, that spun off from Marble. I don't think any of them were in Escanaba, but, close enough from KY.

My understanding, is Marble went bankrupt and the name was bought by Smoky Mtn knives, everything seems to be from China now, that I know of.

I am from the UP, MA was considered a good knife to get. Not sure what happened.

Hess seems to be a little cheaper, father & son, doing it in there garage, less mouths to feed. I looked at all 3 for a gift, I already have one, and ended up liking the Hess Whitetail, for size.

[shouldazagged]

Bark River moved to a larger plant in Escanaba not long after I bought a cap with the Bark River, MI logo. Still have the cap. I had knives with both locations on the tang stamps.

They could have moved again for all I know--haven't followed their fortunes for a few years.

[rock doc]

I came across this knife shop in Rapid River, MI on a recent trip to the UP. I bought this “Drop Point” which is one of their line knives with a cocobolo handle.

[labworm]

Originally Posted by rock doc

I came across this knife shop in Rapid River, MI on a recent trip to the UP. I bought this “Drop Point” which is one of their line knives with a cocobolo handle.

You know something, that has quality written all over it.
Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice

[Texas Star]

Originally Posted by rock doc

I came across this knife shop in Rapid River, MI on a recent trip to the UP. I bought this “Drop Point” which is one of their line knives with a cocobolo handle.

That very blade, I think, was on one of the cheaper Marble's models. I had one, with a plastic or rubber handle.

Webster Marble was probably the first man to make good hunting knives in the USA on a production basis. His Ideal pattern, Woodcraft, and others were classics.

These appeared before WW I, but were still a big deal when I was a Cub Scout. I have a Boy Scout manual from the 1950's that carried a Marble's ad. That's how I met the brand. I think I have a seven-inch Ideal somewhere now, in the box. It's too big for most use, but I guess would make a fair chopper. The Randall Model 1 with seven-inch blade is much better sized for that length, and the longer Fallkniven NL-2 is also better balanced and handles better. But I suspect the ideal with five and six inch blades handles much better, and it would be easy to see why it sold well before the market grew so competitive.

Once makers like Buck, Puma, and Randall grew popular, and Remington quit making their good knives about 1940, Marble's seems not to have kept pace. Pity. But their older items are quite collectible.

[Sprefix]

[Mule Packer]

We're just talking hunting and outdoor knives, right? If that's the case, here are a few of my fixed blade hunting knives. Top to bottom, l-r: Case 3½-inch hunter, A. Wingen, Jr., Solingen, Buck Model 105 Pathfinder, Schrade Old Timer, Case 5-inch hunter, Marbles, One made by my son, Northwoods Knife Co.


And here are a few folding hunters. Top to bottom, l-r: Case large saddlehorn, Case large trapper, Buck model 110

[Old TexMex]

Here's a lousy pic my Lee Jr. Had 'er since '64

[Kanewpadle]

Buck Hunter


TAT Custom Skinner

[BubbaBlades]

I have made several hundred fixed blade knives and handled at least that number of Randall Made Knives but since this IS a S&W Forum, I thought that posting a S&W fixed blade knife was a good thing.

Mark

[Berserker]

4" blade seems nice. I got Buck paklite around 1.5" I like. Recently I have looking for stout blades, I can use for dig stuff out and prying., for daily use that is.

I carried Kershaw leek for years, cause it was thin in the pocket, but have been back to my old Gerber Ezout with the stout blade. I broke the tip off abusing my leek.



Does concealed carry cover knifes in your state? WI it does, but not sure about MI. BS law. You put your hunting jacket on, and now it is concealed.

[Kitgun]

Randal Mod. 5 & Win. 94 30/30 both from the late 70s have taken deer with rifle, field dressed, butchered, cut up and served with the Randall.

[wuluf]

I have two, an Anza, made from an old file:


and this, made by Gary Griffin of Bend OR. My only custom knife, bought at Gary's first show. I hear his knives go for much more than i paid for this one!



and yes, I like stumps....

[A10]

My favorite outdoor knive is an old Western bowie I trimmed the hilt on and modified the sheath (badly). It carries in the center of my back on the belt line. My favorite fighter/utility is an old Blackjack knive with a jade green micarta handle. It's based on a Randall design, the original owner of Blackjack worked for Randall knives for a lot of years and branched out on his own. I'll post pics when I get a chance.

[Texas Star]

Originally Posted by Kitgun

Randal Mod. 5 & Win. 94 30/30 both from the late 70s have taken deer with rifle, field dressed, butchered, cut up and served with the Randall.

That's a nice Model 5, but why cut the belt loop off of the sheath? Is that what you did? Surely, it can't be folded under?

[NE450No2]

When I was in Highschool,Graduated 1970, College, and for a few years after I was a Butcher. Back then and now I always processed all my wild game meat.

My favorite all round knife blades are the Puma pocket knives of the Game Warden series, the Randall knives with blades like the Model No 5, a modified Bowie.

The difference between the No5 and the No1, the No14, and the No 8 Trout and Bird, is that the top edge is not sharpened on the No5. I do not like a sharpened top edge on a gutting knife.

I also use the No 8 Randall Trout and Bird quite a bit, especially for small game. I use the top sharpened edge for severing the joints of bones, saving the main edge for finer work.

I find all the Randall knives to be some of the best balanced and best handling and best cutting knives I have ever used, tool steel or stainless blades...

When I have to gut a deer or a wild pig with it I am just extra careful not to cut the guts with the sharpened top edge.

For the last several years I have also been using a German Boker knife, that has interchangeble blades made for the Blaser Rifle Company.

For several years 30+ I have used a Puma Pocket knife for the skinning and butchering of a lot my game. This knife has been sharpened so many times the blade has been reduced to half its thickness.

I have used this blade for so long I can wield it like Obie Wan Knobie can wield his Light Saber, and the Bride [from Kill Bill] can use her Samari Sword...

[Texas Star]

.450 No. 2-

I much enjoyed your post, and your knife preferences largely parallel mine.

I think you should look around now for a new Puma Game Warden or two. Prices are escalating on older Pumas. I was shocked to see what one site charges for even good used ones. Use good ceramic or diamond hones and don't let the blades get too dull. That'll save sharpening the blades to the point where you've used up a lot of the blade in honing.

I think the Puma Outdoor and the fancier Model 3589 are among the best Puma products for the outdoorsman. If you look carefully, you can still find examples NIB. The traditional German style hunters' folders now seem to all use the broader blade of the #959 Universal. And the lettering is less intricate. The others, like the Model 943, used to have a more tapering blade.

I once ordered a Randall Model 5 and had the clip sharpened like on a Model 1, to use it for battle and for rougher cutting. My goal was just to avoid the dip in the blade spine of the Model 1, which I don't like.

[HAWKEYE10]

Here is my Puma. I bought it at a JC Penny store in the early 60's for $25. It has the best steel of any knife I have ever owned. Don

[Kitgun]

Yes Texas Star the belt loop is cut off and sewn to back of sheath does not hang so low that way.

[Berserker]

I like that idea. I go with a smaller knife, so it doesn't bug me when sitting.

[lawandorder]

my sister and her husband were stationed in Germany in the mid 50s and they sent my Dad a hunting knife. Stag handle with folding blades in the handle. The knife had no markings.

As I grew up and went deer hunting with Dad that knife was always on his belt. When he died in a car wreck in 1985 the first thing I looked for in his house was his knife and for some hours could not find it. I finally thought to look in the pocket of his old hunting coat and there it was.

It was my most treasured possession and then in 1993 suffered a total loss house fire. Found the old knife in the ashes and put it away in a drawer.

Was out hitting antique shops one day several years later and saw a knife identical to Dad's old knife, asked the shop owner to get it out of the case so I could buy it. When I turned it over it had the brand on it. It was marked Henley. I was amazed, my dad;s name was Henley.

I kept it for a few years and gave it to a young man I know whose first name was Henley.

[BearBio]

Originally Posted by NE450No2

When I was in Highschool,Graduated 1970, College, and for a few years after I was a Butcher. Back then and now I always processed all my wild game meat.

My favorite all round knife blades are the Puma pocket knives of the Game Warden series, the Randall knives with blades like the Model No 5, a modified Bowie.

The difference between the No5 and the No1, the No14, and the No 8 Trout and Bird, is that the top edge is not sharpened on the No5. I do not like a sharpened top edge on a gutting knife.

I also use the No 8 Randall Trout and Bird quite a bit, especially for small game. I use the top sharpened edge for severing the joints of bones, saving the main edge for finer work.

I find all the Randall knives to be some of the best balanced and best handling and best cutting knives I have ever used, tool steel or stainless blades...

When I have to gut a deer or a wild pig with it I am just extra careful not to cut the guts with the sharpened top edge.

For the last several years I have also been using a German Boker knife, that has interchangeble blades made for the Blaser Rifle Company.

For several years 30+ I have used a Puma Pocket knife for the skinning and butchering of a lot my game. This knife has been sharpened so many times the blade has been reduced to half its thickness.

I have used this blade for so long I can wield it like Obie Wan Knobie can wield his Light Saber, and the Bride [from Kill Bill] can use her Samari Sword...

I mostly use the Model 23 Randal but I also use my Bird and Trout for all around camping, etc. Those are my two favorites, at least right now, although all mine get used.

[mr.jbk79]

I just found this wonderful Puma Skinner today at a gun show. The seller had a few newer Pumas also, but this one was 1/2 the price. Dates to 1st qtr of '69. The quality and craftsmanship really stands out compared to the newer examples.

[Texas Star]

Originally Posted by mr.jbk79

I just found this wonderful Puma Skinner today at a gun show. The seller had a few newer Pumas also, but this one was 1/2 the price. Dates to 1st qtr of '69. The quality and craftsmanship really stands out compared to the newer examples.

Very nice knife, if you like the skinner shaped blade. I wish your photos were made with a better camera. That looks like a nice knife! The photos are well laid out, just not very sharp. You scored a good one there!

As for the Henley & Co. knife from Solingen, my dad bought me a similar one with regular stag handle and no extra blades when I was about eight. I still have it. Puma has offered a very similar entry. I understand these knives are called Bavarian style in Germany.

I think Henley was an importer or distributor. My knife is also marked with the head of Othello, the Shakespeare character. It is a mark of Anton Wingen Co. in Solingen, the actual maker.

[mr.jbk79]

Originally Posted by Texas Star

Very nice knife, if you like the skinner shaped blade. I wish your photos were made with a better camera. That looks like a nice knife! The photos are well laid out, just not very sharp. You scored a good one there!

Thanks, the pics really don't show the details too well. It's mostly my fault as it was cold out, and sun was setting fast. I had too many shadows or reflections. The blade has a very nice directional pattern/finish to it.