For an inexpensive knife of good quality it’s pretty hard to beat a Mora knife. The Swedish military model will get the job done. It cost about $14.00, The “heavy duty companion” model is under $20.00. Both are available from many sources, including Amazon.com. – Ed

Swediah Military Mora

Heavy Duty Mora

I’ve never spent $300 for a knife. Actually, I’ve never spent a fifth of that for one either. Any of the locking folders from Shrade, Buck, or Gerber will work just fine. They make nice fixed-blade knives too.

I have one of the regular Mora’s and one with the thicker blade. I use’em all the time. No complaints.

I have a Buck fixed blade that I used to butcher a deer with last fall when I couldn’t find my better one. I was pleasantly surprised that it held a good edge all the way through. I bought that knife with lawn mower money when I was a kid. dwc

Yep, I still use my inexpensive folders. I agree a Buck, Schrade or Gerber would fit the bill and not break the bank. Can’t beat a Buck 110. If I could have only one pocket knife that would be it.

Here is a nice Case knife made in Bradford, PA…

http://www.amazon.com/Case-01401-Ridgeback-Stainless-Rosewood/dp/B00067ZC8M/ref=pd_sim_sbs_hi_4

I bought a HELLE for 90 bucks.

I reckon there is value in supporting local manufacturing and spending a bit more for a US or Canadian made knife in your case. But I remember what it’s like to be a full time student so get a cheapy chinese blade for now 😉 I prefer fixed blades, but any good soldier or hunter always has a knife on them, so a little folder in the pocket is a good start 😀

If you get a fixed blade remember the golden rule: Big handle, little blade.

Alex –

I would take a look at the Buck 113 Ranger Skinner. It’s a solid, classic knife for the money, with good steel and made in the US. If you look around, you can often find them for under $50.

I’m trying a Havalon knife. Actually used it on a turkey and bear this year so far. They have disposable blades which if your not into or good at sharpening comes in handy. They are small and you just replace the blade when it dulls. They claim you can butcher a whole elk with one blade. That was not my experience. It took 3 for the bear. However the blades are relatively inexpensive. I do carry a gerber folder for back up too but never used it. The draw backs it that the blades are thin and can break. I broke one, chalk it up to a learning curve. Plus you should have some forceps with for changing the blades because they are really freaking sharp and kind of sticky to get off. Other than that I really like mine and plan to use it some more. They cost $40 or so. They come with 12 blades. The replacement blades, like I said, aren’t too expensive. They few critters I will be processing every year the cost is worth it to me just to have a sharp blade on hand. I realize this isn’t quiet a traditional type blade but one to check out.

that Havalon would be something to look at. If you want a knife that looks good and at a good price will stay sharp and easy to sharp look at Helle – great knife

Do a search on the Schrade/Oldtimer Sharpfinger. THe shape of the blade is very conducive to fieldressing and skinning, all-in-one knife.

used mora blades for years probably best knife for the money . Now I have 3or4 Helle knives that I really like .(more in the 100 doller range )also some of the CRKT knives are very good . None of them are any good if you dont have good sharpening tools.

+1 for Mora knives. You can get them from Amazon and lots of other places. They are a great value for the price and perfectly adequate.

I have two Moras in my meat hauling frame pack. When I kill an elk I field dress with a folder before I head for the truck to get the meat pack. It contains everything needed to quarter, bone, hang, and haul. An elk takes me five trips to retrieve on foot.

(BTW, I went out to “look around” for elk on the spur of the moment one season and ended up with a 5X5 on the ground at 4 p.m. I CAREFULLY gutted and quartered with an Old Timer pocket knife (2, 3″ blades, no lock) and a cheap Michael’s hunting saw. It was messy and a headlamp saved me as darkness fell and I still had to get off the mountain. I can’t recommend this system but it can be done.:D)

I owna Buck model 103 skinning knife ive owned for many years its a nice sturdy knife and only cost about $60 online. it holds an edge really well and it will last a lifetime ive had mine around 30 years.

X2 on the Mora’s! If you want to save some cash, buy one with no handle for about $10, and make a handle yourself. Lots of vids on YouTube about that! Do some research on knife steel so you know what not to buy, stuff like AUS8 will get dull just thinking about cutting something! There are lots of knife makers out there that won’t charge you a arm and a leg for a good knife, look for a local one, and like AusJim said, small blade, big handle!! Have fun, good luck!!

I’ve had a Buck 105 fixed blade for years. Use it for a scraper making bows, plus it has a lot of Grouse and Deer under it’s belt. Bob

shreffler wrote:

So my question is – do any of you guys have some tested and proven knives that you know can get the job done (say for gutting and skinning a deer and still hold an edge) that don’t cost $300?

$300! That covers my bow, a dozen broadhead tipped arrows and my knife.

I have been using a Rowen (Esee) Izula in a Kevlar neck sheath. Sharp, tough and handy as all get out. I don’t need a larger blade to gut and skin a deer. Butchering I like something longer with a thin blade – like a Filet knife.

Some nice inexpensive knives suggested here. I would like to add by favorites. Number 1 for me is the Buck Lite folder. I’ve had it for years. Easy to put an edge on it and will dress out several animals before sharpening.

My second is the Kabar 1228 by Shrade. for the same reasons as above.

Esee knives are amazing and about 100 bucks give or take a few bucks. Becker knives (made by kabar) are great knives and under 100 bucks.

In my option for fixed blad knives that are going to be used as tools for everything from animal work to wilderness work nothing beats 1095 carbon steel knives. easy to sharpen, not brittle, are reliable and dependable. again esee and becker are great in this catagory as is ontario knives rat line. for folders benchmade has the best lock with its axis lock and are grat folders. actually i think benchmade folders are the best quality for the price in folders. Now keep in mind I am not knocking other knives out there. These are just my opinions. my main go to knives i use is a esee izula in my pocket everyday, at home, in the woods, and at work. A esee 4 in my pack or on my belt when in the woods. a becker bk2 for a camp knife to handle all camp chores.

DH Russell Belt knife by Grohmann or any Helle knife. Good steel, hold an edge and tough. Helle blades use a steel laminate which offer hard edge holding with no brittleness. I’ve used both for years although any knife needs good sharpening gear to be effective.

Being a knife maker for years, I will second DH Russell Canadian belt knives as a great option for a good quality knife. I have had one in my hunting/skinning kit for years as it was passed on to my by my Dad. The knife must be 30 plus years old and will hold a keen edge. I can go through a white tail no problem, and have gone through an elk in the field with only one minor touch up while quartering. They run around $100. You may be able to find an old one on ebay for a better price, well worth it. Check them out

J

It seems like there were some cheap knives made in Pakistan going around for a while. I never ventured near one, but was wondering just how bad are they? dwc

jpcarlson wrote: Being a knife maker for years, I will second DH Russell Canadian belt knives as a great option for a good quality knife. I have had one in my hunting/skinning kit for years as it was passed on to my by my Dad. The knife must be 30 plus years old and will hold a keen edge. I can go through a white tail no problem, and have gone through an elk in the field with only one minor touch up while quartering. They run around $100. You may be able to find an old one on ebay for a better price, well worth it. Check them out

J

Apparently they made a batch years ago out of some crap steel! I have one and it gets dull just thinking about cutting something!

As for the person looking at the knife made in Pakistan, don’t bother! Spend $20 on a Mora!

Yes, no Pakistan knives for me. Those pocket knives will snap your fingernails off in a hurry. I’m lucky to have a few decent knives that will last me and my kids a few lifetimes. I just wondered if anyone had used them and how bad they were. thanks, dwc

My Norwegian and Finnish relatives will get mad at what I’m about to say, but the Swedish ones will be pleased.

Buy a Mora, as so many others have said. When you start making the big bucks after graduation, treat yourself to one of Heimo Roselli’s Finnish knives and never let it out of your sight: Roselli knives

I have one of each of the above, plus a Helle plus a Brusletto (latter two are Norwegian-made). The Helles that very recently started coming into the U.S. have handles that are inferior to mine, IMO. I’m a little nervous about what I’m seeing from this very fine knifemaker.

G Fred Asbell.com.Reasonable price and will take a good edge and hold it.

Found another one you can’t go wrong with. Ragnar Forge Finnish “Military” puukko made by Lapin. 3-1/2″ 1095 blade of Rockwell 60. Have only had mine a month but am very impressed so far. $69.

I’ve had a larger Leuku for camp chores in place of a hatchet and it is a good mate.

shreffler wrote: So one thing missing from my arsenal is a good knife.

…

Alex

Alex,

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