Knife Recommendations

[Pokerface]

Buck 684 - Bucklite max II small. Very good knife despite the price.... Joe

 

[MNGrouser]

You've heard a lot of opinions here and I don't know that mine is any better than an others. I too am scared of the replacement blades. Like others have said, even when being super careful it feels like I'm on the verge of cutting myself badly. I own a replacement blade and I know they have their place.

With your budget I'd suggest a Buck 119 fixed blade. Solid, dependable, safe and competent. $75 if you don't even bother to shop around. If you are inclined to try a replacement blade knife I think there are some $30 options with the cash you have left over.

My dad didn't like folding blade knives for gutting deer so I don't like folding blade knives. I worry there is too much else to break or go wrong but at the end of the day, I think I just do it because it is what my dad did.

One more piece of advice when it comes to knives. If you do the entire butchering process yourself (which I recommend), add another 20 bucks to your budget and get a fillet knife. I use one a ton during the butchering process.

 

[l00p3y360]

You can approach this in multiple ways. My question is what type of hunter are you and what environment are you in? I'm a meat hunter so I break up my kill in the field as much as legally possible. This requires 1 knife with patience as to not spoil meat. The knife choice is between replacement blades or traditional knife. If you don't know how to sharpen I would suggest replaceable blades. That is their only advantage. Be aware of the blade limitations sine they will snap on you.

 

[sbalfour24]

9mm and 18mm olfa knifes.. cheap and replaceable blades, carry a small water bottle and put broken/dull blades inside to dispose of.

 

[Bdmunro]

Don't overthink it. As long as it is sharp and can hold an edge. The problem with expensive knives is that it can be painful when you lose them. To be honest a $12 Morakniv from Amazon and you are set.

 

[highcountrymuley]

Used Gerber made in USA folding 3" blade and fixed blade Gerber for about 17 years of many deer, many turkey and a few elk from field to all butchering process. Just upgraded to custom Hatfield because I wanted to give gift to my hunt partner. Will prob still carry the Gerber folder for its accumulated luck! Good luck. I don't like the replaceable blades.

 

[eaglemountainman]

Grohmann #1 is a very good field dresser and skinner.

 

[RFOUST89]

Benchmade steep country and/or Tyto 1.1 are the two knives in my bag at all times. I dont have complaints on either.

 

[Traveling Gentleman]

For a $100 budget the buck 113 or the benchmade steep country are pretty hard to beat for the price. That's a lot of bang for your buck with those two knives.

 

[Chickenhawk]

White river knives if you can swing a few extra bucks best knives I have used they have good steel and ergos

 

[skahunter831]

I'm going to go against the grain here and recommend an Opinel carbon steel folding knife. They have rock solid locks and get wicked sharp. Plus, very lightweight at about 45g (1.5oz)

 

[Arcticmanak]

Mora companion. About $16.
Bucklite max II small 684 . About $28.

Those are both very practical and useful knives, not to mention very affordable. With that combo I think you can easily accomplish any job in the field that would require a knife.

 

[CMF]

I like replacement blades cause I suck at sharpening and it's less to do and carry in the field. I like the OE 3.5 and also now bring a 5" blade too. Never liked the scalpel ones, but I might try again if I'm only deer hunting and not elk.

 

[Dennis]

I carry two Havalon knives. One set up with 60 blade and the other with their gut hook. I use the gut hook to start the main cuts on the gutless method and around the legs. Then switch to the 60 blade for most the other work. When I carried fix blade knives I also carried a field sharpener.

 

[-dirt-]

I've found the Buck PakLite line are good, low-cost hunting/cleaning knives.

 

[MountainSide]

Knives are way overthought in my mind. As mentioned many times, the Mora is a great all around knife. When weight is limited, the Victorinox is what I use. I've used those two to skin multiple moose, caribou, sheep, and bear. You can pay all you want, but those two knives will be all you need, for less than $30. And...they come in hi-vis colors that help from losing them, or kneeling down on them when skinning.

Although Havalons are great and have their place...I've used them on a couple sheep, and they are all i use on fur...they are very easy cut yourself with, and the blades snap under pressure.

 

[ReaptheHeat]

White river knives if you can swing a few extra bucks best knives I have used they have good steel and ergos

Even better when you find it on the ground!

 

[Lil-Rokslider]

Definitely something from Goat knives. It'll be on your doorstep in no time at all.