Return to fixed blade knives. MKC worth it?

[PathFinder]

The discussion isn't about what the animal knows. It's what the consumer gets for their $$.
MKC? In the case of the 52100, an inferior material. Across their line, inferior heat treat, grind, sharpening, and general workmanship. A bunch of the price must be disappearing into advertising and influencers.
A well done custom trades the advertising and influencers for better material, heat treat that brings out the full potential of the steel, and better overall quality. That can result in 2x or more edge holding capability.
Paying for advertising and influencers over knife performance is a bad trade.

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

 

[SDHNTR]

There is nothing needed in the field that a good old Case pocket knife won’t do. The vast majority of the pics is see posted here and on other similar threads show blades that are way too thick and wide to be efficient.

The skinny clip blade on a Case Trapper works better than anything else I’ve used on thousands of animals, and certainly better than most of the blade profiles I see posted here.

 

[hibernation]

I followed a similar path, started on fixed-blade, tried out the small Havalons for awhile, back to fixed blade. I really like the shape of the Grohmann's canadian belt knife, it's about perfect for a hunting knife. The steel is adequate but nothing too impressive. Easy to sharpen by hand, easy to touch up.

I've used a Benchmade with S30V and there is a serious difference in edge retention, it's noticeable how much sharper it stays through processing an entire elk. I wouldn't want it on an all-purpose knife, but for meat, hide, and hair, it's impressive. Downside is that the harder steel can be tough to sharpen at home.

People have strong preferences on blade and handle shape. Beyond that, seems like the objective differences are steel type, and how fancy do you want the handle and sheath to be.

 

[Marbles]

I like Magnacut.

I will not be buying another MKC. I have the Jackstone and it has a large chip in the belly. None of my other Magnacut blades have chipped, only S90V has chipped similarly, but never quite as large.

For the price I expect it to be better.

Blade shape plays a large role. Skinning a leaf shaped blade like the CBK is significantly better than a standard blade shape. I was using a CRK Inyoni back to back with my Jackstone and will the CRK is a nicer knife, the Jackstone was superior in skinning. The CRK is a better boning knife, but the difference is less obvious.

 

[Speaks]

I like some MKC knives, I do not think they are a good value though. But do own and use two of them. I think their sharptailed bird knife is about a perfect field dressing knife for white tail and mine is on my bino case for this season. If should cost much less for what it is, but it was also very specifically what I want. I also own the blackfoot in magnacut and its fine though I likely would not buy it again and find a better value knife.

I have one the dixie zippers on order which I hope will replace it.

I dont love the speed goat and should really sell mine.

 

[svivian]

I like Magnacut.

I will not be buying another MKC. I have the Jackstone and it has a large chip in the belly. None of my other Magnacut blades have chipped, only S90V has chipped similarly, but never quite as large.

For the price I expect it to be better.

Blade shape plays a large role. Skinning a leaf shaped blade like the CBK is significantly better than a standard blade shape. I was using a CRK Inyoni back to back with my Jackstone and will the CRK is a nicer knife, the Jackstone was superior in skinning. The CRK is a better boning knife, but the difference is less obvious.

are you still using the Linx from north arms knives?

 

[Marbles]

are you still using the Linx from north arms knives?

No, mostly based on preference.

I still have the Mallard and use it in the kitchen.

I found the depth (cutting edge to spine) of the Lynx awkward and didn't like the handle shape, so I sold the Lynx. In truth I find the Mallard slightly awkward as well, the blade slightly too long and deep, the handle a little slick and somehow unresponsive. Even in the kitchen I prefer to grab the Messermeister pairing knife for anything more complex than slicing. It just turns in the cut better and has a slightly shorter blade which makes working with the tip more controlled.

Neither are bad knives, and the steel holds up well.

 

[Snowwolfe]

Knives are a never ending rabbit hole to chase down. I have done complete circles a couple of times but at the end of the day all you really "need" is a $14-$22 Mora. A small steel is handy if you are doing a big critter like a moose or elk otherwise just touch up the edge when you get back to camp/truck.
I own a huge toolbox full of knives that cost me anywhere from $10 to $300 each.
If you have the space in your pack it is nice to have a dedicated skinner, one for caping, and one for boning out the meat.
I guess at the end of the day we just need something to spend our money on. Myself included.

 

[Woolley Bugger]

Based on the enablers…I mean members on this thread, I just ordered a knife from @Slalomnorth. I’m curious to try magnacut. My old standby is Bark River Knife and Tool. They make great knives and I like carbon steel. Sharpening the convex blades takes some learning.

I have to confess, I field dressed my last couple of deer with an Outdoor Edge disposable blade knife. It cuts through meat and hide like butter. But I don’t respect myself in the morning.

 

[MuleyFever]

I have to confess, I field dressed my last couple of deer with an Outdoor Edge disposable blade knife. It cuts through meat and hide like butter. But I don’t respect myself in the morning.

I have been using the Outdoor Edge for years now and haven't found any downsides to it. That said, I am considering a new knife just because. Looking at something out of Magnacut.

 

[Slalomnorth]

For me the Canadian belt knife shape is pretty tough to beat for a field dressing knife. I haven’t owned any MKC knives and I’m not saying they’re bad necessarily, but in my eyes they’re a marketing company, not so much a knife company. There are a lot of reasons performance wise to go with one of the many great custom makers on this forum like @Dixie @CypressCreek and probably others I’m not aware of

 

[Woolley Bugger]

I have been using the Outdoor Edge for years now and haven't found any downsides to it. That said, I am considering a new knife just because. Looking at something out of Magnacut.

Yeah. It works great, and you can buy a lifetime supply of blades for the cost of a good “real” knife. A fresh blade is sharper than I can ever achieve with my own sharpening. I got the bone saw and knife combo when I saw it in my pheasant guide’s truck a few weeks ago. He swears by the system. The only thing I would change is to just go with the plain knife without the gutting hook, which I don’t use and just adds bulk.

My issue is more philosophical. I like well made things that last a lifetime rather than disposables. I shave with a straight razor and write with fountain pens. So this is out of character for me. But it’s hard to argue with practicality.

 

[MuleyFever]

If any of the forums knife makers would send me a PM I would like to check out your work using Magnacut.

 

[2ski]

As you can see, lots of people have strong opinions about them if nothing else.

I have a SpeedGoat2.0 in Magnacut and overall it is a great knife. For the $225 I'd consider buying it again. I don't really care about their marketing, the knife checks just about all the boxes I'd look for in a kill-kit knife. People talk about the paracord handle getting nasty but mine has field-dressed, quartered, and been a part of processing three elk and two deer and cleans up good as new...maybe I'm doing it wrong but I usually get blades far dirtier than handles.

I'd also strongly consider the offerings from Argali or the new-ish, USA-made Boker Backcountry.

People love to say "you could get a custom for that money" which is fine and dandy, but the animal you're cutting couldn't care less whether you're using a custom or production knife. A knife being custom-made does not automatically make it better quality nor better for the task than a production knife.

Where is the store going to be in Zootown? Im curious how they will have enough stock on hand for a retail store.

 

[2ski]

If any of the forums knife makers would send me a PM I would like to check out your work using Magnacut.

Myself included in this.

 

[Maverick1]

Knives are a never ending rabbit hole to chase down. I have done complete circles a couple of times but at the end of the day all you really "need" is a $14-$22 Mora. A small steel is handy if you are doing a big critter like a moose or elk otherwise just touch up the edge when you get back to camp/truck.
I own a huge toolbox full of knives that cost me anywhere from $10 to $300 each.
If you have the space in your pack it is nice to have a dedicated skinner, one for caping, and one for boning out the meat.
I guess at the end of the day we just need something to spend our money on. Myself included.

Truth.

 

[sndmn11]

If any of the forums knife makers would send me a PM I would like to check out your work using Magnacut.

Myself included in this.

@Dixie @feanor @Wilderness Spirit
I probably forgot some o don't know about.


In regards to MKC, I've had 5 or 6 magnacut versions sent to me to put handles on. All were new, none were sharp and the bevels took a lot of work to even out.

 

[Sns2]

Why anyone would buy a knife from them at the prices they are charging is beyond me, but that is what great marketing will do for you. I am a knife junkie. My hunting knives are customs by Rick Menefee and Clint Chisan a Canadian maker. I know some of you guys may be reluctant to order a knife from Canada, but his waits are three months not three years, and his quality is outstanding. I have seen examples of piss poor workmanship sent out of MKC, and most often people will say it’s a one-off and that anything can sneak through. I say BS. I have seen videos of people on the QC line doing what QC does, but wonder what they are doing when so many complaints are online about shoddy finishing. Simply unacceptable for the price. Add on the relatively few drop point designs, and the para cord wrapped handles, and it is simply a no go for me.

It seems many on Rokslide are fans of the Canadian Belt Knife design. Here is a Canadian maker’s take on the Canadian Belt Knife. being Canadian and having grown up around them, Clint Chisan is really nailing them, is using thin stock Magnacut, and his finish work is impeccable. Finally, the exchange rate on our dollar makes it a helluva good deal for you fellas in the US.

Some say a guy who wants a custom knife is a knife snob. Not really. Why wouldn’t someone want to be able to choose every aspect of their knife at the same or lesser price than a knife from MKC?

If I were getting one, it would be like one of these.

 

[OG-danimal]

Don’t get me wrong, I like my stoned goat. Got through a whole mule deer with only very few touch ups. But I do agree that’s it’s over priced/hyped. There are other great options out there. I also prefer a full handle now after using the p cord handle on a couple animals. The cord is unneeded and you’ll have to replace it after every processing job as it gets gummed up with blood etc.