Ubiquitous overdone knife query: But I really do need some input

MatukaJoe

MatukaJoe

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Okay so to preface I am a "knife guy". Meaning I know and like knives. I've been narrowing down my selection for a knife for a few weeks but I am hoping some with experience with the following knives will chime in about pros and cons as that's kind of a sticking point at this moment. No experience with them...

I'm looking for a 5" bladed knife that can be used in meat processing but also as an oh-snap we're out in the woods knife. That said I dont kneed the 16 oz plus size of the Kabar or Essee. (Yes I have an Essee 3 and love it.)
So i've been looking at several knives, tops, essee, bark river, more. I'm hoping to find a knife around 100$ that will fit the bill so to speak.
I've narrowed down my interest to both the Esee Laser Strike and to the Habilis Pathfinder Trade knife. There are certainly similarties between the two.
Anyone have input on one or both with regards to say field dressing or butchering deer sized and up game, setting up camp, etc?

Thanks in advance for any 411. I know there are a lot of what gear should I use but I'm hopeful I've kept this narrow focused enough.
 
Welcome to the board Joe.

A lot of guys have forsaken a fixed blade for a multi tool and/or a replaceable blade knife. In my very limited experience nothing breaks down an animal as well as a $35 havalon for the $. Other guys with far, far more experience may disagree.

Like you I like Sharpy pokey things. I usually go into the woods with a belt knife + a multi tool and a havalon when hunting. I own several esee knives and like them all. I have owned 3-4 tops and sold a couple. The ones I kept are good but not great. I do t know the laser strike but it seems to fit your needs.
 
Thanks.
I use a browning spur kneck knife, spring assist folding kershaw, esee 3, and a uni tool. Oh yeah and a Condor machette. I also skin at home with my lone wolf Skinner. One may ask or think i don't need another knife but i like them and i don't have a 5" blade that can do just that little bit more.
Thanks again for the input.
 
5" boning knife...boring, but the knife I grab 100% of the time when I drop a deer on a day hunt from home. Process & butcher with one knife, cape if needed.

I'll take a Havalon and Skeletool back up if I'm backpacking.
 
Thanks Dinger,

Ok to clarify further (as is often the case in forum I didnt enough) I am looking for yes a butchering knife but one that also may be bushcraft worthy should the preverbial poop hit the oscilating mechanism. I dont always carry my machete (though I suppose I should) and like the idea of a 5" blade since my others are all smaller. I carry at least three of my knives when out hunting and one or two while hiking. Maybe the answer is I dont really need it. Hah!
 
Joe, first off....I have neither of those.
But as a long time hunter Mt vote goes toward the Pathfinder simply because of the shape, which I think is better suited to skinning. Not a fan of the sheath though.

But other questions I'd ask would be alloy of each, hardness, edge holding differences, ease of sharpening.
Both are full tang, so both should stand up to batoning if nessessary.

But the Laser Strike's kydex sheath and hidden fire kit are attractive from a utilarian perspective. (but I'm a Bic in the pocket guy) And I'm sure it would do just fine working up an animal. Hell, how many of us have worked up animals with nothing more than a pocket folder.... trapper, tactical clip, etc.

I guess it just depends on ranking of chore duty priorities.
Have fun pondering.
Hunt'nFish
 
Thanks HuntnFish - they are both 1095 steel. The Esee is a bit more of a Flat grind which I do like but I like the blade shape and handle of the Pathfinder. Thickness is similar. Oh and you can upgrade to kydex sheath for the pathfinder which if I bought I certainly would. The fire starter in the Laser Strike is a nice touch. I do have a flint and steel for in my pack but if I was packless that would be a nice plus.

Yeah for field processing (although am newer to med and big game hunting) my Esee 3 has been a champ. My Lone Wolf skinner for once home also works well. For small game and mushrooms my browning neck knife is king. The Esee 3 can bushcraft but is a little small in blade and handle for such were it needed. So its all really a matter of efficiency and of course just liking knives. I have more than a few at home that are not used as they are antiques, specific use such as filet, or just fun. LOL.

I guess the answer is they are both pretty solid. I wish I had a way to handle them both to get a better sense. Just wondering if anyone had and had anything they would change about either. Thanks again!
 
I like the Outdoor edge lite. It's plenty tough for using for cleaning game. It weighs nothing and is cheap to buy. Backup is whatever Kershaw folder I have sharp at the time.

Anything bigger than a Kershaw Blur like the ESEE -3 gets way too heavy for me to pack around. And kinda cumbersome to pack out and back vs a folder. My -4 seems like a tank. I have the -5 and it's just ridiculous. I'm not interested in carrying something that heavy. Out of all of the ESEE knives I have, I use the Izzy the most. The sheath is screwed into my shelves on the back porch utility room so it's permanently mounted.
 
I sure like the Buck Vanguard! It has a really nice blade shape and size and is 4" long on the blade. I prefer the wood handle model and it feels great in my hand for fit and comfort. Hard to go wrong with that.

Vanguard(R) Knife - Buck(R) Knives OFFICIAL SITE

The Benchmade Saddle Mountain Skinner is one heck of a knife also. Blade length just over 4 inches. Very comfortable handle on these also. I do not like the gut hooks on either knife and prefer the clean blade model.

Saddle Mountain Skinner
 
I was just about to suggest the Saddle Mountain Skinner, but hesitated due to your 5" blade length requirement. If you aren't set on 5", then I would highly recommend the Saddle Mountain Skinner. It's lightweight enough to pack around, good blade steel for corrosion and keeping an edge as you butcher game, nice ergonomics and not to mention a beautiful knife (IMO, as far as production knives go). I don't take a Havalon with me, as I have full confidence that it will get me through deer or elk size game without a problem.

As far as bushcrafing with it, it doesn't have the heft that an ESEE 4,5, ect. would have for efficient batonning or hacking off small branches, but it will work in a pinch. I used it in Idaho to baton and break down branches for a wood burning stove, and it worked, but you could definitely tell it lacked the heft to punch through some things. But that's the choice you make for a lighter, packable knife.
 
Thoughts....

I have gotten totally beyond a knife's looks or aesthetics when it comes down to productive use. Give me total performance for the job(s) at hand. Every hunt probably means a different knife unless the hunts and animals are similar.

I used to pooh-pooh serrated knives but I have either butchered or seen butchered 5 bull moose using a Cutco 5718 with a DD (serrated) blade. No knife I am aware of can out-perform that blade at the variety of cutting involved. I am completely impressed by the full-sized tacky comfortable grip which means a lot when hands are tired and knife is bloody. The 5718 is in a class by itself.

For faster butchering and a variety of camp jobs there are plenty of other knives to consider. I again find myself selecting very practical blade designs and grips which are utilitarian. Though they are great knives I leave the stag handles, Randalls, skeletons, paracord grips, and sexier blades at home. I do bring a Havalon model usually but there isn't any way in creation I would want to tackle a really big animal with it even with a supply of blades. It is capable but the grip is way too insufficient for multiple hours of fatiguing cutting.
 
Hunt'nFish said:
Good in site Kevin.
Kinda how I feel about the Mora Companion. Small but mighty.
Hu
Click to expand...

:D Thumbs Up
I love the Moras, the stainless for fish, keep the carbon ones with my fero rods. Must have four or five.
 
I just got back from a 5-day Idaho elk hunt. I brought a Havalon and 99 cent plastic folder. As an eastern guy trudging about at 7000+ feet, I was glad I had gone light with the knives....


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I have a Knives of Alaska Pronghorn Hunter (only a 3.5" blade) that I have been using for about 6 years or so. It does everything for me from start to finish. That said I an not a 'knife guy' and will be getting myself a Havalon this year. Also thinking about a Mora as well. Like a lot of other things, too many knives can't be a bad thing.
 
Kestrel has some nice offerings. They send out emails every once in a while that will put in the price range. Good knives that you don't here too much of.
 
A processing knife is all about the steel quality and Rockwell. There are a lot of good steels but its worth doing the research.

i'm currently using a benchmade S30V blade- steep country I think they call it- awesome and pretty light.

The CPM S30V steel is amazing, you can do a hole elk without touch up no problem, probably 2.
 
Thanks everyone! Lots of good info here for me and any others browsing this thread. I love knives I have a LOT of them. :) The real reason I am looking at a larger blade is for bushcraft and oh snap situations but may also be used for processing when needed but not primary. So yes I am looking for a bigger knife and am aware of the weight it will have. Overall I typically carry 3 knives with me (Esee 3, Kershaw Volt II, Lone Wolf Skinner - though I often wear my small browning spur as well around my neck as a very small utility blade). Oh and I just tagged out this prior Thursday. :) The Esee 3 did field dress and quartering of the whole deer. I did carry a small sharpener with me but really didnt need it. The Lone Wolf was used at home later to further break down the pieces and neck roast.
View attachment 41708

Leaning toward the Habilis bc well its purty and a little different than what I have. Although I am big fan of the Esee so that is making it challenging. I've decided to pass on the Beckers and others that cost more. Thanks for the info on the Kestrel that is a cool looking series of knives it may need to go in the mix or even be one more knife I own haha. I only have LOTS.

BTW for those looking at Mora - for the price BUY them! I have one and should honestly own more. Silly good value IMO.
 
I really like the mora companion(carbon). Dirt cheap. They take a razor edge and come back to sharp extremely quickly. The blade still has enough thickness to pop joints if need be. I have done a lot of processing with them.
 
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