old times or uncle henry are good knives too i have them both they are great

I' m a real slouch when it comes to deer knives (moose knife - that' s a different story). I have the same attitude toward sunglasses and watches as I do for knives: I' m such a careless SOB, I just buy cheap. Cheap watches, cheap sunglasses, cheap knives. The last couple of years I' ve just bought $6.95 cheapo folding knives from the counter of the hardware store. They come pretty sharp and are more than enough for gutting a couple of white tails. That' s all I do nowadays - just gut and have them professionall cut. If I don' t lose it and remember to sharpen it (quick and dirty sharpening job), I use it a second year or maybe use it as a spare if I happened to have bought a new knife off the counter of the hardware store.

Now for moose - it can take a couple of *good* knives, touched up a couple of times just to cut open and gut a moose. Skinning - even more so. A high quality knife and a good quick method of sharpening and touching up is a must. A friend just got some Cutco knives and is very happy with them. Especially nice are the bright orange handles! I' m hoping Santa brings me one -zeke

While we are on the subject of knives can anyone tell me what they sharpen their knives with. Im currently using a Camillus buck knife with a 4 inch blade.

I will pass this on for what its worth. I have several very nice knives but I also payed several nice prices for them. Last year I met a man who has hunted hogs for over 30 years. As I was struggling with a field dress with these very nice knives he laughed at me.
How much did those set you back he asked me. I told him and he handed me a little adjustable exacto type knife. The ones that you use and snap the blade off when it gets dull and keep on going.
I pride myself in keeping a sharp knife but this little thing ran circles around my knives.
He told me that he started useing these about 10 years ago and would not use anything else on a hog. I did not like the little handle and when I got home I looked around and came up with a " AmericaLine Auto Lock" It comes with 3 multi blades and is stronger than the other.
Cost? About $5 and works great. My dad had a cow when he was helping me last week. What are you doing with that thing? Get me a real Knife, he told me.
My time to laugh. I handed him one of my " very nice knives" and He went to work on one side and I did the other. As I sat there smileing at him, (I was finished), while he was still working, I ask him if he wanted to use my non real knife.
He wants one now.
Dont get me wrong. I still love my knives but I would tell you to spend the $5 and try one.
Thanks John, may you rest in peace.
Rick

to all you guys with lansky sharpeners..what angle do you use on your deer knives? do you use what is recommended for hunting knives, or are you like me and go one setting sharper?

I second your vote for Knives of Alaska. For the price you are talking about, you can get a game set of a cleaver and skinner. They are worth every penny. I had the Yukon and used it last season. i sold it to buy a custom knife, and am now missing it more than ever. i will be picking up another one here shortly.

Check out Ebay for these knives. You don' t have to buy retail and you can get a really good deal on them. Knives of Alaska will sharpen their knives for free too.

Matt

I have a number of knives, but currently carry a kershaw blade trader set and folding drop blade gerber gator. I found the gerber needed to be honed and worked to get an edge to hold and stay, I now can field dress and skin 4-5 whitetails with no problems. While I will agree it ain' t the best steel or knife it does work and is easily replacable. The kershaw holds an edge very well and was used to gut and skin 2 moose last week(it needed some elbow grease nearing the end but still very impressive). My knifes head out scary sharp and I hone them all at 25%. I am a firm believer before you pack your knife for its first trip you need to hone it to the angle on your sharpening device that you will use for the future, it does take time and you may end up going backwards but in the end you' ll have a knife that will hold and edge and be much easier to touch up. Custom knives are the only exception and if they are honed to a certain degree you should try and keep that degree...afterall these guys have pride and passion in that knife.

As far as the lansky goes, I only use 25% now for all my hunting knifes.

I myself use a Kodiak knife which I like, but it is hard to get use to since it' s big and heavy. My younger brother got a buck knife, and I believe it is a Vangard buck knife. If I was to get another knife I would get that. It was short, sturdy, and strong. In my opionion there would be nothing wrong with it.
nick