How much is too much for a good knife?

[teddy12b]

I've got a SOG seal pup for a field knife and I really like it.  Recently I saw a Chris Reeve Mark VI and thought it was pretty impressive. One piece construction out of tool steel with a little "survival" area in the handle sounds pretty good to me.  Only problem with that knife is that's over $200 more than what I spent on my $55 seal pup.  I just can't see spending that much on a knife.  I've tried to talk myself into it, but I keep reminding myself that all it has to do is simply cut.

I understand quality and feel, but at what point do you stop yourself and say, all it's gotta do is go hunting and cut some stuff.  The most I ever spent on a knife was a Kabar D2 extreme back in 2003 before I deployed overseas.  I spent some money on that, but I needed to in that case.  I still have it but I'd just the same keep it tucked away.

[mcwoodduck]

I'm hard on knives so I try not to spend more than $60 on a pocket knife and $50 on a hunting knife.  I like fixed blades as they wash off easier for hunting.  You know blood, hair, fat, and lunch. Yes lunch.  Well what do you use to make a sandwich?
Your Seal Pup will handle everything you will need a hunting or camping knife for.  As far as processing game it's probably too big.  I like short knives when I gut deer.  When cutting out the diaphragm I do not like a big knife as I think I will cut my self.  I try to stay in the 4" or less.  I do not kneed a big knife to do most camp or hunting chores and big knives tend to get in the way.   Granted there is something cool about holding a knife the size of Excalibur but they are not practical.  I have a huge bowie knife that has become part of the BBQ gear.  It works great to cut up ribs,  quarter chickens, and slice brisket.
If I'm attacked by something, a knife is the last thing I'm reaching for on a hunting trip.  I already have a rifle in my hands most of the time and I do not think dropping it for a knife would be smart.
I have a small plastic two piece first aid kit that I have added a few extras to.  I would rather carry it in my pack than on my waist and possible have something that rattles when I still hunt.  Besides what are you going to fit in a knife handle that can not be carried some place else. What will fit in a knife handle that would really be helpful.  OK, I can see filling it with small strong nylon cord that would be helpful to tag a deer, fix broken shoe laces, tie branches together and put a tarp over you for shelter from the rain, and string up fish caught in a stream.  You can go on and on as to what nylon cord is good for in the field.
I'm sure there are other things on your wish list you may want before you get another good knife.  A good sharpening set comes to mind. 
Just my $.02.  But if you want the knife, get it.

[teddy12b]

I couldn't agree more about huge knives getting in the way while gutting a deer.  I have a Case XX Changer that I just love and I used it last time I gutted a deer and I did get a little cut because it is fairly large for a folder. 

I've got the spyderco sharpening set.  It's my favorite sharpening tool that I've ever used.  I'm not a big fan of regular stones or flat diamond stones.  My spyderco has two settings 30 degree sharpening angle and 40 degree.  I pretty much always go with the 30 degree angle and try to make the blade sharp enough to shave with.

In any event, my seal pup isn't perfect but it's pretty good at opening the mail between hunting seasons.

[mcwoodduck]

LOL that's good.
do you stab the bills?

[teddy12b]

Nope just dull my blade on opening junk mail envelopes before I shred all the pre-approved credit card offers for that day.  It gives me an excuse to use and resharpen the knife every once in a while.

[rex6666]

Knives are kinda like women, every one likes some thing dif., women can be expensive and
high maintenance, just like a knife or vice versas.
I never could find use for a blade over 3" long in a folder or fixed. their is one that i am going
to buy that is longer (can't think of name) it looks like a cleaver but not as deep, has
about a 8 -10" blade square on end, usually about 1/4" thick, think it would take the place of
small axe, maybe fit in pack better

[Gary paugh]

I've got quite a few custom made hunting knives a knife with hi grade steel from a custom maker will hold or gain in value over the years plus i like a knife to stay sharp when i'm using it on an elk or deer or two.

Gary

[Cheesehead]

I have a couple of Kershaw knives that I paid 60 bucks for each. This is the most I have ever spent on a knife and it seem to be the perfect blend of economics and quality. I love Kershaw knives.

Cheese

[rural17]

I have a Knives of Alaska Bear Cub that I have been using for the last couple years. Supposed to be a camp knife but it works great gutting deer. I just use a old hunting knife to crack the pelvis, or a pair of old tree loppers.

Just my 2cents  Jeff

[SDS-GEN]

One person's idea of a "Good Knife" is different that another's.  I took a $30 buck on my first hunting trip to Alaska.  Last year I took a custom knife elk hunting in Colorado.  I've gutted and skinned deer on the back 40 with knives I got free from banquets and magazine offers.  I can't say that I've had any real problems with any of them, the custom knives I have do hold an edge better because they are made with better steel.  Still I think you can get a good hunting knife that will last a lifetime for $50 or less.  The custom knives and expensive production knives are great, but anything besides the steel is just window dressing. 

Knives are like hunting rifles.  Its great to look in the safe and pick out your new Sako in 300WSM, topped with a $1300 Schmidt & Bender scope and go kill a deer.  But grandad's old hand-me-down 30-06 can still kill any animal on this continent.  You just don't need a fancy knife to go hunting.

[nodlenor]

What does need have to do with it?