Jung Lee knives

[wolfsong]

I've heard alot of talk about Jung Lee hunting knives, and while I know that they have a good rep and seem to be made of quality material, are they worth the price? Anybody have any experiances with them? Peace and God bless, Wolfsong.

[Joel]

The Japanese have a proud tradition of skill at cutlery making.  I've never used a Junglee knife, but a quick look at their online catalog shows them using AUS-6, AUS-10, and AtS-34 steels.  AUS-6 and AUS-10 are Japanese steels roughly equivilant to our 440A and 440C steels, but have had a bit of Vanadium added to the matrix to improve grain structure(toughness) and edge holding.  Never used either steel, although I just bought a Kershaw Vapor the other day, which uses AUS-6, but had to return it because its a right-handed knife only.  I"ve used a lot of ATS-34, although I"ve switched to the original American manufactured 154CM in recent years.  ATS-34 is the Japanese equivilant to it.  I still use a lot of it(154CM); makes a great knife.  Just based on the steels used, and the Japanese rep for quality cutlery, can't see where you could go wrong with one, as far as the steel goes.  Can't say that I"m overly thrilled with their designs, but to each his/her own on that aspect.

[wolfsong]

Hey Joel, thanks for the input. I went with the Tak Fukuta hunter model with the stag handle and gut hook for $100.00 (aus-8). Of course, I then found cheaper prices on-line, but who wants to wait? Field dressed a wild hog yesterday morning and dressed and caped two coyotes today and only had to touch it up with a small pocket diamond steel. The stainless mirror finish IS subject to scratching quite easily, but I don't see where this will affect performance. All in all, so far I would recommend this knife if you don't mind spending some serious cash for a hunting knife. It will probably be a few seasons before I break through the pelvis of a deer with it, but I used to wash my trucks every week when they were new... now they're just trucks. Guess this fancy new knife will become just another tool someday. At least it looks like it will hold up. Thanks again. Happy hunting, peace and God bless, Wolfsong.