Help me choose - Dozier Buffalo River Hunter, MKC Jackstone or Benchmade Raghorn

[madmex]

I am looking to get a slightly larger hunting blade, currently using a benchmade hidden canyon and while it works well I find I want a little more blade when breaking down game and especially when reaming out the butthole.

So I’ve narrowed it down to the following 3 choices in no particular order.

1. Benchmade Raghorn in Cruwear
2. MKC Jackstone in Magnacut
3. Dozier Buffalo River Hunter Cocobolo in D2

I don’t think I can go wrong with any, given the price I find myself leaning towards the hand crafted Dozier though I’m second guessing myself given that Cruwear and Magnacut are newer steels, the Benchmake and MKC also appear to be thinner which given equivalent thoughness of the finished knife is a preference.

Anyone with experience with these blades please chime in and let me know what you’d do.

Thanks!

 

[SimplyMinded]

D2 is easiest to sharpen.

 

[Boattale]

You won't be disappointed with Dozier D2. Or their kydex.

 

[Crag the Brewer]

D2 is easiest to sharpen.

All three steels are easy to sharpen with modern equipment.
All are Excellent steels, don't make your decision based on steel type.
Seriously

*edit to add..... I was looking at that and other Dozier's as well.

 

[Maroco]

Dozier, hands down.

 

[SimplyMinded]

All three steels are easy to sharpen with modern equipment.
All are Excellent steels, don't make your decision based on steel type.
Seriously

*edit to add..... I was looking at that and other Dozier's as well.

Yeah but folks probably aren't lugging modern equipment into the field

 

[Crag the Brewer]

Yeah but folks probably aren't lugging modern equipment into the field

I think I read that more people complain about D2 being "difficult" to sharpen than the other two...?

If you can sharpen D2, you can sharpen Cruwear. I think it sharpens up wonderfully.

 

[madmex]

Thanks for the replies and perspectives - I carry a DMT Diafold sharpener in the field to touch up my knives as needed so don’t have concerns about the ease of sharpening for the different steels.

My main concern with D2 is the lower thoughness compared to Cruwear and Magnacut. Having said that this is strictly a game processing knife so though enough is all I need. Maybe some light camp use thrown in. I usually bring along a Benchmade Bushcrafter for cutting wood and heavier camp chores.

Ultimately I am looking for the best cutting tool that can make it through an animal without needing to be touched up.

Gut, quarter, remove the lower joints from the legs and the head, neck from the carcass.

 

[JJ_Colt45]

If it were just field dressing I might lean towards the Dozier. Doizer does D2 very well and for say skinning it takes a great toothy edge. If you're going to use it to break down a big animal or possibly other chores I personally would pick Cruwear over D2. It's a pretty well balanced steel and resists corrosion fairly well. It is a breeze to touch up and it handles a toothy edge (which I prefer greatly for a hunting knife) well also. I don't know that easier is the right word, but Cruwear is simplier to sharpen that Dozier's D2 and much less prone to chipping in rough use ... such as bone joints.

I'm not sure the Benchmade would be my personal choice for a good hunting knife in Cruwear, but if that's what suits you I'm sure it would handle it just fine.

I haven't used Magnacut long enough yet to give it the nod over Cruwear, but so far I like it in the limited knives and use I've had with it.

For what it's worth ... I have no experience with Montana Knives yet, but I do like thedesigns and they feel better in my hand than the Dozier or Benchmade. But everybody's hands and likes are different.

 

[madmex]

What knife would you recommend in Cruwear? I like the shape/geometry of the Dozier. Thinking of the Benchmade as it’s what I know but certainly open to suggestions. Have read rave reviews about the original Canadian Belt knife and like the blade geometry of it but don’t see any many modern steel options with that design.

The main driver here is the joy of using a well designed and executed tool - I processed a cow elk with the Hidden Canyon and found it lacked length and tip for coring the butthole and it is a touch too thick for optimum cutting - well aware that a buck 110 is plenty for the job, though a great cutter can save time and help take the best possible care of the harvest.

 

[Crag the Brewer]

I agree with JJ_Colt45

I stand by my opinion that all three will be great for a hunting knife...........but

I would focus on a maker who will give peak performance with higher end steels.

(I love D2 ingot steel, it cuts and cuts) my personal edc is D2, BUT

both Cruwear and magnacut can get shallower edge angles & thinner bte. compared to D2
That in itself is Huge for performance.
D2 needs a slightly thicker edge.
D2 wouldn't be as tough for carving bowls and spoons out of wood. That side loading, scooping is hard on an edge, and it Could chip.
Cruwear and magnacut would be tougher in scooping cuts if all things considered would be equal.

However, If you are JUST slicing and cutting, I think all three would be great.

buy the maker you like, buy the design you like.
In my personal opinion, edge geometry, handle comfort and how the knife is carried are Way more important that steel type.

Cruwear and magnacut are considered very good, Trendy steels, Everyone likes them.
D2 is great, but less popular now.

Again, I could make any knife I wanted. Today mine is Ingot D2. Yes, I LOVE Cruwear also. I hear Great things about magnacut!
-My next personal edc is going to be A11/10V (now that will Really hold an edge)

 

[JJ_Colt45]

What knife would you recommend in Cruwear? I like the shape/geometry of the Dozier. Thinking of the Benchmade as it’s what I know but certainly open to suggestions. Have read rave reviews about the original Canadian Belt knife and like the blade geometry of it but don’t see any many modern steel options with that design.

The main driver here is the joy of using a well designed and executed tool - I processed a cow elk with the Hidden Canyon and found it lacked length and tip for coring the butthole and it is a touch too thick for optimum cutting - well aware that a buck 110 is plenty for the job, though a great cutter can save time and help take the best possible care of the harvest.

I'm sorry if it sounded like I was saying "don't buy the Raghorn". That wasn't my intention.

I actually like the design of the Raghorn and it has fairly think blade stock which I like about it also. It's not that I'm trying to talk you out of the Benchmade or into any other certain knife. The Benchmade just didn't feel as good in my hand as other knives I have. That's what I tried to say at the end ... if it feels good to you I'm sure it would handle the job.

I do prefer the designs of a few of the Montana Knives over the Benchmade and I hope to pick one up myself at some point.

That Canadian belt knife design is really handy too. I have a Grohman and I have a knife very similar to that style on the books with one of the Makers on BF here.

I would figure out which knife design/shape, size, blade thickness, etc. suits your needs and fits your hand best as the most important aspect then take the steels into acount. How a knife fits my hand and performs the tasks I want it to weigh in much higher than steel type (as long as the steel is not crap).

Of those you mentioned ... I am very familar with and partial to Cruwear personally for the reasons mentioned before and would lean that way personally. Cruwear and Magnacut would probably be better for an all around users, but D2 especially Dozier D2 isn't a slouch if those knives are what speak to you.

 

[madmex]

How do you find the steel on the Grohman? I’m leaning towards the Dozier as I really like the design of the blade and the classic look with the cocobolo scales and brass pins.

Might have to follow your path and commission a premium steel version of the Canadian belt knife at some point.

Very informative hearing from everyone thanks again!