Help me w/ a decision on a drop point?

N

nickE10mm

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Mar 17, 2006
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Hi there all,

I'm new to this forum and was wondering if you could help me decide between two knives I like.

I'm trying to decide between a Benchmade Hunter (Fixed, D2) and a Gerber Freeman (Folder or Fixed in440A or S30V in Folder).

I will be using this as a hunting / skinning knife as well as general use. I would prefer a knife that has great edge traits ahead of resiilience to the elements. It has to be strong as I will most definitely use it for dressing/skinning deer. I LOVE drop point style blades, especially with big bellies. I could care less about serrations.

I'm not too sure about the different types of steel in the knives (d2 vs. s30v) but would love some input if you have any.

Also, I'm looking at a Spyderco Sharpmaker and Lansky systems. Which do you all prefer?

Thanks
 
First of all, I wouldn't touch Gerber at all. They used to be OK but now they are junk.

Benchmade all the way.

If you want something a bit cheaper try out the Griptilian Fixed Blade from Benchmade. It's model 151 and is only about $63.

:) Welcome to the forum.

You'll hear different replies from everyone on S30V vs. D2. I think D2 is a better steel but that's just me. :)
 
I have both the Lansky and the Spyderco systems and greatly prefer the Spyderco. I doubt I will ever use the Lansky again.

I like drop points also and use them for cleaning deer. I prefer a 3.5-4 inch blade length. I use some blades made from tool steel and as long as I dry them well after washing, they don't rust. Between seasons, I keep them stored with a light coat of gun oil (FP-10). I prefer stainless steel though so I don't have to worry about it. I am a big fan of 440C and 154CM. I probably like 154CM a little more. I haven't messed with S30V that much but have a Fallkniven F1 that will see some use this season.

I think the F1 is a great knife for cleaning deer but you have to be careful because it doesn't have much of a finger guard like some knives do.

I am careful and try not to hit bone or too much grissle/cartiledge so my edges stay nice and sharp.

I don't like folding knives for cleaning deer because they tend to get real messy and are harder for me to clean. I have a Buck 110 I use sometimes, but prefer a fixed blade.

I would buy a Benchmade over a new Gerber anyday. My favorite skinner is an old Gerber 925 made in Portland, but they don't make them anymore.
 
I have a Benchmade Outbounder, never used it before, 440C. Feels great in the hand, I would like to have a fair sized choil, maybe a little bit bigger. I like it, and want to get one in D2. I would recommend a BM Outbounder in D2over the Gerber.
 
Thanks for the replies, people. You have reinforced the direction I was leaning towards. I appreciate the help.
 
The Fallkniven F1 is hard to beat,and if you want a little more protection for you fingers then the F1GM has a stainless steel finger guard as well as beautiful green micarta.

D2 is a very good steel and I don't think you can go wrong with one of Bob Dozier's drop point hunters. Check out AG Russell and see what Doziers they have in stock. If you go directly to Bob Dozier then you will have to wait for him to build the knife....he builds them as he gets orders for them.

If you want to experience S30V, then check out the Trident knives Oberland 02 but it is not a drop point hunter.

I think Ranger Knives is coming up with a good reputation for their blades too.

FWIW
Ciao
Ron Cassel
 
Take a look at the Bark River Woodland and/or Highland knives. Both can be had for under $100 .

Blade Steel: A-2 Tool Steel
Hardness: 58-60RC Blade
Thickness: .150 inches
Blade Length: 4 inches
Overall Length: 7.75 inches
Weight: 3.3 ounces
Construction: Full Tang

highland-green.jpg


These old Imperial/Frontier Drop Point Hunters ccan be found on ebay for next to nothing and are great little field knives.
11_1_b.JPG
 
rowdy27 said:
SOG NW Ranger is an amazing knife too.
Click to expand...

One of the only other knives I own is a SOG NW Ranger. I like it a lot but I'd rather have the leather sheath than the nylon one I got with it almost five years ago.
 
Rupestris said:
Take a look at the Bark River Woodland and/or Highland knives. Both can be had for under $100 .

Blade Steel: A-2 Tool Steel
Hardness: 58-60RC Blade
Thickness: .150 inches
Blade Length: 4 inches
Overall Length: 7.75 inches
Weight: 3.3 ounces
Construction: Full Tang

highland-green.jpg
Click to expand...

Thanks Rupestris..... I really like the Bark River..... What are the advantages / differences between D2 and A2 steel? What is the difference in quality of heat treat between Bark River and Benchmade (in your opinion) ?
 
Welcome to the party! Glad to have you here.

I vote for the Sharpmaker and Spyderco Bill Moran designed Fixed blade FB02.

http://spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=43

or the Benchmade 151

http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=151

or my favorite fixed hunting knife the Bark River Huntsman. I usually carry two knives in case I accidentally lose one or run over it. It also is nice not to have to stop and sharpen although I have never had to do that with mine. Also a bow saw or bone saw is a great tools in camp.

http://barkriverknives.com/gallery/album68/Huntsman_Dark_Curly_Maple_Hollow

The Huntsman is too sharp for many users, IMHO. I would never use a fixed blade for cleaning, gutting, that didn't have a blade guard. It is too easy when cold, wet, and bloody to slip down onto a sharp blade. Then it's stitches time and possibly a long ride to the nearest Emergency Room.
 
but I have to go against the flow. I've always had good luck with the Buck vanguard even with the 420hc steel they do real well. and following in this line the buck 110 does real well without the bulk and possibillity of puncture that a fixed blade knife has. It's not that i don't like high end knives I just can't afford them and in the past I would be hesitant to use them. good luck ahgar
 
You can afford a $90.00 Gerber but not a $65.00 Benchmade? That doesn't make sense to me.
 
Of the two Knife Choices, I would definely recomend the Benchmade. On the sharpeners, I would recommend getting both the Lansky and the Sharpmaker. I like the Lansky with a course Diamond hone for reprofiling. Once reprofiled, I like the sharpmaker for routine sharpening. You will wear yourself out (and the tip of your knife too!) trying to reprofile an edge with the Sharpmaker. Even with the diamond rods, I do not find that the Sharpmaker cuts fast enough, but it is great for maintaining an edge.
 
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