Knife recommendations

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popsdiesel

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Feb 7, 2024
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I need some help. I am leading an outreach to Fort Yukon, Alaska, which is in the Arctic Circle. In the village, most of the people are Gwich'in Athabascan Nation. I am looking for some good quality and affordable knives as gifts. Three to local leaders and a couple for some elders.

Now, I love knives, but I don't know what knife would be best/cost-effective for our trip. They are Subsistence hunters/fishers as well. Can you all make some suggestions?
 
Moras are good. Any of the larger classic models maybe.
J Russell Green River knives have been a staple of traders and explorers in the American wilderness for almost 200 years, probably won't be any different today than it would be in the 19th century.....

Maybe you should try to find out what they are using currently first, then decide if what you are giving them is better than what they already have or is something they can't or won't use.
How much is in the budget here?
 
Arathol said:
Moras are good. Any of the larger classic models maybe.
J Russell Green River knives have been a staple of traders and explorers in the American wilderness for almost 200 years, probably won't be any different today than it would be in the 19th century.....

Maybe you should try to find out what they are using currently first, then decide if what you are giving them is better than what they already have or is something they can't or won't use.
How much is in the budget here?
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At this point, I have about $800 for 2 nicer knives and 3 decent.
 
I live in AK and I highly suggest you reach out to member Mark Knapp to get his suggestions. He lives up North and is a renowned hunting guide and fisherman who has travelled all over the state.

Many subsistence Natives prefer to use Ulu’s and watching them use them is very humbling.
 
Gough makes a knife that was designed for an Antarctic Expedition.

Perhaps it works just as well in the Arctic?

 
popsdiesel said:
I need some help. I am leading an outreach to Fort Yukon, Alaska, which is in the Arctic Circle. In the village, most of the people are Gwich'in Athabascan Nation. I am looking for some good quality and affordable knives as gifts. Three to local leaders and a couple for some elders.

Now, I love knives, but I don't know what knife would be best/cost-effective for our trip. They are Subsistence hunters/fishers as well. Can you all make some suggestions?
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If you don’t have any luck getting in touch with Mark Knapp, I know an Elder in Barrow who is a whaling captain and subsistence hunter who might have suggestions. Different community, but I am sure he would know. Let me know if you want me to reach out to him.
 
beeinak said:
If you don’t have any luck getting in touch with Mark Knapp, I know an Elder in Barrow who is a whaling captain and subsistence hunter who might have suggestions. Different community, but I am sure he would know. Let me know if you want me to reach out to him.
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That would be amazing. I have reached out, but of course haven’t heard anything back yet. They are specifically asking about pocket knives so that might change things. But the fixed blades are an option too.
 
popsdiesel said:
That would be amazing. I have reached out, but of course haven’t heard anything back yet. They are specifically asking about pocket knives so that might change things. But the fixed blades are an option too.
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I will send my buddy a text.
 
popsdiesel said:
I need some help. I am leading an outreach to Fort Yukon, Alaska, which is in the Arctic Circle. In the village, most of the people are Gwich'in Athabascan Nation. I am looking for some good quality and affordable knives as gifts. Three to local leaders and a couple for some elders.
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Right here: https://www.knivesofalaska.com/

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I like this one:

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popsdiesel said:
That would be amazing. I have reached out, but of course haven’t heard anything back yet. They are specifically asking about pocket knives so that might change things. But the fixed blades are an option too.
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If you are looking at folders, do your homework carefully. Many modern so-called "supersteels" are very hard to sharpen properly. You don't want to give somebody a knife that they can't sharpen easily.
 
popsdiesel said:
That would be amazing. I have reached out, but of course haven’t heard anything back yet. They are specifically asking about pocket knives so that might change things. But the fixed blades are an option too.
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Well my buddy up in Barrow thinks it is a great gesture, and says knives will be for moose, bears, and fish in that area. He did not have a recommendation other than “remember elders love their wive’s”, with a photo of Victorinox kitchen knives.

The Native hunter/fishermen I have met here use Ulu’s frequently, as well as multi tools (lots of traveling by boat/atv/snowmachine).

My personal choices in blades here changed when I realized some of my favorite knives were just too cold to handle in winter, or slippery with snow/ice. I really like micarta and rubberized grips on fixed blades. Folders I like to be able to clean out snow easily.

I am sure anything you take them will be appreciated.
 
I will recommend either a Buck 110, a Buck 112, or a Cold Steel Voyager if you want a good folding knife.
 
beeinak said:
My personal choices in blades here changed when I realized some of my favorite knives were just too cold to handle in winter, or slippery with snow/ice. I really like micarta and rubberized grips on fixed blades. Folders I like to be able to clean out snow easily.
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Knives designed for cold weather use by people who have lived in it for centuries......
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Arathol said:
Knives designed for cold weather use by people who have lived in it for centuries......
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I love those knives, but prefer a guard only because when my hands are really cold my grip isn’t as great. I do love Skrama’s.
 
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