@MrShaggy650 My most favorite hunting knife is Bark River Fox River. When I don't need to do a new knife review, I pick up some knives from the bag due to my mood. I'm always thinking that I need to use every single knife in my collection within a season. Thanks.
@samstterhamstteer All my knives are always oiled in the sheath at home. And that oil prevents the blade from rusting well in snow weather. The problem is blood from the game which contains salt. I just wipe the blade carefully after game dressing in the field. I don't care about the rust basically. I admire patina or rusty spots. Thanks.
Yes a dependable backup is important I learned this the hard way when I lost my main knife KaBar and had to use a CRKT neck knife to field dress two. The CRKT was not capable by the end of one. The task was very difficult and I decided that the CRKT was only good for recycled metal pile when I got home.
@TheBladebuster It was $350 shipped from Toyokuni direct. It was 3mm thick and made of super blue paper steel which was maybe Hrc62 or more, so its zero grind edge was extremely sharp. I once experienced a micro chip on its edge and it took me fairly long time to restore. It was kind of collectible item and I already left it. Instead I have a regular 4 mm thick 9 cm long blade on order from Toyokuni now. It is $160 shipped domestically. If you like it, I can give you the link. Thanks.
@Cromwell5280 It's from Toyokuni company in Japan. Their website is only in Japanese, but they are selling worldwide. Kanetsune company has an English website although it's different from Toyokuni. Thank you!
@millsdixon I am thinking of the same thing as you. The both knives are surely great in deer dressing. I will determine about it in the remaining two months of deer season. But I believe you will never regret to get both the Fox River and the no ramp Gunny. Like EDC knives you can change them chance by chance. Thank you!
@WhenSheSleeps I still have a D2 activator. But I don't want to use it very much because I know the D2 is brittle. I know it will probably take micro chips during a single deer dressing. And then I must sharpen it with the Edge Pro for its recurve, and during the sharpening the D2 can take new micro chips. The Benchmade Activator+ is a difficult knife for me. It has a micro chip on its edge now and I let it be there. Before the video on it I must repair it. Thank you!
Very good summary video, thanks! However, I don't quite understand the logic of carrying a "sub-dependable" knife at all. It looks like that "dependable" group is better than "sub-dependable" group, if only take 3 knifes, why not carrying two "dependable" and one "enjoyable" knife ?
@bladeliu What you say is very correct. I usually carry 2 knives on my belt. One is very dependable. Last hunting I carried 3 knives on my belt. One was Bravo1, and the other two were Benchmades for the comparison. And I had one more knife in my rucksack which was Fallkniven TK2. Case by case from my feeling the knives always change. Next chance I will never choose the Bravo1 to depend on. It's how I enjoy my knife collection. This categorization is not definite and always changing. Thank you!
You may be interested to know that Fallkniven produces a 3G steel version of the F1 periodically. They are produced in limited numbers and are very popular, so if you are interested you have to purchase one quickly. The next batch is available on 15/02/2011.
@kawaiipikachu The VG-10 self convexed edge, I mean I removed its micro V edge, sometimes takes micro rolls, which can be easily restored just with stropping thouth. So I guess the VG-10 is a kind of soft steel and needs deep edge angle. Anyhow my 3G TK2 takes a shallow angle edge and very durable. I love it very much. Basically the edge geometry of F1 is fairly deep for survival purpose. I will think of 3G F1 when it takes a new edge geometry like TK2. Thank you!
I learn alot from your lessons. I am a new deer hunter and appreciate your experience on field dressing the deer. Thank you for taking the time to share.
@MrSchpankme Yes, I think it is unreliable so far. I know its sharpness very well but its durability not very well. I will need some more experience with it. I have enough experiences with Bark River, Fallkniven, and my self convexed edges. My dependable knives will do it alone perfectly in 2 deers straight. Thank you!
... we are limited in our comments, let me finish by stating that I never go anywhere in the wilderness without my neck knife. Unless your local laws prohibits you from carrying a neck, alway have a dependable neck knife at the ready. Currently, my knifes of choice for such a winter hunt, would be the Fallkniven S1 (main knife), Benchmade 551 (utility) and Fallkniven WM1(neck knife). Kindest regards
@MrSchpankme Thank you for your comment! I love your triad very much. I once owned S1 but left it in good condition because I felt it a bit long. Then the full money came back to me. But I am thinking now from your triad that the S1 is very dependable in the harsh winter hunting. I had better get it again.
Dear Sir, In Winter Extremes, it is Best Practice to take only trusted and dependable gear; this is no place for experimentation! In this scenario you will select your best hunting knife (BlackJack Model 125), this knife will also become your survival knife if the situation warrants. Next, select your utility hunting knife (Blade Tech Pro Hunter), this knife will be easy and safe to carry and will be capable of the hunting and cleaning demands. The BRK Gunny may be used as backup as an option.
I'm a little surprised that the BR Fox River did not make the list for your winter hunts. Any reason in particular that it didn't make the dependable list? Love your videos.
@ctnnpt The winter hunt is severe. I must save power to get back to my truck safely. So I must finish the dressing very easily and quickly. Then the dull knife is critical. My this Fox River was not finished completely from the factory. My previous one was done from the factory though. So I needed to resharpen my present Fox River with water stones initially. Now it is sharp but doesn't stay sharp very long. I understand it's because my convex stropping has not yet done on its edge. Thank you!
@TheEvrael I don't like the ESEE4 very much, because its handle to blade ratio is out of the balance. Its handle is definitely short for the blade length. If it had a triangular pommel it could be better. But its round pommel doesn't hook my last finger. In order to transfer my hand power to the edge I need to choke up. But its choil is not generous. In contrast the RC-3 has very good balence, and its blade length is just good for my purpose. Thank you!
You have some of the most comprehensive and detailed reviews here on youtube - an absolute pleasure to watch. I have only just subscribed, but have worked my way through many of your videos now. Shame the hunting season is over though - just my luck to have to wait till you hunt again in January!
@virtuovice I need your help in choosing sandpaper for my knifes I have a spyderco Sharpmaker but I have a small chip in my knife and I am going to the store today to buy sand paper. What grit of sand paper should I buy for making a knife scary sharp also what grid sand paper should i buy to take that chip out of my knife? Thank you for your help I really appreciated it.
@clubtc05 If your knife is a convex knife, 240 to 600 grit sandpaper on leather backing will be very useful to grind off the micro chipping. For finishing the edge 1000 to1500 grit is useful. But if your knife is a V edge knife, the EDGE PRO sharpening system will make your edge extraordinarily sharp because it assure the stable sharpening angle throughout the sharpening. Its result is quite different from the Sharpmaker. Your sharpening will turn 180 degrees with the EDGE PRO honestly.
@malcolmry I love snowshoes more than mountain ski, because I can take the prone position without taking them off. Besides I have a snowmobile, which is very useful to assault deers very suddenly. But the snowmobile is easily buried into snow, so I need some friends to dig it up. I love the solo snowshoes hunting more than the group snowmobile hunting because it is more thoughtful and silent. Thank you!
@sachsunkelt Thank you! My dependable knives have convex edge or Scandi edge. My RC3 is exceptional and sharpened with water stones and has my micro convex edge on its V edge. The DLT leather strop is very good to make a micro convex edge because its leather is very thin and its reverse side leather takes sharpening compounds very well. I sharpen my convex and Scandi edges with black and white compound loaded DLT double sided leather strop paddle from Crystal Falls Trading USA.
There's a couple of factors I would take in to consideration when hiking/hunting with knives in a cold /snowy enviroment. One of these are; How do the handle/grip feel with mittens/gloves on?(Many knives depend on bare hands to function 100%, which isn't to comfortable when it's cold). Second; When handling the knife with bare hands, which material is best against the skin? (Some feel warmer and others take too long to warm up and have much metall against skin =bad).
@Crackedblade Thank you! I have never used thick gloves while skinning deers, because its bloody and warm. I have never thought of what material is easy to warm up. But I guess wood is very friendly in freezing temperature. Micarta is the next. G10 and Bone are not very friendly. In conclusion dense materials seem no good. Anyhow the deer's body warm my hands very much in freezing temperature. So we say "warm our hands" for getting a deer in snow season.
You are lucky to have handwarmers walking around;)
I sort of knew you would bring that to my attention, but I feel it is an aspect few consider when choosing a knife. Knives in general tend to totally change character when it's freezing and I think it's only a lucky few who are in your position when they bring their knives out during the winter.
As you conclude; Dense materials are bad when it's cold (pure physics), but I wonder how the Fällkniven handles compare to say micarta?
@Crackedblade In my experience the micarta is warmer than thermorum of Fallknivens. But the handle of Fallknivens is generally full covering the tang. So the skin injury from the metal tang will never happen in Fallknivens. My environment of winter hunting is 10 degrees Celsius below the water freezing temperature. So even if the side portion of the tang is exposing, I prefer the micarta handle than Fallkniven's thermorum handles. It's not scientific but kind of mental though.
@An0nEeMouse Thank you! The gun ownership is allowed only to foreigners who have the right of permanent residence in Japan. And we are not allowed to lend guns to others. So the tourist to Japan cannot shoot a deer unfortunately.
@h4xx0rrx I recently know the VG-10 is not a super steel from my Spyderco Bill Moran knife experience. It's a kind of soft steel. F1 is basically a survival knife, so its edge geometry is deeper than TK2 or other Bark River knives. The edge geometry of the TK2, its 3G steel, and its handle safety get my dependence. It must be always sharp and tough, but the F1 is not always so. I depend on permanent sharpness much. It will surely help me always and make my mind easy. It's a mental issue. Thanks!
@flyflung My first Fox River had a Stag bone handle which my friend uses now. It was really sharp from the factory. But my present Fox River with a wood handle was not very sharp from the factory. It had no good edge clearly through my microscope, and I reprofiled it on my water stone because the black compound loaded strop was not able to do it. And now it is sharp but its sharpness is not stable so far. After using much and stropping much, its sharpness will go stable I believe. Thank you!
what is your favorite knife from all of them and do u carry them all
MrShaggy650 4 days ago
@MrShaggy650 My most favorite hunting knife is Bark River Fox River. When I don't need to do a new knife review, I pick up some knives from the bag due to my mood. I'm always thinking that I need to use every single knife in my collection within a season. Thanks.
virtuovice 4 days ago
i cant understad what he is saying he should provide a list of the knifes
zaio12 2 months ago
wow. you have great taste in knives! All of them are great brands and top quality. good stuff.
angryagain68 3 months ago
thank you for this nice display of beautiful knives =) very very nice!!!
shamanspirit1984 3 months ago
my question is you have all these carbon blade knives and how do you keep them from rusting in snow weather?
samstterhamstteer 5 months ago
@samstterhamstteer All my knives are always oiled in the sheath at home. And that oil prevents the blade from rusting well in snow weather. The problem is blood from the game which contains salt. I just wipe the blade carefully after game dressing in the field. I don't care about the rust basically. I admire patina or rusty spots. Thanks.
virtuovice 5 months ago 2
@virtuovice So with proper drying of blade after is being wet should keep the blade in healthy condition right
samstterhamstteer 5 months ago
Yes a dependable backup is important I learned this the hard way when I lost my main knife KaBar and had to use a CRKT neck knife to field dress two. The CRKT was not capable by the end of one. The task was very difficult and I decided that the CRKT was only good for recycled metal pile when I got home.
TheWoollyMammoth 6 months ago
@TheWoollyMammoth I don't like CRKT at all too. A dull knife makes us much exhausted. I discarded such knives as you did. Thanks.
virtuovice 6 months ago
Hi Wako san,
The 6th knife = Toyokuni Hunter (Masano), how much does it sell for in the Japanese market?
TheBladebuster 7 months ago
@TheBladebuster It was $350 shipped from Toyokuni direct. It was 3mm thick and made of super blue paper steel which was maybe Hrc62 or more, so its zero grind edge was extremely sharp. I once experienced a micro chip on its edge and it took me fairly long time to restore. It was kind of collectible item and I already left it. Instead I have a regular 4 mm thick 9 cm long blade on order from Toyokuni now. It is $160 shipped domestically. If you like it, I can give you the link. Thanks.
virtuovice 7 months ago
i rate bitches and poon the same way he rates knives.
jedirifleman 8 months ago
wow what a great selection of knives i subscribed :D
SkamHD 10 months ago
What is the japanese knife with the wooden Sheath?
Cromwell5280 1 year ago
@Cromwell5280 It's from Toyokuni company in Japan. Their website is only in Japanese, but they are selling worldwide. Kanetsune company has an English website although it's different from Toyokuni. Thank you!
virtuovice 1 year ago
Great Videos!
What is your preference between the Bark River Gunny and Fox River. Im having trouble deciding which to get.
millsdixon 1 year ago
@millsdixon I am thinking of the same thing as you. The both knives are surely great in deer dressing. I will determine about it in the remaining two months of deer season. But I believe you will never regret to get both the Fox River and the no ramp Gunny. Like EDC knives you can change them chance by chance. Thank you!
virtuovice 1 year ago
Great video.
You once mentioned the Benchmade Activator in your collection. Why not included in this review? Curious about the D2 comparison, if there is any.
WhenSheSleeps 1 year ago
@WhenSheSleeps I still have a D2 activator. But I don't want to use it very much because I know the D2 is brittle. I know it will probably take micro chips during a single deer dressing. And then I must sharpen it with the Edge Pro for its recurve, and during the sharpening the D2 can take new micro chips. The Benchmade Activator+ is a difficult knife for me. It has a micro chip on its edge now and I let it be there. Before the video on it I must repair it. Thank you!
virtuovice 1 year ago
Very good summary video, thanks! However, I don't quite understand the logic of carrying a "sub-dependable" knife at all. It looks like that "dependable" group is better than "sub-dependable" group, if only take 3 knifes, why not carrying two "dependable" and one "enjoyable" knife ?
bladeliu 1 year ago
@bladeliu What you say is very correct. I usually carry 2 knives on my belt. One is very dependable. Last hunting I carried 3 knives on my belt. One was Bravo1, and the other two were Benchmades for the comparison. And I had one more knife in my rucksack which was Fallkniven TK2. Case by case from my feeling the knives always change. Next chance I will never choose the Bravo1 to depend on. It's how I enjoy my knife collection. This categorization is not definite and always changing. Thank you!
virtuovice 1 year ago
Nicely done, Sir. Great display of fine knives and nice, thoughtful approach to their selection. Very good intro... Thank you!
SteelUser23 1 year ago
Thank you for all your interesting videos.
You may be interested to know that Fallkniven produces a 3G steel version of the F1 periodically. They are produced in limited numbers and are very popular, so if you are interested you have to purchase one quickly. The next batch is available on 15/02/2011.
kawaiipikachu 1 year ago
@kawaiipikachu The VG-10 self convexed edge, I mean I removed its micro V edge, sometimes takes micro rolls, which can be easily restored just with stropping thouth. So I guess the VG-10 is a kind of soft steel and needs deep edge angle. Anyhow my 3G TK2 takes a shallow angle edge and very durable. I love it very much. Basically the edge geometry of F1 is fairly deep for survival purpose. I will think of 3G F1 when it takes a new edge geometry like TK2. Thank you!
virtuovice 1 year ago
I learn alot from your lessons. I am a new deer hunter and appreciate your experience on field dressing the deer. Thank you for taking the time to share.
kkelleher66 1 year ago
Dear Sir, I noticed that you did not show your Scandi Short KA-BAR U.S.M.C., have you dismissed that knife for being unreliable? Kindest regards
MrSchpankme 1 year ago
@MrSchpankme Yes, I think it is unreliable so far. I know its sharpness very well but its durability not very well. I will need some more experience with it. I have enough experiences with Bark River, Fallkniven, and my self convexed edges. My dependable knives will do it alone perfectly in 2 deers straight. Thank you!
virtuovice 1 year ago
Comment removed
MrSchpankme 1 year ago
... we are limited in our comments, let me finish by stating that I never go anywhere in the wilderness without my neck knife. Unless your local laws prohibits you from carrying a neck, alway have a dependable neck knife at the ready. Currently, my knifes of choice for such a winter hunt, would be the Fallkniven S1 (main knife), Benchmade 551 (utility) and Fallkniven WM1(neck knife). Kindest regards
MrSchpankme 1 year ago
@MrSchpankme Thank you for your comment! I love your triad very much. I once owned S1 but left it in good condition because I felt it a bit long. Then the full money came back to me. But I am thinking now from your triad that the S1 is very dependable in the harsh winter hunting. I had better get it again.
virtuovice 1 year ago
Dear Sir, In Winter Extremes, it is Best Practice to take only trusted and dependable gear; this is no place for experimentation! In this scenario you will select your best hunting knife (BlackJack Model 125), this knife will also become your survival knife if the situation warrants. Next, select your utility hunting knife (Blade Tech Pro Hunter), this knife will be easy and safe to carry and will be capable of the hunting and cleaning demands. The BRK Gunny may be used as backup as an option.
MrSchpankme 1 year ago
I'm a little surprised that the BR Fox River did not make the list for your winter hunts. Any reason in particular that it didn't make the dependable list? Love your videos.
ctnnpt 1 year ago
@ctnnpt The winter hunt is severe. I must save power to get back to my truck safely. So I must finish the dressing very easily and quickly. Then the dull knife is critical. My this Fox River was not finished completely from the factory. My previous one was done from the factory though. So I needed to resharpen my present Fox River with water stones initially. Now it is sharp but doesn't stay sharp very long. I understand it's because my convex stropping has not yet done on its edge. Thank you!
virtuovice 1 year ago
in what aspect is the ESEE 3 better than the 4?
TheEvrael 1 year ago
@TheEvrael I don't like the ESEE4 very much, because its handle to blade ratio is out of the balance. Its handle is definitely short for the blade length. If it had a triangular pommel it could be better. But its round pommel doesn't hook my last finger. In order to transfer my hand power to the edge I need to choke up. But its choil is not generous. In contrast the RC-3 has very good balence, and its blade length is just good for my purpose. Thank you!
virtuovice 1 year ago
can you show us your rifle some time , i love firearms. your videos have moved me to buy move knives.
ty,.... jon
lynette1953 1 year ago
nice knifes and good vid!!!!
greetings from sweden
frips1000 1 year ago
You have some of the most comprehensive and detailed reviews here on youtube - an absolute pleasure to watch. I have only just subscribed, but have worked my way through many of your videos now. Shame the hunting season is over though - just my luck to have to wait till you hunt again in January!
Cheers, and best wishes from England.
TheEnglishRedneck45 1 year ago
@virtuovice I need your help in choosing sandpaper for my knifes I have a spyderco Sharpmaker but I have a small chip in my knife and I am going to the store today to buy sand paper. What grit of sand paper should I buy for making a knife scary sharp also what grid sand paper should i buy to take that chip out of my knife? Thank you for your help I really appreciated it.
clubtc05 1 year ago
@clubtc05 If your knife is a convex knife, 240 to 600 grit sandpaper on leather backing will be very useful to grind off the micro chipping. For finishing the edge 1000 to1500 grit is useful. But if your knife is a V edge knife, the EDGE PRO sharpening system will make your edge extraordinarily sharp because it assure the stable sharpening angle throughout the sharpening. Its result is quite different from the Sharpmaker. Your sharpening will turn 180 degrees with the EDGE PRO honestly.
virtuovice 1 year ago
@virtuovice Thank you very much for the information and help. I will purchase it today. Thank you again
clubtc05 1 year ago
Excellent presentation as always. Do you use snowshoes and ski poles while hunting?.
malcolmry 1 year ago
@malcolmry I love snowshoes more than mountain ski, because I can take the prone position without taking them off. Besides I have a snowmobile, which is very useful to assault deers very suddenly. But the snowmobile is easily buried into snow, so I need some friends to dig it up. I love the solo snowshoes hunting more than the group snowmobile hunting because it is more thoughtful and silent. Thank you!
virtuovice 1 year ago
can you do video on how you sharpen knives please? All your knives are very sharp and that is very good.
sachsunkelt 1 year ago
@sachsunkelt Thank you! My dependable knives have convex edge or Scandi edge. My RC3 is exceptional and sharpened with water stones and has my micro convex edge on its V edge. The DLT leather strop is very good to make a micro convex edge because its leather is very thin and its reverse side leather takes sharpening compounds very well. I sharpen my convex and Scandi edges with black and white compound loaded DLT double sided leather strop paddle from Crystal Falls Trading USA.
virtuovice 1 year ago
Great series of knives-hunting test!
5 STARS REVIEW!
Anata no shigoto o hontōni arigatō!
Mike
torquefactory 1 year ago
Once again nice vid!
There's a couple of factors I would take in to consideration when hiking/hunting with knives in a cold /snowy enviroment. One of these are; How do the handle/grip feel with mittens/gloves on?(Many knives depend on bare hands to function 100%, which isn't to comfortable when it's cold). Second; When handling the knife with bare hands, which material is best against the skin? (Some feel warmer and others take too long to warm up and have much metall against skin =bad).
Crackedblade 1 year ago
@Crackedblade Thank you! I have never used thick gloves while skinning deers, because its bloody and warm. I have never thought of what material is easy to warm up. But I guess wood is very friendly in freezing temperature. Micarta is the next. G10 and Bone are not very friendly. In conclusion dense materials seem no good. Anyhow the deer's body warm my hands very much in freezing temperature. So we say "warm our hands" for getting a deer in snow season.
virtuovice 1 year ago
@virtuovice
You are lucky to have handwarmers walking around;)
I sort of knew you would bring that to my attention, but I feel it is an aspect few consider when choosing a knife. Knives in general tend to totally change character when it's freezing and I think it's only a lucky few who are in your position when they bring their knives out during the winter.
As you conclude; Dense materials are bad when it's cold (pure physics), but I wonder how the Fällkniven handles compare to say micarta?
Crackedblade 1 year ago
@Crackedblade In my experience the micarta is warmer than thermorum of Fallknivens. But the handle of Fallknivens is generally full covering the tang. So the skin injury from the metal tang will never happen in Fallknivens. My environment of winter hunting is 10 degrees Celsius below the water freezing temperature. So even if the side portion of the tang is exposing, I prefer the micarta handle than Fallkniven's thermorum handles. It's not scientific but kind of mental though.
virtuovice 1 year ago
Good update video on your current fav deer hunting knives. Thanks for sharing. Enjoyed watching all of your deer hunting & processing vids.
fretlesstuba 1 year ago
Great video. Do you know if it is possible for foreigners to visit Japan to hunt?
An0nEeMouse 1 year ago
@An0nEeMouse Thank you! The gun ownership is allowed only to foreigners who have the right of permanent residence in Japan. And we are not allowed to lend guns to others. So the tourist to Japan cannot shoot a deer unfortunately.
virtuovice 1 year ago
I'm surprised about your new opinion on the Fallkniven F1. Wasn't this your favorite hunting knife a while ago?
h4xx0rrx 1 year ago
@h4xx0rrx I recently know the VG-10 is not a super steel from my Spyderco Bill Moran knife experience. It's a kind of soft steel. F1 is basically a survival knife, so its edge geometry is deeper than TK2 or other Bark River knives. The edge geometry of the TK2, its 3G steel, and its handle safety get my dependence. It must be always sharp and tough, but the F1 is not always so. I depend on permanent sharpness much. It will surely help me always and make my mind easy. It's a mental issue. Thanks!
virtuovice 1 year ago
@virtuovice I understand. Thank you!
h4xx0rrx 1 year ago
Thank you for this video series.
Why was the Bark River Fox River in the sub-dependable division? A problem with sharpness?
flyflung 1 year ago
@flyflung My first Fox River had a Stag bone handle which my friend uses now. It was really sharp from the factory. But my present Fox River with a wood handle was not very sharp from the factory. It had no good edge clearly through my microscope, and I reprofiled it on my water stone because the black compound loaded strop was not able to do it. And now it is sharp but its sharpness is not stable so far. After using much and stropping much, its sharpness will go stable I believe. Thank you!
virtuovice 1 year ago
great video, as always,if it was me i would take the bravo 1, the ckc, and the folding knife.
Wyndstarthedruid 1 year ago