My 17 year old grand daughter wants a hunting knife fro Xmas. Please give me some ideas please.

Buck Vanguard or mini alpha

Canadian Belt knife #1 (my favorite by a long shot) from Ghroman Knives website

A Buck 113 Ranger or 105 Pathfinder are both excellent knives.

Fixed or folder?

Budget?

Fixed Folder?

Big game or small game?

https://www.knifeworks.com/cold-steel-pendleton-hunter-36lpcss-3-5-in-cpm-3-v- dlc-fixed-blade-8-1-4-in-overall.html

My personal favorite hunting knife big or small game

https://www.knifeworks.com/bark-river-mini-canadian-fixed-blade-a2-steel-green- canvas-micarta.html

Great choice in fixed blades!

https://www.knifeworks.com/esee-candiru-purple-5-in-fixed-blade-can-purp-clear- molded-sheath-and-clip-plate.html

I agree with Andy Man. Canadian Belt knife. Cold Steel has a cheap version available from Smokey Mountain Knife Works. (Or at least they did the last time I looked!)

Best knife that doesn't break the bank if she's referring to hunting say deer is a Buck Woodsman hands down. If she's hunting small game a trapper style pocket knife and if things are bigger I'd still stay with a slightly larger buck. I mentor lots of kids. Normally I have at least two Woodsmans in my pack. If the kid is successful we dress the deer. I clean the knife and with the parents permission, give it to them. They come in dif handle styles so look around.

Lots of good suggestions, so far. When the time comes, I think I'll get my grandsons each a Buck woodsman. In my opinion, they're about perfect for cleaning fish and small game, and they work fine on whitetails, too.

Get a manufacturer's custom shop to do your favorite in a pink (or abalone or pearl or ivory) handle.

The options are as numerous as number of grains of sand on a beach. Much of what I was raised in as traditional(lifestyle, values, morals, ethics,) has been passing on items to mentored young ones. A knife that can be identified as being something that has been used by a loved elder family member or friend may have far more value than anything new and perhaps wrestled out of a blister pack from a big box outdoor store. OR- spend time and make a knife with her. You in helping her get her first knife has potential to be a memory she carries with her and maybe even shares again with her young charge.

Fixed blade or folder?

Fixed: Buck Vanguard. Or, look on fleabay or other sites for a USA made Schrade Sharpfinger.

Folder: Buck 110 or a Case XX folder of appropriate size.

We all got a Buck Woodsman 102 when we were kids. That was over 40 yrs ago. Still have, still using it! It's a great all around size and blade design.

#1: Buck Vanguard with rubber handle for fixed. #2: Buck 119 for fixed. Buck Woodsman is also very good choice, but I definitely like a bigger knife that fits my hand. #3: Buck 110 for folder. I like finger grooves.

Superb affordable knives. She gonna cherish any of them I guarantee. Every time I see my Woodsman I think of my mom who I dearly love. Good luck.

Canadian belt knife, Trout and Bird model, it will handle everything. For small game only, I second a trapper pocket knife. The Buck 110 is also a classic that will handle any job. I have an old Uncle Henry LB, looks like a Buck 110, you can get one for cheap on ebay, very cool vintage made in the USA knife. The possibilities are endless.

Canadian belt knife, Trout and Bird model, it will handle everything. For small game only, I second a trapper pocket knife. The Buck 110 is also a classic that will handle any job. I have an old Uncle Henry LB, looks like a Buck 110, you can get one for cheap on ebay, very cool vintage made in the USA knife. The possibilities are endless.

SOG and check state law on blade length-I think it is 4 inches for 17 yr old

My favorite folder is a Remington Tracker bullet knife made in 1990 it has great steel and gets scary sharp holds an edge like forever. It just so happens it is the year my oldest Daughter was born. Two years ago I got one off eBay and gave it to her for Christmas I not sure if has the same meaning for her it did for me. Maybe she will carry this hunting seasion. Widow

Lots of great knives to choose from. My first hunting knife was a Buck 102 ( woodsman ) my Dad bought me in 1971. My Dad even had my name engraved on the blade. I still have it and every time I look at it I remember how great a Dad I had. :)

The Victorinox Hunter with lockblade. Also has tootpick, awl.tweezers, and bottle opener/ flat scredriver. It has a saw to split the pelvis, a short gutting blade that is curved to get your finger under and good quality steel. This is all you need up to elk size game. For deer, one is enough. For elk I have one in the pocket and a spare in the pack. Saves the sharpening... At some places you can get something engraved in the blade. Always a nice touch for gifts.

Get a custom one of a kind she will have it forever

The Buck is a good choice, but I'm partial to old Westerns. Good steel and reputation for a long time. Lance.

Knives of Alaska makes some very nice hunting knife designs in D2 steel for a very reasonable price. https://www.knivesofalaska.co m/store.asp?c=20

Check out Rockler woodworking. They have some very inexpensive blanks and scales (sold separate). I did 5 with Russian Olive and they were big hits. Was able to get an awesome edge with my paper wheel.

I think the Buck 102 Woodsman is a great all around knife. Excellent for whitetail and small game. Lifetime warranty and US made.

I've been using one since I started hunting. It will be the same model of knife I get my kids and in a couple of decades the grand kids as well.

I prefer the size, the fact that it's a fixed blade, and the pomel makes it much safer.

I'd want to know whether this was a first hunting knife or a "good" hunting knife? for somebody who has experience dressing game? a hunting-only knife or multi-purpose knife? I don't know many 17 yo's who wont lose a knife or two or five before they learn to hang onto them. A Mora LightMyFire can be had for $20 online in five different colors, almost indestructible, non-slip grip, good shape and size all-around stainless blade for cleaning game and fish and slicing vegetables in camp. Best of all, you can show her how to make a fire on Christmas morning with dryer lint, shavings of a cedar limb or a piece of pitch pine, etc., a potentially life-saving skill that she will have for the rest of her life, a much more probable demonstration than gutting and skinning a deer on Christmas morning. I got a Buck 112 from my parents for my 16th Christmas, but I had been hunting, fishing, hiking, camping by myself for 6 years and gone through a dozen knives by then and I still have that Buck 112. But I wish they had Mora LightMyFire knives in 1972.

Too many factors involved!!

Definitely one of the Buck fixed blades. Without a gut hook! Ever try to clean a folding knife after dressing out a deer? Not a fun job. I still have gunk in mine. Bucks are great hunting knives.

I was anti gut hook until I used one this fall.

I was anti gut hook until I used one this fall.

BUCK

Take a look at the new Buck 101 Hunter. It is the same profile of the ever popular 110, but in a fixed blade version. Should make a great hunting knife and a very nice gift.

https://www.buckknives.com/product/101-hunter/0101BRS-B/

For effective value you can't beat those Mora knives. They are a steal!

BUCK 113 ranger skinner, 3 1/8"fixed blade, (safer no folding accidents),perfect size, - add a name only 7$ or more custom options available. Check it out at buckknives.com

The Buck website has an amazing computerized knife customizing feature for some of its more popular knives. Pick a knife, click on various customizing options, and the knife image will instantly reflect the chosen option. Scales, rivets, bolster metal, blade material, finger grooves etc. Now that is pretty dang cool. You could run the program while she watches. Just an idea. Good luck.

Tough to beat an 8 1/2" ish (+\- 1/4") drop point fixed blade model.

Carbon content of 0.75% - 1.0%

Price , whatever you want, but some suggestions:

Spyderco Bill Moran FB02 (vg10 blade) Cold Steel Master Hunter with older Carbon V blade Bench made 190 with 440c blade (no longer made)

Mora: many models. Great value. No tears if lost.

Condor Knife and Tool Kephart, Bushcraft or skinner model . Nod to Kephart. 1075 blade steel (0.75% C).

Kabar Becker (bk16)

How about something Fred Bear would have carried High carbon with Osage handle

She will very soon be 18 years old. That is a very special marker in a persons life. Have you ever been to a knife show? Fine blade Smithing is cherished tradition and a fine art form. Maybe 20 years ago, i went to my first knife show. I man from Plains Montana took the time to share with me how he made the knife I was coveting. hammer forged with intricate hand file work. Has a snake wood handle. I wear my knife especially when i clean up and take my wife out. Almost as a mark of distinction as it were. This knife is one of my most cherished possessions. Whenever I wear this knife, part of a man willing to share his passion is with me. His name was Dennis De Jardins. I know he is resting in peace. He shared his life as we are all called to do. thank you for seeing my thought. Jim

This is nice one very useful shape

I have the swing blade folding knife. Have used it for a couple years, great knife!

I am a fan of the Gerber Freeman fixed blade knife, don't care for the folder. Mora would also be a good choice. Midway has really good prices on the Cold Steel knives. DANNY

Light My Fire, Fireknife, stainless, in whatever color she prefers. I see no good reason to give a young person a carbon steel knife.

I vote Bark River drop-point hunter, can't go wrong there!

Case makes A fixed blade leather wrap handled with a 3and 1/2 inch blade. Perfect for women.

I think a Mora would be hard to beat for a first knife.

There are two kinds of knives. Legacy knives, and knives that work. I have both. But I use the ones that work.

Honestly there are some good ones here. I'll give out some knives that I own, should have bought, or want.

Buck woodsman or pathfinder, 119 is too long for me but groove is cool Gerber gator (personal knife) KA-BAR USMC Case fixed Buck Vanguard or zipper Case fixed blade Knives of Alaska brand makes really nice stuff I hear, probably buy their gut hook model, whitetail I think, in orange handle

Case coperhead is a really nice knife, my brother owns one Buck 110 folding hunter I've wanted for an edc

Go on ebay and look: Western Olsen USA Shrade Old Timer, I really like the sharpfinger my dad has

Could also look for custom handmade people. There's a guy up in Michigan, can't remember who it is now. My brother makes file knives time to time, but is a too busy to be doing anything due to his job.

I'm a fan of fixed and/or lock-back drop point blades both for aesthetics and safety.

WMM

The Knives of Alaska gut hook is the Whitetail, in the Trekker series. KOA are fine knives indeed, they are not cheap, but worth every penny.

The Knives of Alaska gut hook is the Whitetail, in the Trekker series. KOA are fine knives indeed, they are not cheap, but worth every penny.

A Buck knife is something to be handed down to the next gen. A Mora knife is something to be thrown in the tool box. Good knife too but not a gift knife.

take her with you and let her pick it out. it would be a memorable trip for the both of you. and she can pick out one that fits her hand, which would be safer imo.

Buck Vanguard.

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