Ideas for a new knife?

[hillbilly WA]

Hi guys, I'm turning 18 next year, and looking at doing quite a bit of hunting, and i want a nice knife which i can get which i can keep till im old, sort of as a special knife. I don't want to go cheap, i want one which will work well and stay keen. I was thinking probably just a fixed blade, but folding is good also, something thats got quite a heft to it which i can use as just a general-use knife for all tasks. So, im just wondering if you guys know any knives which are really trustworthy which will work for me for a long time. What knives have served you well?

Thanks guys, Carl

[Mick Smith]

Howdy Carl

Love the new avatar.

I've owned and used Puma 'Hunter's Pal' knives for many years. The Hunter's Pal is a very useful knife. It has a great general purpose blade shape that can do just about anything and it's just the right size, not too big and not too small. They hold a good edge and they will last a lifetime. The only reason why I've owned more than one is because my first one was stolen.

There's plenty of other good knives around too. I own a few 'Buck' knives which I think are quality, excellent value for money knives.

Mick

[Jaydo]

You want a great custom made knife,

talk to coach, ive got one and it'll last for ever if you take care of it
he makes some awesome knives,

failing that i'd say a buck knife

[nimrod]

mate just got a new gerber fixed blade have had a few over the years only ever had one puma it was very good

[Steven J]

Check out http://www.ragweedforge.com

Purchase a good scandi blade and put the handle on yourself. There are loads of blades to choose from and the quality is A+. Buying a blade and making a handle is a very traditional thing to do for Scandinavian folk.

If you don't want to handle a blade, buy a knife. The price is cheap as you are purchasing a top notch blade with a purely functional handle. The knives have not changed in decades. My Dad has his knife from his childhood, and an identical knife can still be purchased. Can't improve on perfect.

A scandi knife is not sharpened with a secondary bevel and is either flat or convex ground. A flat grind is superior for carving and camp chores. A convex grind provides a stronger edge for jointing game.

Check out the scandi section at www.knifeforums.com

Steve

[Stewart Townsend]

As Mick Smith intimated the Puma "Hunters Pal" gets a lot of good reports, however I do not think that the newer Puma's look as good.

Certainly as Jaydo said " You want a great custom made knife, " especially for a 18th birthday.

Have a look at the Australian Knifemakers Guild site
http://www.akg.org.au/
There are some good makers out in the West.

If you want to get a knife that is "special" a custom would be the go.