hunting knife recommendation?

[pangloss]

Next month my family and I are moving, and I want to buy my next door neighbor a nice gift before I leave. The best gift idea I've come up with is a nice hunting knife, and I'd appreciate any recommendations. We've only lived here a little over a year, but this guy has been the best neighbor I've ever had. He's an elderly widower but is still active and hunts a lot. While my budget is not unlimited, I'm prepared to buy something nicer for him than I would normally consider buying for myself. I want this to be an heirloom quality item but also capable of withstanding honest use. If I had to choose right now, I'd probably pick a Bark River Kalahari Hunter, so that puts me in the $200-$250 price range. I've never bought anything from Bark River, and honestly don't really know that much about knives. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Carney]

Next month my family and I are moving, and I want to buy my next door neighbor a nice gift before I leave. The best gift idea I've come up with is a nice hunting knife, and I'd appreciate any recommendations. We've only lived here a little over a year, but this guy has been the best neighbor I've ever had. He's an elderly widower but is still active and hunts a lot. While my budget is not unlimited, I'm prepared to buy something nicer for him than I would normally consider buying for myself. I want this to be an heirloom quality item but also capable of withstanding honest use. If I had to choose right now, I'd probably pick a Bark River Kalahari Hunter, so that puts me in the $200-$250 price range. I've never bought anything from Bark River, and honestly don't really know that much about knives. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Paul Moore (PMoore) makes the most functional hand made,Hard Use knives I've ever owned..& they will fit in that price range. Just a thought.
Search PMooreknives.com
His site isn't up to date, but he has a way to contact him on the site. & just maybe he has one already made. I wouldn't just throw his name out there, but I have proven his knives, there functionality, edge retention, & pure toughness, & in my opinion, he's the best. Good luck, & nice jesture to a real friend!;)

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[TheJawn]

I don't support Bark River after how they censored a few people who questioned them. This was a while ago, but they most likely run things the same way. Truth be told, they make beautiful knives, and these days it isn't easy to tell which companies aren't run by reprehensible persons (liberal voters, baby-eaters, etc.). But that being said I'd buy a BlackJack knife first before a Bark River. A model 1-7 is beautiful like the BRK, and while not a single purpose hunting knife, it has the length to flex into the role.

[John Chambers]

With that as a budget, I'd jump on Ebay and pick up a Dawson custom. Barry Dawson, his daughter Lynn, and some other family members make some great blades.

[reforger2002]

Being an older guy he might appreciate an Anza knife - they reuse industrial files into blades

Some of their shapes are a bit odd, especially the grips but mind does a bang up job on deer - even splitting the rib cage and pelvis

It is carbon steel not stainless

[bog]

I have no knowledge of the quality of knives you are seeking but given the subject I absolutely have to chime in!

After reading the title I immediately thought of my two go-to knives, a Havalon (just upgraded to the larger Barracuda model), and a Case - Trapper model (smaller version). Two great knives! Those two and a hatchet or bone saw and I can field dress and even quarter anything elk size or smaller.

Cheers!

[warriorscience4u]

Not a big fan of BRK's politics, but their knives have been good to me. Here's one of my favorites;

http://www.dlttrading.com/blackjack-model-125-green-canvas

[5x5]

Check out the Dozier K2. Perfect all around hunter.

[Redneck Zen]

For the money, a Bark River is a good deal. The Kalahari would be a great choice for an old guy, a club of which I am a proud member, by the way. It's not just the blade, but the handle that you're paying for. Good ergonomics are worth paying for, especially for a knife. I've only got one, a Bravo-1 given to me by a good friend upon my retirement. It's a great knife, the quality right up there with my Randalls. I'm keeping it regardless of any "drama." I might even get a Gunny one day.

You might also check into Survive! knives. The friend who gave me the Bravo 1 has one and it is sweet.

I have to say something. Regarding why to not buy a BRK, that censorship stuff is a poor excuse. I don't know the circumstances for BRK censoring anyone, but given all of the armchair experts out there who complain because their precious blade can't bust a concrete block and still shave a hair, I wouldn't be surprised if they shut somebody down. So what? They make a great product that does what it's designed to do.

In that vein, I think Gaston Glock is a dick and don't agree with some of the ways the Glock company handles their product, but I've got more G's than any other gun design. Bring up Lynn Thompson's name, hoo-ee, that'll spark some conversations. It's great when you can support "the good guys," but I've learned to have an open mind because all idols have clay feet. If I limited my purchases on who I like or their philosophies, I'd be naked (sweatshops making clothes), starving (immoral farming and ranch practices) and probably homeless (crooked contractors, illegal hiring).

Blackjack is Mike Stewart is BRK, by the way. Most of those designs are Randall clones, by the way. Some people may think that's immoral, illegal or fattening. Randall may not like it, but they have more business than they can handle. YMMV.

Sorry, rant off.

[TheJawn]

I was naive to expect I wouldn't at least one response like the above because of my vague post. Consider if our Mr. Suarez manufactured some sub-par product that had good fit and finish, and then censored any dissent or reports of sub par performance on this forum. That (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Io38wpBLNfg) is the kind drama that I witnessed that turned me off of BRK. I did not know of Mike Stewart's involvement in BlackJack, but like we both said, we can't have that philosophy and buy anything at all, because nearly every company employs or is run by people we disagree with. I think Hornady and Troy were at some point run by anti 2nd amendment types, but it won't and arguably shouldn't stop people from buying their products. But if I didn't speak up, I wouldn't be me.

"Armchair experts" is funny, though. Might as well sweep every statement under the rug because there are too many, right? They can't all be correct. Who has the knowledge to discern right from wrong, anyway? Is it you, or Mike Stewart?

On topic: the Kalahari looks amazing. As a gift it is about perfect.

[pangloss]

Thanks all for the suggestions. Picking this knife is harder than I expected. I've looked at what everyone's suggestions and at a lot more. I find myself being swayed by aesthetics much more than if I were buying a knife for myself. I really like the Dawson G3 Trailsman that is on Ebay right now, but the BRK products sure are handsome knives. I'll think it over another day or so and then make a decision. I need to hurry up because my moving date is getting closer and closer.

[pangloss]

Well, I finally made a decision. I got the BRK Kalahari Drop Point Hunter. I think the pic below is the exact knife that I purchased. I really took a fancy to the mosaic pins. The website had pics up of other knives that were out of stock, but of the available remaining knives, this one was the best looking one to me. I think it'll be a hit. Hopefully they ship quickly.

44812

[never quit]

I don't support Bark River after how they censored a few people who questioned them. This was a while ago, but they most likely run things the same way. Truth be told, they make beautiful knives, and these days it isn't easy to tell which companies aren't run by reprehensible persons (liberal voters, baby-eaters, etc.). But that being said I'd buy a BlackJack knife first before a Bark River. A model 1-7 is beautiful like the BRK, and while not a single purpose hunting knife, it has the length to flex into the role.
I think BRK makes Blackjack. Or no?

[Carney]

He should be a happy man.

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