I've got a knife that was a gift from Bill Bagwell. Bill and I were planning a Longbow bear hunt in Ontario back in the early 80's and he ask me if I had a "Bear knife". I told him I had knives but not specifically a "Bear knife". When he showed up at Camp he gave me one of his Damascus Bowies as a gift. I still have that knife today.

 

Well, we have shown some pretty sweet knives and have had some awsome bladesmiths post some info..  Great thread.

Ron, I assume you remember  Orville (or something like that)  "Crickett" Hulvey from Friendship?  Oh yea, and Darrel Meyer.... The hawk forger

He is the guy that did the colored damascuss Flag knife for Pres. Bush (the first one)

QuoteRon, I assume you remember Orville (or something like that) "Crickett" Hulvey from Friendship? Oh yea, and Darrel Meyer.... The hawk forger

He is the guy that did the colored damascuss Flag knife for Pres. Bush (the first one)
 

Yes I do, Crickett Hulvey was a hawk throwing wizard, I think the hawk range at Friendship is named after him....and Darrel Meyer is the Master of Damascus steel

Everyone has a favorite. I have done every chore related to hunting and camping with my good ol' Buck model 110.

Ron:

I forgot to mention, Those are some great knives...

Well, if I had to pick just one all around hunting knife to carry forever and ever amen, I would have to give the Randall 25-5 the nod. To me, a 5" blade made of good carbon steel is about perfect. Now, if I was hunting big critters....

Holy moly. I need to get out of my cave more often. That's some serious steel, you guys.

I would recommend trying an older model Buck. I have a high carbon model 119 that I absolutely love.

Forgot to add my Boker drop point. I carry it alot hunting. It's not a big knife but it can do everything an more than you ask it to.

ESSE Izula II. Not terribly trad looking with a Kydex sheath, but beauty is as beauty does!  If you want to save a few $ you can get the Izula I, but I much prefer the micarta handle slabs and length.  I don't care for parachord wrap, once it's been inside a deer's chest cavity you'll know why.

Check the buck knives out here.  I have one of the Nighthawk series and it will cut your eyes if ya stare at it....a good knife for the money.

 Buck Nighthawk

Wow, someone resurrected this thread, eh?  Might as well update it then.  

I opted to "make" a knife and have since made a few using blade blanks and scales.  Here's the one I made for myself using a Helle hidden tang blade.  I actually finally put it to use on a deer this past Sunday and it performed very well.  Sorry for the iPhone pic.



Thanks again for all the input, Gang.
Rusty

General duty knife from kellam also marketed by Martinni knives called their "bait knife" both are made by kellam. Razor sharp out of the box, the same excellent steel they use in all their knives and all for a grand total of......$10.00. Without a doubt the best knife out their for the money IMO.

I Vote for this set.....I am kinda partial? A Randall 11-5 anda Case Hunter Trapper.

 

Tippit,these knifes look great, I like there shape and the "guard" on them!

I love the way my Buck Vanguard fits me. I ordered another one today with S30V steel. The first one has 420 HC and it does everything I need it to.