Best metal for hunting knives?

[NE Bowhunter]

HI All. I'm new to this site and could not figure out which board to post this too, so hopefully I'm doing this right.

I am in the market for a good fixed blade factory knife for deer hunting. I have sort of narrowed my search down to two blades, one from Benchmade and the other from Beretta. The links to both are here:

Benchmade: http://www.benchmade.com/products/pr...aspx?model=190

Beretta: http://www.berettausa.com/product/pr...nives_main.htm

My question is, which of these two have the better steel? The Benchmade is using 440C stainless steel, and the Beretta is using AUS 8. I will be using the knife to field dress and skin deer.

I'm also open to any other suggestions of a good knife from any other company, preferably in the $100 range.

Thanks so much.

-Brad

[TexasJack]

You're asking a few hundred folks who make knives - some for a living - which factory knife you should choose? :confused: Interesting.

440C and AUS-8 are roughly equivalent. There are some differences in composition that more or less balance out.

[Shakudo]

this site has a lot to do with actually making knives. instead of buying a production knife, check out knifekits.com . buy a kit and make your own hunting knife.

[SteveS]

Brad,

Like TJ, et al sa##: pretty much the same stuff. It boils down to which company does a better job with the heat treatment, grind, edge thickness, ....

S30V, CM-154, ATS-34, D2, BG-42 are all better steels. 440C and AUS-8 are kinda the low-end of stainless.

I'm with Shakudo - make one!

Steve

[SKIVIE]

I agree with the others.....Make one !

If not then take your money and have a custom maker make you one that will mean more to you in the end and probably get more quality along with handle material of your choice. It says that it has a hardwood handle but a maker will prov##e you with numerous choices.

Theres quite a few makers in here than can produce a small hunter like that for under $150. Kinda fun to sit around the camp fire telling your buddies how you made the knife or how you had a hand in picking the materials to produce your CUSTOM knife.

Good luck !

Shane

[NE Bowhunter]

Hi guys. Sorry for my ignorance, I d## not look closely enough at the site to see that it was mainly custom knife making site. I really do appreciate all the info you all have given, despite my insult of asking about factory made knives. Thank-you.

I am going to look into making my own knife. I am a hobbyist wood worker, so hopefully I can do a good job at it. I'm not really good at sharpening, though, but I can practice and learn.

Thanks again.

-Brad

[Shakudo]

there was no insult. look at a few of the other forums here and you will see some production knife forums. the forums here are about information ,education and options. depending on what you dec##e, you may want to post in the newbies or knifekits forum next time.

[mmunds]

check out the link down below in the custom knives by maker forum, their is one that would fill the bill. Excelent deal!

[chrisinbeav]

Both knives you have selected are so-so...

440C is a decent steel with some edge holding capabilities...
AUS8 will take a decent edge but is somewhat durable...
These two are really close to the same...
(http://ajh-knives.com/metals.html) This is a really nice overview of blade steels.

Unfortunatly your link to the Berretta only brought you to the main sight. It d##n't point to any specific knife. So, I am assuming you were looking at a comparable Loveless fixed blade.

If you are narrowing your search to only these two blades I would choose the Loveless by Berretta over the Benchmade.

If you are going to broaden your search a bit, you should be able to find a nice ATS-34 bladed knife. ATS-34 has a little better properties and should be relativly close to the same price range.

Chris Nilluka

[canyonman]

Flip a coin on the metals. If you let us talk you into building your first knife, then you can't blame us when you HAVE to build your second, then your third, then the fourth....ect. you have to promise or we won't let you into the club.
Welcome to our world

Larry