COLD STEEL ULTIMATE HUNTER

**Ds J** · 08-07-2015, 18:48

Richard83,

If I were you I would not get a folder. There are several good reasons why people use fixed blades for serious work.

1. Toughness - a hinge can break, twist, close, etc. A solid piece of steel is simply better. (Yes, I know someone with superpowers designed this and that hunting folder - why would you want something smaller and carryable when out hunting? You have enough space on your belt.)

2. Hygiene - there is far less to clean on a fixed blade. No springs, washers, crevices and holes for blood and gore to collect, rust, decay and cause mayhem.

3. Ease of handling - one-piece construction makes for a sturdier knife; the handle is solid and does not have the ever-present blade groove of a folder. If you have skinned a cow with a folder you really wish for something bigger.

4. Blade length - a proper hunting knife should have a minimum blade length of 15 or 16cm; reason: the longer the blade, the easier it is to sever arteries, cut through skin etc. A folder with a 15/16cm blade has at least 18-20cm handle which is simply too big for normal use. A handle of that size becomes a drawback because it is too large for the average hand.

I think it is time to do a piece on choosing a knife.

**drie57** · 08-07-2015, 19:33

Good idea Ds J.

**Kletsou** · 09-07-2015, 08:00

Originally Posted by Ds J

Richard83,

If I were you I would not get a folder. There are several good reasons why people use fixed blades for serious work.

1. Toughness - a hinge can break, twist, close, etc. A solid piece of steel is simply better. (Yes, I know someone with superpowers designed this and that hunting folder - why would you want something smaller and carryable when out hunting? You have enough space on your belt.)

2. Hygiene - there is far less to clean on a fixed blade. No springs, washers, crevices and holes for blood and gore to collect, rust, decay and cause mayhem.

3. Ease of handling - one-piece construction makes for a sturdier knife; the handle is solid and does not have the ever-present blade groove of a folder. If you have skinned a cow with a folder you really wish for something bigger.

4. Blade length - a proper hunting knife should have a minimum blade length of 15 or 16cm; reason: the longer the blade, the easier it is to sever arteries, cut through skin etc. A folder with a 15/16cm blade has at least 18-20cm handle which is simply too big for normal use. A handle of that size becomes a drawback because it is too large for the average hand.

I think it is time to do a piece on choosing a knife.

This is the best advice! For hunting get a fixed blade.

For a couple of bucks more than the Coldsteel you are looking at, rather buy the Model 1 from Marthinus. I had a look at it and it is a solid folder custom made that will last a lifetime…

**marthinus** · 09-07-2015, 11:51

Originally Posted by Kletsou

This is the best advice! For hunting get a fixed blade.

For a couple of bucks more than the Coldsteel you are looking at, rather buy the Model 1 from Marthinus. I had a look at it and it is a solid folder custom made that will last a lifetime…

Oooo you saw it? Pav's I take?

**tims** · 09-07-2015, 13:55

Originally Posted by marthinus

Oooo you saw it? Pav's I take?

Pics please.

**MichaelQ** · 09-07-2015, 14:10

Was drooling over it on the weekend...

**Kletsou** · 09-07-2015, 21:12

Originally Posted by marthinus

Oooo you saw it? Pav's I take?

Yip. Pav picked up some stuff on Saturday and I had the change to fondle it! Great job there! We'll have to chat...😈

**marthinus** · 10-07-2015, 13:24

Originally Posted by tims

Pics please.

Check out the thread I posted here.

http://www.gunsite.co.za/forums/show...088#post901088

Originally Posted by Kletsou

Yip. Pav picked up some stuff on Saturday and I had the change to fondle it! Great job there! We'll have to chat...

Anytime. Want to meet up with you, Neil and Pav at one point and chat knives. Think it will be a great time.

**marthinus** · 10-07-2015, 13:31

Double tap

**Richard83** · 10-07-2015, 22:17

Originally Posted by Toxxyc

How often do you hunt? If it's 2~3 times a year, a standard Buck or Kershaw hunting knife will do fine for that purpose. I've got a Kershaw fixed blade that's 9 years old now, used a bit during hunting and it still looks and works as good as it did when it was new. Except it's sharper now.

I hunt between 10 to 15 times a year. With some big hunts were I will shoot 5-10 animals.