Anyone have a Knives of Alaska knife, and how is it?

[Bootifus]

I'm looking at gutting and skinning knives and have had Knives of Alaska blades recommended to me. Just looking for confirmation / input. What do you guys like to use?
Thanks

[sniper7]

My buddy I hunt with has one. thing is amazing. feels great! He has cleaned tons of animals with it. He knows how to sharpen really good though too

I'm not sure what model it is though.

[ridgewalker]

Expensive, but good quality.

A quality knife is like a quality gun...a thing of beauty.

Any decent knife will do the job. I have used maybe 30-40 different ones from $20-$200 (I was in the knife biz for a while). Performance is user determined IMO and not the specific knife.

I personally like a sweeping skinning blade to, of course, skin with and a 3" drop point to gut.

For removal of legs and head a Wyoming saw (long model) works well, but is very heavy. A carpenter's folding pull blade hole saw for a fraction of the cost works OK as well and is much lighter to carry.

[SA Friday]

Yes I have a set. They are high quality. As with everything in life, I tend to take the 'cry once' approach if possible. I have yet to be disappointed in this philosophy, but I still do my homework as to where the quality lines are for products. This is a midrange knife with aboce average quality.

[02ducky]

The Knives of Alaska are awesome knifes, my nephews have them and they handle great and are well balanced, my only complaint is they will rust if you get them wet...

Pulled this from the web-

BLADE CARE:
We recommend you keep all our knives clean using water and a mild soap, if necessary. Dry them immediately and then lightly oil the blade after field-dressing. Even though many steels are categorized “stainless,” they will still rust when exposed to corrosive materials such as blood and salt water. If you are field-dressing an animal and do not have oil available, you should still wash and clean the blade if any water is available, then rub the blade with animal fat. This will protect the blade until you reach home or camp. If you keep knives in sheaths over long periods, be sure to oil the blades heavily while in storage, as leather can attract and hold moisture. For the very best protection, after the hunting season we recommend you store the knives out of the sheaths with a light coating of oil on the blade

[Bootifus]

my only complaint is they will rust if you get them wet...

I have a couple of kitchen knives that are the same way, but having to clean up immediately after use is totally worth being able to use such a fine instrument.
Thanks for the input guys.

[trailgunner]

I think they make some with synthetic handles if you want to save some cash.

[970TJ]

I have knives coming outa my ears ranging for a Smith & Wesson drop point fixed blade that was given to my dad in the mid to late 60's while he was in the Army in Alaska,(my pride and joy) to cheap beaters. Out of all of them, I have a Kershaw that has 3 different interchangable blades that I use for most everything. It has a 6 or 7 inch saw which works well for pelvic bones, and bones in general, skinning blade, and another larger blade with a gut hook that I use for field dressing.
It's not a $200-500 knife....in fact I think they can be had for under $100. But everything is in one spot, and its held up to ALOT of use. I'll find a link....
link: http://www.kershawknives.com/productdetails.php?id=19&brand=kershaw

[BlueMntCeltic]

I've had a KOA Brown Bear Combo for over a decade and they're a pair of my favorite knives. A little difficult to sharpen but they do hold they're edge very well. I first bought the synthetic handles but soon couldn't resist getting the stag handled set. They have an excellent feel in the hand from balance to grip. Just handier than blue blazes to have around camp or to dress out your game.

My $0.02.

BMC

[Bootifus]

So the general consensus is that they are worth the $. Thanks again.

[katodevil]

Have the triple set and love it! Stag is too pricey for me though

[riverrat]

I have two, a 3 1/2" drop point that is no longer made, and a little caping knive. Both are D2 steel. Both have the rubber handles. Sure grip. Razor sharp. Finely balanced. Wonderful tools.

[Chase723]

I have several pieces of KOA cutlery. My oldest is a cub bear caping knife that I've had for 9 years. I use it almost everyday and it goes on every hunting trip with me, and I suspect that it will continue to do so for decades to come. They are excellent knives. They are extremely well constructed, very balanced and durable, with very good steel, and appropriately designed for the intended use of whatever knife you happen to purchase. My favorites that I have are my caping knife, the Muskrat (that round tip is actually extremely useful), the Coho fillet knife, and the Bush camp. Each has it's purpose and does it very well. If you were to only get one set, I'd get the the "triple knife set" that they sell. You'll make short work of anything you touch with it and never be disappointed. Get a good stone (I prefer ceramic) and you can't go wrong...you'll be able to shave with them. IMO the price is a relative bargain for what you get.

[BlueMntCeltic]

I'm looking at gutting and skinning knives and have had Knives of Alaska blades recommended to me. Just looking for confirmation / input. What do you guys like to use?
Thanks

I've have and have use the Brown Bear Combo (http://www.knivesofalaska.com/store.asp?c=28 ). Great set of knives, great balance and feel. I have the Stag handles. The D2 steel is difficult to hand sharpen but once you get it sharp, is stays sharp. I highly recommend them.

BMC

[thebolt]

I sold quite a few Knives of Alaska in the past and several friends purchased sets and used them hard. One of the users is an outfitter in Canada and spoke very highly of these knives.

[raz-n-co]

I have the http://www.knivesofalaska.com/item.asp?id=54&r=store%2Easp%3Fc%3D4%26p%3D2

I love it. The skinner works really well to skin and to use as a hatchet to split the brisket. The caping knife is great to for fine work like cutting out the bung hole and around the antlers, etc.

My only complaint is the gut hook gets jammed with hair and doesn't work very well. I would go with the bear hunter set up if I had it to do again.