Spyderco Moran Drop Point Fixed-Blade Knife, PlainEdge

Simply put this design by Bill Moran fits the bill for the absolutely perfect outdoor knife, and in 99% of situations will be the only one you need on your hip. This knife is the only outdoor knife I carry, because there really isn't need for anything else, unless its for a specialized purpose like brush clearing or pig sticking. I've developed this reasoning from an early age based on the Professional Guide's Manual written by George Leonard Herter. He said "An outdoor knife must be made for service--not show. Your life may depend on it. Real outdoor people realize that so-called sportsmen or outdoor knives have long been made for sale, not for use. The movies and television show their characters wearing fancy sheath knives. Knife makers advertised them and drugstore outdoorsmen bought them. Nothing marks a man to be a tenderfoot more than these showy useless knives." He went on to say that: "1. The knife must stay sharp for long periods of time without sharpening. (VG-10 steel is perfect for accomplishing this task) 2. The knife must be shaped so it is ideal for cleaning and skinning game of all kinds. (The drop point is ideally suited for this) 3. The knife must have a handle long enough so that it fits a man's hand so pressure can be put on the blade when desired. The handle of the knife must be made to last a lifetime. (The advances in polymers make the materials used here more than suitable) 4. The blade of the knife must not be hollow ground. Hollow grinding weakens a blade so that the edge will bend or break under heavy usage. A wedge edge is the strongest and most durable ever designed. (Bill Moran flat grind is an excellent example of this) 5. The blade of the knife must be hand forged in order to give the steel maximum strength and hardness. 6. The blade of the knife must not have a blood groove. A blood groove is strictly advertising and badly weakens the blade. Professional butchers do not use them. 7. The knife must be easy to carry and light in weight. The blade length must be 4 inches long. Four inches is the length established for a woodsman knife by over 200 years of experience. Blades shorter are all right for Boy Scouts, but not for serious woodsmen, Longer than 4 inches is unnecessary and adds weight. (with a blade length of 3.875" and a weight of 3oz this fits the bill almost to a T) 8. The knife should have no hilt as it only adds weight. If the knife blade is properly designed, that is slightly indented, you cannot cut your finger no matter how hard you thrust. You need only thrust in a hand to hand combat with a man or a wounded animal. 9. The knife must be capable of slicing bacon and cutting bread. It must be a comfortable knife for eating and cutting cooked meat. (He sealed the deal with the mention of Bacon...)" I really enjoy carrying this knife on all of my ventures into the woods, and hope you will too.

I am acquiring some skinning knives and this is a good one! Ask anyone and they will tell you that VG 10 steel is premium steel. Couple that with a great heft, the good feel of a custom blade, nicely polished, good handling dry or wet, and you have a good knife. The knife is heavy enough for heavy skinning work, thick enough to pry with and short enough to be handy. I use several knives in skinning each for a different purpose, some short and light and others heavier. Examples are, Buck folder with gut hook, Cold Steel VG 1 Maxi-Hunter, Boker high end large folder, Cold Steel Canadian Belt Knife with carbon steel blade, some old carbon steel blades, etc. The sheath for this one is kydex and won't be affected by weather, knife won't stick in the sheath like they do in a leather sheath. The sheath is multi-directional which could be a plus if you want to wear the knife horizontally for example. The knife snaps into the sheath and you won't have to worry about losing it. This is a deal for less than 70$ that you do not want to miss if you need a 3.5" hefty little fixed blade. Amazon has the best price.

What can you say other than "it's a spyderco"? Anyone who knows anything about knives knows spyderco's are som of the best knives out there at any price point. This knife doesn't fail to impress. Out of the box it'll roll hair off your arm and leave it as smooth as if you took a gillette fusion to it! And VG-10 steel is WELL known as a metal that'll hold that razor sharp edge for awhile and even once it's gone it'll come right back up with a few strokes on the spyderco sharpmaker or any other quality sharpener. The blade is the perfect size for a deer knife and the handle is very fitting and comfotable. The sheath is extremely nice too. A VERY tight, positive lock up kydex (not kydex but feels the same) sheath that has several different mounting options. You change what side it's carried on along with adjust the cant of it and even make it horizontal carry for small of the back carry. There's also several open rivets/eyelets that you can run paracord through to make a sling for the sheath or to attach it to gear. Even for the money you can't go wrong with this knife.

This knife is excellent. It is a perfect size for all types of work. The balance is perfect and I have used it in my kitchen for all types of prep work from meat to veggies. For camping it is excellent for any type of camp chores. The VG-10 stainless blade is razor sharp and its edge retention is outstanding. The sheath is molded for the knife and there is an audible click when the knife is fully seated. Excellent retention. Can hang upside down and be constantly jiggled and jostled and the knife will stay in the sheath. Sheath has a spyderco G-clip for belt carry and it can be moved into different positions depending on the users preference for carry. All in all an outstanding high end knife for a very reasonable price.

Nice overall knife. I gave 4 stars because my knife came with a blemish on the knife. I end up acid etched and stone washed to look better.

This has to be the single nicest (working) knife I've ever purchased for myself and it's been worth every dime. I'm an avid fisherman and like to hunt and always need something more durable and sharper than I have on hand. The craftsmanship and the way it feels in your hand is second to none. This is an excellent daily carry as well. If I had any complaints is that my version shipped with the Spyderco 'G-lock' instead of the nicer (if a bit thicker) teklok. I'll be adding the teklok at a later date to this sheath which, incidentally, is another nice bit of gear. The fit and finish is worth the price on this knife. Enjoy and remember a dull blade is far more dangerous than a sharp one!

Very comfortable grip, the material has a little give so you can get a firm grip on it. I scout carry the knife in a handmade leather sheath. Very sharp knife. 10/10 would recommend. Also will probably pick up another!

Great little knife... even with the 3/4 tang. Used it on a couple deer this season. No complaints. Very sharp and holds an edge. Very comfortable to handle.

I could write a book on how amazing this Spyderco knife is but the main points are: Amazingly sharp and easy to sharpen VG10 steel. It is my sharpest knife and I have quite a few ... Exemplary manufacturing fit and finish Well balanced and a great ergonomic feel to the hand. I have field dressed 10 whitetail deer with this knife so far ... I would definitely recommend this knife to hunters and you will not be disappointed by spending the extra money to get this quality.

Greetings, I received this knife today with my Shillelagh(An Irish stick that used to be shorter for fights, nowadays it is a walking stick) quite sturdy because in Québec it is not permitted to carry an AK47 to protect yourself. Back to the knife, it is a nice return to shorter knives after being into Ka-Bars, well balanced, nice grip, pass paper test brilliantly. I would resume; it can do everything but kill a bear. Regards and SeasonsGreetings Frédérick Turgeon

Spyderco knives are one of the best. For smaller knives, folding knives I prefer Spyderco. For fixed blade I prefer TOPS. The Bill Moran knife is a good hunting knife and general backpack knife. Skins very good, fits my hand perfectly. I recommend this knife for skinning / hunting. The sheath is good and holds the knife securely when on the belt.

Great light knife ideal for outdoor use field and hiking. Grippy handle and good sheath retention.

Awesome knife holds a edge great good for skinning deer and other criters