Ruger Accurate Hunting Knife by CRKT

By Dr. Jim and Mary Clary


Ruger Accurate Hunting Knife
Illustration courtesy of Columbia River Knife & Tool, Inc.

When Ruger decided to add to their brand by marketing knives for outdoorsmen, they did not make the same mistake as some other major firearms companies. Most of them degraded their brand name with poor quality blades. Everyone knows who they are, so we do not have to mention them here.

Ruger demanded a quality line of knives, designed by well known bladesmiths. They partnered with CRKT, who recommended Ken Steigerwalt, Bill Harsey, Robert Carter, Matthew Lerch and Ryan Johnson.

These five experts designed a series of everyday carry, hunting, tactical and self-preparedness knives that are worthy of the Ruger name. CRKT made sure each knife was well made using good steel.

We selected the Ruger Accurate designed by Bill Harsey, a fixed blade hunting knife, for field testing. In the case of the Accurate, the steel selected is Chinese 8Cr13MoV. This is a stainless steel similar to Japanese AUS-8. Normally hardened to HRC 58-59, it is an extremely tough steel with good edge retention and it is relatively easy to sharpen.

The cutting edge of the hollow ground, drop point blade is curved for about the first 3/4 of its length. It is described as a hunter/skinner pattern and it is a versatile shape for use in the field. The blade is given an attractive and business like satin finish. A substantial and well shaped, but not overlarge, guard keeps fingers off of the sharp edge of the blade. CRKT is marked on the right side of the blade of this officially licensed product.

The comfortable, full tang handle wears a black rubber over-mold surface intended to provide a non-slip grip. It is decorated by functional two panel checkering and a red Ruger eagle medallion is inlayed into the left grip panel. There is a lanyard hole in the end of the grip. A functional, black, reinforced nylon fabric sheath is supplied with the knife.

We handed the knife over to Abran Torres, an avid deer hunter here in New Mexico and owner of A&R Firearms in Los Lunas. This was in the fall of 2016 and Abran hit the woods with a vengeance. He not only hoped to get a trophy deer, but to have a chance to use the Accurate.

However, sometimes the best laid plans don't work out. After several days of hunting, Abran never came across a buck worth harvesting. However, he did manage to bag a large coyote with full winter pelage.

Skinning a coyote to preserve the pelt requires a very sharp knife, or you will damage the pelt and destroy its value. Skinning around the feet and head are the toughest part and the Accurate performed superbly. Not once did Abran need to stop to sharpen the blade, and he got a prime pelt that brought top dollar.

In his opinion, this blade would have no problem with a deer, elk, or even a wild boar. In fact, we didn't get it back. The Ruger Accurate is now a permanent part of Abran's hunting kit.

Features and Specifications

  • Model number: R2201
  • Designer: Bill Harsey
  • Type: Fixed blade Hunter/Skinner
  • Blade type: Drop point
  • Blade length: 4.40 inches
  • Blade width: 1.0 inches
  • Blade thickness: 0.125 inches
  • Blade grind: Hollow ground
  • Blade finish: Polished satin-finish
  • Blade material: 8Cr13MoV
  • Hardness: 58-59 HRC
  • Overall length: 8.94 inches
  • Weight: 6.0 ounces
  • Handle Grip: Rubber over-mold
  • Full-tang handle
  • Reinforced nylon-fabric sheath
  • Country of origin: People's Republic of China
  • 2017 MSRP: $99.95 (Sale price $74.99)

The line of Ruger licensed knives is extensive. You can check them out at ShopRuger.com. There is a knife to meet every need.




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Copyright 2017 by Jim and Mary Clary and/or chuckhawks.com. All rights reserved.


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