Skinning Knife

[Mencius]

I am thinking of getting a better skinning knife. I got a kit (modern skinner) from knifekits.com a couple years ago and got someone to help me put it together. I have used several different styles and cannot really decide which style I like best. I actually use one of those inexpensive Mora knives on occasion as well.

I skin squirrels, deer, and hogs mostly.

What styles do you like best?

 

[Fat_46]

I really like the Nessmuk style. I have a couple of Canadian Belt knives from Grohmann(should say had - they've been gifted over the years during various hunting trips). I commissioned one several years ago from a bladesmith I like, and just took ownership of one from Condor. I like them because the blade shape really seems to work well for me, and they don't an exceedingly pointy tip.

 

[hso]

Sounds like two knives if your game ranges from squirrels to hogs and deer.

 

[Piraticalbob]

Any of the MUK or Drover knives from Blind Horse Knives. I have the Drover, the L'il MUK, and the Camp MUK. Good skinner patterns at a good price for handmade knives.

 

[R H Clark]

Get a Bob Dozier skinner in his D2.You can get a new one from AG Russell or a few other dealers.I think the wait is about 18 months when ordered direct.

 

[red rick]

I like the Buck Mini Alpha Hunter for skinning deer and my Barlow pocket knife for squirrels

 

[Zeke/PA]

Old Hickory offers a nice Carbon Steel Skinner for under 10 bucks!

 

[lobo9er]

Those Old Hickory knives take a wicked edge fairly easy too. I bought one of these and have used it on a couple squirrels and a couple der's this year worked very well KNIVES OF ALASKA BEAR CUB. they do sell with an actual skinner as a package deal. worth checking out I would say.

 

[lobo9er]

Buck woodsman is a good all around knife too.

 

[Slamfire]

I believe the best “skinning knife” for squirrels is a set of poultry shears. And a small bladed knife to detach the tail from the spine.



You get that tail off the spine and step on it, pull on the legs and the skin pulls right off the squirrel. You use the poultry shears to snip off the feet and head. A lot easier than trying to cut these things off with a knife.

I think this Grohmann skinner is excellent for larger creatures.

 

[Deer_Freak]

I am real happy with a Schrade sharp finger or a Cold Steel Canadian belt knife. I prefer the Schrade because your fingers won't slide up on the blade if you stick it in a tree or post.

The Cold Steel is very effective with it's thin blade. I skinned four deer one Saturday with a Cold steel knife and it never required a touch up. The cold steel makes a great boning knife as well.

 

[heeler]

I like the Sharp Finger too.
I have one that was a Skrimshaw version given to me in 1993 and it had a chance to go to work a couple of weeks ago on one deer and a hog.
The Buck 110 works pretty good too.

Too bad they are a Chinese made knife now.
Not mine though.

 

[Deer_Freak]

I like the Sharp Finger too.
I have one that was a Skrimshaw version given to me in 1993 and it had a chance to go to work a couple of weeks ago on one deer and a hog.
The Buck 110 works pretty good too.

Too bad they are a Chinese made knife now.
Not mine though.

I have an old Schrade. It is worn out, not much left of it but the tip. Took 30 years to wear it out like that. I bought a new schrade sharp finger. It doesn't show where it is made in the paperwork but it is distributed through a Russian company. It holds an edge very well. The Cold steel ended up doing the work because it is so easy to carry. It's so light that I don't feel naked if I don't have the cold steel on. I don't feel any weight when it is on my belt.

 

[45crittergitter]

+1 for the Sharpfinger. Been using mine for 30+ years. I also have a Boker skinner that's good, and a Dozier D2 Guide knife that's great. Most anything that's not too big, has a good edge and a full belly will serve well. I only consider fixed blades, since folders get way too messy to clean up.

 

[Il Duca]

I am also looking at a new skinner, my old Gerber has been with me for years and skinned every animal I've ever shot from squirrels to hogs. But now I'm looking for something that will hold a better edge longer. I'm looking at the Benchmade Bone Collector skinner. It's small, not too pointy and I like D2. Not cheap, but what is?

 

[R H Clark]

Il Duca
I highly recommend a Bob Dozier.He is legendary for D2.You can get one in stock from AG Russell or several other dealers for about $200.

I don't know anything about the Benchmade but mas produced factory knives typically have much thicker edges for thoes who insist on cutting wire and such.A Dozier is ground thin,easily sharpened on a DMT stone with a couple strokes and will stay sharp through about 3 deer.

Do the research on Bob Dozier and I think you will be impressed.Mine is easily the best knife I have ever owned and I am a knife nut with several high end mass produced factory knives.I have owned nearly all the above listed knives and while they will all do the job,The Bob Dozier easily excells above the rest.

 

[Il Duca]

Yes, I have owned a couple Doziers- though never a skinner. He makes fine knives for sure. Not really wanting to spend that much right now for a skinning knife myself. I will wholeheartedly recommend his work for anyone who is though!

 

[Deltaboy1984]

A OLD Hickory paring knife will handle squirrels with ease.