12 pt omni hunter or 103 skinner?

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MT_Pokt said:
Curious if you folks suggesting 2 knives do your skinning in the field of when the deer is hung up to be butchered. Reason being, my skinning and butchering tools don't go afield with me. I'm only packing a 118 or 110. Then I'm just dressing on site with the same pull and tie method mentioned. All my butchering happens at home where my <cough> Victorinox <cough> butcher knives get to work.

I'm curious why the Vanguard hasn't been brought up in this conversation as an option...
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I've always wanted a vanguard with rubber handle. it's on the list of future purchases.

I'm the same way, don't have a dedicated skinning knife, just rotate the collection. I've always liked a Lanyard hole cause I seem to drop the knife at least one while skinning
 
mbjannusch said:
The Omni Hunter is better in my opinion, its a full tang knife with plenty of belly much like the 103 but advanced in style and functionality. Its more versatile than the 103 and can be used for camp chores as well. The 103 is a skinning knife only. I will only address the two knives you stated interest in, cause we can go on for days about other knives that can function well in the hunting arena.
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do you find the omni hunters blade to be about the right size for field dressing and skinning?
 
for those suggesting various other knives besides those originally mentioned: I do my dressing and skinning in the field, usually with the same knife and I use a hatchet for the pelvis and,sternum. my reason for the two knives mentioned is listed in the first post. There's nothing wrong with the 118 or the 110. I have a 110 but prefer a fixed blade to do my field dressing. the knife I was using is very similar is size and shape to the buck pathfinder. however, I want some more belly and as mentioned I am retiring my old knife. Thanks to everyone for all the replies:)
 
jor fly said:
do you find the omni hunters blade to be about the right size for field dressing and skinning?
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The Omni Hunter is the perfact size cause that's what it was designed to do. The blade isn't to long so it won't get in your way and it has enough belly to skin out your kill with ease. If you know what your doing, you won't have to worry about the point cutting the skin or any guts.

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David Martin said:
The 103 is not a skinning knife Only. I use mine for many types of cutting. DM
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The 103 is a skinning knife, even if you use it for other things. My EDC is used to pry but that doesn't make it a pry bar. Stop arguing manutia.

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I've been using a twinset for over 30 yrs , you get the best of both worlds. A 103 for skinning and a 118 for everything else. You can still find them on occasion at the big auction site.
 
m r merrill said:
I've been using a twinset for over 30 yrs , you get the best of both worlds. A 103 for skinning and a 118 for everything else. You can still find them on occasion at the big auction site.
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That's a nice set to own - practical too!
 
General broad statements can be made but not always true. I like the shape of a knife with more belly and so I carry one. Thus, it's used more and more uses are discovered. Is there room here for a 2nd opinion? DM
 
I like the 103. It is true it is a purpose designed skinning knife with few peers. However, I carried one for several years in AK, building shelters, skinning game and fish, cutting rope, building fires, etc. It was not perfect for every task but it did all of them well enough.
I remember Sears (Nessmuk) carried a knife of similar shape with a 1/2 more blade. That is what he preferred and recommended for general duty. I cannot say I disagree.
 
I have used a 103 in my deer processing bag for years, it's a great skinning knife. I also have an Omni folder not the fixed blade, I prefer the feel of the 103 better in my hand. As these two knives are better used for skinning you will most likely be doing this in a location that an orange handle to prevent loss in the field mute deal. I use my AG 110 to field dress my deer and skin it out back in deer camp. Both of these knives can be found second hand on the auction site for cheap, buy them both and then tell us which one works best for you!

JB
 
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m r merrill said:
I've been using a twinset for over 30 yrs , you get the best of both worlds. A 103 for skinning and a 118 for everything else. You can still find them on occasion at the big auction site.
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I agree!! This set goes with me every year, just doesn't get the use every year that I hope it would. Preston
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I would choose the Omni Hunter over the 103 for gutting/field dressing. I don't have a 103 but I do have that blade style in a different knife and it's not my favorite for field work.
 
jb4570 said:
I have used a 103 in my deer processing bag for years, it's a great skinning knife. I also have an Omni folder not the fixed blade, I prefer the feel of the 103 better in my hand. As these two knives are better used for skinning you will most likely be doing this in a location that an orange handle to prevent loss in the field mute deal. I use my AG 110 to field dress my deer and skin it out back in deer camp. Both of these knives can be found second hand on the auction site for cheap, buy them both and then tell us which one works best for you!

JB
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I actually field dress my deer on the spot as soon as the animal is confirmed dead. Having dropped a knife on a trail once and having to backtrack to find it, the orange handle is a very important point to me. I'm going to handle both knives and see which one feels best in hand.
 
jor fly said:
I actually field dress my deer on the spot as soon as the animal is confirmed dead. Having dropped a knife on a trail once and having to backtrack to find it, the orange handle is a very important point to me. I'm going to handle both knives and see which one feels best in hand.
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I re-read my post, sorry for the confusion in my comments. I also field dress my deer where he was dropped with a 110. Then take the skin covered carcase back to camp for skinning. I don't like to use the skinner for field dressing. There is a new orange handled 110 being offered by one of our forum folks. If you can handle both of these knives it should help you with your decision.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...fe-Offering-You-Chose-the-Color-Buck-110s-G10

JB
 
I can't run fast enough to catch a deer, so I have never needed this type of knife. But, I will say I like both old and new Buck knives. The traditional knife lover in me would go with the 103 (and by the way, the Cocobola Dymondwood model on the Buck website is absolutely gorgeous). The modern knife lover in me and 284, 285, 286 Bantam owner would say don't be afraid to give the new stuff a try, like the 12 pt omni hunter. Buck's new products are ergonomic in the hand and they have really nice blade and overall designs. I think they put a lot of work into these new tools to make them useful.

Good luck on your decision. Let us know which way you go!
 
I sometimes skin with a golf ball, it's all belly. Anyone else use this technique?
 
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