Best Small Skinning/Food Prep knife

B

BlackWolfBushcraft

Joined
Jan 4, 2016
Messages
31
I have a Tops bob and a small forest axe. I want a smaller knife that i can use for food prep and skinning. I was thing about a nessmuk?
Preferably full tang fixed blade and not too expensive>
Thoughts? Thanks!
 
Define 'not too expensive.'

You need to lock in an approximate price or you'll be flooded by excellent suggestions from helpful members and their suggestion for quality knives.

Members want to advise, but you need to give them something to work with.

Im partial to my small(-ish) Scheppmann hunting knife and dont think it 'too expensive,' as its a most excellent knife which gives excellent service when Im hunting.

A Spyderco Street Beat would to for both food prep and skinning (hunters have used the Sharpfinger for both for generations).

If you can forego some of your design prerequisites - look at Spyderco Moran. A most excellent design in both trailing point and drop point versions.

Hope you get some good Nessmuk suggestions as I like that knife type. Alas the Nessmuks that Ive looked at are not very cheap.
 
I have a Buck Paklite Caper that I bought out of curiosity for hiking carry. Got to thinking about it and decided it would work really nifty in the kitchen as a chicken carcass deboning knife. Also works nicely as a sturdy steak knife.

So I bought 2 more - also for the kitchen.

Good stainless steel that holds an edge quite well , skeleton handle so it goes in the dishwasher without worry.

I don't know if it's the "best" but I'm rather pleased with my choice to have them.
 
Esee Knives might be worth looking into, also Mora Of Sweden Make some carbon and stainless blades that might be worth looking into. I used a Mora 2000 to help a friend skin an elk last year, cut great and the blade was half decently sharp by the end of it all, and the best part is it was only $20
 
THanks! I was thinking of the esee izula II. I have a Mora 511 and it is awesome but a bit too big. Keep in mind that i will be carrying a tops BOB which has a 4.5 inch blade and an axe, so im just lookin for a 2.5-3.5 inch blade for skinning, food prep, etc.
Thank you
 
Not a fixed blade, but have you considered one of the Opinels? A size 6 or 7 (available in carbon steel or stainless, has their twist lock; sizes 5 and under do not have a lock) would handle the tasks you mention quite well.

For a fixed blade, I would suggest a Bird and Trout type. Buck, Colt, Case, Rough Rider, Marbles, and Schrade all make an affordable bird and trout knife.

EDIT: Another good choice for a small fixed blade for your stated needs would be a Old Hickory 3 1/2 in paring knife has a 1095 carbon steel blade. It does not come with a sheath, but one the right size is easy to find. Under $10 or so for the knife, maybe a little more or less for a serviceable sheath.
 
Last edited:
CRKT Onion Skinner. Not quite full tang, but should be an excellent companion blade to what you've already got and will definitely be much preferable for things like food prep. K110 is Bohler's formulation of D2, so it's a high carbon semi-stainless that holds an edge exceptionally well. And it comes in at less than half your budget. This is one of the more underrated options to hit the market in recent years.
 
A tad over your budget, but can be found for right AT your budget

SKIN-01b_large.jpg
 
These are some awesome suggestions! What do you think about the tops mini scandi 2.5 or the Bird and Trout Knife (stainless)? Do you think the mini scandi could skin very well? How about just a mora? Thanks!!!

Also, What about the condor nessmuk? Good design, full tang.
 
The Mini Scandi and Moras both have too little belly in the tip to truly excel at skinning, but you can still press them into service for the task.
 
afishhunter said:
Not a fixed blade, but have you considered one of the Opinels? A size 6 or 7 (available in carbon steel or stainless, has their twist lock; sizes 5 and under do not have a lock) would handle the tasks you mention quite well.
EDIT: Another good choice for a small fixed blade for your stated needs would be a Old Hickory 3 1/2 in paring knife has a 1095 carbon steel blade. It does not come with a sheath, but one the right size is easy to find. Under $10 or so for the knife, maybe a little more or less for a serviceable sheath.
Click to expand...

If you already have a tomahawk and a heavy duty fixed blade this would work very well. As a bonus, they are cheap and light.
 
I strongly advise you check here: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/754-For-Sale-Fixed-Blades

B&T and small EDC fixed blades come around often, many within your price range.

Here is one I got:

P1010357.JPG


Another example (mid-tech this time) would be this: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...6-quot-EDC-S35VN-Cleanup-Blowout-ALL-SOLD-OUT!

0918151743.jpg



Otherwise, lots of production-offerings.

I have a Buck Paklite 140 Skinner - inexpensive knife, could use a good kydex sheath and a thinner edge (I took mine to a belt-grinder), but very serviceable. I've not tried the Tops mentioned but like the look of it :thumbup:
 
L.T. Wright makes a beautiful camp muk that is 3 3/8 inches of blade in A2 steel. They are a little above your price about 140-150 but well worth the money. The steel patinas well with use and takes a nice edge quickly. Mine is one of my favorites.
 
BlackWolfBushcraft said:
I like the condor tool and knife Nessmuk, but it has 1075 carbon instead of 1095.
Click to expand...

You are unlikely to notice a difference in 1095 & 1075 unless they are different Rockwell hardness.
Similarly, you are unlikely to notice a difference between 420HC and 440A.
Thirdly, you are unlikely to notice a difference in 420HC and 1095 besides corrosion resistance - the 1095 will rust more easily.

The condor may be on the soft side but very easy to sharpen, which is good since their QC isn't always the best. Buy from here to ensure good QC: http://www.baryonyxknife.com/nessmukknife.html

But wouldn't that be redundant with your Tops?
 
My Tops is a bit bigger and isn't as good for skinning. I was hoping for a smaller camp food prep skinning knife. Not sure exactly if I really need one or even if my mora cant handle the job. I also carry a leatherman.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top