butcher skinning knives

[billcavazos]

I have always used your basic 6 inch skinning butcher knives for all my needs in the field. They usually cost between 7 and $20.00. Your basic high carbon dexter/russell, Forschner, Mound Tool, Two Oxen, Torey, and Ontario knife types. The only problem is they do not come with sheaths. But gosh do they cut!!! They stay sharp and sharpen easily. Am I selling myself short buying such inexpensive knives for my hunting needs? Also Does anyone know how I can get these knives sheathed at a moderate price? Since they are basically butcher / Industrial type knives they do not come with sheaths. Also does anyone out there know of anyone else that makes these type of butcher skinning knives? I have developed a real interest in them and like collecting them. They have a very simple beauty and incredible usefullness to them.

 

[Alberta Ed]

Have a look at Cold Steel's Red River line. There are three or four models with approximately 6" long, 1/8th" Carbon V steel blades, and they come with sturdy frontier-style sheaths with plastic lners. The Elk skinner is great for butchering and skinning big game, abd I believe there's a traditional butcher too... much like the one Jim Bowie was supposed to have used in his river bar duel before the famous Bowie knife was conceived. (Thought I'd throw that in to see what comes up.)

[This message has been edited by Alberta Ed (edited 28 November 1999).]

 

[Howard Wallace]

Bill,

I share your fascination with these knives. You can spend a lot of money and have a lot of fun buying custom knives, but I doubt that they will give you any new abilities in the field. A custom knife will probably hold an edge longer. The custom will also often have a quality of artwork about it that gives satisfaction when the knife is carried or used.

There are several custom sheathmakers on the forums. Chiro75 makes kydex sheathes, as does the Edgeworks Co.. There are several leatherworkers on the forums also. A custom sheath will probably cost more than your butcher knife, but be well worth the expense.

Smokey Mountain Knife Works often has sales on overruns of quite serviceable sheaths. They usually run about $2, but you’re taking a chance that they will fit any individual knife. I bought quite an assortment from them, and can usually find a sheath in my collection that will work for any given knife.

Alberta Ed’s recommendation is a good one. I have those cold steel knives, and they are useful.

 

[johno]

I'll second the CS Red River knives. I bought the 7in 'Hudson Bay' as it looked like an old style butcher knife that my dad had kept so sharp, and have ended up buying 4 of the Elk Hunter (?) knives for myself and my brothers. I'll probably get some more as they're $10 each, they're fun to touch up, and being about 3/32in thick Carbon V they take an excellent edge. For the price and performance they're kind of like big Mora knives. Someone mentioned making sheaths out of Rubbermaid containers, which seems like a good idea.

Too bad CS didn't make some 4in and 5in models.

 

[Greg Clem]

Where can I purchase the "Red River" line? I tried Cold Steel's web site and an on-line dealer to no avail.

 

[johno]

They're discontinued. Evidently they offered at least the Hudson Bay, Elk Hunter, American Hunter, and Scalper I think it was called, but no one has confirmed that. I've bought mine at gun/knife shows in the area, but almost bought some at Ragnar's Forge on the web, where I did buy some Mora knives. Also, I just re-checked mine and like Ed ? said they're made from 1/8in stock. I had measured the Hudson Bay on the ground portion of the blade, where it does get down to 0.09in and even a tad less on the spine.