Functional Design for a Skinner?

adammichael

adammichael

Joined
Sep 13, 2004
Messages
1,553
I have an order for a small skinner and I was told to make what ever I want. I came up with this shape and I would like some feedback from those who use skinning knives. It is O1 with a hamon that is visible if you squint your eyes and look at it in just the right light at the correct angle.
Please be honest, you wont hurt my feelings. ( I live in a constant state of denial when anyone says anything negative so i wont even know what the hell your talking about) :rolleyes:

Is this blade shape functional?

What about the handle shape?

What about the overall look of the knife?
Does it flow?

there are pics of the finished knife further down in this thread
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=36835
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=36836
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=36837
The size is 7 3/4 OAL 2 3/4" Blade
 
I'd bet that'll work, it looks pretty good. I assume that the holes are to lighten the knife?

Tony
 
Looks great, any idea where it will balance after handles?? I think the handle shape is great, and the blade looks pretty good for skinning. I like the up sweep on the tip.
 
the knife that I was asked to pattern this after has a thickness of 1/4". I added the holes to lighten this up so I have no Idea where it will balance. The guy Im making this for likes heavier knives.

I am debating on making this a current model of mine or not.

Thanks for the comments
Michael

www.AdamMichaelKnives.com
 
I really like that design, it looks like it would be great if you need to choke up on the blade. good stuff :cool:
 
I like the design. It look easy to keep sharp.
The only suggestion I have it to take it to a finer finish, as it's not stainless. A smoother finish cleans easier, and has less areas to start corrosion...

Howie
 
It looks great as a skinner but are you sure the guys really wants a skinner? Most hunting knives do dual duty for field dressing and for skinning. Those are distinctly different tasks. That deep belly will carry lots of sharp edge to the skinning task but it will suck for field dressing, especially with the upswept point. That 'circular cut in the hind end' requires straight line penetration to avoid messing up the meat and the opening of the abdominal cavity requires quite a bit of finess to keep an upswept point out of the intestines.

The knife design certainly has class. You customer asked for a skinner and I'd say he's getting a nice one.

Rob!

Ranger Original Handcrafted Knives
 
Just my personal preferance, but I prefer a drop point or spear point type blade to handle the majority of game choirs. I do know of a lot of people who prefere a clip point hunter/skinner though. A few like to use a false edge to break the leg bones and the point to bleed them. The most important thing for a skinner to me though is to have plenty of belly and that designs got it. Lets see what the finished version looks like. ;)
 
Rob! said:
It looks great as a skinner but are you sure the guys really wants a skinner?
--------------------------------

here is the knife that he wants copied. I dont hunt so I am at a disadvantage as far as function goes. I tried to make my version flow alittle better. Mine does feel alot better in the hand than the origonal.

I hope the customer feels the same way.

Does any know the maker of the origonal knife? I am not familar with this mark

Michael

www.AdamMichaelKnives.com
Click to expand...
 
I would be weary of the clip point if it were to be a skinner. But he is the customer ;) What size files do you use for filework most?
 
It looks like you have provided what the client has ask for, as far as design, so I do not think that you can go wrong there. On the other hand, as far as adding this to your personal line and marketing them to hunters I do not think this is the best, or most suitable, design for skinning big game.

I like a skinning knife to be equally comfortable held in the stabing position as the forward position(if that makes sense). I do most of my skinning with a pulling motion with the knife held in the stabing position. I also like a longer blade with a slight upsweep and a rounded tip. If I ever get help with this digital camera I will show you what I am talking about.

Of course this is just my oppinion but I do skin a lot of critters.

Bob Urban
 
I'm with Will on this one. Drop or spear point. To make a knife strickly a skinner IMO would be useless as it would serve only one function. I've hunted deer for close to 25 years and have used ALOT of different knves, being I'm a knife nut :D and I've found drops and spears do both field dressing and skinning very well. The problem I've found with the up-swept point is the chance of cutting the hide and poking yourself. IMO guards are not necessary on hunting knives as they get in the way when you need to choke up or turn the knife in your hand. Finger grooves are served best on tactical or military knives. A smooth curve/flow of the handle with a drop or spear point is my idea of a hunting knife. Three to four and a half inch blade length is perfect.
Scott
 
Adam, when I saw your example knife, I immediately thought of Rod Chappel. Can't say for sure though.

3/16th's
 
I like the design of your knife. :cool: It should work well for skinning. It may be a little more of a chore to use it for other tasks, but you said the customer wanted a skinning knife and that is what you have made. :D

Joe Foster
 
Given the caveats about the point, that looks like a great knife for the job. Personally I cannot wait to see what the finished knife looks like! :D

And frankly, I kinda like the original too. Looks like 70s vintage just because of the degree of finish and the brass. The 1/4" stock makes a beefy little knife but I can see why the handle might not be too comfy. The mark looks familiar but I can't pin it down; probably just my imagination anyway.

Be sure to post this one here when you're done, I don't always get to the Gallery and might miss it. And I wouldn't want to. ;)
 
Here is the finished knife. Mammoth tooth bolster, copper spacer and walrus ivory scales. This is what the customer wanted. my picture taking ability sucks at best. I need to add a little superglue to the bolster to fill in some voids, sharpen and sheath.

All coments positive or negative are welcome
Thanks

Michael
 
Wow, that came out beatiful. You are going to have one satisfied customer. The only problem I could forsee, which isn't your fault at all, is that field dressing isn't gonna work with that style.

Great Knife, can't wait to see more.
 
There's only one problem I see with that knife, it's so gorgeus he may not use it for fear of messing it up. :D Beautiful work!
Scott
 
Nice lookin' package! I like the pattern made by the arrangement of the pins and the spacer contrasted onto the curvaceousness of the handle. There's a visual balance across the bolster based on the size of the walrus & steel shapes. Way to make it flow!! :cool:
 
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