good knifemakers think alike (and they all live in arkansas)

DannyinJapan

DannyinJapan

Joined
Oct 9, 2003
Messages
5,594
skinner1.jpg


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The blade has an upturned tip. That is not good for skinning in my book. I know many favor that style, but the drop point makes more sense.

I guess I should say it's not good for skinning if you care about puncturing what's below the hide.

It's probably great for skinning if you have a couple hundred buffalo to go through before dusk.


munk
 
If they were double-edged, they would be an American version of a Jambiya, a curved dagger from the Middle-east, North-African area. I got a Saudi one for Christmas from Grandparents (given to them by Saudis). Not sure how they'd do for skinning, but when they're double-edged, they're very versatile weapons.

Nam
 
Munk, I ve only done it once, but I was taught to skin by holding the knife pinch-grip with a finger running along the back of the blade to "feel" along.
The puncturing thing wasnt too much of a problem..
 
Me thinks that there pokey thingy was made by Pen. I like it. Do I win the nickel? :)

I've used both upswept and drop points to skin large and small game, like 'em both. A knife w/a point is easier to get things started with , but Munk is right that a drop point requires less care to keep from puncturing the hide or other goodies. Whatever blade shape I prefer that it is short enough to be able to run my index finger up to the tip. This can keep you out of trouble as far as puncturing stuff goes. YMMV

stevo
 
Within reason, a wide variety of blade types can be used for skinning, and in fact, for many purposes. I've used upturned blades for skinning. They just aren't as friendly.


munk
 
munk said:
Within reason, a wide variety of blade types can be used for skinning, and in fact, for many purposes. I've used upturned blades for skinning.

They just aren't as friendly.

munk
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That be true. But regardless of that one of the knives I really want to own again is one of the old Western, Case, or Schrade, upswept "Buffalo Skinners" I think they are called. The one with a single small guard at the bottom and the upsweep at the back of the blade for a place to put your thumb.
Like this one.
I had one when I was a kid and it was one of the better knives I've had over the years. Crazy Crow has a plain blade but I want one I don't have to put together.:rolleyes: ;)

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I meant as far as self defense, cutting stuff and comfort and especially the design as it relates to the other knife that goes with it in the sheath which Danny didn't have in the picture ;)

I use a gut blade to make the cuts for skinning. You know, one of those blunt tip blades that is curved in the other direction, but to tell you the truth, if I get it started right most of the time I can just pull the deer's skin off without a knife. The main place I need a knife is right under the shoulders where some of the meat wants to come off with skin and in that case I do use a curved skinning blade and it seems to work best to get under that part. Most important part for me is razor sharpness because that muscle is so tight to the skin right there.
 
munk said:
The blade has an upturned tip. That is not good for skinning in my book. I know many favor that style, but the drop point makes more sense.

I guess I should say it's not good for skinning if you care about puncturing what's below the hide.


munk
Click to expand...

I had to think about that one. Been years since we skinned a deer, and when I thought back, we used... a Rapala fish filet knife. On purpose. The man doing the butchering didn't want to waste ANY meat. Didn't either. But then we couldn't afford to. Florida deer aren't nearly as large as those even in Alabama.

I've a Shrade Sharp Finger I've never used. Maybe I'll bust it out to do some whittling. So, for example, would the YCS karda(s) make a good skinner? :confused:

Ad Astra
 
Thanks Danny.

Should point out a few things before this goes too far.

First off - Danny provided 9/10s of the design work. I just added my craft to it. You get the credit for the design, DIJ. ;)

2nd - is that "NWT Canada" I see on that blade? maybe I'm misunderstanding....:confused:


I do appreciate the compliment, Danny. Above all else, a happy customer is more important than anything else.
 
An upturned edge is a more useful all around fighting knife. It can still skin. That made it Western.

We all grew up with them, and I'm thinking Yvsa saw more of them than I. It was and is the style many think of when they envision a hunting/woods knife.

But I have a Western Blade now. It will disembowel anything needs gutting down on the Pecos, where life is cheap.



munk
 
Why do you think that, Hollow? I liked the AK style handle on this one but the original too. Seems like keeping it clean would be easy. Smart design.


munk
 
The first field-dressing knife I ever owned and used is Schrade shaped very much like Dan's. Works great, but you really gotta watch that point.

The bottom knife in this picture is my favorite skinner. It's 6-inch overall with a 2-1/2" blade, made by a fellow forumite.

I think the top one would make an excellent skinner also, but every time I pick it up I can't stop drooling long enough to put it to work. :)
 
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