Grind for skinning?

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PwnyBoy

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Oct 7, 2010
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Hey guys! Is a hollow grind or flat grind plenty sufficient for skinning game? As well as flesh slashing / incision? No I'm not gonna go slash the neighborhood :rolleyes: :D

I know the convex grind is quite popular, but if I don't have to have it , I am cool with that. I am aware that hollow grinds produce a wicked sharp edge due to less metal being present, so will this be a great choice for the tasks I stated above? Those are the only tasks that will be used on a specific knife to be. Oh and I am aiming for S30V or VG10 Thanks a lot gents. Any feedback will be greatly appreciated.
 
I don't think you could get much better then a good high hollow grind for skinning. Unfortunately nothing coming to mind for a recommendation.
 
No problemo! Thanks for your input! Yeah I know there is no love for the hollow grind beyond shallow cuts and the downright beauty of them. I mean can't deny that one! :D
 
Most grinds will be sufficient. Fully flat grind (I call it a straight V as described in the book by A.E Hartink),flat grind, hollow grind, high hollow grind, Scandinavian grind.....there are so many, for skinning you will need belly to the blade. A Warncliff blade shape can work but it becomes difficult when skinning around the stomach to get your finger over the tip to stop piercing the sack and spoiling the meat. The straightest edge I have worked with skinning is a 550HG griptilian (sheepsfoot style modified as they call it) and a swiss army knife (. I could not test my Chris Reeve Insingo yet but have used my old small sebenza to do skinning.

So to recap, any grind can work if you sharpen it to be sharp. Blade shape: Drop point, clip point, tanto, sheepfoot, warncliff is the most important and most hunters prefer a drop point style for skinning...with a cut hook even better. Kershaw offers some great hollow grind knives with gut hooks, buck as well. The sebenza uses a drop point style blade (on the older regular styles) with hollow grind.

Ps. I love hollow grinds! All my folders are as far as I can think now except 2. I want to give a flat grind delica a try in future but I prefer the look and feel of a hollow grind.
 
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Thank you very much marthinus! Very great response! Are the hollow grinds or v grinds good for deep cutting against a flesh like surface? (Hog, etc). I have no intent on using the knife for chopping or anything of that nature. Thank you.
 
Welcome to the forums. As for a skinning knife, I've found the Schrade Sharpfinger to be the best for me. It is a flat grind, but has a ton of belly. The one I use is probably close to 30 years old, and has gutted and skinned lots of game in its life. Small enough to not be in the way, but big enough to skin and dress out the biggest buck you can bag. I'd also recommend finding an older model (pre 2004), made in the USA. Look for a 152 Old Timer.
 
Personally I think a nice Drop Point Hollow Ground blade about 3" to 4" would be the ticket.
 
I have used a Buck Zipper for 15 years from whitetail to bear. It is what I recommend for a general purpose hunter/game prep knife.

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PwnyBoy said:
Thank you very much marthinus! Very great response! Are the hollow grinds or v grinds good for deep cutting against a flesh like surface? (Hog, etc). I have no intent on using the knife for chopping or anything of that nature. Thank you.
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Yes because they are some of your thinnest grinds one can get. Think of it this way. The thinner an edge the less resistance it will have cutting through a material. A scalpel would be a good example, but a scalpel is too thin and it will snap if there is some lateral stress on the blade (little strength for everyday chores). So one should get a knife that is designed for skinning from a good maker. It will have a good balance between slicing while still having strength.

I just scanned through the The Complete Encyclopedia of Knives from A.E. Hartink and most of the hunting knives seem to have a Drop point style knife with either hollow grind or a flat grind. Generalising a bit but it seems that combination is the way to go. Scan around on the companies websites, Al-Mar, Kershaw, Benchmade, Spyderco....there are many others and search for hunting. See if there is something you like. Also if you want to go serious. Look into the American Knife Makers Guild (If you are in the USA) for a maker close by. Phone him and ask his advise or recommendations. Hearing the ins and outs from a person first and foremost is much more of a learning process then over the internet (IMO). He might even invite you over and you can talk to him over a cup a coffee.
 
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