For the last several years, I have been able to take quite a few deer and feral pigs here, helped clean many more, and lent knives to friends who needed a sharp knife.
Last year, and the year before, these knives cleaned 25 - 30 animals in a season.
Best of the best for edge retention and blade shape and design goes to the Phil Wilson knives.
Ingram and Dozier are outstanding, and beautiful to behold, but, the Phil Wilson blades are extraordinary.
The Bow River, the top knife, is in K294, which is non-stainless. It cleans 7 - 8 animals before needing sharpening.
This past week we had five pigs, and four deer to clean. One guy gutted and skinned some pigs, and I skinned three deer, quartered, and trimmed all of these animals.
I used the K294 Wilson for all but the last one for which I used the S110V skinner. No touching up was required to finish the whole load, which filled six large ice chests when completed.
The picture on the bottom is when it was new.
It touches up if needed with a few passes on a steel or ceramic stick which is the only one of these that will touch up so easily.
This is the knife I find myself picking up first, and using almost all of the time.
The Phil Wilson skinner is in S110V, has a slightly more comfortable handle, as it is slimmer on the tail, which I requested.
I am always impressed with the smooth cuts and ease of use. The K294 has a "toothier" feel, while the S110V is very smooth.
It is harder to sharpen than the K294, but comparable to sharpening S30V, but not as hard to sharpen as 154CM.
The Dozier in D2 takes a phenomenal edge and holds it for about 3 - 4 animals. Excellent design in a heavier knife with a hollow grind. Easy to sharpen to a hair popping edge.
The Ingram in D2 takes a great edge and holds it for about 2 animals. Excellent designs in flat grinds with very high finish. Very thin handles, but which are comfortable. Easy to sharpen.
Previously, I had a Busse Hog Muk, and it was very comfortable to use, but needed touching up to finish 1 animal. The design is good, but the steel was not optimal for this application. Initially I liked it, but lost interest after trying these.
I do use a Busse Battle Mistress for cutting through the spine and ribs, which works quite well, and very quickly too.
Last year, and the year before, these knives cleaned 25 - 30 animals in a season.
Best of the best for edge retention and blade shape and design goes to the Phil Wilson knives.
Ingram and Dozier are outstanding, and beautiful to behold, but, the Phil Wilson blades are extraordinary.
The Bow River, the top knife, is in K294, which is non-stainless. It cleans 7 - 8 animals before needing sharpening.
This past week we had five pigs, and four deer to clean. One guy gutted and skinned some pigs, and I skinned three deer, quartered, and trimmed all of these animals.
I used the K294 Wilson for all but the last one for which I used the S110V skinner. No touching up was required to finish the whole load, which filled six large ice chests when completed.
The picture on the bottom is when it was new.
It touches up if needed with a few passes on a steel or ceramic stick which is the only one of these that will touch up so easily.
This is the knife I find myself picking up first, and using almost all of the time.
The Phil Wilson skinner is in S110V, has a slightly more comfortable handle, as it is slimmer on the tail, which I requested.
I am always impressed with the smooth cuts and ease of use. The K294 has a "toothier" feel, while the S110V is very smooth.
It is harder to sharpen than the K294, but comparable to sharpening S30V, but not as hard to sharpen as 154CM.
The Dozier in D2 takes a phenomenal edge and holds it for about 3 - 4 animals. Excellent design in a heavier knife with a hollow grind. Easy to sharpen to a hair popping edge.
The Ingram in D2 takes a great edge and holds it for about 2 animals. Excellent designs in flat grinds with very high finish. Very thin handles, but which are comfortable. Easy to sharpen.
Previously, I had a Busse Hog Muk, and it was very comfortable to use, but needed touching up to finish 1 animal. The design is good, but the steel was not optimal for this application. Initially I liked it, but lost interest after trying these.
I do use a Busse Battle Mistress for cutting through the spine and ribs, which works quite well, and very quickly too.
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