Need help on caping knife

J

J.D.

Joined
Feb 12, 2006
Messages
342
I am designing a caping knife, and since I am not a trophy hunter, I'm a meat hunter, and have never caped an animal out, I really don't have a good idea of what is needed in a caping knife.
I am thinking it should be as thin as possiable, and shaving sharp, and have good control over the edge, and have a good point. So I am leaning to a 3/32 inch thick O1 stock, full flat ground to a zero edge, narrow blade and a drop point or a spear point. Here is a drawing of what I have so far. Any suggestions are welcome.
100_2237.jpg

Thanks in advance for any and all help
 
I think you have a good design there. You can take a look at the caping knife made by Knives Of Alaska to get an idea. I think you are on it. I know several taxidermist and they only use disposable scalpels, so small and razor sharp does the job.
 
I like a 4" - 5" drop point similar to a Puma Hunter's Friend or a Jagdnicker, especially when caping deer sized game and up, a longer blade is awfully helpful around the shoulders and around the spine.

Jason
 
jll346, thank you, and I have checked out Knives of Alaska and some others to get where I am at now. Jason, I agree with you on a basic skinning knife, 4" drop or clip point blade. This knifes purpose is to skin the head out, around the eyes, antlers, and the ears, where a small knife is what I am told is needed, for the delicate cutting task in these areas, like a scalpel. But I am not sure, as I have never done a caping job before, just basic skinning of the body area of deer. Thanks for all input, any others?
 
I agree with Jason on the bigger blade for around the shoulders & spine - save the edge on the little caper for skinning out the head:thumbup:. A small pointy blade like you have drawn looks good JD. You need something like that for getting in and around the antlers, eyes, ears, lips, ect. The 3/32" O1 is bang on too!

Don't forget BF rule #1, post pics of the finished blade!

Bruce
 
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Thanks to all for the response. It will be some time before I can work on this blade, as I am recovering from back surgery, and can't work in the shop for sometime yet, but I will post pics of it when I start working on it. Thanks again for all the help.
 
Well I wish you a speedy recovery then! And its good to see that you have some projects all lined up for when you get back into the shop!
 
Gods speed on the recovery, and also I have done a head recently, used mostly a boker stockman (4" closed) to get my buck ready for a european mount this past winter. Worked like a charm!

n625615241_2191835_5195378.jpg


Jason
 
Thanks all for the best wishes on my recovery, I am doing great, just the doc won't let me do anything for awhile. And mdoyle, those are fine looking knives, my blade is real close to yours, I think I will go with my sketch knife and give it a try. Thanks again for all of the help.
 
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