Opinions on this skinner, Now it's a hunting style :)

NJJ

NJJ

Joined
May 28, 2013
Messages
232
I cut this out the other day and got it hand filed, sanded and ready for HT.

WP_20130531_001_zps739baefd.jpg


Anything I should change? It's 1/8" 1080 with a 3.75" blade and 4.25" handle.
 
Last edited:
imo you should get rid of the rear finger choils (to the right of the maing "guard in the picture") so you can comfortably use an upside down grip edge facing up instead of down so as to drag through the hide. other than that small thing it looks great
 
To me it's not really a skinner, but one of many good shapes for a hunting knife. I too, believe you should remove the two finger choils. They don't allow for finger movement. I don't know why you want to drag a knife through the hide. It's always much easier to remove by always trying to cut from the inside rather than the outside through all the hair. Frank
 
Sorry its kinda hard to explain it you put the knife into the pelvic area skin and kneel next to the deer or stand over it and tilt the knife so the forward most point is the tip (inside the deer) and pull the knife forward to the ribcage. Just how I do it
 
i would ditch the 2 smaller finger grooves, round off the big one a little, and make the front choil a bit deeper/more round so you can actually get a finger in it without pinching or having it feel like it's being pushed up onto the blade. I would also lengthen the finger rest on top of the blade a bit more forward so it ends just before the jimping starts. That will give 2 solid reference points for different grips.
from the picture, it looks like you may have a swedge -- not sure if you want that for skinning.
you will also want to drill your rivet and lanyard holes before HT.
The proportions of the drop point and belly are well matched, as is blade length to handle.
 
Not that it can be done now, but I prefer a rising tip on my skinners. A blade that rises above the plane of the spine of the knife. It allows easier manipulation into smaller areas and tends to separate skin from hide a bit more cleanly. It doesn't seem to 'push' through the material... Due to that I would consider it a bit of a hunter.
I second (or third...) the loss of the finger grooves behind the guard and rounding of the finger choil. And absolutely drill any holes you may need prior to HT...
 
Thanks guys! I'll loose the two finger grooves and drill some holes before HT. I'll call this one a hunter and draw up a new design for a skinning knife.

Thanks again.

Nick.
 
Adjusting the tip of a blade up or down by as little as an 1/8th of an inch changes everything. The point itself along with the inch behind it is where the work is done. A small thin blade is better for skinning animals than a large thicker blade. I made blades for a trapper friend of mine for years; he would say "not too long with a tip I can slip under a flap of skin, skinning small game is best accomplished with a 2 inch blade and a handle that can be used up or down or sideways.

Finish this one and make another, it's contagious. Fred

This is one of the skinners I made for my trapping buddy, it's 5 1/2 oal.
Frank and some others here post one of your skinners so the man can see different options.:thumbup:


DSC01597.JPG
 
Last edited:
Well here it is after the recommended alterations, HT'ing and adding the handle -

WP_20130601_001_zpscb98dbd6.jpg


Still have a few areas to touch up, but I think this is my best to date :D
 
Wow, loss of the finger grooves and opening the finger choil changed everything..
I like that the finger choil and area behing the finger guard arc up on the same angle and to the same depth into the knife. Its a very nice and balanced looking knife..
I like the simple and clean look and construction as well. Very nicely done.
 
Looks great! I'm not sure I like how the cutting edge stops at the bottom of the plunge and goes right into the choil. It gives it a clean line and all, but makes the last portion of the cutting edge almost unusable. Again, this is 100% personal preference, and I cannot really fault the blade in any way. Great job.
 
I think the rear section of blade edge will be useable provided you are using a standard grip and no finger in the finger choil...
I would say be careful when pushing the knife tip first with a finger up there. Don't want to get a slip slice finger injury...
 
Thanks for the replies and constructive criticism, I'm still learning ;) . This one is for a friend at work, I'm going to take it to him on Monday the way it is so I can see if I need to modify the handle in any way. I have yet to make one for myself... too many freebies, but I'm getting some good ideas :)
 
He will be pleased I am sure. I have given away or bartered with more blades than I have sold. There is no better form of word of mouth publicity. He will most likely show it around and such and send some people your way.
Gotta make one for yourself though... I did the same thing until I realized I didn't have an example of my own work to show anyone. Its nice when someone hears you make knives and you can go "Yeah, here, take a look at this."
There is also a sense of in pride field dressing game or setting up camp with your own blade. For me it feels like a connection to my grandfather and his way of life. That self sufficient, made his own tools, filled his own freezer type of living.
Looking forward to seeing more work from you.
 
Nice job -- much cleaner look with the way you incorporated the suggested changes, without losing "your" flavor in the design.
good choice on the wood, too -- subtle character that doesn't take away from the clean lines.
 
Got the edge put on and boiled linseed oil on the handle :)

WP_20130602_003_zps1690ad0a.jpg


WP_20130602_004_zps7eb1f311.jpg


WP_20130602_005_zps79c87470.jpg


WP_20130602_007_zpsb72470f5.jpg


I tried to get the grain to match up the best I could on the handle (red elm)
 
That is a beautiful knife brother. Very well executed, nice clean design... Great finish on the wood with nice straight grain layout, nice muted polish on the steel and nice tasteful file work as well. I wouldn't hesitate to add one to my collection.
Well done. Keep em coming like that and you'll be a superstar in no time. :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top