Question: What is the best skinner CRK's makes.

Birdhunter1220

Birdhunter1220

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Aug 3, 2011
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Hi looking for some advice about one piece knives. I have used my Sebenza for skinning deer, but looking for a one pieces now. Suggestions.
 
Although I have not skinned any animals myself there have been a lot of excellent posts recommending a few different CRK fixed blades for the tasks. I own a Nyala and Inyoni. The Nyala is the easiest to find either at a dealer or on the secondary market. The others are out there, just gotta dig a little bit. I tagged Nyefmaker. He has actual experience here. And some awesome pictures.

Inyoni, kinda small but great for bird or trout.
Nyala, nyefmaker nyefmaker has skinned some deer with his.
Umkhombe, looks like a beefier Nyala... that can't be a bad thing.
Ubejane Skinner... nyefmaker nyefmaker says it is the best deer skinner but these are a little hard to find.
 
Bottom is my Inyoni.
Middle is the Nyala
Top is a Large Inkosi for size help
 

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Either of the Nyalas work well for skinning but I almost prefer the Insingo Nyala over the Drop Point if you are just talking strictly the skinning aspect. The only time I prefer the Drop Point Nyala skinning is if its caping out an animal for taxidermy but usually use a dedicated caping knife for that.
 
I have used several CRK for hunting ( fieldressing and skinning ) and nothing compares to the Ubejane. This is easily one of the best one piece designs Chris Reeve ever made.

I have used the Sebenza 21, fixed blades like the nyala and nyala insingo, One Piece Knives like the Sable 4 and Ubejane. Have used other makers knives before I discovered CRK and nothing, absolutely nothing compares to the Ubejane. I love it so much, I have 2.

I have the Umkhombe and Inyoni but haven't used them during hunting yet.

I will dig for my pics as I took some with the Ubejane.

The Ubejane holds an outstanding edge. My father and I field dressed and skinned 3 whitetails and it was still very sharp. Has lots of belly like a good skinner should. It's not pointy that inadvertently cuts thing you don't want cut. Also, it's probably the only knife that hasn't bit me during use. Even if your hunting in zero degree weather, I still never noticed the handle being cold. It's always on my belt up under my coat, so it's not exposed to the cold air. The knurling adds grip like you would not believe. It's not sharp either. Balance is perfect........I remember reading an article from Chris Reeve Himself and he stated that he does not hunt, but designed a knife that he felt would accomplish all the needs of a hunter. You would swear he was a lifelong hunter and designed the perfect knife for hunting based on his experience, but that was not even the case. Just goes to show you the genius of Chris Reeve.

Thanks RyanRaben for the tag.
 
Not many fixed blade CRK models available new at this time, so I'd have to say the Nyala comes closes. It is quite pointy though, looks easy to stab through the skin etc. while you're working. (Disclaimer: I am not a hunter, my comment is based on general knowledge gathered here and there...I do own two Nyalas though, so I know what they're like cutting stuff.)
 
Ubejane is designed specifically as a skinner. And being a one-piece knife, it can be boiled to sterilize. I wouldn't want to boil a Nyala because of possible glue breaking down over time from the handle. The downside is the Ubejane is one of the rarer one-piece CRKs and is usually in the higher end of the $700 to $1000 range from what I've seen whereas the Nyala is a current production model you can get for $200ish. So you could boil it several times and if you did wear down the glue, you could buy 4 or 5 Nyalas for the cost of one Ubejane.
 
bvo85 said:
Ubejane is designed specifically as a skinner. And being a one-piece knife, it can be boiled to sterilize. I wouldn't want to boil a Nyala because of possible glue breaking down over time from the handle. The downside is the Ubejane is one of the rarer one-piece CRKs and is usually in the higher end of the $700 to $1000 range from what I've seen whereas the Nyala is a current production model you can get for $200ish. So you could boil it several times and if you did wear down the glue, you could buy 4 or 5 Nyalas for the cost of one Ubejane.
Click to expand...

Have seen several Ubejane in th $350-$450 range lately. Just gotta keep an eye out and Ask....!
 
nyefmaker said:
Have seen several Ubejane in th $350-$450 range lately. Just gotta keep an eye out and Ask....!
Click to expand...
$350 is a great price for any CRK one piece, let alone a rare one like the ubejane! If anyone reading this is on the fence and considering their first CRK one piece, and sees one for $350, go ahead and snap that up as a great deal!
 
Thanks everyone for your help. I will be keeping a eye out for a Ubejane. I have time to wait so the hunt is on! Thanks again for everyones comments. If anyone see a Ubejane for sale at a nice price I would love a PM.
 
I'll be using the Nyala Insingo this season for field dressing only(I have never skinned an animal) but I have been jonesing for a hollow handle Reeve knife. If I find a decent deal i'll pick one up.
 
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