skinning blade under 3" ?

[Nightingale]

Hi all - new to the forum - and I don't know anything about knives.

Several months ago I got some good advice from Dexter Ewing (using his email link on another web site). He recommended a Spyderco Tim Wegner for my three month trekking trip in Nepal. I only wanted to carry one knife. And what a great knife it is! Sturdy, versatile, well suited to daily chores, and, I guess, good in a survival situation (drop-point, reasonable belly).

Now I need to buy another knife. This one's for a friend in who lives on a bush-block farm in New Zealand. He always carries a fixed-blade on his belt for heavy cutting work. I want to buy him a small (blade less than 3" - closer to 2.5" might be better) knife to complement it. He grows flowers in commercial quantities along the river flats so he cuts a lot of string, thin polythene sheeting and plastic ties. He would want a blade that could be used as a skinner, especially for rabbits and possums. The knife will probably get treated pretty rough too. It doesn't have to be a Spyderco - if someone wants to recommend another brand, that's fine with me.

And all this for under, say, US$60 ???

Look foward to any suggestions you can make.

 

[TimmyTheTalkingToilet]

well I have a Pro-Grip and you could find those just about anywhere. even though it is a small knife it fits my fat hands perfectley. (also Im looking for a neck sheath for it)

 

[Longden]

You're already familiar with the Wegner, so maybe you'll have an idea of what the Wegner Jr. is like. Blade is just under 3".

Available in some places for a bit higher than your target price. I know a local shop (Southern California) that has the partially serrated version for about $69, and would be well suited for string, sheeting and plastic ties.

I think Bill McWilliams posted earlier that he used his for skinning game, tho I believe his is the plain-edged version. The Wegners are designed as skinning knives. As you know, the knives are tank-tough, and the G-10 scales would make wet handling along the river much more secure.

 

[leroys_45]

my suggestion won't fill both general and skinning use, but its my .02. for general use, the absolutely most useful knife is the spyderco harpy G-10. you might not think so, but after 8 months of constant use, i believe so. and especially for cutting plants. you can hook the tip around the object to be cut and pull, with no damage to the other stalks, flowers or whatever. i worked at a greenhouse myself, so this is from experience. you can pick them up for around $65 if you look and a little less here on BF.

for skinning, i'd have to go with either the wenger jr., progrip or venator. out of those, i'd go with the wenger jr or venator, i just have lost my love for zytel, not that i had a bad experience though. on the other hand the progrip is the cheapest of the three.