Skinning knife recomendation

aggopian · Jan 22, 2009

I would like to have a skinning knife made for my nieces husband. He is an avid hunter and his house has become the community deer prep station.
He currently has a generic skinning knife and complains of the absence of a gut hook and frequent sharpening.

What would you suggest as a steel, Handle material, Shape, Hand forged Etc.

Any help would be great.

T. Hendrickson · Jan 22, 2009

Steel: Tons of options, e.g. cpm154, ats34, d2, s30v, for stock removal; 52100, 1095, and many others for a forged blade.

4" blade.

Micarta, g10 or stabilized wood handle.

hellgap · Jan 22, 2009

my sharpest knife ive ever had or used is one a friend gave me made by preimer mini bowie its a H48 model # and hollow ground made in soligen germany.This is by far the best edge holding longest lasting sharpest knife ive ever owned. I dressed one moose skinned and did 4 deer before i knoticed it was getting dull.Cheap knife deadly steel. kellyw

bjalongi · Jan 22, 2009

I would look at some of the knives in the knife makers gallery and for sale forums. Most professional knife makers will have a link to their sight in their signature line.

You'll probably be able to find a maker in your price range that can work with you, so your hubby can get the perfect knife just for him.

Good luck.

aggopian · Jan 22, 2009

Actually its my Nieces husband

but thanx I will check out the gallery. I just havent seen a gut hook model for sale. I also figured different makers have experimented with materials and could help me nail down some specs.

SDS · Jan 22, 2009

If you find a maker whose work you like, send them a pm or e-mail asking if they would be willing to add a guthook to one of their knives. You might be surprised what many makers are willing to do for someone if you just ask.

SDS

J_Curd · Jan 23, 2009

I'd take a good look at the ones Richard J makes: http://mysite.verizon.net/ress6fq6/id16.html

He makes good working knives.

WA Martin · Jan 23, 2009

Do a search on GL Drew's postings. He has something he calls a reverse skinner.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=454228

aggopian · Jan 23, 2009

I ended up going with DPknives to make the skinner. He has been working on some gut hook skinners. He is local which is nice, its always good to see where your knife is being made (plus most makers like to show off their shop) XD. Thanx to all who helped. I will post pix and details when I get it.