There Can Be Only One

S

Super X

Joined
Sep 16, 2010
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So ...... Please help me find it. Have done quite a lot of research on the subject, but can't seem to nail it down. I want a Super Sharp Skinner however, also needs to be able to perform other duties. Light chopping, batoning if the situation called for it. Easy to sharpen would be nice. Right now I am considering the BATAC LE based on a article I read about ELK hunting. The poster, had good remarks about the BATAC/LE, as a skinner and all around camp knife. Looking at a Yard Keeper Le, from monetary standpoint. I am sure others have experience on the one, I am looking for. SO... If there could be only 1, which one would you want on your side?
 
BOSS Jack.

Seems perfect for your needs.

Here's one without a choil (of course they came in Big Choil and Small Choil and No Choil):
picture1556.jpg


* pic borrowed from the Exchange
 
I was thinking SARSquatch, but that BJ with a full choil would be probably perfect. It isn't perfect for chopping, but a previously banned member chopped the pee out of stuff with his SHSJ-LE. Batons well. Choke-up with the choil.

Badger is good. I've got one. I like it. I just like the clean lines of the BJ better.
 
I would have hated to skin a deer or elk with my boss jack. The knife was waaaaaaay too thick at the edge and right above it to be useful as a skinner. I'm talking an 80 degree inclusive edge on it.

A knife that can handle it all, skinning and batoning? I'd go with an SAR-4 over the boss jack. Wouldn't be GREAT to baton with because of its length, but could certainly handle it.
 
The thickness of the BAtac LE has its advantages for sure. There's also an SE version to look out for that might be a little less in cost, its double cut with G10 handles.

I used my BAe for skinning and field dressing deer and pig a couple of years ago, now its my go to knife. Hard to find but worth the effort, and not much different in cost than a BAtac LE. :)
 
Scrap Yard Muk! Really an all purpose blade and I know you can baton with it. Only problem might be is it can be a little tough to sharpen.
 
if you are looking for something all around i use a paul's hatchet. it's at home in the kitchen as well as the wood's. i have processed alot of game with mine. easy to skin with and you can baton as well.
 
230grains said:
I would have hated to skin a deer or elk with my boss jack. The knife was waaaaaaay too thick at the edge and right above it to be useful as a skinner. I'm talking an 80 degree inclusive edge on it.

A knife that can handle it all, skinning and batoning? I'd go with an SAR-4 over the boss jack. Wouldn't be GREAT to baton with because of its length, but could certainly handle it.
Click to expand...


I had the same issue with the DC Proto but the satin ones are a different story. Very nicely tapered to a fine point.

IMG_8440.jpg
 
Personally I'd prefer a Skinny ASH or ASH LE to the BATAC. The TAC handle is :barf: or you can't go wrong with a SFNO.
 
Great info guy's. Will look at every recommendation I get on this thread. Keep them coming. Thanks!
 
I got my BATACLE for the same purpose, but found it was a tad short for serious chopping- although it can certainly handle it.
You might want to consider a 2 blade setup- a BATACLE then a cheap chopper until you can get your hands on a B11 or other Busse chopper.
 
I have used a Skinny ASH-1 to breast a turkey and butcher several wild pigs, a CGFBM to quarter a wild pig (including cutting through it's femur-no edge damage), a tank buster to skin and quarter a whitetail deer, and my busse-kin favorite HR was used as late as this past Monday to skin and quarter a wild pig (about 200 pounds).

My Skinny ASH-1 would have to get the nod if I could only have one, and it may come down to that before I get this point of the journey finished. The Skinny ASH offers lots of control, plenty of edge to run a large slice, plenty of reach for boning pigs or deer, enough blade to baton.

Having said that, I still would use the larger blades for batoning or spliting.

The badgers and other ASH are leaving, soon. I do like the flat grind wedge-shape of the CGASH for heavy batoning... makes short work of it. My SHSHII excels at batoning around the house for the smoker... :)
 
230grains said:
I would have hated to skin a deer or elk with my boss jack. The knife was waaaaaaay too thick at the edge and right above it to be useful as a skinner. I'm talking an 80 degree inclusive edge on it.

A knife that can handle it all, skinning and batoning? I'd go with an SAR-4 over the boss jack. Wouldn't be GREAT to baton with because of its length, but could certainly handle it.
Click to expand...

Gee. The edge on my SAR4 is pretty fat, too. Between the two, I'd take the BJ only b/c it FEELS lighter and balances better.

How about an HG55??? Definite skinner profile AND long enough. Not for chopping, but certainly for batonning.
 
Sir - No disrespect intended, but your title is certainly misleading, for you will not have but one - So I, in my humble abode, must certainly warn you now.

If you seek but one then the SAR4, SHSJ, Satin BJ, and/or the Camp Tramp (duck) will suffice. But be warned - You will buy more - so leave now ;)

You HAVE been warned :D Proceed at your own risk and show us that Chopper too, when you get it :thumbup:
 
I'll give you my brief experience. I just purchased a BATAC LE after extensive research, and planned to use it for basic all-around uses, such as camping, batoning, light chopping, etc.

I got the BATAC LE on the exchange on Monday, and traded it off on Tuesday. It was only the 2nd BUSSE I purchased (the first was a SAR-3 which I LOVE), but it was so over-built I was flabbergasted when I got it. It was impossible to really see the true heft of this knife in the pictures. It was a BEAST. I know BUSSE makes huge heavy thick blades, but I was not prepared for this. When I put it on my belt in the sheath it nearly pulled my pants down...:eek:

No question it was a sight to behold, but it almost seemed like a comic book version of the knife I saw in the pics. The straw that broke the camel's back was the handle. It was just too big for my hands (medium, but I have slightly shorter than med. sized fingers). Not only that, but the big hump on top of the handle seemed very uncomfortable for me. This caused a feeling if insecurity in the grip. That, combined with such a bulky knife didn't make for a comfortable situation when swinging it.

So, I promptly traded it for a Boss Jack (satin) choiless, like the one in the below pic. I get it tomorrow, so I can't give you a comparison between the two right now. I know it will also have a very thick blade, but not as thick as the BATAC. But the biggest improvement for me will be the thinner, more comfortable handle (from what I hear), and the extra inch (actually more because it's choiless) on the blade. Since I want to use this for batoning, it will give me the ability to split larger pieces of wood, and do it much easier.

Not the best for chopping, but I figure I'll use a small axe for that most of the time anyway.

Good luck with your decision! With the money you have to shell out for a BUSSE, I know it is truly difficult - I've just been through it too. But man are these knives worth it....:D:D:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

5037426061_f3677f1a03_z.jpg
 
oeser said:
I had the same issue with the DC Proto but the satin ones are a different story. Very nicely tapered to a fine point.

IMG_8440.jpg
Click to expand...

nope, unless your was different than mine and mine wasn't the norm. they are way obtuse at the edge, even if the tip tapers to a seemingly acute convex point.

this is after a 24/21 degree per side bevel. I had to take off a lot of metal to get it here.

zP1020718.jpg

zzP1020699-1.jpg
 
For one knife, that does it all, I'd say you have narrowed it down pretty well. The BATAC has plenty of belly for skinning and is robust enough for batonning.

Although I must add that I traded off my BATAC because I didn't like the handle slabs, the felt much too thin for my tastes. But mine didn't have mags on it... The blade was a little too thick for my tastes as well. In a nutshell, I have always considered the BATAC to be ok at everything, but not great at anything.
 
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