Recommendation? THIN skinning blade for whitetailed deer and wild hogs?

Hale Storm

Hale Storm

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Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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Putting this out there for the experts. Looking for recommendations for a good hunting knife. Primary use would be skinning and field dressing. PICS PLEASE if possible.

Currently like and use Survive!Knives GSO 4.1 and LionSteel M4.

Criteria:

1. Blade thickness - GSO 4.1 and M4 both come in at .16". This is about the limit for me in a skinning knife. I would prefer something thinner but grind and edge geometry will have a lot to do with the actual skinning edge.
2. Only interested in Supersteels. Top steels I'm familiar with are M390, 3V, 20CV, and Elmax. Toughness is not required (no hard use - I have other blades for that). Edge RETENTION is critical. I have experience with 1095 (ESEE), S30V and S35VN (Spyderco and ZT) and they don't hold the edge I want.
3. Blade length - Plus or minus on the 4" size. Blades in the 3.5 range are often too small for large hogs and blades over 4.5 are typically thicker and/or harder to control for skinning applications.
4. Fixed blade only.
5. Nothing Chinese made.
6. Price range = under $300.00 USD.
7. Sheath and handle materials are irrelevant. I can make my own sheath and replace handle scales if needed.

Thanks in advance BF members!!!

I'm excited to see what is out there.
 
I don't process game, but I've been really impressed with my Spyderco Southfork and Sprig. I believe they are made in Taiwan if that fall into your "Nothing Chinese made" category. I think you'd have a hard time beating the Southfork if you're talking edge retention though.
 
First, take my info with a grain of salt because it has been 30 years since I skinned anything. But, when I used to do lots of skinning, we would buy purpose made skinning knives from a trapping supply place. They seemed to have pretty good steel and were odd looking with a big rubber handle that was easy to hold when juicy. Seems like they were not too expensive since we would have 3 or 4 of them on hand when the one being used got dull.
 
I know you must've looked through their catalog at some point but Bark River has an wide array of options that would suit, in 3V, Elmax, and A2. Fox River LT or the Featherweight Hunter perhaps.

Also, hit YouTube and search for Virtuovice. He's a bonafide knife nut and deer hunter who goes into great detail about many knives for that application. Entertaining to listen to, as well!
 
20160110.jpg

:);)
20150706043623.jpg
 
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Hale Storm said:
I like several things about this blade. Is this your work?
Click to expand...
I remember you saw them ;) my buddy and I working on it ....I have already written a message for you to mail me I have a fair proposal :)
I think you saw these
IMG-20160510-_WA0002.jpg
 
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Bob Dozier makes a number that I think you'd be happy with in D2. Never heard anyone say that edge retention was a problem for hunting or skinning purposes.
 
Of the two I have of his, Phil Wilson's blades have always worked well for me.

Not sure what you're looking to spend or how long you're willing to wait, but you can choose a steel that suits your needs, his heat treat is spot-on, and they've got a geometry that cuts really well.

Just actually read all of your criteria and saw the one on price (whoops :)). I do love his knives but they will run you a bit more than that.
 
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Phil Wilson would be my first choice. He is expensive, but then, his goods cannot be surpassed. He used super-steels, thin stock, and VERY thin behind the edge. I would love one of them...
 
Svord
http://www.svord.com/index.php?id_category=20&controller=category
Svord%20Deluxe%20Drop-Point%20Knife%20-%204.75%20Inch%20-%20Mahogany%20Handle%20Model%20370BB%20copy.jpg

(370BB) Drop Point 4 3/4
Model 370BB
Length of Blade (inches) 4 3/4"
Over All Length (inches) 9 3/4
Blade Shape Drop Point
Handle Material Mahogany and Brass
Steel Specifications 15N20
Blade Thickness (mm) 2.2mm
Sheath Leather

Svord+Deluxe+Curved+Skinning+Knife+with+Mahogany+Handle+-+677BB.html
Svord+Deluxe+Curved+Skinning+Knife+with+Mahogany+Handle+-+677BB.html
SV677BB.jpg

Curved Skinner 5 3/4
Model 677BB
Model 677BB
Length of Blade (inches) 5 3/4"
Over All Length (inches) 10 3/4"
Blade Shape Curved Skinner
Handle Material Mahogany and Brass
Steel Specifications 15N20
Blade Thickness (mm) 2.2mm
Sheath Leather
Shorter knives are available.

Also Grohmann Russell
http://www.grohmannknives.com/index.php/products/outdoor/all-items
 
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Canadian made, but I have tried MANY skinners' and the Grohmann #101, is by far my favorite and go to, I have 5 grohmanns all together, all 4 skinners and a #1. I had no idea about Grohmann until I was looking for a nice nimble skinner and a friend of mine from the gun club showed me his, that he had for a VERY long time and had picked up in Canada while on a hunt (a couple decades before i was born, lol). That week I ordered my first one, and the first time I used it was on a wild turkey, we used to cut the breasts out right in the field, throw them into our zip locks already full of marinade and in the cooler for camping meals... AND I was sold, it cut like butter, felt great in the hand, just seemed to be perfect for what I was doing, I have since used them on white tail, and I even use them in my kitchen to butcher...

Worth a look, may not be your style, BUT they WORK and they aren't at all expensive...

http://www.gknives.com/index.php/products/outdoor/all-items
 
Funny you should mention that :
Experts only
I have heard one definition of an expert to be : A has been drip under pressure.
I’m an expert in a couple of fields . . . by that definition anyway.

Multiple knives with good grip handle
Cold Steel Pairing and the Pendleton Hunter.

Thin
I am a thin knife connoisseur so that drew me to your post.
Bear with me for a moment . . .
for one example I ground the Pendleton Hunter shown, down from 5mm to 2.2mm (an eighth of an inch is a touch over 3mm). Blade length 3 1/2 inch, this knife is made with some nicely heat treated 3V.

This knife has an exceptionally useful and grippy handle and is why I spent so much time modifying it. The end result is . . . as the Brits say : Simply Smashing !

PS : the sheath is from their Peace Maker III (does not dull the edge like the original sheath).
IMG_3917.jpg


As far as super steel : M4 (my favorite) or S110V it is still possible to run into some gravel in the fur and dull it then you are going to have to sharpen in the field before continuing. So in other words the multiple knife thing makes a lot of sense.
IMO

The photo of the “matched set” fixed blades are my go to thin knife EDC for fixed blades. Too short for your needs but they represent the more than one knife philosophy with very thin blades and grippy handles. Again I bought them for their superior handles. Personally I carry both because one is toothy and the other is for fine cutting and is polished and hair whittling. A beater and a scalpel if you will. I didn’t have to grind them, I didn’t even have to sharpen them when I got them (I have three and all three came from the factory literally hair whittling. They have basic German Krup 4116 stainless steel and are also good in the heat treat (no complaints considering). Don’t let price fool you in this case.

I guess I am saying get a nice custom but don’t discount the utility of the multiple knife gambit.
IMG_3579.jpg


Thin ? Just look at the last photo of the gaps in the card stock. The second from right is one of the little paring knives above.
Thin is IN !
(and just look at that lovely sculpted handle ! Killer product performance wise!)
IMG_3727_4.JPG
 
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