Vess Skinner

RyanW

RyanW

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Jul 17, 2009
Messages
3,327
I have a close friend that is an avid hunter, and takes an Elk every year with a Long Bow or ReCurve. He asked me to help him create his perfect skinner. I asked him to demonstrate how he holds and manipulates the knife during the skinning process. He pulled out an old Buck 119 and choked clear up with his index finger and thumb pinching the blade while the rest of his fingers held a small portion of the handle. While his left hand pulled the Skin away the blade moved in sweeping motions separating the two. I pulled out the paper and pencil and started drawing... This is what we came up with

RyanWVessSkinner.jpg

SPECS:
Steel: 1/8" 1095
OAL: 7.5"
Blade:3.5"
Handle: Osage Orange

I would love to hear your thoughts, he is very happy with the feel. Time will tell how it performs.
 
Looks like a well designed and comfortable blade!
 
It does look very well designed and comfortable. I would probably have rounded the tip over a little bit more, but that is just personal preference. Great design and execution!
 
Looks very ergonomic. I think the blade shape is perfect for a skinner that will also be used for field dressing/slitting hide. If it had more belly it would maybe be better just for peeling hide but less practical for slitting IMHO.
Looks cool too. Thumbs up!
Darcy:)
 
Ryan, the knife is beautiful but it also looks like it would do some serious work. I really like it a lot.
 
Ryan,
I really like the knife and find it quite pleasing to the eye, though I know that ergonomy was your first priority.
I´m a professional gamekeeper and as such handle a lot of deer and wild boar every year. As I´m not a big fan of the traditional upswept skinner, I think your knife would work like a charm for both field dressing and skinning and as a matter of fact I might try (with your permission) to make a similar knife for my personal use.
All in all very well done.

Brian
 
Thanks everyone for the comments. I think it will work great.

Brian sent you a PM!
 
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