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Since I can't find a Kingfisher to buy and Gene is retired, what custom maker makes a comparable 5" blade?

Charlie May makes the 'skipjack'...

That Charles May would be my choice of the makers I'm familiar with. There is a factory option. The Benchmade Custom Shop will put a Meatcrafter together for you. Check the custom Meatcrafter out.

I always wanted a May Buk95, I'll check out the skipjack. I have been eyeing the Meatcrafters. Thanks for the suggestions.

I heard that Jud has an unused one he's dying to sell. Make him a low ball offer!

+another on the skipjack...

I’ve got one with a 5” blade.

I missed out on the kingfisher.



But....

Don’t forget about a lil dumplin!

Personally, I like the skipjack handle better....

mully, I have a Buk95. It is in my pack right now waiting to go to work this weekend. If you ever get your hands on one you'll like it. Also, in my last email exchange with Gene I asked about a Kingfisher and he said he might work a few up for sale. I had one and like a dumbass I sold it. I did that with the thought of ordering another one but that didn't happen before Gene had his accident.

Folks (including me) tend to overlook the Dozier K-23 in these boning knife discussions. I picked one up at the BLADE show a while back in .110ish CTS-XHP at just over 5". Works like a...Dozier. Daniel Crotts is also making a variant of this design and has always been good to customize.

And, of course, I have to mention Phil Wilson. If you can get him to make you one a short/stiff Shelter Cove would last generations. I'm using a 5.5ish" Punta Chivato now for most boning chores.

I agree the Dozier is overlooked, I like their single finger groove handle as it is very comfortable and controllable in my hand. I prefer a 4.5-5” blade for most chores, field dressing deer included. It just fits my technique. To me finding a blade in that range is harder. I know most custom makers will tweak their designs. My K-23 is a little too long for general use for me (it is a great boning knife). The Little Dumpling is great, too. I love me a tapered tang. I’m going to seriously consider a Skipjack. Any idea if May does kydex sheaths? I used to hate them but like to be able to throw a knife that had just been wiped off in the field into a sheath that can be rinsed out. Do I need a Kingfisher? Hell no, but I want one!

The Skipjack is a great pattern but I think it normally comes with a 4.5" blade, at least mine did. Charlie would probably stretch it for you though.

I agree with Hunts, I prefer the skipjack handle to the kingfisher's. . It just fits me better. My one gripe about the Skipjack is that the blade stock is pretty thick, too thick for this type of knife, IMHO. I tried to get Charlie to make mine out of .100 to .110 stock and he didn't want to. It still makes a great knife for breaking down a critter but I'd prefer thinner once I start using it in the kitchen deboning and taking off silver skin.

My kingfisher (which may have been MOGC's first) is a lot thinner and I really prefer it.

Rick's Lil Dumplin is excellent in the field but a little short for the butchering table, at least to me. Not knocking it, it may be one of the best all around knives I've ever used.

Tim Olt also makes a really nice 5" boner that would be worth considering.

Here is a pic of the four I mentioned side by side, maybe it will help you in your decision.

The Benchmade meatcrafter looks like a nice knife as well if you don't mind a production knife.

One of the Phil Wilson knives might be the grail for this type of knife, like Journeyman said, the trouble is getting one.

There's my baby! If you are tired of it by now I'll gladly take it off your hands.

My Olt is a dandy, but a little shy of 5"...




Another one I really like is jelky's boner...

MOGC,

Sorry buddy, she is staying with me! I just cleaned up 4 backstraps with it this morning.

Hunts,

I didn't realize Tim had two different size boners...

I like that one from JElky. Very nice.

probably a deal can be had on a benchmade next week somewhere with all the black friday deals happening

Vince just posted this Miller for sale in the classifieds...

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/17810006/miller-boning#Post17810006

Yup, j_elky here on the fire builds a mighty fine knife. I should be almost back at the top of his list for a couple more

Really good thread. Not a knife discussed (or pictured) a fellow couldn't be happy with for a lifetime. Some great knowledge/experience here.

I agree this is an outstanding thread. Anyone have contact information for j elky?

He is a member here and that is his handle. You can PM him

I’d look no further than Gene’s teacher David Winston, he makes a fine blade!!

I tried emailing Winston a while ago and got no reply.

I don’t know for sure,

But seems like he posted on FB he’s slowed down a lot.. maybe health issues to blame.


I met David once at his shop to pick up some knives.

Really nice guy..

Asked him about Gene , he told the story...

Asked him about Charlie...

He laughed, said its according to who you ask who taught who...

🤣😂🤣

I know that I'm glad to have picked up one of Gene's 'small boner's when I had the chance...

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/users/2592/j-elky

Such a great thread is right. Lotta real world, hard earned knowledge on this forum.

huntsman
Great pics of a great knife there

C'mon Jud, post up a fuggin pic already of that Kingfisher I covet!

Here's one of my Kingfishers...No finger groove custom as a 6 knife set:



I have a couple others...will look for pics...

WOW!

My only Kingfisher

Double wow!

Those are nice.

Nice knives guys!

I don’t have one….

But believe GWB does,

Ken Honeycutt Dorado…

Ken learned from David and Gene

That last Oelke is a looker!

Holy [bleep], that is beautiful!

I have a picture somewhere with Gene's tapered tangs lined up with Herron, Denning, Menefee and Loveless tapered tangs.

Will post it if I can find it...but, bottom line is Gene has MAD freaking skills!!

If you ever want to trip that knife please PM me!!!

Journeyman,
Thanks, but not likely I will flip as it's part of a set.
Dano

Who doesn't like a nice tight tang ? Wait..what?

You sexy little tease, you...

OP
Another Oelke that may fit the bill. Apologies as I've posted these pics before..

Rotten!

Mine...

I just scrolled through this thread,some very nice knives !

Have a Kingfisher in my gun safe,I bought it here. Been handled ,but never used as far as I know. I look at it once and a while, think about selling it and put it back in the safe.
I either need to make it used or sell it...Hmmm...

Absolutely beautiful set of knives.

Always like how David and Gene jigged the scales.

That’s a good looking knife!

As nice as any set of knives on the Fire. Yowzers. Simplistic beauty in design, and the wood is absolutely stellar. Nice you were able to make a score for three sets of scales like that. Just beautiful.

I really like the "Catfish" pattern I bought from Dale Howe for removing facia/silver-skin. That tucked-over tip stays under the silver-skin really well. The 1st Catfish I saw was on here and made by Menefee. I know Vince had one on here earlier this year by Miller as well.

I tried emailing Howe also a while ago and didn’t get a reply so I wasn’t sure if he was making knives anymore. I’m not on Facebook or instagram and it seems like that is how most communicate now. I have a big fillet from him that is not the catfish pattern that is a cutting beast. I do like the catfish pattern.

Dave,
Gene changed the way he jigged his handles and I personally very much prefer the latest pattern/method. That orange handled small boner is his old pattern. You notice on that orange handled knife how the jigged pattern is so symmetrical and in order? It looks as if done by a machine and mass produced that way or something. Gene changed to a more random pattern that looks like the old time jigged or wormy bone handles found on early 1900's knives. Notice the difference between that and his last jigging pattern on my B&T...

Either way is nothing but top shelf.

I’m good with either….

Both look great.

I have a few Ingram's and I actually use them. Probably worth more if I didn't but its why I bought them! Nothing like using a finely crafted tool for it's intended purpose.

I used to send them to Gene to resharpen but now that he's retired do you guys have suggestions on who to send them too? I sharpen most of my knives and do a decent job. But when Gene puts an edge on it is sharp and last like no other. Skinning and breaking down a moose without sharpening in the field is possible with one his knives! I ain't that good of a knife sharpener..

You stop it Dan!!😂

Jelky’s boners are hard to beat, great craftsmanship, ergonomics, heat treat, just damn good workhorses. I’ve got 4 now, 1 I keep in the camp trailer, 1 in the kitchen and 2 in my huntin bag. Got 2 on order for Pards as Christmas gifts. 👊🏻

Heads up that some Ingrams are being listed by Michigan Knives on ebay this week.

And they’re gone.

I was fortunate enough to get the Dorado from GWB. It is even better than the pics show. Yea, it is sharp!!! Ken sent band-aids to GWB when he sent him the knife.

(You can left click on the pic to get a better, bigger view)

That’s the one!

👍👍👍👍👍

Ingrams up on Michigan knives

https://www.ebay.com/str/michigankn...gC&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

For sale boys? 😎

Good luck with that, ND!

Shooters gotta shoot haha

Any for sale boys and girls?