Trying to learn from folks who have handled a lot of different skinning knives

As title says which blade length , blade shape and grind do you like and why if'n you feel like explaining it .

I'm a rookie with knives , skinned my share of deer/pigs and furbearers - trying to find a better knife than the cheap kershaw/winchester/eye brand i now have .

Been cruising the Classifieds but don't know exactly what i want - thanks for any opinions .

Skinner in my Howe combo here is the best design I’ve used, think he calls it the Wyoming skinner? This set is elmax. Carry it everywhere.

I've two that I really like for skinning (mainly deer).

The first is Mr. Ingram's #1 Semi-skinner. It's a shorter blade, not a huge sweep to it, fairly subtle. It works well for the way I skin. For deer I think it's the perfect skinning pattern.

The second is Mr. May's Slitter. It's a little bigger than the previous I mentioned with a fair but not overly large belly/sweep on the blade to skin and a finer point so it can be used as an all around knife. The fine point will occasionally "stick" if I'm skinning in a hurry.

I do not use and do not like a classic shaped skinner. I like small drop point knives that slice well. I guess the shape I prefer that' easy to find a picture of is the Knives of Alaska Jaeger.

I always gut my deer. When I am done gutting, Bambis is unzipped from the anus to the chin. After that I will unzip the legs on the front edge up to the main stem to stern cut. With a deer that is not frozen,I do not do much if any cutting. I might use the back side of the tip to separate a little tough membrane. I use the small pointy tip to get into the joints to separate the cruciates, and I cut the tendons that span the joints on the sides and the achilles tendon, but that can be done with anything sharp.

I used this one last season and have to say its works great. Its from David Winston, his model #92, just the right size IMHO. And I'll 2nd the Ingram #1 semi-skinner as a nice one, I've not used mine but can see how it would work well.

Model 92 Winston:

A little Vicky does nice things for me...

Where ya get those sheaths cinch?

+1, waiting...

Don't you guys know he has all the best toys And he gets to live in Wyoming- lucky

For skinning I prefer a semi skinner from around 2-1/2" to 3-1/2". As above I like them paired with a hunter, B&T, caper or boner as the situation warrants. Here are a few, all part of combos of from two to six knives:

Another good dedicated skinner...

Didn't think i had a pic of this one, but found one. Knife on the left from Dozier easily one of the best skinners I've ever owned:

Hard to beat a 3 1/2" to 4" drop or semi drop point for skinning and field dressing.

Just my opinion. Not necessarily 100% fact.

Knives i have made I’ll ask for ~3 1/4 - 3 3/8 range. That works for me. Drop points.

Those millers I posted are closer to three inch. Featherlight and work really well.

+1 on OregonMuleys comments on the Winston #92. I got a couple. My favorite knife to use.

Close second would his #45 model.

I prefer a true skinner that way I can get the job done fast. I don't need a point on my skinner, and like JCMCUBIC said The fine point will occasionally "stick" if I'm skinning in a hurry.

Top knife in picture is a skinning machine!

Been looking at all these and more - thanks for the opinions .
The knife world is a huge place .

MontanaCreekHunter ,

I can't quite make out the maker of the skinner - who is it ?

Kilby knives, i believe.


Mike,

Join Instagram.

It’ll get 10x bigger.

This has the potential to be a really good thread. Lots of disparate replies by I assume experienced users.
How do we without rancor move to the next level where we can weight the experience of the respondents???

Beat's me!

Really depends on what I am skinning. I do a bit of trapping and smaller critters demand smaller blades. Thin skinned critters are also skinned a lot "safer" with a slightly duller blade, less of a chance of putting a hole in the hide.

I might go into knife overload if i did .

ya!


GWB

Damn cinch! You interested in coming off one or two of those kydex sheaths with or without the Vickie paring knife?

I have 5 Vickie sets from Tom Krein. He Hits the knives on the grinder to peak the edge, then makes the sheaths...good stuff...

Kelsey Creek Knife Works (David Wesner)

A good standard drop point with a 3-3 1/2" blade is the safe answer and will do pretty much everything. My personal preference is to use a semi skinner and a drop point with a narrow blade.

If I had to have one knife, it would be a Winston 43 or an Ingram Lite Hunter

I really like the looks of the top knife.
That rounded "tip" makes lots of sense.
I don't see it on his site, does it have a name or is it a one off you had him build?
Thanks
Jeff

Jeff I had it made for me. It is or at least was on his site under customs or one of a kinds.

Jeff it's on this page

http://www.kelseycreekknifeworks.com/oneofakind.html

http://www.kelseycreekknifeworks.com/files/DSC03283.jpg

I knew that design was called a beaver something ? i remember seeing those in Fur Fish & Game magazine when i was a yout .
Tip design makes perfect sense for a 'skinning' knife .

Happy Birthday !!!

Thank you

That style is called a beaver skinner or muskrat skinner, depending on size and AO. I've been a member of the National Trappers Association since the 1970s. Honestly, almost no trappers use them anymore with the advent of the Havalon and various copies.

However, IF you ARE interested in the style, it is sort of kismet that you live in Florida...Steve and Tess Greene, SIL and Daughter of Melvin Dunn, king of knife makers for, and voting member of, the NTA took over from Melvin when he retired and ultimately moved to Florida from Kansas....and kept Melvin's business alive. They are in Intercession City, by Kissimmee area about 30 miles south of Orlando.

Melvin traditionally worked in D2, then later was a dean of S60V. I have 5 or 6 of each, and they are superb.

Steve is now offering Melvin's styles in S30V.

The classic Dunn knife looks like this:

[Linked Image]

and, their website is here: Dunn Knives

Maybe give them a call and a visit...would surely be informative!!!

Thanks! I missed that part of his site somehow.
That's a useful, cool looking knife.
Jeff

I recall seeing them, or one very similar in FFG long ago.
I believe it was called a Pelting knife. Not as nice as the one MontanaCreekHunter has though.
Jeff

The beaver knife is actually the diametric opposite of a pelter, which has a very fine point, traditionally in triangular shape like an exacto. The majority of trappers I've associated with attending the big conventions every year use the Havalon with various blades, or increasingly, the Vickie Cinch posted above.... Heck, do a Google on "pelter" and you'll see lots of trapping suppliers selling the Vickie as the Victorinox Pelter vs Parer...

Journeyman ,

Howdy .
Those Dunn Knives look great , thanks for the link .
Hard to decide which one i'd buy love the Oak and Rosewood for the old timey look they have . That color wood reminds me of two old butcher knives my grandpa had - used them for slaughtering beev and hogs on cold Ohio winter days .
Great prices too .

Good to know. Like I said, it was a long time ago.
Very nice tool regardless.
Jeff

From what you’ve shown of your collection I’d bet you have more than one ‘tool” that fill the role! You have some great knives IMO!