Buck Skinner Suggestions

C

crentsch68

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Mar 29, 2012
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Does anybody have any recommendations for a buck to use as a gutting/skinning knife. Its going to be mainly used for whitetailed deer, but maybe some small game every now and then. I did buy a paklite 143, but didn't like the feel, it seems as if blade is just to big for it.

Any suggestions will be considered, and thanks for the advice.
 
Gut hook or not? Sheath knife or folding?
Personally I really like the guthook. I've used an oldtimer w/guthook for several years, but it shall now retire.
I got a few Buck guthook skinners for Christmas this year but unfortunately didn't get anything to test them on after that.
But as far as preliminary handling, I think the buckmax lite will be a favorite to use. Followed by the zipper and the alpha hunter.
With out a guthook I like the 113 (for both feel and look) then buckmax lite, vanguard and alpha.

I got my Dad the 12point folder w/guthook, and it feels to bulky to me. Though I havn't used it, just sharpened it for him. I havn't got to hold one yet but for a folder I think I like the alpha folding hunter w/ guthook.

Sorry I can't offer anything better, but this is all I've experienced so far.
 
110 has likely dressed more deer than any knife on the planet. I have put my 112 through dozens of deer with no issues. A Vanguard would be a good choice for a fixed blade skinner.
 
I've seen some big whitetail taken in OH and your getting hogs. So, I'd lean toward something atleast close to the 4" range. If your picky about knife steels and want a locking folder get one of Buck's limited edition 110 with 154-cm or ATS-34 and Cabela's did carry it in S30V. If you want a fixed blade the 103 Skinner or Vanguard are good choices. I like the Selectors as well, they were offered with so many different blades your bound to find one you like. Look in some of the thread topics on the index page as theres pictures posted of some models in various ones. DM
 
I have been using a 110 for years and years for field dressing and skinning. The clip blade works better for me than any of the drop points I have tried. The Vanguard didn't work for me at all. I guess I was just too used to a clip point coming down in a smooth arc versus the drop points seemingly a more stabbing motion.

Skinners are more associated with clip point blades.

I did try Vanguards and Alphas.
 
Skinners aren't typically a clip point. Skinners typically have an upswept blade and not a pointy 110 type tip. Most commercial skinning knives look more similar to the blade of the Buck 103. A pointy knife is more likely to poke a hole in the hide.
A knife with a belly or upswept blade allows you to have more length of the cutting edge to work. Yes you can angle the 110 to accomplish this. I'm sure the 110 has probably cleaned more game than any other one knife. I've worked in a processing house with butchers skinning cows and such and they buy skinning knives with upswept blades.
 
I am looking at a Vanguard and wonder if the upgraded steel is worth the extra money for a camping hunting knife
 
I think you'd have to say the jury is still out on that.......or maybe it's just that the jury is hung.

:)
 
For a skinning and field dressing knife the 103 is IMO ideal for such useage. Also if you'd like something a bit more utilitarian the 113 Ranger Skinner would be a wise choice. Then if your after something a bit more pointy there is the 119 special, however, I've never realy warmed up to this one mostly because I feel that it's a tad to long for what I need.
 
I have two Buck Vanguards that I have used on several deer. I have tried other knives, but keep coming back to the Vanguard.
 
Flatlander1963 said:
103 & 121. Those to two work very well together for processing a whitetail.
Click to expand...

I agree! These two would be my choice. Just the other day I used my 103 to remove the fat off a Beef Roast and it worked great! I know that it's not skinning a Deer, Elk or the like but hopefully that comes this fall. ;)
 
Wild, If its suitable to trim slivers of fat off from larger pieces of meat then it will work at skinning. DM
 
Here is my current stable, used for such purposes. Some of them have considerable experience. 300

118, 103, Vanguard, 140 and 135 (Newbies). Shhh. (Not pictured is a overseas curved blade knife, I am not proud to own but will keep because it works so well). Use the 135 more than the 140.
Skinners.jpg
 
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