Let's see some skinning knives!

[Samon]

Yeah, show 'em off guys! I'm looking at making a traditionally styled skinning knife set and need a collection of references.

I'm thinking of making the set to consist of a sharpening rod (ceramic or steel) a small boning knife, a large up swept skinning blade and a butchering blade.

I'll probably use antler, brass and if I go for some wood it'll be apple or oak.

So, let's see them!

 

[Pipeman]

Here ar a few I made up in the past couple of years. A sawmill blade nessie with a walnut handle and Beaver tail sheath, all local to my backwoods home. A Sammi skinner and a field dressing knife and the third is a skinner blade with a Walrus ivory handle.
Happy Sunday folks

Best regards

Robin

 

[leghog]

From Tom Mayo. One of a kind. Not another one like it.

I'm a lefty and wear it crossdraw on front of right hip.

 

[leghog]

I like that! Edge is almost all belly which is a requirement for me.

 

[Pipeman]

I like that! Edge is almost all belly which is a requirement for me.

Hi Leghog

The sawmill blade is around 100 years old and 5/32nds thick, the edge is a strong convex and scary sharp.

Here is one I just finished for a Moose hunter.

Best regards

Robin

 

[leghog]

The sawmill blade is around 100 years old and 5/32nds thick, the edge is a strong convex and scary sharp.

Do you still have it? If so, would you ever let it go?

 

[black mamba]

Alaskan ulu in stag

H&R guthook skinner in ram's horn

Gerry Smith small skinner in D2 and sapele wood

Queen and GEC woodcraft patterns

David Lisch snakeskin damascus and amber stag

Fiskmuk folding bullnose skinner in 440C and stag

Sharpfinger repro in 440C and walnut

Bark River Kalahari Hunter in A2 and bocote wood

 

[Double Ott]

[URL=http://s810.photobucket.com/user/doubleott/media/Skinningknives022640x425.jpg.html][/URL]

 

[Pipeman]

Do you still have it? If so, would you ever let it go?

It's currently frozen below a snow bank but I'd be happy to send you enough for a blade or two in the Spring when I can get to it.
Here's a bush clearing parangish monster made from the same blade.

 

[Old Hunter]

I think in the upswept you can go with the wide blade (Western F66) or narrow blade (Buck 118) style - I seem to have settled on the narrow upswept as my favorite all around deer skinning/cutting knife.

In the pure Skinner style the Buck 103 uses a wider blade than a "normal" drop point (Randall 26 - 4") - I like them both.

 

[Bo T]

Are you going to use premade blades or make your own? I made a set of kitchen knives for myself (and a few for friends) using the Russell Green River blades.



If you want more historical blades, I've read that ones from the 18th century and early 19th century were usually pinned, instead of riveted.

 

[JJ_Colt45]

my favorite skinning blades a Bark River Mountain Man & Bark River Wolf River

 

[cyc79]

BRKT Special Hunting knife

Coleman/Camillus/Western -they all made the same knife at one time or another

A few butchers by old hickory and Forgecraft

 

[SAK Guy]

J Russell Buffalo Skinners

80's era

'76 Bicentennial issue (3rd down)

 

[Modoc ED]

 

[Samon]

Are you going to use premade blades or make your own?
If you want more historical blades, I've read that ones from the 18th century and early 19th century were usually pinned, instead of riveted.

I'll be making my own from old Disston wood saw blades. I made a nice kitchen knife a while back from a similar saw and it turned out well, the steel is good enough to get and stay sharp to use around the kitchen. Obviously the better saw I use for steel will be made of better stuff. And I know a place full of rusted and abused old saws that I can harvest. The fact the blades are very thin makes them the most devilish slicers I've ever used! lol




I think I will use epoxy though, as I want them to be as safe to use as modern tools. I'm more so going for the look of the traditional ones, rather than the true technique. But I will peen the brass pins, giving the look, with the glue sealing the handle from blood and gunk etc.



Great examples so far gents!

 

[Bo T]

That looks really nice. And it is as good a blade as most could get in the 19th century. Are you cold working the blade through the finish or heat treating before finishing?
Also, let us see the designs you come up with. Your saw still has a couple of paring knives in it and maybe a small fillet knife.

 

[Samon]

I carefully cut and shaped thsteel, leaving it's original springy temper as it is. Through constant use of the one I made, ive realised if I had the stock, i d go for slightly thicker steel. But its a demon on the black and cuts very well. I still have the left over blade so dont worry about me wasting it!

Also, this is a pattern for a fillet knife I drew up for a different saw blade, im pretty sure its a disston, and too mucky to salvage as a saw.