Skinning / Deer Dressing Knife?

E

elvis.alive

Joined
May 19, 2010
Messages
286
Hello all.
I was approached by a friend today who said he was going hunting and wanted a folder that would work for skinning / dressing a deer.
The thing is, I have no idea about anything gutting / skinning / dressing related, especially what one looks for in that type of knife.

Do any of you all know what to look for in a knife for this purpose?
Do you have any suggestions of products?

Thanks for your time.
 
I would get a small fixed blade over a folder because its easier to clean, anything with a bit of belly on it will do the job, buck have a good range and there cheap, I dont know much about folders so I could be wrong, I just use a butchers skinning knife, have a look at various makers websites and see whats on offer
 
I like a small fixed blade better. If he is looking for a folder a Buck 112 or 110 have cleaned a lot of deer.
 
the key is keep it small (and sharp :)), I agree w/ the above- a small fixed blade is a better choice
 
Well, you can tell him that it will not serve him as well as a small fixed blade will.
There are a lot of parts that blood and guts can get in on a folder, a PITA to clean.
I would not usually think of bringing a folding knife to skin and dress an animal,
it just does not make any sense to me why you would want one for that purpose.
Ergo, I have no suggestions.
 
The Buck 110 is the standard knife for this sort of thing. It's been around forever. Benchmade came out with a new series of knives. Their 'Bone Collector' folders should be good for this sort of thing, but less traditional in appearance.

I always use a fixed-blade for dressing deer, but the knives mentioned above should do the job as well.

SP
 
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I guess if he insists on a folder, he should get a good one. Bob Dozier make's a good one.
 
My favorite skinning knife is my Izula. I like a small knife and the blade shape and belly seem to make quick work of a deer. I stripped it and polished the entire thing to help with the fat build up, but it was worth every hour.

With all that said, If your friend is stuck on a folder, tell him to pick up a Buck 110. You can get them anywhere and I've skinned enough deer with that very knife to know it works fine.
 
I have a bias for a Fiddleback. :)

but for a folder, the Buck 110 has served well each and every time it has been used...which is probably in the millions of times.
 
Don't use my bucks as much as I used to, but I agree that the 110 is a good choice. dressed many-a-deer with one.
 
I think the Buck 110 is too pointy. I like a drop point or nessmuk blade for skinning. In a Buck, something like their ergo hunter. 4" blade or smaller.

I used my BK11 this year and I will be hard pressed to change. Split the rib cage like it wasn't there and batoned through the pelvis like a champ. Dressed and skinned and didn't need to sharpen, just run it over ceramic a few times and edge was right back.
 
I think after he has to put up with a stinking folder with crud in the mechanism he might see the light
 
I've skinned dozens of deer and hundreds of hogs with a Spyderco Native in S30V. The Buck 110 is a good choice as well. I'd can also recommend the Alaskan Guide 110 from Cabelas which is made in S30V. I also have many custom fixed blades that I enjoy using, but the Native is my EDC so it gets used most often, especially when a visiting friend shoots a deer or hog on my ranch.

IMO the shorter the blade, within reason, the better, since you are reaching blind up (depending on whether you hang them up or down) inside the chest cavity. 2 to 4 inches or a bit longer would be my preferred minimum/maximum range
 
The Buck 110 has probably dressed twice as many deer as all other knives combined. That having been said, I also much prefer a fixed blade, partially for the cleaning reasons mentioned. If your friend gets the 110 steer him towards the Cabela's Alaskan Guide S30V version as Gatagordo said. It is more expensive but will stay sharp through at least one deer.
 
I have a Buck 110 and I have this Buck Cabela's Alaskan Guide in S30V. I've cleaned and skinned deer with them both. I think the pictured Buck is far superior.

These two are my favorite skinners that I own. If I were to do it over again on the Buck, I would go fixed blade and I would lose the gut hook as I don't use it anyway. The Muela I know very little about; it was a gift. I don't know what steel it is. The shape of the Muela is superior to the Buck for skinning IMO. The Muela is easier to sharpen but dulls more quickly. I've never got the Buck in S30V super sharp, but it holds its good edge for awhile. It has a pretty toothy bite.

I would say go with something short, big bellied, quality steel, and-well, fixed is better. :)

Out of these two, I prefer to use the Muela for dressing and skinning.
P1040128.JPG
 
Duplicate thread detected!

I still say the Buck 110 is a good answer if the knife must be a folder. Once he's cleaned a few deer and spent some time getting the gunk out of his knife, holler back and we can recommend some great fixed blades ( like the BK11 ) for him.


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Beckerhead #42
 
A Buck Vantage Pro folder in S30V would be a good choice for a folder, especially if you have a bone saw for the sternum. As said above, folders are harder to clean,
but the design of this one with the open back makes it much easier.

Without the bone saw, I would go with a slightly larger fixed blade. The one I used this year was a David Farmer in L6 steel (9" OAL w/ 4-1/2" blade).

FarmerSkinner.jpg
 
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