Best knife for skinning deer?

[IronNoggin]

Originally Posted by Bushleague

... I like the Grohman #1 the best ( the knife sitting on the hind quarter in Iron Noggin's pic) I don't feel that there is any knife in its price range that can beat it...

For a fixed blade, I tend to agree.

Cheers,
Nog

[RatFink]

Benchmade Saddlemountain Skinner would be my choice if I was buying another knife: http://www.benchmade.com/saddle-moun...er-family.html.
I have the Buck Ergohunter and its blade is just too much of a pain in the ass to sharpen.
I also have the Benchmade Grizzly Creek, but folders SUCK for skinning because of all the crap that gets in all the holes.

I was having a discussion the other day with some guys at a knife store and they introduced me to this knife, which is apparently absolutely amazing for skinning: http://www.benchmade.com/hunt-series...a-cleaver.html

[Bushleague]

Originally Posted by IronNoggin

For a fixed blade, I tend to agree.

Cheers,
Nog

And as for folders I would agree with your choice as well, you can spend a lot more money on a folder than what a Buck 110 costs, and end up with a worse knife.

For folder vs fixed I think it depends on the hunter, IMO a fixed blade is superior in actual use and if the knife is to be kept in a pack or on a cartridge belt etc... a fixed blade is preferable. If one prefers to keep their knife on the belt that holds their pants up, which can not be easily removed when riding in a vehicle or sitting in a stand, then a folder has some extra convenience going for it.

I keep my hunting knife either in my pack if I bring one, or more often hanging off of my fanny pack, and I don't usually hunt from a stand or return to my vehicle once I start hunting... so for me the added durability and ease in cleaning makes a fixed blade preferable. I didn't always do things this way though, and in the past I've preferred a folder.

[vtecngsr]

I have used all excluding the circled one for skinning deer.
Top two on the right are Grohmann (newer; the folder 8 years old the #3 in the last 5 Years ) I would agree they do not hold an edge like older modles did. Bottom left is a custom knife my Dad had made for me, that one and the Remington above it are my two favorite knives.
That buck caper is incredibly sharp and agile but so small and dainty makes it easy to drop.


V

[irgendoeppis]

Victorinox lamb skinner

[Prdtrgttr]

Buck 110 hard to beat. I also like the smaller ones the 112. I've been to the Buck Factory in Post Falls a few times. They run a serious program down there, and have outstanding commitment to customer satisfaction.

[Ossie]

Buck knives are great, but stay away from folders (ie Buck 110 - the best folder IMO) for gutting skinning as they are a pain to clean afterward. Fixed blade that feels good to you...can't go wrong with Buck, Gerber etc

[element2012]

The buck folder is a great knife. The hollow ground blade is easy to keep sharp

[vcmm]

Originally Posted by irgendoeppis

Victorinox lamb skinner

This ^^^^

[Pathfinder76]

He makes a heck of a knife.

http://geneingramknives.com/home/

[Coiloil37]

Originally Posted by chuck

He makes a heck of a knife.

http://geneingramknives.com/home/

I suggested that too... but so far everyone wants to eat fish eggs from the bait aisle at Walmart and pretend it's caviar.

You've got good taste Chuck.

[Pathfinder76]

Originally Posted by Coiloil37

I suggested that too... but so far everyone wants to eat fish eggs from the bait aisle at Walmart and pretend it's caviar.

You've got good taste Chuck.

:-)

[vcmm]

Originally Posted by chuck

He makes a heck of a knife.

http://geneingramknives.com/home/

I'm sure he does.

[vcmm]

Originally Posted by Coiloil37

I suggested that too... but so far everyone wants to eat fish eggs from the bait aisle at Walmart and pretend it's caviar.

You've got good taste Chuck.

It has nothing to do with fish eggs. A knife is a personal thing to be hold.

[double gun]

Originally Posted by Coiloil37

Buy yourself a Dozier, Crotts or Ingram....

All excellent choices. There is also a bunch of other equally affordable custom makers who offer excellent bang for your buck. Tim Steingass, and james sponaugle are two that come to mind.

These makers all offer knives not far off many production knives in cost , but use superior materials, and heat treat procedures. They also hold or increase in value.

[Coiloil37]

Originally Posted by vcmm

It has nothing to do with fish eggs. A knife is a personal thing to be hold.

Well you like the lamb skinner. Here's a nicer, higher quality option with a very similar blade shape that doesn't look like much but damn does it work well for not only skinning but field dressing and deboning.



And your absolutely right, knives are very personal. That said, there are ways to quantify quality and there is a big difference between a buck and dozier, a victorinox and Crotts or a gerber and an Ingram. The steel, heat treat and geometry are important. Blade and handle shape are personal. Micarta scales will do the job, stag, mammoth ivory or anything similar and a guys paying for lipstick. At the end of the day a Dozier Yukon pro skinner at $220 is in another league compared to a over the counter knife and compared to all the other places we as hunters spend money is really a good value.

The OP asked for the "best knife". If it had been titled "the cheapest, serviceable knife for skinning deer" I would of stayed out of it.

[Pathfinder76]

Originally Posted by vcmm

It has nothing to do with fish eggs. A knife is a personal thing to be hold.

Well no, quality is quality. You can use what you wish, but knives are not all the same despite your greatest wishes.

[Bushleague]

Originally Posted by Coiloil37

Well you like the lamb skinner. Here's a nicer, higher quality option with a very similar blade shape that doesn't look like much but damn does it work well for not only skinning but field dressing and deboning.



And your absolutely right, knives are very personal. That said, there are ways to quantify quality and there is a big difference between a buck and dozier, a victorinox and Crotts or a gerber and an Ingram. The steel, heat treat and geometry are important. Blade and handle shape are personal. Micarta scales will do the job, stag, mammoth ivory or anything similar and a guys paying for lipstick. At the end of the day a Dozier Yukon pro skinner at $220 is in another league compared to a over the counter knife and compared to all the other places we as hunters spend money is really a good value.

The OP asked for the "best knife". If it had been titled "the cheapest, serviceable knife for skinning deer" I would of stayed out of it.

The OP also mentioned the Buck 110... a pretty good hint at his price range IMO, I think he's after a steak, not caviar. Furthermore, some of us would rather put every penny we can into tags, gas, and time off work... interestingly enough many of the folks I know that are heavily invested in high dollar gear spend a great deal less on these three things than do I and plenty others using "Wallmart bait egg" gear.

[Pathfinder76]

That is a broad statement.

The knives I carry. Very diverse price points.

[pkmckee]

Folding 110 and this: https://www.buckknives.com/product/b...ife/0673FAM01/

[vcmm]

Originally Posted by chuck

Well no, quality is quality. You can use what you wish, but knives are not all the same despite your greatest wishes.

"Well no, quality is quality"
Well after using the same Sheep skinner style knives for 35+ plus years commercially I think I've figured it out.

[Pathfinder76]

Originally Posted by vcmm

"Well no, quality is quality"
Well after using the same Sheep skinner style knives for 35+ plus years commercially I think I've figured it out.

Well good. I didn't say your choice was bad. But you certainly whined about mine. I have no patience for that nor the fact you have absolutely no clue if my choice is good or not, or heaven forbid better. I gave an opinion, deal with it.

[vcmm]

Originally Posted by chuck

Well good. I didn't say your choice was bad. But you certainly whined about mine. I have no patience for that nor the fact you have absolutely no clue if my choice is good or not, or heaven forbid better. I gave an opinion, deal with it.

Sorry you took it the wrong Chuck.
Like I said, A knife is a personal thing.

[Passthru]

Boker Plus Dozier. Holds a great edge and is small enough to get in those tight spaces

[graybeard]

Originally Posted by chuck

Well no, quality is quality. You can use what you wish, but knives are not all the same despite your greatest wishes.

So true Chuck.......

I will say this, a knife is a personal fit for a specific application.

A high-end steel knife and a low end quality steel have the same thing in common when they are sharp. The difference lies-in how long does the edge stay sharp and how may times are you needing to sharpen it?

The higher the quality of steel, generally the more expensive the knife and the less sharpening when used for the same period of time for the same application....

Sometimes it isn't about the steel but more about the romance of the hunt. And if grandpa, uncle, and dad all used a Buck 110 folder or a fixed blade Grohmann then, you weren't hunting unless you carried one.

Enjoy what ever you decide to carry.

http://knifeinformer.com/discovering...t-knife-steel/

[amosfella]

I have been very happy with Bark River Knives. For skinning something deer sized, and not having to sharpen in the field, no matter how dirty the hide is, I'd try a Bark River Bravo 1 in CPM M4. Or any of their knives in 3V.

I've found that after using a Bark River of any given steel, I'm disappointed in the edge holding of any other knife maker in the same steel. Mike Stewart is a heat treating wizard. I have several Bark Rivers in S35VN. I have a Zero Tolerance in the same steel. I"m rather disappointed in the zero tolerance's edge holding ability by comparison.

Thinking of getting rid of folders and getting or making a pocket sheath for full time carry of a fixed blade.

I also find the handles of the Bark Rivers to be the easiest and most comfortable to hold for long usage. I've had a lot of knives over the years.

As VCMM said, knives are very personal. Go into a store and handle a lot of them.

As for high end and low end steels, It's an interesting paradox. Some of the lower end knife steels can take a much sharper edge when sharpened than a higher end steel, however will lose all edge a lot faster. So, with the lower end knife steels, you need to run the edge over a steel a lot more to straighten the edge and keep it from rolling over.

[gtr]

I find if I get a new to me knife every year, someone will always want to try it out to see how it works. A Havalon is the bait this year.

[sns2]

Havalon. Sharp as a scalpel and if I lose it there are no tears shed.

[ROA]

If a buck 110 is your game take a look at the buck vanguard as well. I use mine a lot and give it top marks for the price range.

[1899b]

Originally Posted by Coiloil37

I suggested that too... but so far everyone wants to eat fish eggs from the bait aisle at Walmart and pretend it's caviar.

You've got good taste Chuck.

Not at all. My Buck 110 is a great 60 dollar knife. Never once have I ever thought of it as top of the line knife but it works for me. But good for you for conveying that you are pretentious when it comes to cutlery. I also made meat last week with a rifle topped with a 40 year old Weaver K4 and not an $800.00 Zeiss. The end result is what matters..