Best knife for deer skinning.

Discuss Spyderco's products and history.
User avatar
5-by-5
Member
Posts: 1082
Joined: Fri Mar 24, 2017 5:12 pm
Location: Puget Sound

Re: Best knife for deer skinning.

#41

Post by 5-by-5 »

Navaja looks like a good skinner
User avatar
Wartstein
Member
Posts: 15041
Joined: Mon Jul 02, 2018 10:06 am
Location: Salzburg, Austria, Europe

Re: Best knife for deer skinning.

#42

Post by Wartstein »

ShawnKirkpatrick wrote:
Mon Jan 21, 2019 8:11 pm
The stretch sure does look really good to me. I think it’s between the stretch, Moran. And Mule team. To bad I can’t afford to buy them all. 😔
I am quite happy that out of the three at least l own the Stretch 1 :) (two, that is. One in VG10, one in HAP40).
Top three going by pocket-time (update March 24):
- EDC: Endura thin red line ffg combo edge (VG10); Wayne Goddard PE (4V), Endela SE (VG10)
-Mountains/outdoors: Pac.Salt 1 SE (H1), Salt 2 SE (LC200N), and also Wayne Goddard PE (4V)
vivi
Member
Posts: 13846
Joined: Mon Oct 29, 2007 8:15 am

Re: Best knife for deer skinning.

#43

Post by vivi »

Moran would be my first choice for a Spyderco dedicated to this role.

Ark has a nice shape for skinning but the edge retention is low. I could see using it for rabbits, squirrels, small birds etc., but deers and other larger critters would be a bit much for it.

I'd much rather try to clean the blood off a fixed blade than a folder.
:unicorn
ShawnKirkpatrick
Member
Posts: 137
Joined: Thu Oct 13, 2011 12:05 am

Re: Best knife for deer skinning.

#44

Post by ShawnKirkpatrick »

That’s been my thought this whole time. I think clean up with a fixed blade may be a lot easier.
Vivi wrote:
Tue Jan 22, 2019 4:56 am
Moran would be my first choice for a Spyderco dedicated to this role.

Ark has a nice shape for skinning but the edge retention is low. I could see using it for rabbits, squirrels, small birds etc., but deers and other larger critters would be a bit much for it.

I'd much rather try to clean the blood off a fixed blade than a folder.
User avatar
The Deacon
Member
Posts: 25717
Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
Location: Upstate SC, USA
Contact:

Re: Best knife for deer skinning.

#45

Post by The Deacon »

I carry one version or another of the Stretch nearly every day. Much as I love them, I still think a fixed blade is more suitable for processing game. So, if I were to ever go deer hunting again, I'd carry my Moran Drop Point, Moran Trailing Point, or Street Beat.
Paul
My Personal Website ---- Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting ---- Spydiewiki
Deplorable :p
WTC # 1458 - 1504 - 1508 - Never Forget, Never Forgive!
User avatar
Mad Mac
Member
Posts: 2038
Joined: Thu May 28, 2015 12:40 pm
Location: Northern Far West Deep East Texas in the Dirty South
Contact:

Re: Best knife for deer skinning.

#46

Post by Mad Mac »

Stretch or Moran, close in price. If cost is a consideration, how does one get the best bang for a Benjamin Franklin.

On the one hand, the Stretch could ride on the clip in your pocket to enjoy its utility every day, like the Deacon.

On the other hand, the clip on the Boltaron sheath offers many carry options from vertical to horizontal or as a boot knife. If carrying a fixed blade every day does not fit your image however, the Moran could make a dandy kitchen knife to get more use out of it for your money and to enjoy more often.

Decisions, decisions.
1990: Endura SE, Delica PE, Mariner, Police. 2014: ClipiTool Bottle Opener. 2015: Kitchen Knife PE, Tenacious CE, Stretch PE, Moran Drop Point, Kiwi, 2 Byrd Cara Caras, Schempp Bowie, Native 5 Forum Knife, Police SE, Tenacious SE, 4" Paring Knife, 2" Paring Knife, Terzuola Starmate. 2016: The Spyderco Story, Terzuola The Tactical Folding Knife, USN Ladybug H-1 Hawkbill SE, Black BaliYo, Yellow H-1 Salt Dragonfly 2 SE, Hennicke Ulize, Pink Native 5 PE, Renegade C23PS and C23P, Gayle Bradley 2, Terzuola Double Bevel, Gayle Bradley Air, Cricket Blue Nishjin, Centofante Memory, K2, 2 Large Lum Pink, Carey Rubicon. 2017: Dialex Battlestation, Orange Southard Positron, Gray Baliyo, Native 5 CE, Tenacious CE. 2018: Schempp EuroEdge, Eric Glesser ClipiTool Standard. 2019 Calendar Contest Reinhold Rhino CF PLN. 2022: Byrd Robin 2 Wharncliffe, Byrd Cara Cara 2 Rescue Orange, Janich Yojimbo 2 CruWear.
Motorcycle adventures in a past life.
cycleguy
Member
Posts: 1487
Joined: Tue Aug 28, 2018 4:46 pm
Location: Arvada, coloRADo

Re: Best knife for deer skinning.

#47

Post by cycleguy »

Me thinks the Enuff would be enough.

CG
So many knives - so little funds!!!
User avatar
wrdwrght
Member
Posts: 5078
Joined: Tue Mar 01, 2011 9:35 am

Re: Best knife for deer skinning.

#48

Post by wrdwrght »

I’m not a hunter but years ago I worked with the Naskapi First Nation in subarctic Quebec. This work took me on several caribou hunts and I learned, then helped with butchery.

I had my Browning Skinner 1 (no. 4518; Gil Hibben-design), bought for the purpose in 1975. The pronounced belly on that fixed blade made it pretty easy to process the carcasses. But the 440C needed a lot of attention.

OP, I’d echo the Stretch (1 or 2), which has a nice belly, in a prominently wear-resistant steel (not VG-10). The only such steel I have experience with among the Japanese offerings is ZDP-189. Perfect for skinning, I’m inclined to think.

But, for perspective, I must aad that the most effective caribou butcher I knew was an elder Naskapi who brought a cheap paring knife to the task. This knife had no belly, and who knows what steel.
Last edited by wrdwrght on Tue Jan 22, 2019 11:34 pm, edited 1 time in total.
-Marc (pocketing an M4 Sage5 today)

“When science changes its opinion, it didn’t lie to you. It learned more.”
cycleguy
Member
Posts: 1487
Joined: Tue Aug 28, 2018 4:46 pm
Location: Arvada, coloRADo

Re: Best knife for deer skinning.

#49

Post by cycleguy »

I've skinned for years (elk, deer, antelop; the elk being the more demanding job) with a buck fixed blade in 420HC, works fine but it won't be anywhere close to being as sharp as when you started. I've always resharpened afterwards so have never tried to skin multiple animals between sharpening. Nowadays, I would buy a knife with a longer edge lasting steel and wouldn't have any problem with something like VG-10 or S30v. I've heard one hunter claim 5 deer with ELMAX without resharpening.

Just food for thought,

CG
So many knives - so little funds!!!
User avatar
Pelagic
Member
Posts: 2440
Joined: Fri Apr 27, 2018 5:49 pm
Location: East Coast/Nomadic

Re: Best knife for deer skinning.

#50

Post by Pelagic »

Am I the only one that mentioned the Maxamet mule? Wow!
Pancake wrote:
Wed Aug 14, 2019 10:20 pm
Are you a magician? :eek:
Nate wrote:
Thu Apr 04, 2019 4:32 pm
You're the lone wolf of truth howling into the winds of ignorance
Doeswhateveraspidercan wrote:
Sat Jun 15, 2019 9:17 pm
You are a nobody got it?
ShawnKirkpatrick
Member
Posts: 137
Joined: Thu Oct 13, 2011 12:05 am

Re: Best knife for deer skinning.

#51

Post by ShawnKirkpatrick »

Isn’t the maxament mule discontinued?
Pelagic wrote:
Tue Jan 22, 2019 5:48 pm
Am I the only one that mentioned the Maxamet mule? Wow!
User avatar
Bloke
Member
Posts: 5424
Joined: Fri May 13, 2016 12:43 am
Location: Sydney, Australia.

Re: Best knife for deer skinning.

#52

Post by Bloke »

cycleguy wrote:
Tue Jan 22, 2019 5:22 pm
I've skinned for years (elk, deer, antelop; the elk being the more demanding job) with a buck fixed blade in 420HC, works fine ...
Ah, much maligned 420HC ...

This little Buck (420HC) has been a favourite for a while. Fox pelts aren’t worth (in $AU) the time, effort or salt involved in skinning and preserving them but I do take the occasional one. :rolleyes:

Image

The little Buck Paklite gets silly sharp effortlessly and it’s a special for all fine work. :)
A day without laughter is a day wasted. ~ Charlie Chaplin
User avatar
Pelagic
Member
Posts: 2440
Joined: Fri Apr 27, 2018 5:49 pm
Location: East Coast/Nomadic

Re: Best knife for deer skinning.

#53

Post by Pelagic »

ShawnKirkpatrick wrote:
Tue Jan 22, 2019 6:26 pm
Isn’t the maxament mule discontinued?
Pelagic wrote:
Tue Jan 22, 2019 5:48 pm
Am I the only one that mentioned the Maxamet mule? Wow!
Did the title say knives currently available for retail purchase initially? It doesn't now.
Pancake wrote:
Wed Aug 14, 2019 10:20 pm
Are you a magician? :eek:
Nate wrote:
Thu Apr 04, 2019 4:32 pm
You're the lone wolf of truth howling into the winds of ignorance
Doeswhateveraspidercan wrote:
Sat Jun 15, 2019 9:17 pm
You are a nobody got it?
User avatar
Bloke
Member
Posts: 5424
Joined: Fri May 13, 2016 12:43 am
Location: Sydney, Australia.

Re: Best knife for deer skinning.

#54

Post by Bloke »

Pelagic wrote:
Tue Jan 22, 2019 6:49 pm
ShawnKirkpatrick wrote:
Tue Jan 22, 2019 6:26 pm
Isn’t the maxament mule discontinued?
Pelagic wrote:
Tue Jan 22, 2019 5:48 pm
Am I the only one that mentioned the Maxamet mule? Wow!
Did the title say knives currently available for retail purchase initially? It doesn't now.
I’d jump at a Maxamet for 420HC swap in the little knife above but I think you can do better than a Mule for a skinner. :)
A day without laughter is a day wasted. ~ Charlie Chaplin
User avatar
Crux
Member
Posts: 1361
Joined: Tue Apr 24, 2018 9:29 pm
Location: North Carolina USA

Re: Best knife for deer skinning.

#55

Post by Crux »

Maybe this one?
Attachments
300+2.jpg
Can you find it and can it cut? :eek:
User avatar
Bloke
Member
Posts: 5424
Joined: Fri May 13, 2016 12:43 am
Location: Sydney, Australia.

Re: Best knife for deer skinning.

#56

Post by Bloke »

Crux wrote:
Tue Jan 22, 2019 9:06 pm
Maybe this
Image
A day without laughter is a day wasted. ~ Charlie Chaplin
User avatar
Crux
Member
Posts: 1361
Joined: Tue Apr 24, 2018 9:29 pm
Location: North Carolina USA

Re: Best knife for deer skinning.

#57

Post by Crux »

As you can see, I gave it a jolly good go. This is what happens when you forget your Spyderco. :(
Can you find it and can it cut? :eek:
Post Reply