Best knife for deer skinning.

[5-by-5]

Navaja looks like a good skinner

[Wartstein]

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).

[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.

[ShawnKirkpatrick]

That’s been my thought this whole time. I think clean up with a fixed blade may be a lot easier.

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.

[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.

[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.

[cycleguy]

Me thinks the Enuff would be enough.

CG

[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.

[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

[Pelagic]

Am I the only one that mentioned the Maxamet mule? Wow!

[ShawnKirkpatrick]

Isn’t the maxament mule discontinued?

Am I the only one that mentioned the Maxamet mule? Wow!

[Bloke]

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.



The little Buck Paklite gets silly sharp effortlessly and it’s a special for all fine work.

[Pelagic]

Isn’t the maxament mule discontinued?

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.

[Bloke]

Isn’t the maxament mule discontinued?

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.

[Crux]

Maybe this one?

[Bloke]

Maybe this

[Crux]

As you can see, I gave it a jolly good go. This is what happens when you forget your Spyderco.