Best knife for deer skinning.
Re: Best knife for deer skinning.
Navaja looks like a good skinner
Re: Best knife for deer skinning.
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).ShawnKirkpatrick wrote: ↑Mon Jan 21, 2019 8:11 pmThe 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.
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)
- 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)
Re: Best knife for deer skinning.
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.
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.
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Re: Best knife for deer skinning.
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 amMoran 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.
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Re: Best knife for deer skinning.
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
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My Personal Website ---- Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting ---- Spydiewiki
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WTC # 1458 - 1504 - 1508 - Never Forget, Never Forgive!
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Re: Best knife for deer skinning.
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.
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.
Motorcycle adventures in a past life.
Re: Best knife for deer skinning.
Me thinks the Enuff would be enough.
CG
CG
So many knives - so little funds!!!
Re: Best knife for deer skinning.
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.
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 S30V Military2 today)
“When science changes its opinion, it didn’t lie to you. It learned more.”
“When science changes its opinion, it didn’t lie to you. It learned more.”
Re: Best knife for deer skinning.
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
Just food for thought,
CG
So many knives - so little funds!!!
Re: Best knife for deer skinning.
Am I the only one that mentioned the Maxamet mule? Wow!
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Re: Best knife for deer skinning.
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:
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
Re: Best knife for deer skinning.
Did the title say knives currently available for retail purchase initially? It doesn't now.
Re: Best knife for deer skinning.
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. :)Pelagic wrote: ↑Tue Jan 22, 2019 6:49 pmDid the title say knives currently available for retail purchase initially? It doesn't now.
A day without laughter is a day wasted. ~ Charlie Chaplin
Re: Best knife for deer skinning.
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: