Quality skinning knives

[riversrest]

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Thought I try something new myself this year. "Modified Ulu" style. Had the blade made from an old head rig saw for $100,- (smithing and hardening) and made the handles from a birch burl which I harvested doing firewood years ago.

I've skinned a medium size black bear with it and filleted a dozen salmon with it. No resharpening needed so far. I also use it to finely chop herbs, cut pizza, etc.

There's a bit of a learning curve to it but I gotta say it works well once you've got the swing of it.

 

[medvedqc]

Same reason that people don't only hunt with Remington 710 or Stevens 200 rifle.

Pride of ownership.

well sum up. a lot can be done with a victorinox lambskinner and a mora knife but what about the pride of owning something a little different hand made in a forge ...

 

[inthehizzy]

I have a couple of Grohmanns, a Buck or two, several Moras and a few customs. Any steel will do, even Gerber…

 

[inthehizzy]

"Steels" arn't meant to "sharpen" they are used to set the edge straight again if it gets rolled over during use. Those "wedge shaped carbide slides do the same thing mostly, it would take a very soft steel knife to actually remove steel and leave a soft steel edge. The only way to "sharpen an edge is grinding either with carborundum belt or block or a diamond file. Grind sharpening can also leave the edge "rolled" a slight bit and I always slide a new edge over a steel twice just to straighten everything.

A bit funny after reading all the build-ups to the Grohmann brand, my daughter gave her man one for Xmas this morning...he and i were grooling over this thing at first glance but that changed after the first good look at the cutting edge, a very easy to see occlusion was noticed about 1/3 the way down the edge from the tip...I suggested returning the thing but it was the only one in the store and he was so damn excited by it that he's going to ignor the blemish. I think it is positioned in the cutting edge just perfectly to "grab" when in use....but I guess it is his!!

I saw this comment and have to agree. I own a few Grohmann’s, appreciate the lineage and history, have been to the factory in Pictou twice. BUT, their quality and performance is…. “Meh”.

 

[fmb]

"a very easy to see occlusion was noticed about 1/3 the way down the edge from the tip...I suggested returning the thing but it was the only one in the store and he was so damn excited by it that he's going to ignor the blemish. I think it is positioned in the cutting edge just perfectly to "grab" when in use....but I guess it is his!![/

Possibly an inclusion in the steel, not an “occlusion”.
Contact Grohmann with the issue.

I’ve only had positive experiences with Russell/Grohmann tools.
My father got an Original (strictly carbon back then) from Deane Russell himself, passed to me and I carried and used it, then passed it on to my nephew. Still have and use my issued #3 in stainless (no CF markings but it does say "Canada" and "DH Russell" on it, another reason to like it), now in a Kydex sheath from OST. Best tool I own. I had an issue #4 for a bit and found it very useful at the time. I have bought several versions for friends and family. I have a newer #1 now that gets some use but, I have and will continue to use my #3 for just about everything.

 

[bruiser1]

I have several grohmanns, a few post knives and a few buck knives. The post knives hold the best edge by far. The grohmann carbon steel are pretty good too. They all work pretty good for their intended purpose

 

[wharforb]

I really like the Grohman knives ... not just because they are Canadian made, but because they work! I also love Mora's heavy duty carbon steel knives ... best bang for your buck!

 

[brybenn]

I feel bad repeating this but the best skinning knives I've used are dollar store breakaway exacto knives. That said I prefer a quality knife. I do find myself using my spyderco folders for most all my skinning as I always have them on me and they work great

 

[tokguy]

I've got a couple of those PA lockblades with the throwaway blades. Working knife, good unit.
Dad was a trapper from back when...he had nice knives. Some folks have watches etc. So to pull out a hollow ground 220 $ knife, wasn't that big of a deal. Getting it out of his hands...whole 'nother story.
So his skinners were like an 'Merican's BBQ pistol...a work of art.
Usually don't pack a good un myself...that's for the finish work when you get back home.

 

[brybenn]

I had a buddy loose his mind when I skinned a deer with a sebenza 25

 

[wannabe]

s35vn or s45vn steel

fixed blade cuzz folders fill with crud

 

[blakeyboy]

https://www.montanaknifecompany.com

https://www.montanaknifecompany.com/collections/stonewall-skinner/products/the-magnacut-stonewall-skinner-orange-black

try the link above for a higher end option that hasn't been listed yet, they have two different skinners, argali has a pretty cool lightweight backcountry one also

https://argalioutdoors.com/collections/knives

I've tried the super steels and have gone back to basics. Love the mora companion, got them everywhere, the go through critter no prob, I usually do gutless on the spot, and then touch up with steel is so quick. I use the yellow handle 6" traditional boning knives at home doing final boning and trimming etc. There's usually a havalon with a few extra blades nearby in my pack also but since running the mora I haven't really gone to the havalon, it's more of a lightweight back up now.

 

[Al Bear]

Haven’t read all the posted replies but it looks to me that you’d enjoy a custom-made knife. A somewhat unique design that suits your idea of something you’d want to keep in the family.

 

[NHunter]

clint chisan.

x 2

 

[stuckon308]

I went through a "knife craze" when I was younger. I bought all kinds. Custom, brand name, no name.

For hunting I usually have a handed down through the years Puma White Hunter on my hip. An Old Timer skinner, Havalon Piranta, and a Buck knife with gut hook on the end are typically in my pack. If I'm butchering I'll usually have my Henkel butcher set with me.

But the best knife that I have is a no name, made in China, 9" blade with gloss black handle kitchen knife that I bought from Salvation Army for $1 when I was a bachelor with no money. I have skinned and butchered a full deer in a pinch with it and had no issues. If it starts to get dull it sharpens very fast and easy. I love that knife.

You don't have to spend hundreds on a knife to get a knife that does a great job for skinning. But if you're looking for a hand me down go with a custom.

 

[wannabe]

I have yet to find the ideal knife that works for both moose and beaver....to complete a moose I use at least 2-3 knives and its hard to beat hivis cheapo stainless moras for the task...in the guts and the snow its easy to loose track of a knife....and they are easy to clean all the blood and gore off.....beaver work is much finer work for me and I like my spyderco moran skinner in VG-10 for that.....touching bone is hard on a knife edge and I try to keep one knife for that and another for separating hide from meat....

 

[gth]

Ron Post makes excellent knives.

 

[freddyfour]

A pic I took a few years back for Mr H4831. But the knife is a Helle and I can't say enough good things about it. Holds and edge for what seems like ever. Perfect size for me and has a great classic look.

 

[Species8472]

Way outside the OPs budget, but I use a Mora Craftline Pro C. I like how this one has a bit more curve in the blade and deeper bolster (Is that even the correct way to say that?) than my Mora companion or the classic Mora.

Within the OPs stated budget I doubt he can get a bad knife, thats custom knife maker territory...


Still below the OPs price range, but I like the looks of this knife, and its a made-in-Canada product:
https://northarmknives.com/product/lynx-hunting-knife-with-kydex-sheath/

Dooh! This post cost me. Got a Lynx on the way.

 

[burns k31]

Ron Post makes excellent knives.

Stop it. I don't need another hunting knife...

I like his model 300.