My landlord doesn't want to spend $$$$$$ on a hunting/skinning knife...

[Captain O]

I suggested that this knife:
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41+ ... L._AC_.jpg

and a decent sheath would be a good idea.

An old-fashioned, simple skinning/butchering tool and nothing more.

Opinions?

[Quick Steel]

If he knows how to sharpen a knife, I think the old skinner will do fine.

[1967redrider]

Excellent choice. I also see a lot of those Havalons in use, pretty cheap but razor sharp.

[cody6268]

Great choice! I am picking up a Green River version to put my own handles on. I wish Ontario produced "blanks" like Dexter does. I don't have any modern Green River/Russell knives (some of mine are, in fact, close to a century old), but I hear that there are some issues with the tempering and heat treat on the modern Russell blanks. But given the Ontario are actually cheaper, it would probably be easier to just pop the rivets and then put my own scales on.


I have the 7" butcher, and it will take anything you throw it at. It handles cutting through frozen foods and most kitchen tasks, and I'll throw it in a Kabar sheath and take it with me in the woods. It cuts through brush, does woodcraft quite well, and is tough.


Around here, the Outdoor Edge knives are popular. I got one in 2020's POS Exchange and largely use it around the farm when I'm working with abrasive materials or the chance my blade will chip. The area between the blade and the blade holder likes to gunk up--a problem utility and Havalon-type knives don't have. They now make a blade for the 3" models (I have the 3.5" blade model) that is a straight edge Wharncliffe type.

[Captain O]

Well, I ordered one on Amazon for less than $17.00 and plan on presenting it to my landlord. It is obviously a "no-frills, no-nonsense" way to meet his needs. Not only in the field but here at the farmhouse. (It is, by definition, a highly utilitarian, blade).

I truly enjoy it when a gift won't just sit in a drawer, or on a shelf.

[Dinadan]

I am a bit late with my comment since you have already ordered, but I will comment anyway.

You do not say what he will be skinning. If is is deer or smaller, I think a Sharpfinger would be a better choice. If he is hunting moose or bison, then that Old Hickory would be a better size.

I may just be a wimp, but I haver never liked those knives with nothing to keep my fingers from slipping onto the blade. So once again Sharpfinger seems a better choice. And it comes with a sheath!

[ken98k]

Both green river and old hickory make an inexpensive hunting knives.
The only thing that I didn't like about them was the lack of a guard.

[Captain O]

I am a bit late with my comment since you have already ordered, but I will comment anyway.

You do not say what he will be skinning. If is is deer or smaller, I think a Sharpfinger would be a better choice. If he is hunting moose or bison, then that Old Hickory would be a better size.

I may just be a wimp, but I haver never liked those knives with nothing to keep my fingers from slipping onto the blade. So once again Sharpfinger seems a better choice. And it comes with a sheath!

He plans on hunting Roosevelt Elk. (There are plenty here in the Oregon Coast range) The larger the "swept area" on the blade, the better.

[OLDE CUTLER]

Great choice! I am picking up a Green River version to put my own handles on. I wish Ontario produced "blanks" like Dexter does. I don't have any modern Green River/Russell knives (some of mine are, in fact, close to a century old), but I hear that there are some issues with the tempering and heat treat on the modern Russell blanks. But given the Ontario are actually cheaper, it would probably be easier to just pop the rivets and then put my own scales on.


I have the 7" butcher, and it will take anything you throw it at. It handles cutting through frozen foods and most kitchen tasks, and I'll throw it in a Kabar sheath and take it with me in the woods. It cuts through brush, does woodcraft quite well, and is tough.


Around here, the Outdoor Edge knives are popular. I got one in 2020's POS Exchange and largely use it around the farm when I'm working with abrasive materials or the chance my blade will chip. The area between the blade and the blade holder likes to gunk up--a problem utility and Havalon-type knives don't have. They now make a blade for the 3" models (I have the 3.5" blade model) that is a straight edge Wharncliffe type.

I have made a couple of knives from the Green River blades. For the money, you can't beat them. Made in USA too. The smaller one is a drop point and is handled in zebrawood. The larger one is a belt blade which hangs on my Cowboy shoot belt behind the Single Action Army and is handled in stag.

[doglegg]

Both exceptional looking knives OC.

[ken98k]

To be completely honest, in all my years as a hunter and Alaskan Big Game Guide, this is the hunter / skinner knife that has worked the best for me.
https://www.smkw.com/rough-rider-guthoo ... 9990403895

[Dinadan]

That is an effective looking knife, Ken.

The knife that Captain O posted

Old Hickory

is also an effective looking knife, in my opinion. But that Old Hickory is over 13" overall with a blade over 7". Too big for my taste and the handle is just huge. Something out of the century before last.

[Captain O]

Gentlemen,

The pictured knife has a 6-inch blade, not a 7-inch. This provides enough of a long, sweeping curve to adequately skin/cape a Roosevelt Elk. Last night we saw a herd of between 10 and 12 Roosevelt Elk in a horse pasture not more than 2 miles from the farmhouse. A young bull that had been wounded in the leg was "bringing up the rear". (If only I had my old .45-70 Govt.Marlin we would have had Elk Steaks" for months).

<img src="download/file.php?id=560699&amp;t=1" alt="Old Hickory"/>

[Captain O]

The knife arrived on the 23rd and I presented it to my landlord today. Needless to say, he was quite pleased with the blade. I told him that I would be happy to "patina" the blade (and the exposed part of the full-tang) with a 20-minute, white vinegar-soaked paper towel treatment. Mark said we could do it another time. and thanked me.

Good stuff, Maynard!