Looking for a decent Skinner Knife....

[Denis]

If you can find someone who carries knives by Mora of Sweden, you can get some excellent functional knives without spending a fortune. The German foresters whom I know swear by the Mora 2000 as a hunting knife - it's light, sharp, robust, waterproof and cheap. They probably gut more game in a season than many people shoot in a lifetime. The "Clipper 840" (stainless steel) or "Clipper 860" (carbon steel) are also fine, no-nonsense, knives. If you mooch around Mora's website, you'll see that they sell some of the same knives (sometimes with different coloured grips) under the "outdoor" and "craftsman" lines.

[Rich Jordan]

Any thoughts on the "Wyoming knife"? My Dad got one many years ago, but never went hunting afterward so never tried it.

[Termite]

rightisright,

You didn't say if you wanted a fixed blade, or a folder. Personally, I like folders because they are more compact to carry. My primary deer skinning/gutting knife is a Ka-Bar Dosier folding clip. At $20, it's inexpensive for the quality. Buy 2, and just swap knives if one gets dull, rather than stopping to sharpen.
If you want a fixed blade, the A.G. Russell Deer Hunter is good quality. Or the Bird & Trout, which I have.

As far a gut hook blade, fugettaboutit. They don't work so good, IMHO. A far better solution is to lay your finger along the back of the blade, and cover the point so it won't puncture the guts.
I also use heavy duty latex gloves when dressing deer: these, but in size large. They're about 18 mil, specified right and left handed, and have textured palms/fingers. They really help maintain your grip.

[Whirlibird]

Any thoughts on the "Wyoming knife"? My Dad got one many years ago, but never went hunting afterward so never tried it.

Actually they do fairly well but I get bad hand cramps from the handle shape.
The curved blade on the outside does a fair job for skinning but I like a little more edge.

And it's faster and easier to skin a deer with a pickup and a rock.

[Denis]

I have the Gerber knockoff of the Wyoming knife (it doesn't have the external blade, just the hooked one). I haven't have an opportunity to test it yet, but it sits well in the hand, and looks like it should work as advertised.

And it's faster and easier to skin a deer with a pickup and a rock.

I know about that trick. A golf-ball would probably work well, too. Around here, they tell us to hang deer with the skin on, and only to skin them when doing the butchering, as the skin keeps the flesh moist and clean. I think the neighbours wouldn't take kindly to my using the rock and vehicle technique, though...

[308Mike]

Cold Steel Western Hunter & Long Hunter

I recently got a Western Hunter, and that thing is damn sharp! It has a nice, long belly to give plenty of angle for a long range of cutting.

Right now, and until January 31, 2009, they're having their Special Projects Christmas Sale. The Western Hunter (item #XF36PE) is on sale for $21.99. The Long Hunter (item #XF36PS) is on sale for $23.99.

These sale prices are only good over the phone (800-255-4716), fax, or mail order with their form.

They also have some other items on sale for GREAT prices (Warrior series Katana for $241.99 - item #XF88BK), etc., etc.

[SeekHer]

Any thoughts on the "Wyoming knife"? My Dad got one many years ago, but never went hunting afterward so never tried it.

Actually they do fairly well but I get bad hand cramps from the handle shape.
The curved blade on the outside does a fair job for skinning but I like a little more edge.

And it's faster and easier to skin a deer with a pickup and a rock.

I used to use them and had a metal handled one and a couple of plastic handles and I also found that they made my hand cramp but did a beautiful job on game...The girls carry them now for quick work of rabbits and squirrels as they weigh next to nothing...I did find out that with the heavier, metal, one I could work longer then with the plastic ones...

we are referring to this model:


There are at least four or maybe five knockoffs of the tool...

They now have a larger handled version on their website: Wyoming Knife Co. also check out their saws which work great...I have the Model l and use it a lot but if I was buying another, I'd go for the Model lll...

The reason I ask is that this knife was at one time called the same thing...It is NOW made by Outdoor Edge Knife Company but I can't remember the original makers name and there is also four or five knockoffs out there as well...


I confess that I really like it much better then the little one but I keep forgetting it at the lodge and don't want to buy from the above company due to a personal bias...

[Whirlibird]

I have the Gerber knockoff of the Wyoming knife (it doesn't have the external blade, just the hooked one). I haven't have an opportunity to test it yet, but it sits well in the hand, and looks like it should work as advertised.

And it's faster and easier to skin a deer with a pickup and a rock.

I know about that trick. A golf-ball would probably work well, too. Around here, they tell us to hang deer with the skin on, and only to skin them when doing the butchering, as the skin keeps the flesh moist and clean. I think the neighbours wouldn't take kindly to my using the rock and vehicle technique, though...

You can use a golf ball but a rough rock works better, it doesn't slip on the hide when you start pulling.

If you can get the body cavity cool enough you can leave the hide on, but unless the temp is below freezing I'd really recommend getting the hide off and the critter broken down.
I've found that getting the meat off the bone as quick as possible, the meat has less of the 'gamy' taste and smell. But I'm dealing with deer and elk that feed on scrub and sage heavily.
I can get a deer reduced to package in under 2 hours with a good helper and an elk within 3 again with competent help.