When you’d be thinking about getting a new deer skinning knife, the decision-making about which one to choose would be a simple task. However, choosing from a variety of styles and functionalities available can, at times, be intimidating. Still, you should know a great skinner only needs a few distinct elements to be very effective.
Important Elements
There are various shapes for skinning knives, but the best ones have a fine narrow tip with a much more rounded base. The ovular design is an efficient technique that optimizes the available surface area while decreasing the amount of motion necessary to skin a deer. It depends on individual to individuals about what size and shape they prefer. The only thing to make sure of is that the blade gets to a fine point.
Contemporary skinners have started to use a narrow, sharp tip these days instead of the oval shape. You must know that thin blades are great for delicate work for precise taxidermy cuts, while the extra surface of a broader blade is great for scraping and skinning large parts of a deer or elk.
You’ll find a normal knife blade at least 2.5-4.5 inches long. One should choose a non-corrosive material that sharpens well, such as stainless steel or carbon hardened steel. One must avoid choosing corrosive blades as they don’t survive long.
Models with a folding blade, a fixed blade, or a disposable blade
A fixed blade is the most reliable alternative and the best choice for most hunters.
Another choice is a newer one, that is, disposable-bladed knives. They do not fold, but they are quite travel-friendly as the blades are separated from the handle. In that regard, it is easier to store it more compactly than fixed blades. But you should know that these disposable blades are thin yet strong, and they are intended for single-use only.
Talking about the fixed blade knife, they are stiff, sturdy, and long-lasting for all practical uses. In addition, a fixed blade is simple to sharpen as well as does not have any moving parts that might break or retain moisture.
Gut Hooks
You may find a hook in various knives’ blades. This gut hook is especially used to aid in the skinning process. The features of the hook are sharp, and it is majorly used to make skinning incisions along the gut without penetrating it. This concept works quite well, particularly when the hook is sharpened. There is no obvious need for a gut hook because, as a hunter, you can even without a hook easily skin an entire deer, elk, or another animal.
Personal Grip Preference
Aside from the sheath, the grip is the final component of a knife which plays a major role in creating a difference. A good synthetic grip made up of rubberized traction offers excellent stability as well as longevity. Following the field dressing and skinning a deer, you can very easily clean the grips without any hassle. All you may need to do is scrub them down and wash away all the hair, blood, and filth just by using regular detergents.
Wood grips are another option, but they provide less traction; at the same time, they are light in weight, appealing, as well as nostalgic. Most of the time, a wood handle is a popular choice, and the reason is its aesthetic appeal. Nonetheless, if you own a wood grip with a transparent finish, it would make everything easier to clean and may feel extremely pleasant in your palm.
You also need to consider the color of the grip as well. The reason being that when you are skinning in the field, it is tough, and you continuously need to keep transitioning between positions and blades. As a result chances of dropping your knives and blades on the ground is very high. This is why it is recommended to use a blazing orange, or highly visible grip makes it simple to spot the knife. It is surprisingly frequent to lose sight of a knife when skinning, resulting in lost time. If you want to avoid that, you might want to choose an easily spottable grip color.
Our personal favorite is on amazon – Amazon.com: Snake Eye Tactical 9″ Full Tang Tactical Knife with Sharpener and ABS Plastic Sheath (1148-BK): Sports & Outdoors
Read here for the Anatomy of different types of knives