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Skinning Knives
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The skinner is the knife that does most of the work after the shot: a short blade with a wide, curved belly that keeps the edge sliding under the hide instead of cutting through it. Every skinning knife here is hand-forged with a full tang in pattern-welded Damascus or 1095 high carbon steel, 5 to 10 inches overall, with a sheath, in a range of handle materials and colours, plus the blanks for anyone who fits their own handle and the ulu for the traditional Alaskan crescent.
Choosing a skinning knife
Patterns
The classic skinner has the drop point and deep belly, 7 to 10 inches overall, in Damascus with hardwood, dark wood, micarta or coloured resin handles (the blue, red, green and purple pieces are handle colours, not blade finishes). The 1095 skinners at 7 and 8 inches are the plain high carbon working versions. The skinning knife blanks, 7 to 9 inches and a wide 8-inch pattern, are finished Damascus blades without handles for makers who fit their own. The ulu, at 5 and 6 inches, is the crescent knife of the Arctic, held from above and rocked through the cut. The skinning knife bundle adds a sharpener and cleaning kit.
Size
A 3 to 4 inch blade on a 7 to 8 inch knife is the standard skinner for deer and similar game. The 9 and 10 inch pieces suit larger animals and larger hands. The ulu is a specialist tool and a conversation piece. Overall length is on every product page.
Steel and handle
Damascus is layered high carbon steel with a visible pattern; 1095 is the plain high carbon steel, harder and simpler to maintain. Both take a fine edge and both want to be dried and oiled after use; the cleaning kit covers it. Handles are hardwood, micarta or resin and are photographed on each listing with the steel, the edge and the sheath. A skinner can also be built to your own blade and handle in the custom knife builder.
Related
The skinner is the small end of the hunting knives range; the bowie and tracker are the larger camp knives that pair with it, and every pattern-welded blade is gathered in Damascus knives. Every knife type starts at knives.
Frequently asked questions
What is a skinning knife?
A short hunting knife with a wide, curved belly and a rounded tip, shaped so the edge slides between hide and meat without puncturing either.
What size skinning knife do I need?
A 3 to 4 inch blade for deer and most game; 4 to 5 inches for elk, moose or larger hands.
What is an ulu?
The crescent-bladed knife of the Inuit and Yupik, held with the handle above the blade and rocked through the cut. Traditionally the skinning and kitchen knife of the Arctic.
What is a knife blank?
A finished, hardened blade with no handle fitted, for makers who want to fit their own scales. Ours are Damascus, sharpened and ready to handle.
Do they come sharp?
Yes. Skinners are supplied with a working edge; the product page states the finish and the sheath.