I want a good versatile SHARP hunting knife. I know what I want but not exactly how to describe it... Want to be able to skin/quarter deer & hogs for sure. Nothing fancy on the blade other than sharp and will stay sharp and a medium length blade 8 inches or so. Also what a sheath that can worn on a belt.

If I can find pictures of anything I will post them to help with suggestions

Did you want it to be overall of 8" or blade? Take a look at some of my posts.
An 8" skinning blade would be very difficult to work with. I would recommend nothing over a 4 1/2 to 5 inch blade. That will skin any game in North America.
Come to think of it. I don't believe I've ever skinned a Texas deer. I use a knife to get rid of the legs a put slits in the skin then use a round rock,a rope and my F150 and peel the skin right off.

Here is a 9" blade which would be good for removing legs and quartering. From $90.

Here is a 5 1/2 blade skinner. From $75.

8" blade is giant and you want a medium?

Maybe a Sog fieldpup for normal size

GERBER GATOR FIXED BLADE!!!!

With or without gut hook you choice is $25-$30

x2


get too long on the blade and it's just in the way more than anything.

I think a knife is even more personal than a rifle (fit and feel). I would recomend that you go to an Academy and "feel" a few if you are buget minded. If you are looking at better quality look at the benchmade (folders) and Knives of Alaska at Cabela's or Bass Pro. (Yes, I know that there are other that are good, just those are my favotites along with Moore Makers) If money is not a concern look into some of the great knife makers here on the forum. As far a sharp, all of them will come sharp, but none will stay that way forever. When you buy your knife also buy a sharpening system (I prefer bench stones) of some type and practice untill you can keep the blade as sharp as you like it.

I highly recommend a custom knife. Outstanding quality, not mass-produced, and you get to help out a local.

Did I mention outstanding quality?

I just try to get good steel and stay away from knives made in China..

Used nothing but a .75cent Barlow knife with a 2 inch blade for years and a .50 cent wet stone. That was before we had all these different hunting/skinning knives to choose from. Find something thats fits your hand and is comfortable to handle. And learn to sharpen your knife. They all get dull sooner or later.

X2 on knives of alaska and knives made by the guys on the forum. all seem great and everyone on here that makes knives is very well liked and does great work.

Shane if you can draw me a picture or find one online of what your looking for, I can make you one. I'll help you design it and get you a price.

I usually go with a 4" to 4 1/2" blade for everything. But I'll make it however you want it.

I'll give you a list of the exotic wood I have too for the handle.

Knife will be made out of 5160 steel and garuanteed to be in the higher end of the Rockwell. I'll check it though and let you know its exact hardness.

I have used a Schrade Old-Timer drop point for over 30 years and haven't found anything it can't do. I'm not sure if you can still buy one. It has a 3 1/2 inch blade and looks similar to the Gerber Gator, but smaller. You don't need a Crocodile Dundee blade; it just gets in the way. Three years ago, I went on a guided elk hunt. My guide field dressed, skinned, and quartered my bull with a 2 1/2 inch folding pocket knife.

I have made knives for close to 40 years and will out and out tell you that your best buy will be a production knife to your liking. A name brand production knife constructed of ATS-34 will serve you well. You should be able to find a very good one for less than $100.00. Good handmade custom knives will start at at lot more.

I'm positive I can make a knife for him under or at $100... No kit knife either. All grinded out and made by hand. And plenty sharp enough.

Hand made or mass produced. It's not hard to find a good sharp knife. Theres tons of options. I just prefer a custom.

I'll send you a pm.

It is hard to beat a cheap Gerber Gator. I like them because I don't feel too bad when I lose them. If you want a beautiful knife that is also functional, and still very affordable, PM Big Tony on here. I got my son one of his knives and he loves it.

Thanks for all the input guys. I went ahead and went with a $40 Gerber gator II with gut hook from academy. It’s not what I really want but it will hold me over until I can find some pictures of what I actually want and get one of the guys on here to build me something.

Thanks a ton.
Shane

True, and I bet that Barlowe was a Carbon Steel blade, those take an edge better if you take care of them, but pretty hard to find a true carbon steel blade these days!

Nobody said Bench Made...??

I have a benchmade nitrous stryker and I like it much.

I got a browning escalade 3" skinner, and I like it a lot more than the custom knife I have. I found out that a knife that has a big drop point is pretty hard to use.

THIS IS THE BEST THING I HAVE EVER FOUND FOR HUNTING. If you want the sharpest knife you will ever own and never have to sharpen the best skinner is a Havalon piranta, they are scary sharp and will do a half dozen hogs with one blade. They have interchangable blades and come with a free dozen, all the guides are useing them and trappers I know because I sell them check them out on the web and I'll pay the shipping if you get one from me. One of these and a battery powered sawsall for legs, neck and ribs and your done in no time Guarantee it. t3hunter@hotmail.com

I bought a SOG Field Pup last year and loved it. Stayed sharp through about 2-3 deer. Got it for around $30 at Bass Pro.

Look at Katz knives they hold a great edge.

Check out the Buck "Skinner" knife. I have one that's caped and quartered a number of deer and hogs. I am pretty sure they are still made, mine is about 20 years old but still is the best I have used for said chores.

Benchmade Griptilian fixed blade works great for me!!