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Any info on where I might be able to buy a Custom Skinning knife. Wood handle and leather sheath.
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There is a guy near me that does outstanding work, but never really seems to have the time for new orders..
http://www.rain-shadow.com/knife_gallery.htm -
Leo — The world is overflowing with gorgeous and well designed hunting knives. How “custom” do you want? For pure serviceability and variety of design choices, check out Helle Knives. This year I skinned and quartered three elk with a Helle, and in no case did I ever have to stop for a serious resharpening, as was always the case with carbon steel and lesser stainless blades — a few quick strokes on a diamond bar, and this maybe twice in the whole operation, and it was ready to go again. While you didn’t ask about design, most experienced skinners I’ve known agree that a drop-point with smaller blade and larger handle is the ticket for maneuverability and torque. Big blades may look sexy but can be clumsy when you try to put them to work. My dos centavos.
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If you really want a custom knife I’d look locally first. Hopefully you can find someone that you can actually see his stuff before you order it. I live in a small town and have 5 or 6 within a fifteen minute drive. I like to shop locally if at all possible.
Interesting thread to me as “my” knife maker actually passed away a few weeks ago. A WW2 pilot who made knives with one hand and a hook on the other; and with glaucoma so bad you couldn’t see his eyes through his glasses. Still made a beautiful, inexpensive, practical knife. Last knife I bought from him for my daughter’s birthday, he said it warrantied for life….his not mine. You just don’t get that at Wal-mart.
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small blade big handle, definitely drop point. I know i can google it if i want but i do appreciate the advice from the users.
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Not to hijack this thread, but Dave mentioned Helle knives. I am considering ordering a blade from them to make a knife out of some deer antlers. Has anyone ever done this, or know of a link that gives directions. I have an idea of how to make it in mind, but help is always apprecieted.
Thanks
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Mojo — I’ve done it twice with smaller Helle blades (unbelievably cheap for the quality) — once with antler, the other with osage scrap from bow-building. It’s really easy in either case: For “slab” handles cut your wood, antler, whatever, to the length of the handle then shape it (I use a fine-grit belt sander for the rough work), buff the handle steel with fine-grit paper, and glue handles in place (I use two-tube epoxy. That’s it. To use a solid piece of antler cut it to the right length and drill a hole down what will be the top end just big enough to accept the blade tange with a little tapping pressure. Fill in the hole around the tang with epoxy. Bingo. Real knife makers will no doubt scoff that the crudeness of this method, but for an amateur it’s easy, fast, requires no special tools, and looks and works great. I still have an old Shrade that I removed the original handle from and replaced with a section of antler from my first-ever elk, (1981). Can’t count the critters I’ve skint with it over the decades and it’s still in fine shape, though set aside since I got the Helle. Not much to lose in trying.
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Have you looked at Bark River knives? Pick a style, steel type, handle material and you are good. Best described as semi-custom they carry a lifetime no questions asked warranty.
I carry a Osage orange handled Kephart for most of my field work although most skinning and butchering I do with a disposable blade scalpel.
http://i1000.photobucket.com/albums/af123/riddleofsteel/KPHFT_Osage_Orange.jpg
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I also own a Helle. It was a very excellent choice.
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