Coyote skinning knife. What do you prefer?

mikegranger

mikegranger

Well-known member
Ok guys. I've used an Uncle Henry two blade trapping knife to skin coyotes for twenty years or so. I like the knife but it dulls quickly and has to be sharpened while skinning each coyote.

My question is: If you had your preference, what knife would you buy (production or custom) for such a purpose, and why.

Oh, it has to be American Made.
 
I only use forged blades because of the edge holding and are so easy to sharpen. My last was from Jerry Liarson and he used 5160 and it is the easiest blade I've ever sharpened and it stays that way for a long time...
 
Forged, stock removal, etc, has nothing to do with a knife's edge holding ability. Edge holding is a function of the type of edge and the hardness of the material, not how the blade was shaped.

For a heavily used working knife, either Crapshoot's replaceable blade, or a cheap stainless blade (like Buck knives) would work well.

If the knife sees heavy use you probably don't want one that "holds an edge". Very hard edges (RHC 60+) DO hold an edge well, but they are also proportionally difficult to sharpen. A Talonite blade is probably the best edge holding blade in the world, but you need diamond stones (and lots of time) to sharpen it (probably professional sharpening in reality).

When I worked as a commercial fisherman and was using a knife day in and day out for everything from cleaning fish to cutting rope, I carried a Buck knife (because of their no questions warranty) and sharpened it (sometimes a couple of times a day) with a file. Just a couple of swipes and it was good to go again.

Professional chefs and meat cutters use knives that have relatively soft edges and sharpen them constantly.

For a heavily used knife, edge holding hardness can be a disadvantage on balance. Easy sharpening (or easy blade replacement, lol) usually winds up making more sense. Get a good file and a cheap knife and you'll be happier.
 
Well, I went down to the local Taxidermist yesterday to get his opinion on caping coyotes for mounts. After some instruction, I feel I can dorsal cut one for a live mount. Now, this led me to a trip to Cabelas today. I'll dream up reasons to go to Cabelas at the drop of a hat,lol. All my current hunting type knives are dime store cheapies, complete with nicks and thick edges. I wanted something small,no nonsense, with a good quality blade. Small enough to put in my carry-on bag to New Mexico. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif JUST KIDDING! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif But serriously, I didn't want a Bowie or something Dundee would carry. I decided on this little caper from Knives of Alaska. It isn't sharp enough yet as it came in the box, but it will be before I leave. I have a good respect for D2 tool steel. Being involved with the machinist trade the last 26+ years, has familiarized me with it. Like I said, any reason for a trip to Cabelas is a good one.

IM002057.jpg
 
I have heard nothing but good things about Dunn knives out of Kansas he is using Crucible steel S-60V-- I think really holds an edge and trappers use these blades alot. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif He goes to many trapping conventions etc. Here is a link to his website- http://www.dunnknives.com/ --Greg
 
Dogwood I think that knife has either AUS-8 steel or 44OC. The website lists it with 440C but the Sportsmans Warehouse had one I checked out with AUS-8. So I would be interested to know if the one you have is D2. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif Thanks Greg
 
It seems every time skinning comes up here the Knives of Alaska Bear Cub is popular. I have one also and really like it. Mine came from Sportsman's Warehouse and it is AUS-8A steel with a different style sheath than the one Dogwood is picturing. http://www.knivesofalaska.com/catalog/pr...;cat=Cub%20Bear Paid about $48 plus tax. They also offer an Alaskan Super Cub folder in VG10 http://www.knivesofalaska.com/catalog/pr...n%20Super%20Cub They offer many good knives in many different steels with some not listed on the website. I have a gerber that works weel too but is no longer made.
 
I should clarify I do not doubt Dogwood Creek when he says it's D2 steel. I thought perhaps he may have been misled, I myself was surprised by the different steel used in the one Sportmans had versus what their website listed. I have had salesmen at the Warehouse tell me a Knives of Alaska Jaeger had D2 steel and he was wrong it was something else. Having said that, I think it looks like a good knife for the job, among others that use it I have noted to myself Qwagoneer had one pictured in his fur shed, and that guys skins alot of coyotes! I know Phil Simonski who is a noted coyote hunter from Oregon with a couple books out really likes his Dunn knife and speaks highly of it. I am leaning toward one or both of these knives, not sure which Dunn model I want though. Good luck Mike on you decision, let us know what you decide. Take care /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif-Greg
 
Hey Lungbuster, how have you been? I gave $39.99 for it at the Cabelas down in W.Va.

Now I'm not sure what the thing might be made of. The literature that came with it makes reference to D2. But they list some other steels and their uses. CPMS30V, 440C, 154CM, and S7. I am quite familiar with S7. We use a bunch of it for die punches. Of course everyone has heard about 440C and it's high Chromium content. Honestly, I can't find a direct reference to this particular model's material. I would have to go with what the web site said. Thanks for the heads up Montana Hunter. Could be they have experimented with various materials and haven't settled on one yet. I'll get a better feel for what it is when I go to put the fine edge on her. Honestly, the main reason I bought her was the fact that it is American made. There are a BUNCH of imported knives in the display case. I am a died in the wool Case Knife fan, being from PA and all. But, I have heard so many good things about these Alaskans I had to try one,R.J.
 
RJ-
I went to Edinboro University for a year and went through the little town where the case knives are made when staying with a friends family. I think it was Bradford?(Not sure) I love PA and some beautiful country there for sure. I think your really gonna like the Cub knife! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif Lots of guys speak very highly of them. Might call the Company or Cabelas if you want to find out for sure what steel they used. Take care-Greg
 
Hey Dogwood, I noticed your knife in the pic has the insignia on the opposite side of the blade than mine. I wonder if this is how they tell where it was sold. Also the type of steel the knife is made of is in very fine print on the blade next to the handle where it says Cub Bear.
 
There is in fact a number on the side with the Cub Bear. It says QC # 0059. I don't know, I hope it isn't some sort of clunker they sold to Cabelas. It was after all considerably less money than the others I have seen. Maybe I'll give them a call and ask about it.
 
Oh yeah, hey Greg, that is Bradford where they make the Case knives. I shot trap up there at the Bradford club in the Case Knife Shoot. I got a nice Trapper for 3rd place in the 23yd Handicap. It is etched as such and has the red handles on it. Super quality knife. I too like the country up that way. I have considered selling a little property I have here for hunting on, to fund a camp up that way. I would love to have a place up there to go kick back and relax. Maybe chase coyotes up there. I still may do something like that. If you are ever back this way again holler at me. We can hook up for a couple bubblies and B.S.
 
i skin alot of animals every year trapping. i also started to do a little taxidermy here and there and i got me a couple of Victorinox (sp) pearing knives. these are excellent knives for skinning. they keep a good edge for quite awhile. they are very easy to hit on a diamond stone a few swipes and ready to go again. they are about 4 1/2 inches long. i have skinned many coon ,yotes and caped out deer heads and havent had a problem yet. i keep two, one for hitting bone and one for skinning off the hide. got them on ebay pretty cheap. they are under 10.00 each. it took all i had to try them. i thought they would be junk but i had faith in the taxidermists using them so i got some and have never looked back.
my 2 cents
matt
 
I don't have any idea what steel yours is made of Dogwood, but "QC #0059" refers to Quality Control #0059, not a type of steel.

Whatever type of (knife) steel a knife is made of is probably less important to it's utility than how it was heat treated. With the exception of a couple of the exotics, how a blade was heat treated has more to do with it's final properties than what what type of alloy was used.

The type of alloy determines what heat treatments are possible and what the results will be if it's done correctly (sometimes a very complicated process involving computerized furnaces, cryogenics, etc).
 
RJ-
Maybe someday I can take you up on that! Sure is some pretty country, I remember some very nice people around there too! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif Thanks-Greg
 
I have that same Cub Bear by Alaska knives and love it. I think mine is AUS-8A steel. I thought I read somewhere that they offered it in D2 steel also but they were more expensive. I paid around 40 dollars like you did, at Cabelas.
 


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