The serious hunters and expert adventurers always seek the tools serving them the best in the fields. Having the best hunting and skinning knife is a wise step towards a successful hunting experience. The hunting culture has unexpected risks and your hunting weapon is an ultimate solution for all the problems. Here we have listed down the best skinning knife ready to serve you the best in all the hunting-related issues.
| # | Best Skinning Knives of 2020 | Blade Size | Ratings | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Benchmade – 15016-2 Best Made in USA Hunting Knife | 2.67 Inch | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Check Price |
| 2 | Buck Knives 0536RWG Fixed Blade, Best for Skinning a Deer or a Stag | 4.5 Inch | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Check Price |
| 3 | Gerber GE31-001159 Modern Hunting Tool with Dual Knife Kit | 2.56 Inch | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Check Price |
| 4 | SOG Fixed Blade Elite Survival and Hunting Knife | 4.85 Inch | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Check Price |
| 5 | Mossy Oak Hunting Set - Best for All Skinning and Cutting Jobs | 2 - 8 Inch (Kit) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Check Price |
| 6 | Outdoor Edge RazorPro Double Blade Folding Hunting Knife | 3.1 & 3.5 Inch (2 Blades) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Check Price |
| 7 | Whole Earth Supply Razor sharp Best for Tough Situations | 4.5 Inch | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Check Price |
| 8 | Benchmade Saddle Most Popular Skinning and Dressing Knife | 4.17 Inch | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Check Price |
| 9 | Buck Knives 0103 Full Tang Knife for Professional Hunters | 4 Inch | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Check Price |
| 10 | Benchmade 15003-2 Knife Drop Point Blade, Wood Handle | 4.17 Inch | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Check Price |
Best Skinning Knives in 2022
The followings are world proven top skinning knives which will make your hunting passion a memorable one.
1. Benchmade – Hidden Canyon Hunter 15016-2 (Popular)
No doubt it is a very smart start of this list of the best skinning knives. This full tang, 2.67″ fixed blade knife with a thickness of 0.14″ is simply matchless in its unique design and features. It is a proven hunting weapon capable of doing any possible task in the wild.
Its American CPM-S30V STEEL works wonder in the fields. It possesses countless extraordinary features and has a corrosion-resistant and edge retention drop point blade that performs the hunting task with superb easiness and speed.
Its wooden handle made up of composite material is highly durable and withstand the harder and tougher situations. The wood is stronger and highly reliable providing a firm and easy grip in all kinds of weather.
The sheath is readily accessible and easy to carry. The leather belt can smartly be worn by the user to get the weapon out when needed. The lanyard hole is another feature making it a versatile one.
The knife is highly functional and suitable for skinning activities. The super sharp blade makes your work easier and quicker.
It comes with Benchmade’s great warranty and attracts the buyers with its cost-effectiveness and versatile features. It would be a smart addition to your knife collection that can do the skinning and other related tasks with great efficiency.
Pros:
Highly durable- Cost effective
- Lightweight and slim body
Highly durableCons:
- Low quality sheath
Low quality sheath2. Buck Knives 0536RWG – (Top Rated)
The second Smart addition to your collection is a buck knife. Buck knives are famous for its finest quality products and the lifetime warranty they offer in all of their hunting gears.
Its 420HC stainless steel blade is considered to be an ideal one for the hunters to hunt a small or large game easily. Its sharp-edged blade is superbly smart and a gift for hunters who are seriously interested in hunting. The advanced blade technology skins your game effectively.
It is the most durable, sturdy, full tang and highly reliable American made tool it will make your hunting experience a successful one.
The contoured redwood handle offers a secured grip and confidence that you can do anything with it. This beautiful high-quality knife is simply the best for skinning a deer or a stag at perfect ease. The handle is made from quality materials and suits the blade and proves its unique construction and design suitable for the hunting lovers. It comes with an attractive sheath that secures the knife fully.
It is the time to make this hunting season a successful one with this super-duper hunting gear which is actually a necessary ingredient to make your experience a memorable journey.
Pros:
- Beautiful redwood handle
- Full tang 420HC blade
Cons:
- Nil
3. Gerber GE31-001159 0539-0742 – (Best Skinning Knife Under 100)
It is specifically designed for modern hunters as it is a dual knife kit that offers complete field dressing. It possesses the myth fixed blade Pro, myth compact fixed blade which is actually the ultimate hunting companion. The myth field dressing kit is perfectly amazing.
Gerber has offered fine quality weapons that fight the toughest situation confidently. They are built with fine materials with perfect craftsmanship. The handle is really nice to handle and do the respective tasks. It allows the hunters to have a firm and comfortable grip.
It has a versatile piggyback-style puncture-proof sheath and the knife fits into it neatly. It also contains a build in carbide sharpener to get your blade sharpen either in the hour of need or when it gets blunt when you are in the field. The hook at the back of the knife is really good as it helps to open the skin and dress the animal easily.
Pros:
- Dual knife kit
- Grippy handle
Cons:
- Limited warranty
4. SOG Fixed Blade Knives (Professionals’ Choice)
The seal pup Elite is one of the most famous knives among the adventurers, outdoor explorers, and hunters. It has a 4.85-inch stainless steel fixed blade and has proven its ability in the military grounds. It has the sturdiest steel that shows real power.
It has an indestructible nylon handle offering a superb grip. The handle is 4.15 inches long making the overall length 9 inches. The length is an ideal one for the hunting job. The handle provides an easy and comfortable grip.
It comes with the nylon Molle sheath and secures the knife completely. The sheath with the belt is easy to carry and readily accessible. This versatile hunting gear is built with quality materials. It comes with SOG’s commitment that proper care of your knife actually ensures your survival.
According to the manufacturer, the knife is meant to perform the tasks last longer and they do work for a long time effectively.
Pros:
- Heat treated blade
- Grippy handle
- Easy to carry sheath
Cons:
- Nil
5. Mossy Oak Hunting Field Dressing Kit (Dual Jobs)
This great rescue knife comes with a set of 10 pieces, which includes the following.
All four knives enjoy highly durable and excellent blades that are super smart in all kinds of cutting jobs. They are sturdier, harder and have excellent edge retention and corrosion resistance.
Four versatile knives are part of the kit. They all possess green rubberized handles having finger grooves on it which provide an anti-slipping grip. The handle is actually handled with great comfort. At the end, the handle has a lanyard hole that serves the user for many purposes.
The pack includes 9.5-inch WOOD & BONE saw. The bone saw has a blunt hooked tip which prevents the sensitive parts from breaking or bursting while dressing.
The other included accessories are 7-1/2” X 10-1/2” Cutting Board; Rib Spreader Folded Length: 7”, Unfolded Length: 12”; HCS Knife Sharpener Total Length: 12-1/2”, Game Shears, Red Cleaning Gloves. In short, the kit includes all the tools and gears that are indispensable for one’s survival, hunting activity and outdoor adventure.
It is a complete kit that helps you to enjoy your passion and make your hunting experience superb. Each piece of the kit is equally helpful and unique.
Pros:
- Multi-purpose tool kit
- Awesome blade
- Customized knives
Cons:
- Nil
6. Outdoor Edge RazorPro (Best Folding Hunting Knife)
It is truly an awesome knife offered by Outdoor Edge, containing a new Razor-Pro double blade folder. It has replaceable blades with a signature gutting blade that helps you to open your small or large game without cutting the internal organs. The black coating over the blade provides extra support to the razor blade.
Rubberized TPR handle provides a firm, anti-slipping grip, even when wet. The grippy handles are available in black and give the user confidence and trust.
The nylon sheath and a Mossy Oak sheath secure the knife smartly. The knife comes with six surgical 420 stainless steel razor-blades. The razor-sharp blade works wonder and cuts the skin of the game as one peels the banana. The total weight of the knife is 8.3 ounces and it suits the hunting tasks well.
Pros:
- Replaceable blades
- Razor-sharp blade
Cons:
- Low-Quality sheath
7. Whole Earth Supply Tracker Knife (Most Popular)
Another trustworthy hunting weapon, its 4.5 inches blade is made of 1095 steel and it is razor-sharp having a super fine edge. It is no doubt a stunning Damascus blade knife that is genuine and layered. It is a real hard blade suitable for all the tough situations specifically hunting and bushcrafting. The blade is easy to sharp and superb to work with.
The 4.5 inches stag handle is 4mm thick and offers a secured grip to the blade and give a firm hold to the users. The handle is made up of fine quality natural materials. The handle is durable and beautifully made. The handle makes its overall length of 9.5 inches which is highly effective and preferable in case of hunting activities.
It comes with a high-quality sheath of brown or black leather, the sheath is made of genuine buffalo leather. The sheath can be worn in both directions and it serves the user as they feel it comfortable and readily accessible.
Pros:
- 1095 steel blade
- Beautiful sheath
Cons:
- Difficult to sharpTop of Form
8. Benchmade Saddle Mountain Skinner (Heavy Duty Tasks)
Saddle mountain skinner has simply no match in its extremely well balanced CPM-S30V stainless steel blade. Saddle’s blade is superb at skinning and dressing. This full tang fixed blade knife is highly reliable and possesses the specific design which is the most suitable one for hunting or skinning the game. It is made of fine quality steel and provide the finest edge and is corrosion resistant.
The handle is really good and provides an extremely secure grip. It is durable and its anti-slipping grip works wonder and capable of performing the desired tasks in all kinds of weather. The knife is super easy to clean. The handle is thin and liked by many hunters as provide the perfect hold.
The Kydex sheath is simple but durable and offers perfect accessibility. It is well constructed and provides complete security to the knife. It has a plastic removable lining inside it that keeps the blood off your weapon.
The knife comes with Benchmade’s limited warranty but this very promise that the knife will amaze you with its extraordinary smart features. It is undoubtedly the best product offered by Benchmade, meeting all the requirements of a field knife.
Pros:
- CPM-S30V stainless steel blade
- Rust resistant blade
- Beautiful sheath
Cons:
- Nil
9. Buck Knives 0103 Skinner
It is another wow addition of the list, Buck 0103, and has proved its excellent strength and edge retention. The razor-sharp blade is made up of 420HC Steel Blade and 4 inches wide. This full tang knife with an optimized blade for the respective tasks attracts the serious hunters. The fine narrow tip and a wide belly are helpful in many tasks. The blade is simply the best at skinning the game.
The hardwood Cocobolo handle had curves on it to give a comfortable grip. This beautiful handle possesses a brass pommel that balances the whole knife and provides easy control over the blade. The handle is super grippy and comfortable.
The high-quality leather sheath comes with a snap fastener, making it easy to sharpen the knife in the fields. The leather belt having so many loops is too convenient to carry and wear it as the user like. The sheath provides complete security to the knife and adjustable accessibility to the hunters.
This American made skinning and gutting gear comes with a lifetime warranty as it is the master tradition of Buck Knives to make finer products and offer a lifetime warranty. That knife gutted and skinned the deer like an easiest shot in no time.
Pros:
- Powerful blade
- Ideal for skinning the game
- Comfortable handle
Cons:
- A bit hard to sharpen the blade
10. Benchmade – Saddle Mountain Skinner 15003-2
It is another perfectly ideal hunting weapon having a high-quality CPM-S30V steel blade which is highly corrosion resistant and offer sharp razor edge qualities. Saddle Mountain Skinner is no doubt a unique fixed blade and full tang knife offering great strength and reliability having extraordinary functional abilities.
The handle is made of natural wood and gives complete stability and control over the blade and its respective hunting ability. It provides a firm and secured grip to the user and one finds it convenient to hold the knife with super-smart expertise. The design of the handle is specifically appropriate for hunting, skinning and gutting purposes. It is simple and thus easy to be cleaned.
It is a perfect size knife performing the hunting-related jobs at an ease.
It comes with the genuine quality leather sheath giving complete security and complete protection to the knife. The sheath is highly durable and has an integrated guard. It fits like a second skin of the knife to ensure complete safety looks gorgeous. The knife is perfectly intended for skinning chores.
Benchmade is one of the best knife manufacturers in the world and it claims to provide lifetime sharpening service and promise to be with you whenever you will need.
Pros:
- Fixed blade
- Super sharp edge
- Comfortable handle
Cons:
- The sheath is too fit that it comes out with the knife at each draw
This is the story of the world-leading knife manufacturers and million thanks to their designers and testers who test their functionality and usability in the real fieldwork and thus produce and then present these best skinning knives for professional hunters and passionate adventurers. Use the above-given guide to figure out the best hunting weapon for your next hunting experience n make your hunting season a successful one.
Also Check:
- Best Bushcraft Knives under 50 dollars
- Best Bushcraft Knife under 100 in 2022 – Top Picks and Reviews
How to choose the right Skinning Knife?
The hunting process involves many steps thus a versatile knife having special blades, specific designs and special features are needed to make it successful. The second step after hunting a small game or a truly large game is skinning and this can’t be done without quality and highly efficient skinning knife. It is a necessary item to be part of a hunter’s backpack.
Let’s discover the ways to choose a right skinning knife with the most suitable blade providing lifelong service to the users. The followings are the essential features a skinning knife must have:
1. Size specifications:
The very idea that a bigger knife works the best in all kinds of hunting activities is deadly wrong. In fact your purpose of using a knife determines its type and size. Your skinning knife will work the best if you are sure about your hunting applications and you know the size of the game you are going to hunt.
Knives of about 3 to 4 inches are suitable for hunting small game, an oversized knife can harm you or your hunt at the same time. Whereas while skinning a larger game your small folding knife will entirely be failed and you will need a bigger and stronger knife. So a knife of about 5 to 7 inches is the perfect one to handle your bigger games at excellent ease.
2. Fixed or Folding:
The above both are useful or useless entirely depending on your usage. Fixed knives are no doubt strong, durable and unbreakable but can be heavy and difficult to carry at the same time. Whereas folding knives are highly portable and lightweight. In the case of folding knives, you will have to consider their locking designs and process. Frame locks, button locks and lock back are some of the options and you will choose the one which suits you the best.
3. Design of the blade:
Now whether the knife is folding or a fixed one its blade matters a lot in making your hunting or skinning job successful and hassle-free. The blade design making your skinning chores an easy shot should be preferred. Here a brief description of each design of the blade written below to help you chose the right one.
- Blades having narrow tip:
Knives having a narrow tip blade offers to make the longest cut efficiently without damaging the internal organs. The gut hook feature of this knife helps to open the belly of a downed deer or an elk at an amazing ease. Such blades perform the dressing and skinning chores easily. A smaller and precise blade will work well in case of hunting and skinning a small game.
- Drop point blade:
The drop point blades are highly functional either to dress the animal or to skin the animal. The drop point blades are thick and curved and making it simple and super easy to skin your small or large game in no time. They are usually thicker at the tip.
- Clip point blade:
The clip point blades are thin with a well-defined tip. Though the primary use of such blades are skinning and dressing but this multi-purpose blade can perform all the camping chores easily. The clip point can be straight or concave.
4. Type of steel:
The performance, strength and longevity of anything depend upon the material it is constructed with. An expert hunter knows well that hunting is successfully done with the blades made of high-quality fine material. High-quality Steel, heat treatment, corrosion resistance, edge retention are considered the best features for a skinning knife. 420HC steel and S30V both are considered the best suitable and capable skinning knife. Such solid built fixed blade knives do all the skinning chores.
5. Durability:
A good skinning knife works for a whole lifespan. Your right selection will become truly right if it will stand with you at your every hunting experience. The blade of a versatile high-quality knife is well competent in all kinds of situations. The blade remains sharp and never goes fade throughout its use and all the other parts including handle, sheath are durable enough and never fall in case any emergency during their lifetime.
6. Weight
Weight is another important factor to be considered. A well balanced and lightweight skinning knife ease the hunters for a long span of time. Moreover, it is portable and can be carried anywhere easily and smartly. A lightweight knife is not only transportable rather can be maneuvered with great ease to do the right skinning process.
Whereas a tough and heavy skinning knife can give you a worse experience of skinning by making hands tired and giving you a hard time in carrying too. Lighter knife with a good blade and smart skinning features will give you a wow hunting experience.
7. Budget-friendly:
Though a variety of superb knives are available in the market at fairly high prices you need to consider the budget while choosing your knife. You should always try to buy the best piece for your money.
Do consider these best budget-friendly survival knives reviewed in detail that are top-rated and professionals choice.
Your budget is no doubt an important consideration in this regard. Hunting knives are available in a wide variety of prices, and you want to get the best knife possible for your money. So first take your budget into account and then your purpose and then the knife which is more appropriate and fulfils your hunting needs perfectly.
Taking the above-mentioned points into your deliberate consideration will enable you to choose the right skinning knife that becomes your true hunting partner and offers you to have an enjoyable hunting experience by saving your energy, time and money. Now whenever you plan your next hunting expedition, follow the necessary steps to get yourself a good skinning knife and make your hunting experience a successful one.
How to use a Skinning Knife?
After hunting an animal the next comes skinning task. So no matter what size of your game is, you will have to go through this laborious process of removing the skin from the meat without damaging the internal organs of your game and yourself.
1. Using a skinning knife:
For skinning purposes, a wide variety of skinning knives particularly designed for skinning is available in the market. But the purchasing process also needs you to make a sensitive and wise decision as buying of a high-quality modern knife doesn’t ensure proper skinning if you are bad at using it or unaware of its proper usability and functionality.
2. Specifically designed blades:
Specific blades are designed for specific purposes. It’s actually you who must know how to use that high tech tool just like a professional butcher at an amazing ease.
3. Loose attached skin animals:
Some of the animals have loosely attached skin like goats, rabbits, deer and squirrels. The hunter grasps the skin first then pull the skin from the animal’s dead body and slice the thin membrane of their skin. Skinning process of those animals needs a small blade skinning knife to remove the delicate skin and the hunter mainly uses the tip to do this delicate task. So in case of such animals clip point or drop point blades are the most appropriate.
4. Tightly skin animals:
Similarly there are some animals which skin is tightly attached to their muscle tissue by a thick and rough layer. Trailing point blades deal with such hard skin as they have the ability to make longer cuts to slice the game through longer strokes. The rough and coarse skin of these animals make the sharp edge of the knife dull and weak.
5. Suitability of different blades:
Moreover the clip point blades are considered best for skinning purposes and they are multi-purpose to do all the hunting and skinning chores. Proper care will definitely extend your hunting knife’s life. So if you need to store your skinning knife for a long time you need to clean your knife and cover it with some paper and finally put it in some plastic bag to keep it as sharp as new.
6. How to sharpen the blade:
You should know how to sharpen the blade if it goes dull, any wrong technique will harm your blade and decreases its life span. Regular oiling and proper maintenance will extend the life of your knife. You must know which oil is specifically made for knives’ cleaning.
7. Proper cleaning and regular maintenance:
You need to clean your blade through a cleaning wipe after each use in the fields. This cleaning process is temporary and proper cleaning must be done at home. For this, some special products and multipurpose cleaners are available in the market. They prevent the blade and handle it from getting ruined.
Skinning knife is an extremely important tool for hunters. The selection of a skinning knife may differ from hunter to hunter depending on what they are hunting and their expertise of using a skinning knife. The right usage of any tool will enhance its functionality and life and above all the user enjoys its use and feels its importance in his life.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What kind of knife do you use to skin a deer?
Buck knives are the most famous and professionally tested knives. They are the first choice of every hunter to use them in their hunting expedition. For skinning purposes, I prefer the open season skinner, which is extremely useful and versatile and specifically designed for skinning a deer. Its 4.5-inch drop point blade and the handle having finger grooves on it offer the hunter to do the skinning job easily.
2. Why are skinning knives curved?
Skinning knives are curved so the hunters can remove the hides of their large game with superb efficiency. Skinning knife having a short curved blade prevents the hides and meat from getting ruined or punctured accidentally.
3. What does a skinning knife look like?
The skinning knife looks like a special hunting knife having a wide short blade. They are excellent at skinning offering the user firm grip and a well-balanced blade.
4. How to sharpen a skinning knife?
To get your knife in the condition what it is actually meant for, you need to sharpen the blade. This process has two steps; grinding and honing. Grinding is the removal the metal and in honing a small amount of material is removed from the surface by means of rough and abrasive stones. You need to get the right and desired shape of the blade first through a grinder then use the stone to get finer edges.
1 thought on “Best Skinning Knife 2022 – Top Picks and Reviews”
Great Article, Thanks. It’s the first time I have read something so detailed about skinning knives.