Hunting a furry or large ungulate animal is considered a specific occupation that requires certain skills and abilities. The main thing is not just to track down and shoot the beast, you also need to know how to process the trophy so as not to spoil it. Any hunting includes such procedures as skinning the prey, skinning, gutting, cutting the carcass for transportation. At the same time, cartilage and meat are separated from bones, the skull, horns, fangs and other trophy parts are selected.
All these operations are impossible without the use of a knife. Since almost all the work is done by the hunter on his own, questions regarding the convenience of the blade, its shape, dimensions are quite acute, since a good choice can significantly increase the speed, quality and efficiency of work.
History
The classic hunting knife has proven its effectiveness in solving everyday problems that arise during a stay in the forest. With such a tool it is convenient to chop branches for a fire, open a tin can or cut something. They can do withoutspecial labor to perform rough work: remove the skin of a hunted animal, extract the insides or split the carcass along the ridge. But for use in subsequent procedures associated with skinning and requiring special subtlety, classic hunting knives are not suitable. For such work, it is necessary to use special average weapon options that combine all the advantages of hunting models.
In the process of searching and developing such blades, a new specific option appeared - the Skinner knife. It was developed by white professional hunters in Africa. In their activities, they were forced to use all kinds of models: drop-shaped, with a false blade or hooks on part of the butt, with a point that did not fall completely, etc.
Hunting knives "Skinners" are considered to be an ideal variant of the weapon, designed purely for skinning the hunted animal. They got their name from the English word “skin”, which means “skin” in translation.
Features of the structure of the knife for skinning and cutting
The presence of a “skinner arc” is considered to be a distinctive feature of this weapon. According to reviews, "Skinner" is a knife that is very convenient for ripping and trimming the skin, separating it from meat and cutting tendons. The longer the “skinner arc” of the knife used, the more comfortable it is to work with such a tool. The Skinner knife has a sharply curved blade to the point, which significantly increases its cutting properties. Due to its special shape among hunters and connoisseurs of edged weapons, it is called a “crooked hunting knife.”
Usuallysharpen with a wedge. Such a sharpening for such a knife is considered the most optimal, since it excludes additional dressing of the blade when butchering a deer or another large animal equal in size to it.
The skinning process can be considered ideal if the skin is easily separated from all game. The ease of this procedure is significantly affected by both the method of sharpening and the good choice of steel from which the knife is made. "Skinner" has a special emphasis on its handle for the index finger. This stop is located on the blade in the part where the blade acts as a guard - a limiter that prevents possible slipping of the hand and its damage.
The butt of the carcass knife also has a notched thumb stop.
Such a knife, except for the upturned tip, can also be equipped with a special hook used when ripping.
Knives "Skinner" can have different sizes. It all depends on the task for which they are intended. Mostly medium-sized tools are used for skinning animals, while for poultry, knives with smaller dimensions are convenient to use.
Many experienced hunters know that wide and long knives are completely unsuitable for working with fur-bearing animals, as one wrong move can ruin valuable fur. The Skinner folding knife is considered ideal for such work.
Often, experienced hunters carry with them, despite their considerable weight, several knives, each of which is adapted for one or anotheroperations.
Knife Requirements
It is desirable that the knife contains as few metal parts as possible. This will protect the possible freezing of the skin to the handle when working in the cold.
- The thickness of the blade must be able to withstand shear loads during the cutting process.
- The design of the tool must contain stiffeners that increase its resistance to all loads acting perpendicular to the blade.
- The curved shape of the blade will save power during cutting.
- The edge of the knife should be thin. This will ensure that delicate work can be carried out.
Knife "Skinner": a classic
The classic form of a knife for skinning among hunters is considered to be a knife, a narrow elongated blade of which has a point turned up. Particular attention should be paid to the balance of the knife: the degree of fatigue of the specialist in the process of cutting the skin depends on this factor. A well-balanced knife allows the hunter to work for a long time without feeling any fatigue.
The classic Skinner knife, according to the law, is not a dangerous melee weapon if its tip is raised up above the butt by 0.5 cm. This is due to the fact that blades of this shape lose their piercing properties and are effective only when skinned or section. The Skinner knife, the photo of which is given in the article, refers precisely to such products.
How to make your own knife?
Many experienced hunters prefer to work with homemade knivesfor sanding. This can be partly explained by the desire to save money. But in most cases, hand-made Skinners are preferred due to the possible consideration in their design of the individual characteristics of the specialists working with them. Reviewers believe this is especially important when skinning, as hunters mostly have to do this without outside help.
According to reviews, making a Skinner knife with your own hands will not be difficult.
To do this, you need to have an idea about its design and parameters: determine the length of the handle and blade.
Crafted using materials:
- Section of steel strip. The most optimal option is the X12MF brand. This steel is considered the most suitable for hunting knives.
- Brass or aluminum for the safety stop and the manufacture of the threaded pommel - in case the knife is supposed to have a type-setting rather than a riveted handle.
- Pieces of leather as a set of elements for the handle.
- Epoxy glue. Used to glue leather.
- Stain and varnish for processing wooden handles.
The design of a Skinner knife, made by hand, may differ slightly from generally accepted classical standards. The main thing in a homemade tool is ease of use, taking into account all the features and preferences with the ability to correct possible shortcomings in the future.
What should I pay attention to when making?
One of the main requirements for sanding knives isthe width of his blade is considered. According to generally accepted standards, it should not be less than three fingers.
Of no small importance for a knife is its thickness. With a significant thickness, the blade may become heavier, and a decrease in the cutting properties of the tool is also possible. This is not particularly noticeable with short knives, but becomes a big problem with long ones. This can be de alt with by forging, gradually reducing the thickness of the knife towards the tip, which will ensure a reduction in the mass of the tool. You can also equip the blade with fullers in the part closer to the butt.
Ceramic knife
Ceramic blades are not uncommon these days. The advantage of such knives is their high hardness, which extends the service life of these products. The second advantage of such a tool is its high corrosion resistance. The ceramic knife is lightweight and is not attracted by a magnet. The disadvantage of knives is their weak flexibility, which makes the products vulnerable to breakage.
Survival Knife
As a tool for use in extreme conditions, the special knife "Aitor Country Skinner" is widely popular. Spain, his homeland, has long been famous for the production of edged bladed weapons. The cities of Toledo and Albacete are known as the places where the largest centers in the world are concentrated, specializing in the manufacture of combat blades, decorative and souvenir items stylized as modern and medieval edged weapons.
The company "Aitor" is located relatively far from the well-known arms centers in Spain. This factor determined the peculiarities of the original style of the produced blade items.
According to their parameters, the models manufactured by the company comply with the state standards of the Russian Federation. Close business cooperation between the Spanish company "Aitor" and the Russian Federation allows supplying Russian arms counters with a variety of products: tourist, sports, cutting and skinning, which have passed state certification.
The small Skinner knife is an accessory and comes with a large tool for survival in extreme conditions. It is located in a special sheath made of plastic, and, according to reviews, is a great addition that provides some comfort when performing intended actions.
The blade is used as a skinning device. By connecting it to steel pins folded back from the bottom of the scabbard, the Skinner can also be used as a slingshot. In the production of the blade, two colors are used - black and gray.
Included in the kit are a flint, mirror, whetstones located in special sections, the function of which is to give signals, light a fire, and use it as a slingshot during hunting. The handle of the large knife is equipped with holes for fishing hooks, needles, plasters, tweezers and other things needed in the field.
Spanish knife "Skinner" is one of themost popular among Russian consumers.
