A skinning knife is a blade with a curved edge meant for skinning and other tasks. They are most often made from stainless steel or carbon steel. This knife can be used to remove the skin of an animal, including rabbits, deer, and fish. Skinners have sharp points so they can puncture tough hides like deer hides without damaging the fur on the inside of the leather. The back edge of the blade is designed for slicing through flesh while cutting away at excess fat. 

Skinners usually have a curved edge which makes cutting through the skin and fat of animals very easy. The end of a skinning knife will usually be blunt so you can easily cut through bones or cartilage. This knife is used in many other ways, including for use as a small kitchen utility knife, for opening boxes, to cut fruit like watermelons open, and dressing fish. 

This knife may also come with a gut hook which makes removing the internal organs of an animal very easy. Skinners tend to be very compact and light with thin blades and handles. Their thin blades are more accessible to sharpen than wider blades and are commonly made from stainless or carbon steel (like 440C).

Historical Overview of Skinning Knives

Ever think about where these skinning knives came from? Have you ever wondered which country has the most coyote skinning knife-carrying population in the world? Using several sources including a book called In Search of the Skinning Knife, this blog post will uncover some "unknown" history of one type of knife that is often used to kill animals.


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The history of these cool knives is an interesting topic; however, it can be difficult to find reliable historical information. Since the modern skinning knife is a relatively new product, there isn't much written about it in books published prior to the 1900s. This knife is an implement used by hunters and trappers to remove the skin of animals from their carcasses without tearing or cutting it. 

It consists of a blade that runs from the center of the handle to a point near its tip, with a heel and butt at its ends which are formed into handles by either wood, bone, or plastic. The knife blade can vary in length from 6 inches up to 20 or more inches long. While some skins can be removed with only a sharpened edge, others require that two edges be ground for a smooth removal. 

The history of how this knife first came into being is unknown; however, it is speculated that it was brought into North America from Europe by trappers during the late 1700s. During the later part of the 1800s and early 1900s, more skins were being requested by citizens seeking to obtain higher-quality skin. 

Because of this demand, large companies began manufacturing skinning knives for sale as a commercial product. These companies reportedly made their knives with different degrees of care in order for them to hold up longer under heavy use by hunters and trappers.

Types of Skinning Knives

Types of these knives for hunting purposes are different from other types because the primary goal is to skin and gut an animal quickly and efficiently and, of course, humanely. Very few people want to see a gutted deer look like it was skinned by a monkey. A good skinning knife will have good weight so that it can do the job efficiently without requiring too much effort from its user. Here are the excellent options:

1. Fixed Blade Knife

Fixed blade knives are not easy to find, but they are a good choice for several reasons. They are almost guaranteed not to break, so there is little risk of a blade getting stuck in the animal and rendering it useless. They also tend to be somewhat longer so that they have more reach if needed. 


Of course, the downside is that they don't fold up small enough to fit in your pocket or even your glove box. They do tend to be heavy and will require extra strength on the part of their user, so you may want to consider pairing them with a smaller fixed-blade knife if weight is an issue for you.

2. Folding Knife

Folding knives or cool pocket knives can come in a number of styles and designs. They blend the best of both worlds in that they are easy to carry and pack out. They are also relatively lightweight, so if you have to carry one while skinning or gutting, you won't be too tired after using it for a few hours. 


While they could be considered somewhat safer because they don't have a full-length blade, it is still possible to lock the knife in place with pressure on the flipper button and then cut with the finger hole. It takes more time than other types of knives to get them open again but that is about all that can go wrong when you only need them open long enough to gut or skin an animal.

3. Tactical Knife

Tactical knives are a great choice for any hunter. They have heavy handles and blades that will cut through any job you put them to. They also tend to be very easy to open so that you don't need to waste time fumbling with the flipper buttons or the actual blade. Consider this skinning knife from a reputable company like Gerber so that you know it is built to last and won't let you down when you need it most. 

4. Multitool Knife 

A multitool knife is a great choice for campers or anyone else who spends any amount of time out in the wild beyond just hunting. They tend to be small and easily portable, so you can pack them in small shoulder bags with the other tools you need. They often have a number of feature blades on them, including a serrated blade for cutting rope and heavy canvas as well as a regular blade or two and some pliers. You will be able to carry it with you almost anywhere. 

Of course, there are downsides to this type of knife. They may be small enough to carry with you but they can sometimes be difficult to open and use if you need them right away. They also don't tend to have much weight behind their blades so they may not stand up well if you were using them for skinning or gutting an animal.

5. Bowie Knife

Bowie knives are probably the best choice for skinning an animal. They are longer, heavier, and more durable than other choices. They also tend to have larger finger holes, so you aren't left with a bloody thumb after using them for a few hours. They come in a number of styles and designs so you can find one that fits your hand and your style the best. 


You also don't need to worry about losing this bowie knife because it is attached to a piece of paracord or something similar that can be pulled off the knife or cut off if you need to leave it behind somewhere.

How to Choose Your Skinning Knife?

There are many different types of these knives out there, so the first step is to figure out what you'll use the knife for. If you plan on doing any hunting, a bird hunting knife will be best suited to your needs. On the other hand, if your primary goal is to produce meat and use it as food, a deer hunting knife or a camping skinning knife will work nicely.

Some people like their knives to look sharp and shiny, so a curved blade might be your best bet. A straight edge might work out best for those whose job involves a lot of rough work with their hands or who want the knife to look manageable. 

Another consideration is the handle material. For me, I like to have a handle that ergonomically fits my hand, but again this is just my personal preference; wood is considered better than plastic because it doesn't retain moisture and therefore can last longer. Lastly, you should also take into consideration the knife's size. The blade should be long enough to get the job done but short enough so that it easily fits in your hand.