Awesome new knife from Phil McCracken!

[270hunter]

Hey folks, just thought I’d share my experience with Phil McCracken and my new knife. I’ve been investing in better gear like boots and a pack so I figured a quality knife was next instead of cheap can tire buck knives from now on. I’ve followed his work through pictures and details on AO’s knife thread and it was apparent he knew what he was doing. I figured a semi skinner would be an effective knife for butchering, caping and skinning in my upcoming guiding career not too far away and for now, my personal backcountry hunts. I went with:

Semi skinner design
1084 carbon steel (25 degree angle blade)
Orange G10 liner
Polished walnut dymalux handle
Brass pins
Tan kydex sheath with belt loop.














The blade handles very well in the hand and hair popping sharp. I’m eager to get out and put it to use on a bear this year.

I was very impressed and so was the rest of my family. Communications were absolutely excellent and he explained every part of the process and broke things down to a point where I could understand haha. He’s a great guy with an apparent talent in knife making. Very affordable for the quality that your getting, so folks… if your needing a quality knife, you know who to get in touch with.

[Wolftrapper]

That's a great looking knife!
Thanks for sharing the pics.

Yes, you are correct. He knows what he is doing and is an excellent guy to deal with.

[Smokinyotes]

Beautiful. Thinking I might be needing one

[Stinky Buffalo]

That knife is a thing of beauty.

Congratulations on the new heirloom, 270!

[sns2]

Young feller, I was also very pleased with the knife Mr McCracken did up for me. Your knife is a real beauty! It’s gonna be pretty easy to sharpen, but you still gotta know how to sharpen, so if you don’t, YouTube is you’re friend. And, make darn sure that you dry it, and wipe it with oil before you put it away. I’d recommend a small squirt pump bottle of Frog Lube to tuck in your gear or they also have disposable pre-moistened wipes. Keep er oiled, cuz she’ll rust on you otherwise, and that would be a crime. Patina is good. Rust not so much

https://www.amazon.ca/Frog-Lube-Past...8492703&sr=8-4

[obsessed1]

That's a friggen nice knife.

[CanuckShooter]

Pretty slick, can you shave hair with it??

[270hunter]

Originally Posted by CanuckShooter

Pretty slick, can you shave hair with it??

Yessir

[270hunter]

Originally Posted by sns2

Young feller, I was also very pleased with the knife Mr McCracken did up for me. Your knife is a real beauty! It’s gonna be pretty easy to sharpen, but you still gotta know how to sharpen, so if you don’t, YouTube is you’re friend. And, make darn sure that you dry it, and wipe it with oil before you put it away. I’d recommend a small squirt pump bottle of Frog Lube to tuck in your gear or they also have disposable pre-moistened wipes. Keep er oiled, cuz she’ll rust on you otherwise, and that would be a crime. Patina is good. Rust not so much

https://www.amazon.ca/Frog-Lube-Past...8492703&sr=8-4

Very cool product thank you. Yes he explained everything I need to know about oiling and rust but didn’t know about that froglube.

[Twisted Canuck]

Outstanding, that should last you a lifetime if cared for! Phil is also working on a little restoration project for me currently, and I will also post up when complete.

[sns2]

Originally Posted by 270hunter

Very cool product thank you. Yes he explained everything I need to know about oiling and rust but didn’t know about that froglube.

Frog Lube is good stuff. It is one of the more effective rust inhibitor / lubricants, and the bonus is it is all natural and non-toxic, so no issue using it on a hunting/fishing blade.

[badbrass]

He does very nice work! He has done a few for me and has done great knives! He knows what it takes to make great knives

[MountainTi]

Looks like a dandy you got yourself there 270!

[roper1]

Should last a long time. Beauty knife, be some good memories made using it. Well done to both of you!

[Savage Bacon]

I'm kinda jealous I thought I had the nicest knife he ever made. I love the orange. There are no limits anymore. And that blade looks to be a beauty.

Keep us posted on how she performs in the field.

Phil is also a great guy to shoot the bull with.

Sent from my BAH2-W19 using Tapatalk

[58thecat]

A knife for a lifetime and then some.

Very nice.

[Phil McCracken]

Thanx for the kind words 270hunter...appreciate it.

Although you could probably do it, this semi skinner design may not be the "best" for caping. Usually capers are smaller blades, kinda similar to this one:



Now don't laugh when I say this. I have caped my share of animals. Since about 20 years ago or so, I use a cheap Canadian Tire folding utility knife. When the blade gets dull, put a new one in. They are cheap, and I personally feel they are excellent for that job.

And to the others that chimed in, thanx also...

[270hunter]

Originally Posted by Phil McCracken

Thanx for the kind words 270hunter...appreciate it.

Although you could probably do it, this semi skinner design may not be the "best" for caping. Usually capers are smaller blades, kinda similar to this one:



Now don't laugh when I say this. I have caped my share of animals. Since about 20 years ago or so, I use a cheap Canadian Tire folding utility knife. When the blade gets dull, put a new one in. They are cheap, and I personally feel they are excellent for that job.

And to the others that chimed in, thanx also...

Good to know J. I’ve got a havalon replaceable blade knife that I will also carry then!

[Smokinyotes]

Well after seeing 270 hunters knife I think I’m going to have to get one.

[MountainTi]

Originally Posted by Smokinyotes

Well after seeing 270 hunters knife I think I’m going to have to get one.

If these pics of Phils knives keep popping up like this, he may end up with more work than he can handle
He makes a heck of a knife by the looks of it