Best Skinning knife for $200 - Page 14

spurly · #**391** 02-05-2022, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dean2

I don't have Facebook or Instagram so I used email. Response was very good, took no time at all to sort it out. The contact form on their website looks like it works but it really doesn't, as that is how I first tried to contact him.

crottsknives@gmail.com

Spurly - it would be well worth your time to read this thread from the top. There is a ton of great info provided by a couple of guys on Crotts and Dozier knives in here.

Perfect Thank you.

Pathfinder76 · #**392** 02-05-2022, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jungleboy

The Crotts still has a wider blade profile and the drop point isn’t as pronounced as the old timer. That might be an optical illusion because of the handle shape though .

The Crotts has a fairly pronounced drop. I would actually say the opposite

Pathfinder76 · #**393** 02-05-2022, 10:18 AM

Here is one with a shallower profile.

spurly · #**394** 02-05-2022, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck

Here is one with a shallower profile.

That’s a nice knife, what’s something like that worth CDN?

urban rednek · #**395** 02-05-2022, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spurly

Those CROTTS knives are very nice, Is there a Canadian dealer, or do the come out of the US?

There is a quite a bit of information on the Crotts knives in these threads as well:
http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?t=352402
http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?p=4285595
http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?p=4254843

Look for the posts by coiloil37 for info and photos of several makes and styles.

Glion · #**396** 02-05-2022, 10:54 AM

Just got this blade made by a guy by Darwell. Gerrys blades.
I found he does excellent work, I can't seem to upload more pictures

Pathfinder76 · #**397** 02-05-2022, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spurly

That’s a nice knife, what’s something like that worth CDN?

It’s around $250 USD

spurly · #**398** 02-05-2022, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck

It’s around $250 USD

Thanks

Phil McCracken · #**399** 02-05-2022, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck

There hasn’t been much discussion on useful blade shape for a hunting knife. I’ve gone down a bit of a rabbit hole looking for ideal shape and size but find very little really good knives for this purpose. Is anyone else finding similar things?

Ross Seyfried wrote an article on blade shape years ago and I finally found it in my stack of magazines. Honestly the only really helpful article I’ve read on the subject.

You are right about that. I have designed a few. Have hunted for 45+ years, and seen many hunting knives.

In regards to general hunting blade, I prefer a drop point, with a blade length under 3 1/2". Or a skinner of the same length, or shorter. That's just me.

I guess what I am trying to say is for a general purpose hunting knife, I don't believe you require a "long" blade. Longer blades will also weaken your wrist quicker than a short blade.

I just finished a couple:

To top one is a drop point with a 3 1/4" blade. Handle made of African Blackwood (front), and Olive wood.

Bottom is a 3" skinner. Handle is made of Padauk (front), and Bird's Eye Maple.

Not as nice as some posted, but I know they are functional, and I am happy with them.

Unfortunately, I haven't dipped my hands in leather work yet...but maybe one day I will...

spurly · #**400** 02-05-2022, 02:04 PM

Nice work.

WinFwt · #**401** 02-05-2022, 03:15 PM

Good looking knives Phil.
They look like they would be very comfortable in the hand.

I agree with you 100% on the shorter blade length vs. a longer blade.

Keep the leather work basic and functional to start. You can get buy with some very basic tools, probably already in your tool box, and some quality 7-9 oz. leather. Lots of good how-to's on the internet. Every knife needs a solid sheath to protect both it and the user.

spurly · #**402** 02-05-2022, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by urban rednek

There is a quite a bit of information on the Crotts knives in these threads as well:
http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?t=352402
http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?p=4285595
http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?p=4254843

Look for the posts by coiloil37 for info and photos of several makes and styles.

Sure some nice knives. Not very often you see them come up for re sale.

Coiloil37 · #**403** 02-05-2022, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jungleboy

The Crotts still has a wider blade profile and the drop point isn’t as pronounced as the old timer. That might be an optical illusion because of the handle shape though .

I had one like that for a caping knife

It worked fine for that task but no better then my semi skinner and was dead wrong for most other tasks. Small game??? Perhaps. I used it on a few coyotes but grew to hate the tip and lack of curve in the blade. Knives like it and your sharpfinger have to much tip that catches and digs into the meat when your just trying to cut hide.
The sharpfinger didn’t suit me at all either. I have one left over from my grandfathers estate but both the blade shape and blade to handle geometry irritate me to no end. The way the handle curves to the same side as the cutting edge helps open animals when it’s held with the apex up but hurts performance when it’s held in the reverse as your hand ends up below or in the medium your trying to cut, ahead of the cut. That leads to lifting the back of the knife up and using the tip of the blade to do the work.

For a drop point these were probably the best I found/owned.

And the top one here.

But all gave up a lot of performance to the semi skinner and didn’t do one single task as well or better then the semi skinner did.

For “skinners” like that master skinner above in white paper micarta or this one

They did nothing, not even skin as well as the semi skinner does. Just like being overweight that belly did nothing but get in the way.

spurly · #**404** 02-05-2022, 06:16 PM

Is the handle in the second pic. Some sort of sheep horn?

Phil McCracken · #**405** 02-05-2022, 07:18 PM

Oh Boy...

I obviously need photography tips...some pics here are awesome!...

Coiloil37 · #**406** 02-05-2022, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spurly

Is the handle in the second pic. Some sort of sheep horn?

Yes it’s called Himalayan sheep horn. Last I saw that was a $75 up charge over micarta.

Mine was kinda bland but if I had the opportunity to buy this particular sweetwater I would. The sheep horn is gorgeous imo. Assuming the other side scales matched.

spurly · #**407** 02-05-2022, 07:50 PM

Looks great.

CranePete · #**408** 02-05-2022, 09:06 PM

I think the answer, so far, is the skinner in the P.I.F. thread…

ovis40 · #**409** 02-05-2022, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MountainTi

You'd Be surprised how many that skin/cape for a living use paring knives like that

That all I used for caping when I was guiding! Had a couple in my pack at all times.

spurly · #**410** 02-06-2022, 12:52 PM

Any of these CROTTS knives for sale?

Pathfinder76 · #**411** 02-06-2022, 06:18 PM

This one is a nice design. 3” blade and just under 1” blade depth.

obsessed1 · #**412** 02-06-2022, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck

This one is a nice design. 3” blade and just under 1” blade depth.

That drop point design is very close to perfect for me blade wise...I used to think I needed a slight belly to keep the blade cutting through my stroke but after using a blade with less belly and a bit more up sweep ( point still well below the spine) I found the belly just didn't cut as well and wasted energy. 2.5-3" blade length is right about perfect. I like hollow ground w secondary bevel on a hunting knife whereas on a general duty or bushcraft I tend to like flat grind.

Ken3134 · #**413** 02-06-2022, 07:34 PM

Got my Crotts knife, overall very happy with it. Look forward to trying it out this fall! Fit and finish is excellent, extremely sharp. Very nice wood.

spurly · #**414** 02-06-2022, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken3134

Got my Crotts knife, overall very happy with it. Look forward to trying it out this fall! Fit and finish is excellent, extremely sharp. Very nice wood.

How long did it take?

Ken3134 · #**415** 02-06-2022, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spurly

How long did it take?

I ordered mine from Arizona Custom Knives website, so it was already made. Shipping was about 3 weeks.

Not sure what custom order timelines are.

spurly · #**416** 02-06-2022, 07:54 PM

Ok thanks

sns2 · #**417** 02-06-2022, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken3134

Got my Crotts knife, overall very happy with it. Look forward to trying it out this fall! Fit and finish is excellent, extremely sharp. Very nice wood.

Super. I am ordering one also.

Phil McCracken · #**418** 02-07-2022, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken3134

Got my Crotts knife, overall very happy with it. Look forward to trying it out this fall! Fit and finish is excellent, extremely sharp. Very nice wood.

Very nice!

A little curious...how thick is the handle?...

sns2 · #**419** 02-07-2022, 07:06 PM

Well, today I found a couple nice Crotts knives that went up on Arizona Custom Knives a few days ago. It is a newer model they call the Frog Bayou Hunter. It is a nice drop point blade, similar, but still a bit different from the semi-skinner. I asked which blade he felt would cut better, but he did not answer. However, he did send a pic of both blades with the semi skinner being the bottom blade...

I think I am going to stick with the semi skinner based on Coiloil's experience.

Here is a pic of the finished Frog Bayou Hunter.

It is a darn nice knife, and part of me is still tempted, but I will wait.

Sent from my Pixel 6 using Tapatalk

Ken3134 · #**420** 02-07-2022, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sns2

Well, today I found a couple nice Crotts knives that went up on Arizona Custom Knives a few days ago. It is a newer model they call the Frog Bayou Hunter. It is a nice drop point blade, similar, but still a bit different from the semi-skinner. I asked which blade he felt would cut better, but he did not answer. However, he did send a pic of both blades with the semi skinner being the bottom blade...

I think I am going to stick with the semi skinner based on Coiloil's experience.

Here is a pic of the finished Frog Bayou Hunter.

It is a darn nice knife, and part of me is still tempted, but I will wait.

Sent from my Pixel 6 using Tapatalk

The semi skinner with the curvature in the blade will cut better. If you want more of an all purpose knife that you can use for hunting the drop point would be a better option. The semi skinner that I have will be used for processing game only. I will carry it in my pack but likely never on my belt. It’s a thinner blade with a hollow grind, not the best for bushcraft work. I expected that when I ordered it.