Squirrel knife!

[moodyblues]

Moog

Just a suggestion. I don't know if you guys do it this way already but when I'm in the field I always skin and clean out the squirrels right after I shoot them rather than later after they've stiffened up.

It's better for the meat and less work for me when I get home.

If we’re squirrel hunting and not shooting them as bycatch while deer hunting, they get cleaned quickly and it makes a world of difference. I want to get the tail method down just to keep the hair off, that’s the only part I hate dealing with. At my house where the majority of our squirrels are killed, we’re about 10-1 gray to red squirrels. The grays are very easy to clean compared to the reds. I’ll take an old boar gray squirrel over a young red, just seems like their skin sticks better.

 

[moodyblues]

Busse steak knife, Case trapper

I’ve looked at some Busse knives online, just never really paid much attention. That combat steak knife is an impressive looking knife. The couple I looked at had Elmax steel also, take a truckload of squirrels to dull that one. Beautiful knife

 

[Ezana4CE]

That titan is a beautiful knife, looks slicey too.



Opinels seem like they would be very good for squirrels. Some guys swear by them. I should really pick one up, no more expensive than they are.



I have 8 Moraknivs. One for each of my three boys, my wife and myself plus three extras. Great little knives, very easy to get scary sharp.

I think it has a nice aesthetic until the design is scraped off of the blade. Also the steel doesn’t seem to hold an edge well enough for me. I skin and dress squirrels with it and their little bones dull it too quick for my liking. It got rust spots on it quickly too. I oil it frequently. It’s ok for now, but I’m looking for a replacement. 

 

[moodyblues]

Yeah it seems that Damascus has went to all show no go. Not all Damascus, I know there’s good folded steel out there, but it’s very expensive to make correctly. The new supersteels can’t be competed with. The powdered steels I’ve tried are superior to conventionally made steels. My two cents.

Beau

 

[2muchair4leyla]

I'll pass this one down to my Daughter 

 

[moodyblues]

I have the Mountain Skinner I use for deer and pigs. Great knife, but it’s a little to big. I wish I would have gotten the Hidden Canyon. I much prefer the shorter blade even for bigger game than squirrels.

 

[cea1960]

I like my Opinel No 10 for squirrels and rabbits.

I use an Opinel no. 6. It is a bit small and I have been looking at the no. 10. They are great knives and as sharp as any razor blade. I routinely give them as gifts.

 

[Ezana4CE]

I'll pass this one down to my Daughter 

I had to look that one up. Nice blade!! Great warranty too. 

 

[Moog]

Yeah it seems that Damascus has went to all show no go. Not all Damascus, I know there’s good folded steel out there, but it’s very expensive to make correctly. The new supersteels can’t be competed with. The powdered steels I’ve tried are superior to conventionally made steels. My two cents.

Beau

If you are looking for a quality Damascus blade I would take a look at Bear&Son Knives. They are not importers but make them here in the U.S. They are also affordable. The one I'm showing in the picture is obviously to large for squirrels but they make several smaller skinners in Damascus. They also make some really nice carbon steel knives.

 

[addison]

my baby

 

[sasquatch]

The CRKT Ceo. It has the sharp point, thin blade width to get into small areas and that helps around the legs and skull, around the eyes and working the nose off properly. The handle and geometry of the blade makes delicate cuts very simple. 



Otherwise a Havalon with a thin width blade would be as good if you're that kind of user. Admittedly I used another knife to complete the fleshing process. But I could get it all done with just this knife and prefer it on squirrels 



Today

 

[killahog]

Titan Damascus skinning knife. I think it’s a 3.5”blade. 

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[Houli]

Here's an alternative to using a knife

I fine this superior to using a knife on a squirrel. I fined it more efficient, quicker and cleaner than using a knife. Try it you'll be surprised.

Cheers

 

[moodyblues]

The CRKT Ceo. It has the sharp point, thin blade width to get into small areas and that helps around the legs and skull, around the eyes and working the nose off properly. The handle and geometry of the blade makes delicate cuts very simple. 



Otherwise a Havalon with a thin width blade would be as good if you're that kind of user. Admittedly I used another knife to complete the fleshing process. But I could get it all done with just this knife and prefer it on squirrels 



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I bet your CRKT performs pretty close to my KOA. Kind of the same blade geometry. Beautiful skinning work, I’ve never tried to cape a squirrel. Good work sir!

 

[moodyblues]

Here's an alternative to using a knife

I fine this superior to using a knife on a squirrel. I fined it more efficient, quicker and cleaner than using a knife. Try it you'll be surprised.

Cheers

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" />//www.w3.org/2000/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%20210%20140%22%3E%3C/svg%3E

I’ll be getting a set of these. I’m a fan of fiskars, got a few of their splitting axes and a pair of their big ass scissors (them scissors come in handy when cleaning game also). 




I need to get names etched in my knives. My boys are constantly fighting over which knife is whose. I would have thought that each being a different color would be sufficient. Never underestimate boys ability to find something to fight about! Love Moras

Beau

 

[mtndragon]

LT Wright Frontier Trapper. A great small game knife if you can find one in AEB-L

 

[sasquatch]

Done a whole bunch of squirrel hides. Almost all of them didn't include the head around eyes, ears and "lips". The head basically.



Just part way into the tanning, now. So not sure it's good yet. But if it turns out half as good as I hope.... Hopes are high but I lost fur in one small spot so far... But if that's it, I'm looking to make a beer coozie out of it 

 

[JimD]

I like scissors too for cleaning squirrels but I never thought of using a small pruner. I might pick one up. Scissors have to be sturdy to cut through squirrel bones. I've used tin snips before. They go through bone easily. Pruners should get through the bones well too.

I like to make my first cut in the middle of the back and then pull the hide in both directions. I think some call it coat and pants. Worked pretty well on a 15 ounce grey male yesterday.

 

[Corvid_hunter]

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LT Wright Frontier Trapper. A great small game knife if you can find one in AEB-L

AEBL is an excellent steel. When I finish canvas Micarta knife scales I use 60 grit on them. It gives it a grippier feel when dry and even more grip when the scales get wet or bloody. Just finished the handle on this one today.

 

[moodyblues]

Micarta is the best material for a working knives scales, in my opinion. I’ve looked into making some canvas micarta and just haven’t gotten around to ordering the stuff to do it. Thats a good looking set you’ve got made up.