My oldest is getting a little better at skinning, and is particularly fond of skinning beavers. His birthday is in October and I'm thinking about buying him a really good beaver skinner. Id like to find him something that he'll be able to give to his kids, and maybe something that stands out a bit from my Weibe, Dexter, and Ontario skinners. Any suggestions on a good quality and maybe neat looking knife?

Post

Victorinox 5 inch skinner.
I doubt if he traps any amount of beaver there will be much blade left to pass on to his kids,lol.

Caribou 5”. I’ve experience with many brands. This is my current favorite.

My kid bought me a victornox skinner for Christmas. Caribou is vastly superior.

What is your budget?


Greg Schroeder gave me a caribou skinner years ago. Sorry carl but I'm glad I didn't pay for it. But then again it's all about personal preference.

No particular budget, Steve. I'm willing to pay for a good knife.
Boco, whatever I end up getting him I'll let him know that he won't be a real beaverman until he uses the entire blade up. Lol.
Thanks for the suggestions so far, and keep them coming.

I was just given one of these knives as a gift. It is the nicest beaver knife I now own. It is a beautiful piece of artwork and really comfortable to hold. It's from Rapid RIver Michigan. It came with a nice leather sheath too.

https://rapidriverknifeworks.com/products/the-beavertail

Somebody gave me two caribou beaver skinners a number of years ago-they are in the bottom of a box somewhere in the basement,lol.
I do use the caribou fleshing knife occasionally though.not on beaver,I clean skinem with the vic.

Love my Caribou fleshing knife. Have a Caribou skinning knife that is newish but seems okay as well. Never used the beaver ones. But, probably not what Sam is looking for as a heirloom to pass down. That knife superwide posted might fit the bill if it holds a good edge.

Look at Dunn knives

I use to butcher beef and hogs, at a locker plant year's back.
And they always have wood handle butcher knives.
So the Wiebe beaver knife feels like them wooden Chicago
butcher knives i started with.

Or find like a Dunn Skinner, they hold a good edge .
I got one them and stays in the fur shed.
I lose about everything that's good.

Wiebe is for bank skinning beaver. LOL

I also enjoyed skinning beaver with caribou beaver knife , but then I skinned quite a few beaver with a 80T old timer stockman knife , A sheep siding knife is another favorite of mine these are just more food for thought .

Whatever knife you do buy him I'd suggest getting him a F. Dick sharpening steel , then when he gets used to using it and learns how sharp that will,help him,keep ,A knife whatever choice is made will last a long time !

Big Sam
I f you can get Dave McCroskey out of Oklahoma to build you one you wouldn't be disappointed. I've never ever seen any knife close to them as far as holding and edge and it's in believable how sharp they are. He recommends using tape when you put it in the case the first few times and I would recommend it as well. I don't care how many beaver you or anyone else caught you couldn't wear it out.

Here's a picture of his work.

The Dexter Russel Green River in the 5” curved skinner is a great knife, Pete Pederson of Ramona SD handles them, best clean skinning knife out there for the price.

Dexter 1674 1/2, but if you are any kind of a beaver trapper at all, you will wear-out a few of them in your lifetime and won't have anything to pass on to your heirs. They are carbon steel and sharpen easy. A razor strop will keep them tuned up and lasting longer than if you are always hitting them with a steel.
I've tried some stainless beaver knives like the Caribou but didn't like the issues with sharpening them, or the way they felt in my hand.
BTW, I assume you're talking about clean skinning; otherwise I don't really think it matters what you use.

Sam, I will be happy to get some steels and scabbards ready for your young'uns. Best gift is to teach them to keep a knife. Keep Sharp, Keep clean, Keep safe from damage, Keep safe toward others.
Keep safe to yourself, Keep it put away when not in use.

That is how I presented it to my kid and it stuck.

Remind me at convention time. I plan on FTA, Iowa, for sure, maybe another state or the NTA. or If you can make it to Beaman in October.

I second the Vic 5” skinner. Especially for clean skinning. Touches up easy also. Should be easy for a youngster to put an edge on when needed.

I know this doesn’t help with your search, but it gives me a chance to show off the knives Jack Whitman, Gulo on here (RIP), made for me.

They were inexpensive, work fine and I use all three to process beaver. So I guess the lesson here is, don’t overthink it, just get him a decent beaver knife and have at it.

I have a Victorinox 5 inch skinner. Its great. I dont trap a lot of beaver. Knife lives in the kitchen. Go to for deer hogs etc. I often skin beaver for the table on the table to keep meat clean. Handy tool and holds an edge.

The victornox is great for fleshing over the leg too. I usually use a Zeph. I got a couple Green Rivers at the shack, they’re nice but lose an edge faster……but touch up quick.
Some of those knives look too awesome to use……lol

Guys, those are some PRETTY knives.
I am a hack and have tried a number of good knives.
I am a multiple knife user...I sharpen them ALL before starting and use them all
during the process. Keeping an edge is my biggest problem.

Post. Got a Dunns. Used a few times but to nice to get serious with. Grandkid’s probably fight over it.

Hers a few i own. Why limit the boys to one lol

My Dad found one of my Grandpa’s old rasps. Sent it to a guy, Ray Runningbear I believe, had him make a skinner and gave it to me for my birthday. Food for thought

Thank you all for your suggestions. I really appreciate it.

Nice collection TD

Better knife ain’t going to help,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Me too Chewk, me too. Which is why I use a Havalon...even for beaver. For beaver I use the supersized Havalon... a regular sized one for everything else.

I had good luck with my old Dexter holding an edge and recently been using a very similar looking Wiebe brand beaver knife and it really seems to NOT hold an edge like the Dexter. I’m gonna look into the Victorinox myself, and I might even have one I got at a garage sale but don’t know where it is! Happy trapping! ScottW

Ain't likely to hurt. Lol

Have the boy teach ya,,,,he seems to got the brains in the family from his mother's side.

You'd be correct on that, Vinke. Looks like he's going to be more intelligent and a better beaver pelter than his old man. And he's already better looking.

Sounds good, Mike. That'd make they're day. We should be seeing you in Macon and Beaman.

This

I have a dunn, caribou. I could tell you where they are.

I have two sets of the top two MvCroskey knives in your picture that I use. Another set that is brand new stored away. Love them scary sharp.

I have donated a set to the MTA banquet for several years. They are popular

IMHO they are too sharp for kids.

Here is a poor picture of one.

Nate and Steve, do you happen to know about what his knives cost? I might be interested in one for myself.

I'd like to know too..as well as how to contact him. I'd be interested in one

Sam. I can't say for sure. I'll text Dave and find out.

I need to order some more anyhow. They aren't too bad. 125 ish maybe 150.

Dave use to have a website. I sent him a text. He'll get back to me if everything is ok.

That's a fine looking pair of knives.

Thank you, Steve. I'll be interested to hear if he gets back to you.

Sam, Dave got back to me.


Trapper singles are $105-$115 for straight and $110-$120 for curved.

The difference in price is how you would want the sheath made. He has several handle colors to choose from

https://www.predatormasters.com/forums/threads/intrducing-mccroskey-custom-knives.101983/page-2

Check out this thread on predator masters. Dave has listed his number and info on it. It's the right number. Shoot him a text and give him a call, Dave's life story is one for the books.

Tell him Steve from MN sent ya.

Interesting story and how I got turned on to Dave's knives. A good friend of mine, JLDAKOTA. Talked Dave into building knives for trappers. The story I've heard is at first Dave wasn't real keen on the idea. Maybe thought the market was shallow or something. Dave told me he's sold a boat load of the trappers sets and is as we speak he is sending a dozen curved skinners to Tanzania.

Sam, If you can find someone willing to part with a set of Gulo’s knives you will not be disappointed.

Thank you, Steve.

ABeardedTrapper, I'd love to find any one of Gulos knives. I meant to order a set, but never got around to it. I sure regret that now.

I like the looks of the Duren knives. I have been thinking about ordering one for the boy as a graduation present

Who makes that knife? I really like the looks of it

Dunn knife i believe made for TMan. Ive always wanted one but can't find anyone who will sell