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.