My new skinner

[interceptor]

Hi Lads,

After seeing Jindy's excellent effort on his little Micarta handled skinner, I decided to get my butt in gear and do a project that I have been thinking about for a long time.

I have always wanted a J. Russell & Co Green River Works Skinner but the standard item looks pretty ordinary. They are an exceptional blade though, and it is the hardest steel I have ever seen, I melted two drill bits trying to open up the rivet holes and hardly even touched the steel, I had to use a special drill similar to a masonry bit.

I started with a Beef Skinner blank blade and worked on a handle made of Mackay Cedar and Buffalo Horn, I threw in some white spacers and brass pins and this is what I ended up with.

The detail could have been better but I don't think it turned out too bad considering the tools I had. Kathy has just ordered me a new bench grinder / knife shaping machine for Xmas/Birthday, so I expect to be able to improve on the fit and finish as I go.

I got most of the gear from the Australasian Knife Collectors, of which I am now a member. They have all the gear you could ever need to customise or build a knife regardless of the type of knife or materials you have in mind. They are also very helpful, Keith Spencer was most willing to offer tips and ideas over the phone.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v487/interceptor429/hunting%20pics/skinner4.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v487/interceptor429/hunting%20pics/skinner3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v487/interceptor429/hunting%20pics/skinner2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v487/interceptor429/hunting%20pics/skinner1.jpg

Cheers Noel

[Russell]

Mate ya done a great job.

Wanna make me one? :lol:

[jindydiver]

Well done mate :D
Sharpened masonary bits are the way to go when you retrofit handles to a hardened blade. I like the spacer mate. I repair handles for people and I often put in a red spacer, it makes the job look extra posh :)

Is your green river knife the carbon blade rather than the stainless?

If it is there are much easier ways of drilling the holes :wink:

[woodstoka]

great job i love the shape of the blade :D

[barebow]

That is a nice shaped knife mate,I like green river knives.They were my favourite knife when I was shooting for a living years ago.

I would like a smaller version of your knife,have never had a go at making a knife.

[Wareagle]

How do you sharpen masonery bits, would you have to use a wet stone, so the silver solder does'nt melt?

[jindydiver]

How do you sharpen masonery bits, would you have to use a wet stone, so the silver solder does'nt melt?

Linisher. Slowly and with plenty of water

[GladstoneCrow]

8) Love the Skinner Noel, now go and try it on one of those Buffs you have in your back yard ........ Crow 8) 8)

[interceptor]

Thats the plan Crow,,,,,,


How is everyone in Glado?

Cheers Noel

[GladstoneCrow]

8) It's stinking hot at the moment. The Prawns are ponging, the beers furmenting and the chickens pulling out their own stuffing. Apart from that everyone in Glado is fine ...............Crow ho ho ho 8) 8)

[interceptor]

It's great up here we have a monster storm blowing it's guts out, thats outside inside the A/C is beautiful.

Cheers Noel

[Dave]

Sorry to hijack your thread Noel,

These were a gift, a guy down here will get you pretty much any type of blade you want and puts antler handles on them.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c170/DavidMeredith/Knives.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c170/DavidMeredith/Knives1.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c170/DavidMeredith/Sheath.jpg

I have used these knives only on deer for the last 3 years and would not part with them at all.

Dave.

[interceptor]

Nice looking bit of kit Dave,

I like the gut hook on the big skinner :idea:

Cheers Noel

[Dek]

You could also use COBALT bits made by Sutton Tools/P&N.

[XTfreak]

Very nice knife Noel, very impressive.
Bill