{"product_id":"hand-forged-skinning-knife-walnut","title":"Hand Forged Skinning Knife, Walnut Handle","description":"\u003cp\u003eA short deep blade with a belly curving the whole way to a rounded tip. That curve keeps the edge working through a long pull instead of running out halfway. There are 4 inches of it in 1095 high carbon steel, on a walnut handle, with nothing else going on. It is the cheapest skinner we make, not because the work is thinner but because the steel costs less.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecification\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlade length\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOverall length\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.5 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHandle length\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4.5 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlade steel\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1095 high carbon\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlade finish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDark forged spine, wide bright bevel\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlade shape\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSkinner, wide sweeping belly to a rounded tip\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTang\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull tang\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHandle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWalnut, three brass pins, lanyard hole\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSheath\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStamped basket weave leather belt sheath\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEngraving\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 dollars per blade\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMade in\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eForged and finished by hand in High Point, North Carolina.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWarranty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifetime warranty against defects, free sharpening for life.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eThe blade\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1095 is a plain high carbon steel with no cleverness in it. That is the selling point. It gives up an edge sooner than a tool steel and takes one back on a stone faster than anything else we sell. The spine is left dark from the forge, the bevel ground wide and bright, so you can read the line where the two meet. The belly runs out in one sweep to a rounded tip, deep enough that most of the edge is curve. Carbon steel greys off as it works, and it spots if stored wet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eThe handle\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWalnut has gone on knife handles for a very long time because it behaves. It stays put, takes a finish, and the brown grain carries darker streaks that show more once oil is on it. The tang runs full length between the scales with three brass pins through it, and there is a lanyard hole at the butt end. The handle is 4.5 inches, enough to grip properly with wet cold fingers, and walnut warms in the hand quicker than horn or steel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eThe leather sheath\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVegetable tanned leather with a stamped basket weave face, worked into damp hide one square at a time. It is hand stitched, and a leather welt sits between the panels so the edge rides against that instead of the thread. The pocket is cut to this blade's own outline, since a deep belly needs more room at the front than a straight blade does. The belt loop takes an ordinary belt.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWho it suits\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor the buyer who would rather sharpen often and easily than rarely and slowly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePeople who touch up an edge as they go\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFirst knife buyers not wanting to gamble much money\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAnyone who owns a stone and uses it\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOwners after a working knife, not a display piece\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat comes in the box\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe 1095 skinner on walnut\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe stamped basket weave belt sheath\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA care leaflet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFree resharpening whenever you want it\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eEvery piece is different\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe forged spine takes its own colour in the fire, so one blade is darker than the next and the line against the bevel wanders. Walnut is cut from a board, and no two pieces off the same board carry the same grain. Neither is a fault and we do not sand them into agreement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLooking after it\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1095 rewards attention and punishes neglect. Get it dry after use and give it a wipe of oil before it goes away. Long term storage in the sheath is asking for spots, since leather stays damp after the steel has dried. The walnut takes a rub of oil once a year. When the edge goes, a medium stone brings it back in a couple of minutes and a strop finishes it. Read our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/knife-care-sharpening\"\u003ecare and sharpening page\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003ePut a name on it\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEngraving runs 20 dollars per blade and is cut with a laser. Roughly 30 characters fits. The plain flat here takes lettering better than a busy etch. You get a proof image to approve before anything is cut, and that step adds 3 to 5 business days. Buy ten or more and we do not bill you. Details live on the \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/engraving\"\u003eengraving page\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions buyers ask\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy is this one cheaper?\u003c\/strong\u003e The steel costs less and finishes in less time. The forging, the fitting and the sheath are the same as on the rest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs 1095 a good steel?\u003c\/strong\u003e It is a straight high carbon steel with no pattern welding in it. It holds an edge less time than a tool steel and comes back quicker.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow often will I be sharpening it?\u003c\/strong\u003e More often than a D2 blade, and each time takes less effort. If you like a stone, that trade suits you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it rust?\u003c\/strong\u003e Left wet, yes. Dried and oiled it settles into a grey patina that helps it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy the rounded tip?\u003c\/strong\u003e A skinner works on the curve, so a needle point would only find things to catch on.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow fast does it ship?\u003c\/strong\u003e Most US orders arrive in 5 to 7 business days.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe same blade with a glossier handle is the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hand-forged-skinning-knife-water-buffalo-horn\"\u003ewater buffalo horn skinning knife\u003c\/a\u003e, and for steel with a past life there is the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/rasp-steel-skinner-knife-rosewood\"\u003erasp steel skinner on rosewood\u003c\/a\u003e. The curved blades sit in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/skinner-knives\"\u003eskinner knives\u003c\/a\u003e, the plain forged ones in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/high-carbon-1095\"\u003e1095 high carbon steel\u003c\/a\u003e, and the outdoor range in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hunting-knives\"\u003ehunting knives\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Viper Edge USA","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44146178687094,"sku":"VEF-SKN-HC-2303","price":129.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0710\/2427\/9670\/files\/skinner-16-carbon-walnut_db534411-6614-4253-8732-11f0e7342160.jpg?v=1788861214","url":"https:\/\/viperedgeforge.com\/products\/hand-forged-skinning-knife-walnut","provider":"Viper Edge USA","version":"1.0","type":"link"}