Since the beauty of a finished buck mount is in the detail, it is critical that the hunter who skins the head does the best job possible.
As good as a Bowie knife is, it makes a poor choice for caping out a deer head. A big, heavy-duty blade is definitely not what is needed for this kind of precision cutting. Finesse is the order of the day when it comes to getting in close to make small, precise, razor like cuts around critical areas of a deer’s head, ears, eyes, mouth, and such.
That is if you are even brave enough to tackle the job. If not, then pay the extra fee to have a taxidermist do it right. You won’t regret it. Some cape cutting mistakes can be fixed, but it may not look natural.
Think small when it comes to a good caping knife, one taxidermist said.
“A really good caping knife needs to be small enough to work in tight cutting areas where precise blade handling and dexterity are required,” said John Mark Bridges of Bridges Taxidermy in Hazlehurst. “These cutting actions to cape out a deer head are nothing like skinning or deboning meat. Obviously the blade has to be extremely sharp with a fine point.”
So how big is he talking?
“A 2- to 3-inch blade is best with a knife design that allows the forefinger to be placed over and above the cutting edge on the back of the spine for ultimate cutting control,” Bridges said. “The caping knife needs to be lightweight so it can be manipulated easily, but strong enough not to flex with the close in cuts when tendon or tough skin or muscle is encountered.
“I like a caping knife with a full tang design, meaning the cutting blade edge and handle section are all one piece. I want a grip over the tang handle that provides a good, secure grip with minimal slip. Some of the synthetic grips can get pretty slippery when wet. Rubberized-type grips work well even with gloves on.”
New knife on the market
Looking for a new skinning knife? Try the Viscerator.
It is extremely radical in its look and function, but designer Chris Stuckel of Neenah, Wisc., calls it “the ultimate big game field dressing knife, the pinnacle of form and function.”
It just may be exactly that when it comes to a deer skinning and caping tool. The product meets Bridges’ desires listed above.
The knife currently comes in two models the original Viscerator and the G10 Viscerator. The specifications are virtually the same on both: a full tang type blade, Pakkawood or G10 synthetic handle material, 7¾-inch overall length with a 3½-inch primary blade and a 2¾-inch secondary blade. The blade thickness is 4 mm.
The blades are high carbon stainless steel and razor sharpened. The knife comes with a ceramic sharpener, but Stuckel advises that it may never be needed.
The original model weighs 6.4 ounces and the G10 weighs in at 6.8 ounces. The balanced design yields precise cutting.
It becomes quickly evident that this knife is different with the Y- and U-like cutting surfaces of the two blades.
The Viscerator models are balanced so blade control is precise, and the ergonomic handles are easy to grip making field dressing a pleasure.
The Viscerator comes with a brown leather sheath, black for the G-10. Each carries a lifetime warranty and includes the ceramic sharpener. Visit www.fieldtorqknives.com to learn more or to place an order.
Be the first to comment