Prototype....Hog Stripper Gen II

[tippit]

Last year I forged out a Hog Stripper with an inside curve for the cutting edge.  It worked great to cut strips of hide that could be just pulled off a hog carcass allowing one to completely skin a hog in minutes.  The only problem was it was very hard to sharpen unless you had KME Jewel Stik.

     

Fast forward to this year.  While turkey hunting in Nebraska on the Klintworth ranch, young Ryan was watching me strip the skin off a turkey with it.  As we were leaving, I asked for Ryan's help in that my bag was too heavy and I needed to shed some weight.  So I asked him if he wouldn't mind taking one of my steel knives.  I brought several real pretty Stag & Damascus blades for show & tell.  To my surprise he wanted my two blade Bare Bone pack set that I always carry.  Ryan does a lot of trapping & hunting on the ranch and liked the working set.

Now back at our farm in Aiken, SC...I went to forging my two blade pack re-placement hog stripper & knife.  The new version Hog Stripper can now be sharpened like a regular knife with the cutting edge on top and blunted point that rides under the skin & won't cut underlying tissue.  Extreme curve to handle fits in your palm while the flat back of the blade rides under the skin.

Prototype Hog Stripper & Skinner forged from a piece of 4" 1 X 3/8 bar of 1084.  Both blades are 7" OAL...tippit

   

     

Two blade set that is always in my fanny pack...

   

[Bladepeek]

I like that set and I'll bet they will get a LOT of use.

This is an Italian-made folder that was the only hunting knife I used for many years until I started making knives. Now, I normally have a small belt knife with me when hunting, but I ALWAYS have this one in my pocket. Only the regular blade locks, but the gutting blade is never used as a piercing blade, or any pressure placed on its back so that's not a problem. The emblem insert (I don't even remember what it was - probably some kind of Hubertus picture) fell out some time back, but I noticed a .32 H&R Mag or .32S&W fits perfectly. May just have to cut the head off an empty case and epoxy it in.

 

[tippit]

Ron,
I have a really nice dual blade for hogs made by Mastersmith Daniel Warren.  It looks great on display...but I can't seem to actually use anyone else's knife  

   

   

   

[just_a_hunter]

Awesome as always. I've always had trouble stripping hogs as I get too deep in meat. Seems you have solved the problem!

Todd

[Bladepeek]

I think you have the right idea with that 2-piece set. Compact enough to fit in a small sheath and each one is perfect for the intended job. Much better than a combo knife that is OK, but not quite perfect. Sure will be a lot easier to clean afterwards too!

[South MS Bowhunter]

Jeff,

As I'm still after my first hog, any pic's as to how you use the stripper or more on the explanation?

[tippit]

John,
We don't gut hogs.  Hang them by the back legs and cut skin around each leg below the hock.  Now insert stripper under skin, make cuts down the legs, and strips 6-8 inches wide down the entire carcass.  All you need to do now is pull the skin strips down toward the head and you've skinned your hog.  I take front shoulders, hams, back straps & inner loins without entering the abdomen or chest.

[Doug Campbell]

   

[FerretWYO]

Tippit you have an eye for the practical combine with the art. Always like your work.

Randy

[South MS Bowhunter]

Thanks Jeff for the explanation, hope to get a chance to skin one one day  

[tippit]

John,
You must have a ton of hogs in Mississippi!

[South MS Bowhunter]

Jeff,

Yes there are plenty here, and when their in season I make a go at them. But the pass 2 season I have managed to miss what shot opportunities I've had