If you’ve ever tried skinning a squirrel, rabbit, or bird with a dull knife, you know that a small game knife that is well-balanced, well designed, and can keep an edge is a must! There are literally thousands of knives out there you could use as a skinner, but there are only a few dozen you will see as best sellers. To help you figure out which one is right for you, I picked what I believe to be the best six knives on the market for us to walk though one by one.
If you want the best knife out there for any kind of skinning, you need to get a knife that is the right size, and has the right point on it. You should also get the best quality steel you can afford, and we are going to cover all that and more here. Although, if you want to skip to the good part, the knives, here is a quick list of the knives we will look at today. Click their links to instantly go to their respective sections.
- Best Overall Small Game Skinning Knife: Benchmade Flyway
- The Fan Favorite Skinning Knife: Benchmade Steep Country
- Most Affordable Skinning Knife: Morakinov Companion
- Best Mid-Range Skinning Knife: Buck Woodsman 102
- Best Folding Small Game Skinner: Case Mini Trapper
- Best Replaceable Blade Skinning Knife: Havalon Piranta
TL:DR, Here’s My Favorite!
The Benchmade Flyway is specially designed for small game animals. It is about 7 inches long overall, with a 2.7 inch blade, and weighs just over 2 ounces. The blade has a 14-degree “SelectEdge” which makes it razor-sharp and perfect for small game animals. Plus, it’s a Benchmade, which is hands down my favorite knife company thanks to their quality and awesome lifetime warranty. You can get the best price here on Sportsman’s Warehouse or pick it up here on Amazon.
If you are still here and want to learn more about skinning knives, let’s get to it! As a regular small game hunter myself, I recognize the importance of having good steel and blade design. Let’s start by talking about the right blade design for you, and by the end of it, you’ll have a knife that will last a lifetime.
What Is the Best Blade Size for Small Game Knives?
I think the best small game knife blade size is around 3 inches. A fan favorite small game knife, the Havalon Piranta, only has a 2.75-inch blade. To me, this is the perfect length. It’s small enough to reduce the chance of cutting yourself and makes it easier to handle. It is still large enough for almost any task.
Additionally, when selecting a knife for small game animals you should consider blade thickness. Small game knives should have thinner blades than big game knives because skinning small game requires precise cuts. These cuts are much more difficult to make with thick blades.
The Havalon Piranta has a 0.03” thick blade. Compare this to the classic Buck 110 folder typically primarily used for big game animals with a 0.12” thick blade. The thinner blade makes it much easier to perform finesse cuts on small animals.
I certainly use a different knife for skinning big game and small game. There are some fundamental differences in what you need out of each of them. If you are also curious about what it takes to make a good big game skinner, I have an entire article about that too that you can read right here.
What Is the Best Blade Type for Small Game Knives?
The best blade design for small game knives are drop-point, clip-point, or trailing point blades. All of these designs have their strengths and weaknesses, but they will all work for skinning small game animals. Let’s look a little closer at each of them.
Drop-point
The drop-point is easily one of the most common blade types used for hunting knives. The spine, or top of the blade, on a drop point knife slightly slopes downwards, AKA drops, from the start of the blade into a straight point. This slope aligns the point of the knife with the center axis of the handle, and therefore your hand. This makes it easier for you to be more accurate with the knife, and the straight point on the end of the blade makes penetrating easier than a curved point would.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Strong tip that easily makes precise cuts | The tip is not as sharp as other designs |
| Perfectly curved blade for slicing and skinning | |
| Versatile design | |
| Good for heavier cutting tasks like cutting through joints |
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Clip-point
The clip-point is another very popular hunting knife blade design. Like the drop-point, the tip of the blade is below the spine. The difference is that the back of the tip (spine side) is “clipped” or thinned and it curves slightly upward. On some knives the tip is sharpened on the upper edge. This sharper point is better at penetrating hide, but not as good for going through joints.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Better at piercing through hides | Weaker tip than a drop-point |
| Very sharp tip and controllable tip | Easier to accidentally pierce organs when skinning or gutting animals |
Trailing-point
The trailing point blade tip is higher than the spine of the knife. This creates a great blade shape for slicing through meat, and it is the point you always think about when you think of a filet-style knife. These knives are great for processing game after it is skinned, but if you get a small enough trailing-point knife, it can be perfect for small game. Although, you will not see too many people using it for skinning large game due to how thin the blade is.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Large blade belly that is great for skinning game | A thinner tip is more likely to break |
What Is the Best Blade Material for Small Game Knives?
There is so much information on this topic that there could be a book written about it, and I am sure someone has. The important thing to remember here is that you want a blade that holds an edge but at the same time, the steel isn’t so hard that it’s tough to sharpen.
Typically, the harder the steel the longer it will hold an edge. The opposite is true too. Luckily there are plenty of alloys now that allow knives to be easily sharpened yet hold an edge for an extended time. In general, the more you pay for a knife the better the steel will be and the longer it will hold an edge. Another consideration is rust prevention. Some types of steel like Damascus will rust if it is not kept oiled.
Additionally, the type of steel used will also affect how easily the blade can be broken or how flexible the knife is. This is called hardness, and typically a skinning knife is going to be fairly hard and not flexible. If you want more detailed and specific information on the types of steel typically used to construct hunting knives check out this great article written by Benchmade.
How I Chose These Small Game Knives
I’ve been hunting and skinning small game animals for over 15 years, so I know a thing or two about knives. I’ve also spent plenty of time researching the best small game knives online. My picks are based on a combination of my experience and research. All the knives below work great for small game animals and some of them are more than capable of skinning big game animals as well.
Best Overall Small Game Skinning Knife – Benchmade Flyway
If you’re looking for the best small game knife then your search has ended. The Benchmade Flyway is specially designed for small game animals. This knife has everything you need and nothing you don’t. It is just under 7 inches long, and has a short and sharp, 2.7 inch blade made of hard CPM-154 steel.
Additionally, the blade has a 14-degree “SelectEdge” which makes it razor-sharp and perfect for skinning and butchering small game animals. It’s also lightweight at just 2.1 ounces and comes with an orange handle so you won’t lose it when you set it down in the woods.
Everyone that purchases this knife seems to love it and so do I, but you get what you pay for with knives, so expect that at the cash register. The only negative that I could find about the Flyway was that the sheath doesn’t fit on all 2-inch tactical belts because the slots are a little too small. Although most hunters wear basic 1.5 inch belts anyway, so this shouldn’t be a problem.
The Flyway is also a Benchmade, and Benchmade offers an awesome lifetime limited warranty on their knives. If you buy a Benchmade knife, you know it won’t let you down because it was crafted right here in the United States, and is guaranteed forever. You get the Benchmade Flyway here at Sportsmen’s Warehouse or right here on Amazon.
- Blade Length – 2.7in
- Blade Style- Straight Back
- Overall Length – 6.96in
- Blade Material – CPM-154
- Total Weight – 2.1oz
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Razor sharp blade | The sheath may not fit a 2-inch wide tactical-style belt |
| Strong steel that will hold an edge | |
| Perfect length blade | |
| Benchmade lifetime warranty | |
| Made in the USA |
The Fan Favorite Skinning Knife – Benchmade Steep Country
If you’re looking for a fixed-blade knife that will handle everything from quail to elk , the Benchmade Steep Country is the knife for you! This drop-point fixed-blade knife is truly a jack of all trades. It was designed to be versatile and comfortable to use, and by all accounts it is. It is 7.76 inches long, with a 3.54 inch blade made of CPM-S30V steel. I can personally vouch for the S30V steel, because that is what my EDC Benchmade is made of, and that knife is tougher than nails.
Its handle is bright orange which reduces the chance of it getting lost, even momentarily. Additionally, the handle is made of anti-slip material, so you can keep a good grip even when it is wet or bloody. All together, this knife weighs just 3 ounces! You can keep skinning all day, and a heavy knife won’t be the thing that makes you tired.
You also get a kydex sheath with the Steep Country, but it does not fit on a belt. This isn’t a big deal though, I can’t remember the last time I actually wore my skinning knife on my belt during a hunt. It usually stays in my hunting pack until I need it, which is likely the reason Benchmade didn’t put too much into the sheath.
Like the Benchmade Flyway we reviewed earlier, the Steep Country also sports a limited lifetime warranty and is made in the United States. You can find the best price here on Sportsman’s Warehouse or pick it up here on Amazon.
- Blade Length – 3.54in
- Blade Style – Drop-point
- Overall Length – 7.76in
- Blade Material – CPM-S30V
- Total Weight – 3.0oz
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Premium S30V steel | You get what you pay for, and this knife is nice. |
| Holds an edge | |
| Great blade & overall length | |
| Benchmade lifetime warranty | |
| Made in the USA |
Most Affordable Skinning Knife – Morakinov Companion
The Morakinov Companion is a fantastic knife for the price. If you are looking for a cheap knife that you don’t have to worry about or simply don’t want to spend nearly $200 on a knife, then the Morakinov Companion is for you. I’ve personally used a Morakinov Companion for the last 8 years for all sorts of tasks ranging from butchering deer to gutting fish. Whatever it is, this knife will get it done.
That said, the blade is a little on the big side for very small game such as quail or woodcock. The blade is also fairly thick compared to the other knives in this review. Although if you want an inexpensive knife that can be easily replaced and one that will get the job done, pick up a Morakinov Companion. You can pick up this knife at Sportsman’s Warehouse or right here on Amazon.
- Blade Length – 4.1in
- Blade Style – Drop-point
- Overall Length – 8.5in
- Blade Material – 1095 carbon steel
- Total Weight – 4.1oz
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Very affordable | The blade is a little long and wide for very small game |
| Decent steel | Sheath is plastic |
| Holds an edge and is easy to sharpen |
Best Mid-Range Skinning Knife – Buck Woodsman 102
The Buck Woodsman 102 is a favorite of many hunters. It is a great knife that will put up with a lot. It is a good size at 7.75 inches overall with a 4 inch blade made of 420HC steel. This knife is easy to sharpen to a fine edge, holds an edge decently well, and is comfortable in the hand. The handle can get slick but the finger guard will stop your finger before it hits the blade.
The blade has a clip point that is thin and allows for precision cutting. The same thing that makes this knife great for small game animals can also be detrimental. The clip-point blade isn’t as strong as a drop-point. Occasionally the tip shears off while separating deer joints and putting extreme strain on the blade.
For small game though, this knife is a perfect mid-range priced knife that you can use for a lifetime. Like Benchmade, this Buck knife is made in the United States and comes with a lifetime warranty! You can get the best price on this buck knife at Sportsmans Warehouse or pick it up here on Amazon.
- Blade Length – 4in
- Blade Style – Clip Point
- Overall Length – 7.75in
- Blade Material – 420HC Steel
- Total Weight – 2.5oz
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Fine tip for precision cuts | Cons |
| Easily sharpened steel | A clip-point tip is more prone to snapping than drop-point |
| Fingerguard to prevent accidental cuts | Steel isn’t as high of quality as more expensive options |
| Made in the U.S.A. | |
| Great price |
Best Folding Small Game Skinner – Case Mini Trapper
The Case Mini Trapper is a phenomenal folding knife that is more than capable of skinning and butchering small game. Case knives like this have been used for decades to do everything from picking out splinters to carving up a deer, and while this wouldn’t be my go-to knife for a deer, it will definitely do well on small game.
I remember my granddad getting a splinter out of my finger with his mini trapper that he carried every day, now I have that knife, and it’s picture is featured in this section 🙂
This knife comes with two surgical stainless steel blades. One blade is a clip-point style while the other is a spey blade. Both blades can be used for skinning and butchering animals, but if the work includes any prying or heavy cutting tasks then the spey blade will come in handy.
When you fold it out, this knife is 6.25 inches long. Its 6207 Stainless Steel blades are 2.75 inches long. All together, the knife weighs just 2.7 ounces.The Case Mini Trapper has many designs and colors to choose from. If you’re not used to a folding knife, keep in mind that it can be a bit harder to clean than a fixed blade. Bits and pieces of what you’re working on can and will find themselves inside the knife.
The Case Mini Trapper is made in the USA and comes with a limited lifetime warranty. You can find this knife in multiple models here on Amazon.
- Blade Length – 2.75in
- Blade Style – Clip and Spey Point
- Overall Length – 6.25in
- Blade Material – 6207 SS
- Total Weight – 2.7oz
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Extraordinarily sharp and perfect seized blades for small game | It can be more challenging to clean than a fixed blade |
| Compact foldable design | |
| Lifetime warranty | |
| Two blades |
Best Replaceable Blade Skinning Knife – Havalon Piranta
The Havalon Piranta is a perfect lightweight, foldable, replaceable blade knife. I know guys that have been using this to clean small and big game animals for years, and they love it. Although there is just something about the replaceable blades that I don’t love. However, if you like the replaceable blade type of knives, this is a good one to go with.
The 60A replaceable blade holds an edge well and lasts quite a long time for what it is. You can expect a new 60A replaceable blade to get you through completely breaking down a deer or a small bear in the field. For big bears or elk sized game be sure to have at least 3 new blades.
Like all other knives though, the Havalon Piranta isn’t without its’ shortcomings. The replaceable blades are much weaker than their non replaceable counterparts. I’ve seen these blades snapped in two while processing. That said, you shouldn’t worry about snapping a blade on small game animals, and everytime you replace that blade, it has a brand new edge that you never had to sharpen! If you want to pick up your own Havalon Piranta, you can get the best price here at Sportsman’s Warehouse or pick it up here on Amazon.
- Blade Length – 2.75in
- Blade Style – 7 Types of Replaceable Blades
- Overall Length – 7.25in
- Blade Material – Stainless steel
- Total Weight – 1.6oz
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Surgical sharp blades | Blades can snap if you are too hard on it |
| Lightweight | Blades have to be thrown out after they dull |
| Affordable | |
| Multiple blade options |
Getting to the [Drop] Point
That is all for my list! By now you should have a good idea of what kind of blade design and size is best for skinning small game, and have a few knives in your Sportsman’s Warehouse online shopping cart. If you are torn between a couple of these knives, just remember that there are no wrong answers and that all the knives on this list will get the job done.
You do get what you pay for with knives though, so if you want the fancy features of a top dollar knife, you’ll have to pay for it. Although you can definitely use a $20 knife for decades if you are comfortable with it. There is just one thing for sure, these knives are sharp. So make sure you slow down while skinning your next duck, squirrel, or rabbit and enjoy your new knife with all ten fingers intact!
Sister Post | Best Deer Skinning Knives I’ve Actually Used
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Why Other Reviews Suck
If you are a real hunter, you know how valuable a real anecdote is. I finally got sick of reading crap reviews from people that have never held the knife they were talking about in their hand…Keep Reading
What Makes a Good Skinning Knife
To have a good skinning knife, you want something that you will be able to maneuver however you need. This knife should be on the smaller side, and lighter by default. Personally, I like a knife that is…Keep Reading
Thank you for reading my article! I hope you enjoyed it, and if you have any questions or feedback, please send me an email at Patrick.Long@omegaoutdoors.net. If you want to learn more about me or Omega Outdoors, visit my About Page. Otherwise, I hope you have a great day, and check out some of my other articles while you’re here!