Bruce, Firstly, what I thought and counted out.
I like the idea of cross draw sheath although not perhaps traditional. I can wear it in vehicle I think while in the bush. Horizontal sheath maybe but was eyeing the cross draw
I think the Buffalo skinner looks amazing if I wanted aesthetically pleasing or a show piece. Higher price
I think the Pocket Ranger suits the cross draw sheath and a card shark from a by-gone era.
I know Garry carries a Light Hunter fit for purpose but maybe not my preference in all.
The Bushcraft Hunter has Micarta handles standard, wood for a custom I think.
Considered the AH EDC, briefly because of AH connection but, no.
Clip points look nice but I have an Old Timer Clip point so that’s doubling up.
I won’t wear any out it’s almost redundant buying more knives I have commercials knives and commercial knives for meat prep. Prefer Lamb when I can get one. I am a shooter firstly but enjoy butchering.
When I asked for a drop point In the lower price point, Garry suggested the Hunter Skinner and Skinner.
I’ve read enough now to think drop point does make a good skinner and all round use.
The Safari knife I kinda like but it’s not quite the skinning knife the others are.
Your post at #81 made sense of several features on a heavier blade. I don’t think weight is an issue on a smallish sheath knife. Sounds like Garry walks further than me.
Garry suggestion was he can drop the nose and deepen the belly on marking out grinding it to a shape closer to the Hunter Skinner. But only minor changes to the Safari blade pattern
I think that is the closest I’m going to get to making a decision unless I really knew what I want and sent a stencil or drawing.
It’s a want thing, we like guns and the associated hunting gear. It would be nice to have and even nicer to say I had some input on the design or at least special request for the customisation.
My preference would be Buffalo Bolsters where the Safari comes with Brass. I think a Flat grind and maybe a handle upgrade with a possible preference to an Australian wood.
It becomes an heirloom I have one son and I can leave something else for the Princess.
I sometimes defer wants by saying they are still making them. In this case they are custom made and when the managing director of Von Gruff Enterprises retires the “ still making them” option retires with him.
That would then be suitable for skinning and being thicker camp chores if required and hacking shit if you are up that creek without a paddle.