Hunters Axe - anyone used one for skinning?

[inupiat1]

I bought a Gransfors Bruks Hunters Axe for my brother before our moose hunt in Alaska. While we used it to cut it open for gutting, we decided not to skin it. The ax performed well in this aspect, the blade has a 57rc, but I wanted to know if anyone has skinned a moose using the rounded poll of the ax. I have seen videos of other animals and it looks good, however I haven't seen or talked to anyone who has done it.

The ax outlasted a couple of his hunting knives when dealing with the tough moose hairs, cutting quickly and effortlessly and it came in super handy with wood processing at our base camp.

I will attempt to put a pic up, however I have not added one here before. I am open to feedback and questions if you have any.


My brother using his birthday gift to open the moose.

 

[boom]

Awesome.

I want to try it for sure. Did you hack up the rib cage with it? The pelvic bone?

 

[jwb300]

Gday Inupiat1,

I've got one and used it for skinning and cutting before. It is super sharp and opens them up easy enough but it is not great for skinning really thin skinned animals like fallow deer. Probably be fine on a moose. It does a pretty rough job so perfect for meat animals but not so good for trophy prep.

I also tried to cut through a fallow deer leg bone once... Don't do this. It just chipped the axe edge and didn't cut the bone. Took a bit of sharpening to get it good again. Definitely do not tackle a pelvic bone or anything else substantial. Ribs and brisket are probably ok.

Cheers,
JWB300

 

[inupiat1]

boom - started on the ribcage with it, but I used my Bahco Laplander saw to finish it. The ax works fine on joints but not covered under warranty for bones.

jwb300 - Yeah, didn't want to chip his ax so we used vegetable oil in a chainsaw to quarter it. We didn't skin it because we cut slots in the skin on the quarters for handholds to carry them 50+ yards to the boat.

 

[boom]

No. I would never advocate going thru solid bone with an axe. Risk an eye!

I've seen rancher guys follow cartridge "soft spots" to pull apart primals. One rancher put his case pocket knife into the anus and lifted the blade thru the pelvis. Blew my mind. I asked and he said there is a developmental joint there. I can't find it. Ever. But I saw it with my own eyes. He said a gentle accurate tap with a hatchet works too. Hope he wasn't effing with me

Great birthday gift! I have the small forest axe and want to get one for my BIL. Cost have gone up. Supply down.

 

[inupiat1]

boom - You might be able to find them for around $100 on the famous auction site, new, if you have patience. The US distributor has a lock on the price around here. I have found it cheaper to buy from U.K. sites, most of which will ship to you. You can get one for around $130 + shipping. The price is usually -20 percent because you don't have to pay the U.K. taxes. Just search "(axe name) .co.uk" and you should find places selling it. It is about the same size as SF with rounded poll and a hatchet shaped helve (haft).

 

[boom]

Thanks bud. I've memorized the catalog. . Great tools. Nice history

 

[inupiat1]

Yes good stuff, I have the mini hatchet, outdoor axe and the Ray Mears Wilderness Axe. I will buy the hunters axe for myself the next time I go moose hunting. Great for building shelters, fishing, hunting, camp chores, blah, blah. I think sometimes people forget or don't understand how useful an ax can be, even while hunting.

 

[tenth1]

An ax can certainly be handy!

I've yet to find the where they are better than a sharp knife and saw....

I used to carry one all over the country side and really never used the darned thing

 

[boom]

An ax can certainly be handy!

I've yet to find the where they are better than a sharp knife and saw....

I used to carry one all over the country side and really never used the darned thing

Yea. I've carried my Wetterlings on a few trips, and not used it. I think an axe is a great tool for removing the ribs for smoking. They come off with gentle taps if you find that softer developmental joint. I want to try it. But the animal will need to tip over near a road. Or pack horses.

I just dig axes. Weird.