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JG98-Can anyone identify this skinner ?

I picked this skinner hunter about 10 years ago or more in a trade and haven’t been able to identify it yet ? The only markings at all are JG 98 etched in the blade. I posted a video on YouTube about it, and no one could identify it there either. So know I turn to the experts. Unfortunately, now I think YouTube deleted the video after a year or so because I can’t find it at all. Speaking on a design and quality build perspective, it is a great little skinner. When you roll it around joints the serrated part cuts right through tendons and ligaments with ease. An awesome little dresser. Actually, with all of my knives, it’s my chosen one now for skinning but still process the carcass with a more butcher blade. 4 5/8” blade, 9 1/4” total length.

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Permalink Reply by Don on March 9, 2020 at 16:35

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Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on March 9, 2020 at 19:48

Jason Guthrie is widely accepted to be JG knives but he made his first knife in South Africa in 2014.

Although he makes mostly tools for the forge these days there is a maker by the name of Jahred Gamez at Water Oak Forge. If you look at some of his earlier work, it was very well done.

Knob Creek Forge out of TN is home to Esee designer James Gibson.

I mention all of this because makers marks change as the evolve. What you have could belong to one of the last 2 gentlemen. Most likely is - that this is a hobbiest knife. Trust me that is not an insult. There are hobbiest out there that never become professional knife makers because they do not want to. I know a good many of them and am married to one. It is a hobby out of joy not drive to sell. It certainly does not mean they do not produce a quality knife. If I were pressed to make a guess it is a hobbiest using JG and it was made in 98. A good etch should be replaced yearly and some place the year as they are never going to remember when they made the knife.

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Permalink Reply by Don on March 9, 2020 at 20:00

Thanks Jan. You know, I went down that path pretty extensively about a year ago, liking it so much, I wanted to find another as a backup, but it fit none of their designs or markings. Now, given it has no country of origin, I believe by law it couldn’t be import/exported. Leaving me puzzled there as well. It also doesn’t seem like a handcrafted one, so there’s that ? It really has everyone stumped ?

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Permalink Reply by Don on March 9, 2020 at 20:03

Thanks Jan. You know, I went down that path pretty extensively about a year ago, liking it so much, I wanted to find another as a backup, but it fit none of their designs or markings. Now, given it has no country of origin, I believe by law it couldn’t be import/exported. Leaving me puzzled there as well. It also doesn’t seem like a handcrafted one, but the soldering seals the tang to the guard, so not super cheap I’m guessing, so there’s that ? It really has everyone stumped ?

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Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on March 10, 2020 at 13:11

Don,

It is possible it is a blank purchased and handled by JG. I doubt it is commercial made 100% with that marking

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Permalink Reply by Don on March 11, 2020 at 1:45

Hmmm ? A blank design that exists no where else ? Doesn’t sound like it, right ? Special order, ok, but........... I’m not claiming this can be worth 2 bucks, lol, just unable to identify ? These things are like a bur under a saddle. Not a big deal, but it bugs me, and I do want to still find a back up.