Black Mamba Knives
Member
I keep seeing the same thing come up when bull cutters get discussed: one person calls it a skinner, someone else calls it a small Bowie, and somebody else says it is just whatever the seller decided to put on the listing.
The name actually has some history behind it.A traditional bull cutter is a short ranch knife with a broad blade and a rounded or cut off tip. The lack of a point is the part that really defines the pattern. Historically, it was associated with livestock work, while today you will see the pattern used more generally as a ranch, farm, camp, and utility knife.
The interesting part is how close it is to the old spey blade idea found on traditional pocket knives. Same basic reasoning behind taking the point away, but the modern bull cutter is generally a fixed blade rather than a pocketknife.
A few things I look at when someone shows me one:
The tip: If it has a pronounced point, I start wondering whether it is actually a bull cutter or just being sold under the name.
The blade shape: Short and broad is what gives the pattern its character. It is not supposed to turn into a long hunting blade.
The choil: That little notch near the heel is easy to overlook. On our bull cutters, it serves as a sharpening stop and also gives you a useful place for your finger when doing finer work.
Fixed vs folder: This is another one people mix up. Our current bull cutters are fixed blades with full tangs and leather belt sheaths. Traditional pocket knives can have similar blade geometry, but they are a different construction.
We put together a more detailed breakdown of the pattern here if anyone wants to compare the history, geometry, steels, handles, and sizing:
https://blackmambaknives.com/guides/bull-cutter-knife-guide/
And for anyone who wants to see what we're making in the shop:
https://blackmambaknives.com/
Curious what the working folks here actually carry day to day. Bull cutter, stockman, another ranch pattern, or just whatever happens to be in your pocket?