A Skinning Knife Guide – New World

In New World, one of the key mechanics for survival and progression revolves around gathering resources from the world around you. One of the most important gathering tools in the game is the Skinning Knife, used primarily for skin and leather gathering. Whether you're crafting armor, selling goods, or just looking to level up your crafting and gathering skills, knowing how to use the Skinning Knife efficiently is crucial to your success in the world of Aeternum.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the Skinning Knife in New World, from how to acquire it to using it effectively for maximum resource gathering, and how it fits into the broader crafting and economy system of the game.

1. What is a Skinning Knife?

A Skinning Knife is a tool used in New World to harvest skins and leathers from animals you kill. Once you've defeated certain wildlife creatures, you can use your Skinning Knife to extract useful materials like Leather, Hides, and Tannins, which are essential for crafting various gear items such as armor, bags, and other leather goods.

As part of the gathering skill tree, skinning plays a crucial role in the crafting process, making the Skinning Knife a must-have tool if you want to gather resources efficiently and create some of the best gear in the game.

2. How to Acquire a Skinning Knife

Getting your hands on a Skinning Knife is relatively simple in New World. There are a few different ways to acquire this essential tool.

Crafting a Skinning Knife:

The Skinning Knife can be crafted at a Crafting Station, specifically a Workshop (this may vary depending on the zone you are in).

To craft a basic Skinning Knife, you'll need to gather resources such as Wood, Iron Ingots, and Flint. These resources are easily found early in the game, and as you level up your Crafting and Smelting skills, crafting a Skinning Knife will become an even easier task.

Once crafted, the Skinning Knife will be added to your inventory, and you can equip it in your tool slot.

Buying a Skinning Knife:

 
If you don't want to make your own Skinning Knife, you can also buy it from the Trading Post (Market) within a settlement using New World Gold. Players often sell crafted Skinning Knives on the market for a price that fluctuates depending on the server's economy.

Tip: Crafting your Skinning Knife is the most cost-effective method if you have access to the right materials, and it gives you experience in crafting. However, buying one is a faster alternative if you don't want to gather the resources yourself.

3. Skinning Knife Usage

Once you have your Skinning Knife, it's time to use it effectively in the world of Aeternum. Here's how you can make the most of it:

Equipping the Skinning Knife:

The Skinning Knife is classified as a tool and is equipped in the tool slot of your inventory. To equip it, open your inventory (by pressing Tab), go to the Tools section, and click to equip the Skinning Knife.

Skinning Animals:

To use the Skinning Knife, you must first kill an animal that can be skinned. Common skinnable creatures include:

Deer

Boars

Bears

Wolves

Bison (in specific regions)

Rabbits (for lower-level skinning)

After you defeat the creature, approach its carcass and hold the interact button to begin the skinning process. This will allow you to collect Leather, Hides, Tannins, and Fur depending on the type of animal. You may also sometimes find rare materials or other bonuses from elite animals.

Tip: Always be mindful of the animal's level. Higher-level creatures generally provide higher-quality materials, but they are also more difficult to kill.

4. Improving Skinning Skill and Efficiency

The more you use your Skinning Knife, the higher your Skinning skill will become, which in turn increases your ability to gather better resources and skin more efficiently. Here are a few tips to speed up your skinning skill progression:

Leveling Skinning:

Skinning is part of the Gathering skill tree in New World, and the more you use your Skinning Knife, the higher your skinning skill will progress. As you level up your skinning skill, you'll unlock new perks that increase your efficiency.

Perks unlocked as you level Skinning:

Increased skinning speed: This means you'll be able to skin animals more quickly, which is important if you're looking to gather a lot of materials in a short amount of time.

Chance for bonus materials: At higher skinning levels, you have a chance to gather extra resources, such as rare Tannins or Leather.

Access to higher-tier animals: As you increase your skinning skill, you'll unlock the ability to skin higher-level animals, which provide more valuable and better-quality resources.

Tip: If you want to maximize your skinning efficiency, focus on leveling up your skinning skill as you gather. Try to target mid-tier animals (level 10-20) for balanced skinning and crafting progression.

Skinning Perks:

 
Skinning expertise: As your skill increases, you'll unlock specific perks that make skinning more efficient. These perks may increase the drop rate of rare resources or reduce the time it takes to skin animals.

5. What You Can Craft with Skinned Materials

Once you've gathered Leather, Hides, and other resources with your Skinning Knife, you can use them to craft a wide range of items, many of which are crucial to your progression in New World.

Leather Armor:

Leather armor pieces (such as boots, gloves, and jackets) are key components for early- to mid-game crafting. These pieces offer a balance of defensive stats and mobility, making them ideal for a variety of playstyles.

As you skin more animals and gather higher-tier hides, you can craft better and more resilient armor.

Bags and Storage:

One of the most popular uses for skinned materials is the creation of bags. Leather bags increase your inventory space, allowing you to carry more resources, gear, and materials, which is critical as you progress in the game.

Crafting Tools and Weapons:

 
Leatherworking also allows you to craft tools and weapons such as pouches, quivers, and even bowstring for archers. These crafted items are often used in PvP and PvE combat.

Tip: Always keep an eye on your crafting stations and workshops for the opportunity to craft high-tier items. The materials you gather from skinning animals will form a foundation for your crafting progression.

6. Selling Skinned Materials

If you don't need to use your skinning materials for crafting, you can always sell them on the Trading Post (marketplace). Players constantly search for leather and skins to craft their own items, so selling your goods is a great way to earn cheap New World Coins.

Best Selling Skinned Materials:

 
Leather and Hides: These are in high demand for crafting gear.

Fur: Fur is used in higher-tier crafting recipes and often sells for a premium.

Tannins: These are a valuable crafting material used for tanning hides into leather and are sought after by many players.

Tip: Keep an eye on the market to see which materials are in high demand. By selling your materials at the right time, you can make a decent profit.

7. Advanced Tips for Efficient Skinning

To make the most of your Skinning Knife, here are a few advanced tips for efficient skinning:

Farm Skinnable Creatures in Packs: Look for areas with high concentrations of animals to maximize your skinning output. Large groups of animals are often found in forests and grasslands.

Work with Other Players: Partnering up with players who specialize in hunting or combat can make skinning much more efficient, as you'll be able to quickly take down tough creatures and skin them without having to fend off multiple threats.

Check for Elite Creatures: Elite creatures provide higher-quality materials. Focus on these for the best returns.

Conclusion

The Skinning Knife is an essential tool for gathering resources and crafting valuable items in New World. Whether you're skilling up your gathering ability, crafting leather armor, or earning gold by selling your materials, mastering the use of the Skinning Knife is critical to your success in Aeternum.

By crafting or purchasing your Skinning Knife, hunting animals for skins, leveling up your skill, and crafting valuable items, you can efficiently gather resources and contribute to the thriving economy of New World. Keep these tips in mind as you adventure through the world of Aeternum, and you'll be well on your way to becoming a master gatherer and crafter. Happy skinning!