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Gut Hook Recomendations?
- Thread starter MW740
- Start date
- Joined
- Aug 24, 2003
- Messages
- 1,461
I have probably cleaned over 100 deer and have always just used the knife in my pocket with no gut hook. As often as you would ever use it, I would suggest getting one of those gut hooks unto themselves. You can get one at Wal-mart.
If you are concerned about knicking an entrail, I use a little different technique that works well. Instead of putting your finger over the point of the blade and sliding down the middle, I put both the index and middle finger of my left hand inside the skin and pull away while keeping my fingers seperated. Then I carefully use the belly of a small (3") folder in my right cutting my way down in between my fingers. Never knicked an intestine or myself. At least not myself gutting a deer. The seven stiches in my palm is another story.
If you are concerned about knicking an entrail, I use a little different technique that works well. Instead of putting your finger over the point of the blade and sliding down the middle, I put both the index and middle finger of my left hand inside the skin and pull away while keeping my fingers seperated. Then I carefully use the belly of a small (3") folder in my right cutting my way down in between my fingers. Never knicked an intestine or myself. At least not myself gutting a deer. The seven stiches in my palm is another story.
- Joined
- Apr 27, 1999
- Messages
- 6,117
I like the Frosts of Sweden belly ripper:
store.knifecenter.com/pgi-ProductSpec?FT351
store.knifecenter.com/pgi-ProductSpec?FT351
- Joined
- Jun 10, 2003
- Messages
- 15,288
I commented on this question before though it might have been on another forum. Custom smiths think it's a pain to make them and even more of pain to sharpen. It would be far better to take the time to learn to do it with a blade. And I have always done it with one hand, unlike Quiet Bear. A blade about 4" long ,slight drop point is best for me .I start at the breast bone, cutting edge up,at a shallow angle and quickly and easily cut just the hide.
I've used several guthooks before, but usually just end up using the Sharpfinger. I'm interested in the Zipper by Buck but haven't used one yet. Supposed to be the new and improved high tech version of the trusty guthook. Has a nice drop point skinning blade on it too.
- Joined
- Mar 7, 2003
- Messages
- 4,270
I have just used a normal knife for gutting for many years and never punctured the stomach or nicked the guts. A few people I know have tried guthooked blades and not one person has liked them. They clog with hair readily, dull easily (you have a very small length of edge cutting a lot of hide) and are clumsy to use.
I think the reason they became popular is for the looks. Its kind of like a big bowie, if you see someone going hunting carrying a very large knife, you can figure that he doesn't really know much about it. There are exceptions, but this is my opinion generally.
I use a 3-4 inch drop or clip point blade with a deep belly for skinning made from a steel that doesn't need to be resharpened in the middle of the job.
I think the reason they became popular is for the looks. Its kind of like a big bowie, if you see someone going hunting carrying a very large knife, you can figure that he doesn't really know much about it. There are exceptions, but this is my opinion generally.
I use a 3-4 inch drop or clip point blade with a deep belly for skinning made from a steel that doesn't need to be resharpened in the middle of the job.
