Guthook

Welcome to Bladeforums JCP Mo.

Looking around the internet I see several all black XT3B's with no "Schrade" logo lasered onto the blades and with unsharpened gut hooks. At first I thought they might be unfinished "factory seconds".

Based on a 2004 Schrade catalog, the XT3B came out in 2004, later that same year Schrade was purchased by Taylor Brands. It's possible that at some point someone at Taylor decided to produce the XT3B for a much lower cost, and part of that was skipping the step of sharpening the gut hook. Originally the XT3B cost $35 (with sharpened gut hook), but the price would drop to $12 (Grindworx/BladeHQ).

Here is a link to the Schrade 2004 catalog that lists the XT3B as "New"- https://www.collectors-of-schrades-r.us/Catalogs/images/2004-CATS.pdf

The XT3B is on page 9, and the dealer price list is further on down.
 
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I have never field dressed any large animal.

With that said, I have always viewed the gut hook feature to be a gimmick. As I said, I have no experience with field dressing game . . .does that feature work? Is it a viable tool for field work?
 
I wonder if the gut hook in this case was added on by a designer that has never gone hunting or even used a knife outside their kitchen and assumed it was for hooking the guts out as opposed to being used to unzip the abdominal cavity without nicking the internal organs?
 
I had an old Buck Cross Lock that had a drop point blade on one side and gut hook on the other. I found the hook didn't stay sharp for long and had to carry a round sharpening rod for it. Never heard of a non sharpened gut hook unless it's a knife just for looks maybe?
 
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VorpelSword said:
I have never field dressed any large animal.

With that said, I have always viewed the gut hook feature to be a gimmick. As I said, I have no experience with field dressing game . . .does that feature work? Is it a viable tool for field work?
Click to expand...

Yes they work but are not necessary. I do not care for knives with guthooks do to the added height, cutting edge to spine, it makes it difficult to core out the backside as I do not split the pelvis. For years I just stuck two fingers in the cavity and placed the knife tip between my fingers making sure it does not protrude through.
However the last two years I started using the Benchmade #7 rescue hook and found it to be faster and handy.
 
Sharpening the guthook is simple enuff using a tiny round file. I have one on a small Buck skinning knife- really handy for it's purpose of not cutting into the gut-sack of any animal one is cleaning. Very rarely needs sharpening.
 
VorpelSword said:
I have never field dressed any large animal.

With that said, I have always viewed the gut hook feature to be a gimmick. As I said, I have no experience with field dressing game . . .does that feature work? Is it a viable tool for field work?
Click to expand...

They can work well if the geometry is right and it is nice and sharp. Most that I've experienced are a combination of very narrow and dull that causes them just to clog with hair and hide. Standalone tools exist that use utility razor blades and work much faster/easier than any guthook on the back of a knife blade:


327702.jpg


At the end of the day, if you have a good sharp knife and know what you're doing, any of them become unnecessary. They are an alternative to just being careful.
 
When Schrade was sold off, a lot of mostly finished but not quite totally finished knives were sold off too. If it's a US marked model, it could be one of those. A google image search shows a few with unfinished guthooks on the model you listed, so it's not an unknown problem.

When these old cutlery companies go, they really strip them down to the bones.
 
killgar said:
Welcome to Bladeforums JCP Mo.

Looking around the internet I see several all black XT3B's with no "Schrade" logo lasered onto the blades and with unsharpened gut hooks. At first I thought they might be unfinished "factory seconds".

Based on a 2004 Schrade catalog, the XT3B came out in 2004, later that same year Schrade was purchased by Taylor Brands. It's possible that at some point someone at Taylor decided to produce the XT3B for a much lower cost, and part of that was skipping the step of sharpening the gut hook. Originally the XT3B cost $35 (with sharpened gut hook), but the price would drop to $12 (Grindworx/BladeHQ).

Here is a link to the Schrade 2004 catalog that lists the XT3B as "New"- https://www.collectors-of-schrades-r.us/Catalogs/images/2004-CATS.pdf

The XT3B is on page 9, and the dealer price list is further on down.
Click to expand...
This knife has Schrade USA on the blade, I think it may have been unfinished from the factory, do you think it is worth more as is? I have other gut hook knifes dont need to use it, Thanks
 
Ilikesharpstuff said:
They can work well if the geometry is right and it is nice and sharp. Most that I've experienced are a combination of very narrow and dull that causes them just to clog with hair and hide. Standalone tools exist that use utility razor blades and work much faster/easier than any guthook on the back of a knife blade:


327702.jpg


At the end of the day, if you have a good sharp knife and know what you're doing, any of them become unnecessary. They are an alternative to just being careful.
Click to expand...
I have field dress a lot of deer and other game, used knifes with and without a guthhook, a guthook knife will prevent you from cutting into the intestines , helpful especially with gloves on. Thanks
 
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