Knife cut or saw cut deer breast bone?

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roymail

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When field dressing deer I've used my Buck 110 many times to make this cut, but I'm thinking about getting some type of small saw blade to do it.

Any thoughts or recommendations? What about a hunter's folding saw? Thanks.
 
The saw in the Victorinox "Hunter" model swiss army knife works like a chain saw on bone! Plus the "Hunter" model has a field dress gutting blade as well. IMHO its the perfect hunters knife. I've used mine for several years now and I love it!,,,VWB.
 
vwb563 said:
The saw in the Victorinox "Hunter" model swiss army knife works like a chain saw on bone! Plus the "Hunter" model has a field dress gutting blade as well. IMHO its the perfect hunters knife. I've used mine for several years now and I love it!,,,VWB.
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Don't you have trouble with the knife getting all gooed up inside? Seems like a SAK folder would be hard to clean out.
 
jlouis976 said:
Don't you have trouble with the knife getting all gooed up inside? Seems like a SAK folder would be hard to clean out.
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None at all. But I do clean and oil it after every use. :thumbup: ,,,VWB.
 
I know you can cut the breast bone with a knife. But the last few seasons I have used a little Sagen game saw. Works great and doesn't take up much room. Worth looking at.
 
ginshun said:
What is the point of cutting the breast bone at all?
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I just reach up in the chest cavity with both hands and cut the windpipe and all then just pull it out. you do have to be careful you are cutting blind, but it works well. Doug
 
I don't know why you need to cut the breast bone in the first place? I have never done it skinning and butchering a deer.. keepem sharp
 
DPKnives said:
I just reach up in the chest cavity with both hands and cut the windpipe and all then just pull it out. you do have to be careful you are cutting blind, but it works well. Doug
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:thumbup:That's the way I've always done it...for over 20 years.


longbow said:
I don't know why you need to cut the breast bone in the first place? I have never done it skinning and butchering a deer.. keepem sharp
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I'm puzzled as well:confused:
 
If you hang your deer it does help it cool down a little faster. You cut the breast bone and hold it open with a stick.
 
ginshun said:
What is the point of cutting the breast bone at all?
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In order to better clean out the body cavity, it's necessary to open the rib cage by cutting the breast bone. It takes a sharp knife and some effort. Be sure you have a good hold on the knife handle as slipping could be disastrous. I prefer to use some older leather gloves when I reach this point.

I'm probably going to start using some type of small saw to make this cut just to be on the safe side.

Watch the first part of this video to see what I'm talking about. Click here.
 
I just use a knife to cut up through the breast. It cuts so easy I do not see why you would need a saw.

If you are using the blade to cut and slice and being careful with what you are doing you do not get that much garbage in a folder when field dressing.
 
Hard H2O said:
I just use a knife to cut up through the breast. It cuts so easy I do not see why you would need a saw.

If you are using the blade to cut and slice and being careful with what you are doing you do not get that much garbage in a folder when field dressing.
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What type knife do you use or recommend? Thanks.
 
roymail said:
In order to better clean out the body cavity, it's necessary to open the rib cage by cutting the breast bone. It takes a sharp knife and some effort. Be sure you have a good hold on the knife handle as slipping could be disastrous. I prefer to use some older leather gloves when I reach this point.

I'm probably going to start using some type of small saw to make this cut just to be on the safe side.

Watch the first part of this video to see what I'm talking about. Click here.
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Great video!:thumbup: I always stop at the breastbone.Interesting technique....Thanks:)
 
Guys,
It is not necessary to cut the breastbone to clean out the body cavity. It is also not necessary to cut the pelvis on most big game.

If you are talking about BIG GAME like ELK and MOOSE it is possible to take most of the meat without opening the body cavity except you can't take out the tender morsels...liver,heart and straps without doing it.

As far as cooling the meat goes....once the animal has the quarters off...and the meat on the outside of the backbone is harvested...there is very little left to take ...just what I mentioned previously.

Too many folks reading too many books....and believing that is the only way things can be done.

A lot of deer in some parts of the country are about the size of a big dog. In others they run way big 200 PLUS. Nevertheless, a lot of guys do a lot more cutting than is actually NEEDED. Funny, even skinning doesn't take a lot of cutting unless you are wanting to keep the skin for a trophy mount..and even then it might be best to get it to the taxidermy and let the experts earn their money.

Just like the books that tell you to cut a whole bunch of poles to build a shelter when you can use deadfalls and blowdowns to do the same thing with half the time and effort.

Don't buy all the baloney on the shelf. Think it through.

Anybody who has downed a Big Muley buck at the bottom of Pete's Hole will tell you...
Skin it...quarter it...bone it...and then pack it out. Don't get cute...just get it done. A man can skin any animal on the ground, no need for a tree....


If you get these steps wrong...you are in for a long day, Amigo.

Shane



and an animal can be skinned without doing so either.

I have always wondered why so many hunters/outdoorsman talk about things like this.




Sometimes discussion
 
Sometimes I cut the breastbone when I don't feel like reaching up inside with both hands to cut the windpipe. I just use my knife and don't think it would be worth the trouble to carry, dirty, and then have to clean, a saw.

I just dressed a deer last Friday with my Busse BAD. It cut through the breastbone with little effort. I hope to be doing it again this weekend!

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
I haven't tried this tool, but have the video and it splits them quickly:

knifeFlat.jpg


from:

http://texasbuckbuster.com/
 
Why wouldnt you cut it?

I have never had a problem slicing it on any whitetail, regardless of size. I do it for all of the previously stated reasons, and also so I dont have to get bloody up to the elbow.

I mean, I am going to sharpen the thing when I get home anyway.
 
shane justice said:
It is not necessary to cut the breastbone to clean out the body cavity. It is also not necessary to cut the pelvis on most big game.

Too many folks reading too many books....and believing that is the only way things can be done.
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Never said it was the only way, I just asked for some advice. I appreciate you giving your experience. I've learned some things from this thread. Thanks to everyone.
 
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