Are guthooks really neccessary? I have used them, but there seems an awkwardness to them I cannot pinpoint. I have not gone through the history of Busse Knives, but I don't recall seeing any with guthooks. I just wondered if "Jerry" had a reason for not including any in his designs. If he has in the past, my apologies.
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Mr Busse, what is your opinion on guthooks? Others feel free to chime in too.
- Thread starter Bumppo
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I know that most gut hooks up here in AK are not functional. Meaning that the designers of said gut hooks only skin rabbits, deer, small game. I've been told that moose have really thick hides along with grizzlies. (Hopefully I can verify that myself with a sucessful first moose trip this week 
) So the standard gut hooks have no value to big game hunters from what I have seen (I could be wrong).
I know of guys using their regular knives and then picking up a gut hook (No blades, just the hook). Not sure if there a pain to make/maintain or just not demanded enough...
Got me...
) So the standard gut hooks have no value to big game hunters from what I have seen (I could be wrong).I know of guys using their regular knives and then picking up a gut hook (No blades, just the hook). Not sure if there a pain to make/maintain or just not demanded enough...
Got me...
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szoetrope said:
Thanks. I hope so too considering I'm only going out for one day.
Lotta praying and swearing, I'm sure. As for the gut hook, I don't think there will be one with me.
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I'm squarely in the don't use it camp. The knives that I've seen with integral gut hooks haven't impressed me. If you really feel the need for a gut hook, I think you should use one of these: http://www.wyomingknife.com/knives.htm
They are very inexpensive and the replacement blades make sharpening a non-issue. If it gets dull, replace it.
They are very inexpensive and the replacement blades make sharpening a non-issue. If it gets dull, replace it.
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To me, a gut hook is just a gimmick.
When making the belly stroke on an animal your main aim is to avoid piercing the wall of the gut.
A drop point hunter used properly does exactly that. The same can be said for all of the skinning cuts. As you run the blade down the legs your aim is not to pierce the flesh of the animal.
Another example is the design of the professional skinners used throughout the meat industry. All have drop points and none have gut hooks.
All though this is not a belly cut it is typical of how its done. You should be able to glide the knife between the body and the hide without any cuts or piercing on the body of the animal.
This is a poor example on a full grown steer. My excuse is that I was on the back of a truck in the dark with a torch with fairly flat batteries.
Ian.
When making the belly stroke on an animal your main aim is to avoid piercing the wall of the gut.
A drop point hunter used properly does exactly that. The same can be said for all of the skinning cuts. As you run the blade down the legs your aim is not to pierce the flesh of the animal.
Another example is the design of the professional skinners used throughout the meat industry. All have drop points and none have gut hooks.
All though this is not a belly cut it is typical of how its done. You should be able to glide the knife between the body and the hide without any cuts or piercing on the body of the animal.
This is a poor example on a full grown steer. My excuse is that I was on the back of a truck in the dark with a torch with fairly flat batteries.
Ian.
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cool two hunts in one!!! while you're hunting the bullwinkle the grizz will be hunting you :thumbup:KnifeAddictAK said:been told that moose have really thick hides along with grizzlies. (Hopefully I can verify that myself with a sucessful first moose trip this week
:thumbup: