Not fond of guthooks on blades so......

Robber58

Robber58

Joined
Oct 9, 2008
Messages
478
I have a customer that insisted on a guthook on his knife. The problem is the one I made years ago was a giant PIA and I really did not care for the look of the blade. I know many make and like them so this is not intended to be a criticism, just an opinion. So I convinced him to let me make a stand alone gut hook to go with the knife. I had actually made one for a friend a couple of years ago and he loved it so it does seem to work well. I am curious how others handle this and what you think of my solution.
Randy
Martys_1.jpgMartys_2.jpg
 
Can't think of a better way to do it. The gut hook almost looks useful when made into it's own tool like that (not to say that they aren't useful either way, I have never used one).
 
Randy,
I think that is a great solution, I am not a fan of Gut hooks on knives as well. The only thought that came to mind was having both knives "Piggy Backed" in the same sheath? Great looking knife and tool you have there.
 
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I was actually going to do some form of piggy back sheath but he wanted my welt lock design. It just does not lend itself to that so I had to go with separate ones. Thanks for the inputs guys.
Randy
 
I think that is a great way to accomplish that. If it were me, I'd want them in the same sheath, but if that is the way he asked for it, I completely understand why you did what you did. I do use a gut hook from time to time and have field dressed all types of animals.

I like a guthook, but I don't like them on my knives. I have often resorted to a carpet cutter with disposable blades. I think your option is awesome, that is a great idea. Typically most of the separate guthooks that I have seen are low end steel and are basically a guthook on a metal ring. It is very uncomfortable to use, gets very slippery when blood hits it, and they don't stay sharp. Yours looks very ergonomic, it will hold an edge and won't slide out of your hands. very nice job!
 
I am not a fan of "multi-tools" or "all-in-one" products. I really like your solution and execution; very nice!!!
 
I really like your idea. I have only made a couple of guthooks and never really liked the end results. Especially for something in my opinon to limit a blades usefulness in many areas to do one specific task that will be rarely used.
 
Very nice.
You could also incorporate the gut hook as a folding blade in the knife's handle.
 
I made a stand-alone gut hook, extremely crude, more as a proof-of-concept, and those who knew what it was thought it was a good idea. One guy suggested putting a tiny little blade sticking up on the back of the hook that could be used to cut a small starting hole for the gut hook. I've never gotten around to doing anything with the idea because I, also, don't care much for gut hooks and have never used one. Yours looks very well thought out and executed.

- Paul Meske
 
I had a customer who hated the way gut hooks looked, but liked the way they worked. He had me bend a tight hook from 1/4" 440C round stock and flatten out the end. The inside was sharpened and a handle was put on the shaft. It looked like a big ice pick with the tip bent into a hook. He said it worked well.
After seeing yours, I like the idea of making them as companion tools to a skinner/hunter. Really nice.
 
If I ever want a guthook I'm going to remember your name and ask you to make me one. I like the way it looks and have never liked them incorporated into a knife blade.
 
I am pleased to hear so many agree with me about keeeping them off the blade and that my approach makes sense. There seems to be a lot of demand for gut hooks around here and I have felt bad about telling customers that I just don't want to make knives that way. Frankly, even these are a bit of a pain to make with my equipment (a small mill would be great) but when it helps to sell a knife as well, it works out. One good thing is that I usually have scraps of steel laying around that are too small for a knife but big enough for these so I have a bit less material loss. Thanks for all the feedback.
Randy
 
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