I am in the market for a set of butchering tools to do the occasional deer at my house. Would it be advantageous to get a set that could be packed on a western hunt or would a field kit be too small to use in a butchering setting? And recommendations?
Check with Fleet Farm or Gander. They carry nice kits for taking care of deer on an occasional level that roll up in a handy carry-all. Also check out a plastic cutting board. Opt for one that’s about 2′ X 3′. They are spendy at about $40.00 but trying to work on one that 12 X 15 inches is a pain and the larger board will keep things neater and cleaner for you.
My husband and I butcher our deer at home and so we put some knives and tools in a little plastic tote for when the time comes. We use some buck knives and a rapala filet knife or two. Nothing too fancy. We do have a skinning tool that grabs and holds nicely, especially when skinning deer that have been chilled for a while with the skin on:
http://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/big-game-treestands-deluxe-skinning-tool/0000000078464
Of course, nothing beats being able to skin a warm carcass.
The only odd item I can think of is a bone saw. Otherwise I also bought a folding leg table and plastic cutting boards.
Also a gambrel comes in handy if you like skinning from the rear.
Otherwise I use hunting, fishing and kitchen knives for butchering. I would rather use the high quality knives I already own then purchase low-quality kit knives. Just another perspective from a guy that likes and has a lot of good knives already.
You really only need a couple good knifes for processing,a good skinning knife and a good boning knife, the kits are generally lower quality, especially the hone.Buddy of mine is a butcher and set me up with a couple good knifes, and eho better than a butcher to know, and they didnt break the bank either.After that an hone, chicago cutlery makes a good one, then a meat saw for quartering, using an antique myself, all trown in a smal tote.
But the thing I use the most is a cut’n’gut table, rapalas fish/game station very similar.Use for fish at home,campground, badlands muley hunts and whitetail back home.Can throw a quarter on it and hack away, slide trimmings where guts would go and throw scrap in a bucket beside.
But if I did go with a kit it would be outdoor edge, have had a couple of thier knifes, not bad.
Get yourself a havalon knife for skinning. It’s the only way to go.super sharp.
Check out the outdoor edge game processing kit. Bought the set a few years ago and love it!
I found a full set including the block of Chicago knives. New. Not that I needed a third set but for $20.00 at a church sale I couldn’t quite pass on it. I keep this set in the garage cabinet just for lopping and chopping come deer fixing time.
Those heavy acrylic cutting boards are the cat’s meow too. I have several in various sizes they come in handy when the grinder and stuffer come out. The folding tables really round things out too. As for the saws, you can find them used at garage sales all summer long for very little. I have three and I don’t think I have five dollars tied up in all 3.
I also have invested in three heavy duty meat totes with snap covers that are dedicated just to working meat. I store them stacked and inside one of those heavy 3mil black trash/lawn/leaf bags.
Awesome! Thanks all for the info! I have long used the knives my dad had, but know with my own place I will be doing them on my own from time to time.
Once you get into the cutting and grinding of your own critter, keep an open mind to the grinders and stuffers that will expand what you can do. A smoker will likely happen. While I love a good dinner of vennie chops, I have found that venison gets eaten a whole lot easier when sausages [summer sausage and brats] and jerky and snack sticks are made instead of simply making burger and roast or steaks.
Regardless of what you decide to do with your meat, it all starts with your knives. Get decent quality ones and do not forget a diamond steel or other sharpening device.
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