Gutting knife

  • big_g
    Isle, MN
    Posts: 22456
    October 2, 2008 at 12:16 am #205594

    Curious as to what you guys use to gut your deer. I have used many over the years, but 3 years ago, I picked up a Gerber Freeman. In talking with the sales rep at the knife section at Cabelas, he was telling me about the steel it was made out of, it was the same as the Alaskan knives, I kept nodding my head, like I knew my steels… Let’s just say, I am very happy with my knife. I have an old BuckKnife that was the first knife I bought for myself, that I always carry. It has gutted more than a couple deer, but after using my Gerber, it is along for the ride and cutting rope and stuff. So what does everybody else use ? Any good knife stories ?

    big G

    riveratt
    Central Wisconsin US-of-A
    Posts: 1464
    October 2, 2008 at 2:36 am #39211

    I too have used many a knife in the field. Two types of knives I really dislike are serrated blades, even if half and half, and most with gut hooks. Serrated blades are great for cutting crooked, getting hair everywhere, and falsely leading you to believe they can cut through bones and stuff. They cannot. Also it seems in the rush to get a knife on the shelf with a gut hook everyone just went and made a hook on the back without regards to size. Most are insanely undersized. Also many are unable to be resharpened because of size or curvature. I have used some splendid gut hooks but they are not my bag most of the time. I am interested in that huge U shaped knife that is sharp on two sides. I’ve videos of it in action and think it might work. But it does look gimmicky too.

    At the end of the day my old stand by is a Old Timer with a 4.5″ blade. Perfect size for me gutting deer or small game. Very durable and easy to keep sharp. I also have a sweet bunch of German made knives with stag handles and various others that are high dollar and cool looking. I don’t use them though. Can’t bring myself to get them dirty.

    robstenger
    Northern Twin Cities, MN
    Posts: 11374
    October 2, 2008 at 12:52 pm #39223

    Quote:

    Curious as to what you guys use to gut your deer

    Muley or Whitetail????

    I believe I have that same Gerber you talk about and I also have a 2 knife set I got from Buck Masters with a gut hook. I use both.

    bennyj
    sunrise mn
    Posts: 542
    October 2, 2008 at 1:38 pm #39234

    http://images.cabelas.com/is/image/cabelas/s7_517807_435_01?$main-Large$

    I have used this one and the elk hunter version of this one too. All I can say is they are sharp and they stay sharp. That is a nice thing to have. (need to call him more often when i shoot a deer)
    Thanks dad

    I use a buck knife I don’t know the model it flips shut. Its like a 4 inch blade. It doesn’t even come close the how nice it is to use on of those knifes. Its on my list for the next time I make a cabela’s run.

    bennyj
    sunrise mn
    Posts: 542
    October 2, 2008 at 1:39 pm #39235

    OH the name of it is. Knives of Alaska Trekker

    super_do
    St Michael, MN
    Posts: 1089
    October 2, 2008 at 6:03 pm #39258

    Although I don’t think that a quality knife is needed for gutting purposes, I won’t go deer hunting w/o my sagen saw. http://www.sageninc.com/. It is a little T-handeled saw for cutting the pelvic bone. I open up the cavity and cut down to the pelvic bone and then saw through it, opening it up. Then just reach up and pull everything out.
    They work awesome!

    SLACK
    HASTINGS, MN
    Posts: 711
    October 2, 2008 at 6:30 pm #39261

    those saws are the rats one of the guys in our hunting party had one last year and i will have one this year, as far as knives go as long as it is “SHARP” any knife will do

    Steve Plantz
    SE MN
    Posts: 12240
    October 2, 2008 at 7:18 pm #39270

    Quote:

    Although I don’t think that a quality knife is needed for gutting purposes, I won’t go deer hunting w/o my sagen saw. http://www.sageninc.com/. It is a little T-handeled saw for cutting the pelvic bone. I open up the cavity and cut down to the pelvic bone and then saw through it, opening it up. Then just reach up and pull everything out.

    They work awesome!

    Yup I agree I will not go into the woods without my sagen saw and my Buck Knife. Has anyone tried the Butt Out® tool how do you like it?

    big_g
    Isle, MN
    Posts: 22456
    October 2, 2008 at 7:25 pm #39273

    Save your $10 Steve. A guy had one last year, worthless…. it did make for alot of good jokes though…. I agree with the sharp knife comment, but I don’t want to have a cheap knife, that needs resharpening after every deer. Mine is going on about 6 or 7 deer and is as sharp as the day I bought it

    big G

    wade
    Cottage Grove, MN
    Posts: 1737
    October 2, 2008 at 8:06 pm #39283

    I totally agree about the sagen saw, I got one 5 years ago and have 2 now, for my Knife I have a buck knife, about a 4.5 – 5″ blade and works awesome for me…

    Brad Juaire
    Maple Grove, MN
    Posts: 6101
    October 2, 2008 at 8:13 pm #39286

    I have a buck knife as well. My father gave it to me when I was 18, so it means a lot to me. I’ve lost it twice and luckily found it both times. I guess I don’t care if there is a better knife out there or if someone invents a better tool for dressing out a deer. My knife has been with me on every hunt and it’s never let me down. Sometimes it’s the little things that mean the most to you in your hunting adventures.

    As for the sagen saw –

    big_g
    Isle, MN
    Posts: 22456
    October 2, 2008 at 9:50 pm #39303

    Exactly Brad I carry my Buck Knife with me as well. I wasn’t trying to bash Buck Knife, sorry if that’s how it came across. Just that knives, as well as most equipment, has come a long ways in the last 10 or so years. I am sure Buck has changed their knives in the last 23 years too. My Buck Knife comes with me , because its the first knife I bought with my own money. Now my first bow I bought with my own money… who knows where that thing is….

    big G

    Steve Plantz
    SE MN
    Posts: 12240
    October 2, 2008 at 11:57 pm #39314

    One of the reasons I like the sagen saw so much is it helps keep my Buck Knife sharper longer as I do not have to use my Buck Knife on the pelvic bone. I would not think of changing my Buck Knife as it was also my fist knife I bought for myself and I have had it for several years now so mine has special meaning to me also.

    adamgdunn
    Iowa
    Posts: 152
    October 3, 2008 at 1:34 pm #39346

    I use the Knives of Alaska combo pack. Just the 2 knife set. I realy like the small VERY sharp cape knife for nice controled cutting. Then there is the thick curved blade that has a gut hook. It is a good heavy blade that splits the ribs and pelvis equaly well. Plus i don’t hack up my fingers with the short blades

    Also for you guys that are interested I do make knives for folks from time to time. If you have a particular idea in mind that you would like me to make for you. I only charge for materials and whatever it cost to ship it. I just like to work the steel.

    gary_wellman
    South Metro
    Posts: 6057
    October 4, 2008 at 4:39 pm #39449

    I got a Gerber Gator and a 40 year old hatchet for cracking the pelvic bone and brisket.
    I generally split the breast plate though with the gerber.

    No need for a gut hook……just rubber gloves to do the proctology work.

    honest_john
    Twin Cities, Minn.
    Posts: 90
    October 8, 2008 at 7:12 pm #39816

    I use a Kershaw folding knife with a gut hook. Great blade, holds edge well. I use it in conjunction with a saw. The saw is for the pelvic bone on the bucks and for opening the rib cage to get more rapid cooling. I carry the saw on my belt and use it for things other than gutting deer. If I was to not carry a saw, then I would probably buy a Buck Crosslock with the two blades-one is a saw blade with a gut hook. My sons use that knife very effectively and do not bother to carry a saw. I love my buck knife for general duty and have used it for gutting deer–it works well. I just prefer having a gut hook. Also, years ago when I did not carry a saw, I broke the tip off my buck knife by using it improperly on a buck’s pelvic bone. Of course it really comes down to personal preference.

    ferny
    Stillwater, MN
    Posts: 622
    October 9, 2008 at 6:18 pm #39927

    I use a Wyoming style knife with replaceable razor blade for unzipping them. It’s the type with 2 finger holes and a thumb rest. It works slick with no way to cut into the guts.

    Then I switch over to my Cutco serrated to split the rib cage and cut out the innards and A-Hole. I used a cable saw to split the pelvis. That works fine but, I just picked up a Sagen Saw last year so the cable is retired. I can’t wait to try it out this year. Seems a lot safer on the ribs than my knife and looks easier on the pelvis than poking the cable through!

    Anyone interested in the Butt Out search you tube for videos. Looks like it works good if you can get over what you are really doing to the poor deer! I personally don’t have a problem with the butt as long as you split the pelvis and take your time.

    I have used my Swiss Army pocket knife twice now when gutting deer for my friend and his knife was duller than a butter knife. You pretty much have to put it in the dishwasher after that to get it clean again! I do make sure to keep it real sharp during hunting season.

    I have been pretty impressed with Gerber’s quality in their fillet knifes and pruning saws. I wouldn’t hesitate in buying another hunting knife.

    Ferny.


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