Author Topic: Field Dressing Knife (Read 11562 times)

XD9 · « **Reply #30 on:** November 26, 2007, 06:43:01 AM »

I have a separate razor blade gut hook that I use. I agree that they are nice to have but I also agree that they can get in the way when on the end of the knife.

rickyp · « **Reply #31 on:** November 27, 2007, 10:10:03 AM »

I Can gut a deer just as fast using a strait edge blade as you can with a gut hooked blade.
I make a cut and slide in my first and second fingers and spread the cut some and push the "goodies" down while I put the blase facing up between my fingers and just slide the blade and fingers up very quick and easy.

I have a Wyoming knife with leather case and a few knock off blades that is in great condition that I will be happy to trade for great condition a buck 110

Davemuzz · « **Reply #32 on:** November 27, 2007, 01:20:04 PM »

Quote from: rickyp on November 27, 2007, 10:10:03 AM

I Can gut a deer just as fast using a strait edge blade as you can with a gut hooked blade.

Rickp,

This is true, but it's probably not the safest method of field dressing a deer size animal, unless you have the straight edge blade in a retractable holder. But then, if your gonna go thru all that....then you may as well just get a razor gut hook.....eh?

Dave

Drilling Man · « **Reply #33 on:** November 27, 2007, 02:25:57 PM »

Quote

I Can gut a deer just as fast using a strait edge blade as you can with a gut hooked blade.
I make a cut and slide in my first and second fingers and spread the cut some and push the "goodies" down while I put the blase facing up between my fingers and just slide the blade and fingers up very quick and easy.

Exactly Rickp,

And it works "perfectly"..... It's the way dad taught me to do it over 50 years ago, and it's the way he's done it for over 80 years now, and still counting!

I've never seen anyone have a problem making that cut the way you described doing it....

DM

beemanbeme · « **Reply #34 on:** November 28, 2007, 11:54:22 AM »

I do it the way RickP does it. I've done it so long it's second nature. A gut hook might be nice but I ain't gonna buy another knife to find out. Maybe if I was buying my first "good" knife..........
You can always use it to lift pots off the fire.

Graybeard · « **Reply #35 on:** November 28, 2007, 12:01:42 PM »

I have a Buck brand folder in a synthetic case that has an extra blade and one position of the two blade knife can be switched between the other two. Back when I got it they made a variety of other blades for it but the three I have do fine. One is a clip it's the fixed one. There is also a serrated drop point that is amazingly sharp and holds an edge seemingly forever. It does get a lot of use due the way it's made. The third is a drop point as well but it really has no point but rather a blunted sorta knob on the end that cannot and will not puncture the intestines. This is the handiness blade I've ever seen for making the cut to open the cavity. I make the initial cut with one of the other blades then just insert this one and it zips right up thru the ribs even with no damage to the intestines and requires no fingers to hold the cut open as you go.

The only way I'd ever process another deer without it would be if I lost it and that's not likely to happen. I also use a fixed blade knife at times but this one is always with me to open the cavity and it does fine for the entire job.

Drilling Man · « **Reply #36 on:** November 28, 2007, 12:58:18 PM »

Here's my "go to" knife,

I've used this knife to skin/gut, and in some cases cut up, so many moose/blk. and white tails/blk and brown bears and too many others to count.... "including" a big fat doe a couple hours ago!

BTW, it's a Gerber C375

DM

whiskey101 · « **Reply #37 on:** November 29, 2007, 04:07:16 PM »

Another vote for the Boker Stag Handle. The one I use is a 520HH and I love it. http://www.jaxknives.com/bk520h.html

I will say that I have used the Wyoming Knife and I don't care for it. I have also tried a knife with a gut hook and I end up pokng holes in my fingers and the deer with the gut hook point. I don't use anything but the Boker from start to finish. I gut, skin and quarter with it. I touch up the edge after each deer.

Davemuzz · « **Reply #38 on:** November 30, 2007, 05:16:26 AM »

Here is the knife that I use after my deer hangs in the cooler for 5 days @ 36 degrees. It's the Henckel's boning knife. It's an excellent tool for removing meat from bone and for cutting fat & silverskin from venison. Cutting backstraps into steaks or ka-bob size portions are easy as well. The knife stays sharp and I touch it up with a small sharping stone. http://www.ikitchen2000.com/prod/db/prod.php?prodNo=H0230444140

GRIMJIM · « **Reply #39 on:** November 30, 2007, 11:11:45 AM »

I use a buck folder with a rubberized handle (can't think of the model off hand). A gerber folding saw for cutting the breastbone and pelvis. And the newest thing I've been using is a gerber ez spreader it is a rib spreader, my friend had one and after I used it I rushed out and bought one. It opens the chest cavity wide so you can actually see what you're doing and also keeps you from getting scraped up from the edges of the ribs. Before anyone says just use a stick it locks in better than a stick and doesn't slip like a stick. Also it uses leverage to open the cavity pretty wide.

beemanbeme · « **Reply #40 on:** November 30, 2007, 11:55:31 AM »

DM, I would have to say, that knife looks like it has been there and done that! Maybe even more than once. Good looking knife. If I wasn't knife poor, I'd order me one.

Drilling Man · « **Reply #41 on:** November 30, 2007, 12:37:05 PM »

Quote from: beemanbeme on November 30, 2007, 11:55:31 AM

DM, I would have to say, that knife looks like it has been there and done that! Maybe even more than once. Good looking knife. If I wasn't knife poor, I'd order me one.

My Gerber is an old knife and i'm sure they don't make one like it now... I'm going to say i bought it mid 70's or so?

Anyway, a knife guy saw it about a month ago, and said "Where did you find that?" I said, hell i bought it new.. He went on to tell me it was collectable now... ha ha ha

Back when i bought it, Gerber said it had a "hard" blade, RC62 and that it would be brittle but really hold an edge... I never could sharpen it worth a hoot, but my dad could, so he always sharpened it for me!

One day i gutted, skinned, quartered and did some boneing out on, "three" nice bull moose that myself my wife and a friend all got within a few hours, without having to touch it up, and it was just starting to need it! I did all the gut/skin/quarter work, while they were packing the meat out!

It's been a hell of a knife!

DM

beemanbeme · « **Reply #42 on:** December 01, 2007, 04:16:35 AM »

When something you bought new becomes a "collectible" it means you're getting old. I've got a Buck knife that has the old logo on it where it shows them hammering the blade thru a bolt. I never thought much about it until a fellow told me it was "worth some money". So I put it up.

Drilling Man · « **Reply #43 on:** December 01, 2007, 04:42:37 AM »

Quote

When something you bought new becomes a "collectible" it means you're getting old.

BOY, isn't that the truth!!! Most days i feel about as bad as that kinfe looks lol lol

DM

Terry1 · « **Reply #44 on:** September 23, 2008, 07:27:15 AM »

Buck 105 Pathfinder. Its the perfect shape and size for me. The narrow blade works good when cutting around the anus.

Davemuzz · « **Reply #45 on:** September 23, 2008, 09:09:50 AM »

Ya know.....I have a brother in law that's an anus.....but if I gave him a narrow blade knife to use.....I don't think that would fix his problems.

Dave

Drilling Man · « **Reply #46 on:** September 23, 2008, 10:21:17 AM »

I saw this knife a long time ago at a Cabela's store, and really liked it...

A year later when i was in the area, i went back to the same Cabela's, with the idea of looking at "that knife" again. After looking and holding it a second time, it came home with me.

I'll give it a workout this fall...

DM

.357 shooter · « **Reply #47 on:** October 06, 2008, 04:51:24 AM »

I use a Leatherman Super Tool 200. The knife blade is 3.5 long and narrow great for cleaning game. I also like haveing the other tools in it...

rickt300 · « **Reply #48 on:** October 07, 2008, 12:51:02 AM »

I have skinned and gutted most of all the game I have killed with either a Buck 119 or a Buck 105. Elk, deer and hogs which are the toughest to clean. The 105 is a bit easier to get the hind end chores done with. I use a machete or sharp hatchet to open the rib cage with. I like 5 to 6 inches of blade as I have big hands and am far sighted.

Terry1 · « **Reply #49 on:** October 29, 2008, 03:58:53 AM »

I just bought this one made by Bark River Knife and Tool. Its called a "Fingerling Upswept Hunter".I think its going to be a good one.

Hofs01 · « **Reply #50 on:** October 29, 2008, 04:18:58 AM »

I thought I would add my "go to" knife. It is a folding buck that has very few hidden cavities to trap meat when cleaning the knife.

The guthook uzips the games belly like it is wearing a jacket. Very strong built knife and stays very very sharp.

You can get them at Bass Pro

elmer · « **Reply #51 on:** October 29, 2008, 06:37:18 AM »

I don't care for gut hooks on knives for field dressing. I keep getting it hung up while I am trying to cut the diaphram, along the spine, etc. I am using a Gerber E-Z Zip tool this year and like it so far. The knife I use most often is a Buck Vanguard. I like the rubberized grip when wearing gloves.

S & W 642 · « **Reply #52 on:** October 30, 2008, 07:20:22 AM »

XD-9
/Remind me on Sat. and I will let you borrow a Gerber knife so you can see if you like it. I have several knifes you can look at and take your pick.

gary bartlow · « **Reply #53 on:** October 31, 2008, 03:31:13 AM »

I have had some good knifes that are in the woods somewhere. Two of my favorites were a Old Timer with a 3" fixed blade and a Cumilis(sp?) 3" fixed blade.The first day of bow season I lost the knife I have carried for a long time it was a Western 4" blade w/gut hook and it had a hunter orange handle.My father-in-law gave it to me in '95 so it has been with me for 13 years.I have lost it several times and went back and found it every time but the last.So I hope that whoever finds it has may more good years out of it cause it has cut open lots of them for me. I can say I DO NOT like a gut hook like has been said earlier in theis post gutting is only about 5% of the job and I can do it as well if not better without the gut hook.I actually prefer a folding blade knife for field dressing because its more compact to carry than a big sheath knife.I have to say i snicker a bit when I see a guy with a big ole 6" Buck on his belt because you can almots bet that he is "the new guy".

rickt300 · « **Reply #54 on:** October 31, 2008, 03:50:14 AM »

If you are using your knife for everything including eating, cooking, cutting kindling and cleaning game I snicker at the guys using their little handled 3 inch bladed knives. They must have little bitty hands. I see no downside to using a 5-6 inch bladed knife for game cleaning chores, especially opening the ribcage and skinning. I also have no need for guthook styled blades. I want a hunting knife to be sharp and able to do any chore I need it to when I am in the mountains, not just gut a deer.

rimfire · « **Reply #55 on:** October 31, 2008, 04:01:48 AM »

Stupid question...you guys who use a sheathed knife for field dressing in the woods...I have several knives I like for field dressing but I much prefer folding knives for one reason...IF I field dress a deer with a belt knife most of the time I hike out with a very dirty knife. I hate putting a very dirty knife back into its sheath. It is almost impossible to clean the crap out of the sheath.

My favorite knife to field dress with is a Buck Vanguard if I am 200 yards from the truck and can jsut carry it back. Invariably I end up using a light Buck zytel handled folder with a removeable blade because I can just throw it in my pocket and clean it later when I get home. I have tried to clean the knives off in the woods and have two problems with it. If I press hard enough with leaves I think it is a little dangerous to be doing so with a sharp blade in my hands [cut my finger twice that way over the years...don't try that any more]...and if it is very cold nothing will get it clean other than hot water or a warm camp to thaw it.

If you use a sheathed knife what do you do after field dressing? Do you just sheath is and deal with the crud?

Terry1 · « **Reply #56 on:** October 31, 2008, 04:05:16 AM »

I clean mine in the field. My grandfather never put a knife away dirty, and I learned from him. I just take my time and be extra careful when I am close the the edge.

rickt300 · « **Reply #57 on:** October 31, 2008, 07:31:01 AM »

No I clean my knife before I put it back in the sheath. There is always a way to do it. Use your imagination. I don't like folders because it is much harder to clean the blood and hair out of it's crevasses. I have cleaned many deer using a big Schrade folder, not the one that looks like a buck either.

elmer · « **Reply #58 on:** October 31, 2008, 07:50:19 AM »

Quote from: rimfire on October 31, 2008, 04:01:48 AM

If you use a sheathed knife what do you do after field dressing? Do you just sheath is and deal with the crud?

I clean it before putting it back in the sheath. That is what pants legs are for.

I actually keep a "kit" in my backpack. It contains gloves (in ziplock bags), some paper towels, and handi-wipes. I use the ziplock bags to hold my trash until I get back to camp.

XD9 · « **Reply #59 on:** October 31, 2008, 08:08:03 AM »

Quote from: elmer on October 31, 2008, 07:50:19 AM

I actually keep a "kit" in my backpack. It contains gloves (in ziplock bags), some paper towels, and handi-wipes. I use the ziplock bags to hold my trash until I get back to camp.

I do the same thing...for cleaning up after field dressing. It contains a couple of plastic bags, wet wipes, latex gloves, small towel, and some hand sanitizer. Works great. Gets my hands and my tools clean after the task.