Gut Hook

[MuleyFever]

I am wondering if you like to use a gut hook for skinning. I have never used one but skining a deer alone on the ground sucks. I have used my havalon but it is so sharp I have to go slow. I think if I could just hook under the hide and zip down the deer my life would be easier.

I was thnking one with a replacement razor blade like the Gerber E-Z-Zip would work well. Any thoughts? I dont want to carry another knife, just a small 1 or 2 finger tool.

 

[hammer0419]

I never used an actual gut hook knife. However, I swear by my Wyoming knife. Would never go without it. I open everything with the Wyoming knife and everything else is done with my Havalon Piranta Bolt.

 

[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

Depends on where I kill the deer. Within a mile of the truck where it's reasonable to drag back, yes. Farther, no, I quarter and use the gutless method. Gut hooks work well if you are gutting. My buck knife has one built in that has got quite a bit of use.

 

[mtswampfox]

Be liking the carpet hook knife blades for my utility knife

 

[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

Those work OK but if you aren't used to them or aren't careful, the thin kerf can dig in where you don't want it to.

 

[MuleyFever]

The Wyoming Knife looks interesting. Thanks.

 

[doverpack12]

Look at the Gerber GDC hook. One finger and very light and I think $10. It fits right in my Havalon Bolt case with a small pair of pliers.

 

[Violent Hippie]

I have never used one BUT my hunting partner loves them and uses them very , very fast with no problem. I may be using one soon based on how efficient I have seen them work. BTW , I always gut because I eat heart and liver . I plan to start hunting elk and moose next year so we will see if I continue to gut. There are many options for nice quality fixed blade gut hook knives now days as well.

 

[hammer0419]

The Wyoming Knife looks interesting. Thanks.

I don't think I could live without it now. Open my deer in a second error free.

 

[MattB]

I have a friend who uses one for all the main cuts in the hide, and it seems pretty slick.

 

[trdhunter]

I have used a wyoming knife and cutco knife for a long time. I experimented with a few other knives and then used havalon and wyoming knife. Now I just use havalon or havalon and a short strong folding knife.

 

[Hunt'nFish]

I carry a ZAK Tackle "Deer & Fish Knife" in my kill kit.
I consider them disposable 1-2 use tools. Weigh nothing, cost like $4ea.
works for me.
Hunt'nFish

 

[snowcamoman]

I've used guthooks in the past, but with longer haired animals like moose, they seem to just clog up. I've since started using the Swingblade type knife and that thing really makes for a clean and effortless unzipping of an animal. Once you make a tiny incision with your knife, just stick that curved blade inside and start pushing it along. It doesn't seem to loosen or make a bunch of hair clump up and get on the meat.

http://www.outdooredge.com/SwingBlaze-p/swingblaze.htm

 

[goodgrouper]

I use the swingblade also, I have the flip n" blaze version that folds shorter. I really like this style better than the hooks that tend to cog on me. I usually do the gutless method and this blade makes running the length of the back on an elk a breeze.

http://www.outdooredge.com/Flip-n-Blaze-Double-Blade-p/flip n blaze double blade.htm

 

[snowcamoman]

I also prefer the gutless method and found that the curved blade is super nice for getting meat off the ribcage without worrying about accidentally nicking the guts.

 

[huntaholic123]

Have used and like the swingblade. Only have experience with deer but has worked great.

 

[bigeasygator]

I've been using the Swingblade as well. I have a few Havalon's but because the curved blade is so nice for unzipping a deer or elk I find myself just doing the job with the Swingblade. Way better than some of the hooks I've tried IMO.

 

[Biggs300]

I have a Buck 278 folder with a decent gut hook. I really like the knife but, when I tried the gut hook on an older buck a couple of years ago, it was really clumsy and slow. Working the blade under the skin was much quicker and I haven't used the gut hook since. Still, one of my favorite knives.

 

[16Bore]

This thing has always been tempting....

 

[n2horns]

This thing has always been tempting....

Have one, heavy, used it once. Nice to have it all in one package. I like the Havalon Piranta the best. I also keep a mini hacksaw for any bone work.