Hunting set

[Mr Evilwrench]

I did a little searching in the forum here, but nothing popped out at me, so new thread.

I'm looking for a good hunting set with a gut hook. I've been nickel and diming myself, and I do know better than that, but still I'd like to keep a decent budget about it, maybe $150. I'm not an expert on the steel, but I have to think there's something that will take and keep an edge. Now, I'm not expecting to be able to shave with it indefinitely, but I can't even get through a squirrel without needing a touchup. Am I expecting too much? If you have any recommendations, they would be muchly appreciated.

 

[Tryin']

Havalon has been my friend for hunting. Dull blade? Slap a new one on there and keep rolling.

They aren't my first choice for anything general purpose, but they are awesome for after-the-kill gutting, caping, and processing.

Havalon Knives

 

[nascarfantoo]

I have a Benchmade Saddle Mountain Skinner without a gut hook that went through an elk last fall without needing to touch the edge up. They do make it with a gut hook. Little big for squirrel but has been great on deer and elk.

Knife Center has them for <$150. Skinner

 

[Bradsknives]

I have a Benchmade Saddle Mountain Skinner without a gut hook that went through an elk last fall without needing to touch the edge up. They do make it with a gut hook. Little big for squirrel but has been great on deer and elk.

Knife Center has them for <$150. Skinner

Knife Lady can order them for you for less.

 

[midget]

I like my benchhmade bone collector with gut hook.

 

[Bradsknives]

I like my benchhmade bone collector with gut hook.

The Benchmade Bone Collector knives were nice, but unfortunately they have been discontinued for several years, and replaced with the Hunt Series knives.

 

[rhino]

How well does a gut hook built-in to a knife blade work compared to a separate tool like a Wyoming Knife?

 

[Mr Evilwrench]

Those Benchmade Hunt ones look like the thing. They have a video about the S30V steel, and I must say I'm impressed. The lifetime service/sharpening sells me as well. My son can get a decent edge on things when he can avoid amputating bits of himself, but a factory edge once a year, yeah. I'd like to see what kind of deal could be made on a 15016-1 and 15003-1.

 

[RAMBOCAT]

Forget the GUT HOOK and buy a WYOMING KNIFE.

 

[Mr Evilwrench]

Oh I looked that up. I may try one sometime but even though they say it's safe it's kind of scary looking.

 

[midget]

The Benchmade Bone Collector knives were nice, but unfortunately they have been discontinued for several years, and replaced with the Hunt Series knives.

Well crap. Do you know if the new hunt series resists rust any better?

 

[Bradsknives]

Well crap. Do you know if the new hunt series resists rust any better?

The Bone Collector knives used D2 steel. The Hunt Series knives use S30V. S30V has better rust and corrosion resistance properties built into it.

 

[midget]

The Bone Collector knives used D2 steel. The Hunt Series knives use S30V. S30V has better rust and corrosion properties built into it.

Sweet!

 

[Hookeye]

I've dressed dozens of deer and never used a gut hook knife.
Never popped the gut either.
What does such a knife blade save you time wise?
Allow the major unzip at 5 seconds vs 30 with a reg knife?

On deer, which are small and can be rolled on their back..........I simply don't see the need.
Hell, it's a 5 minute speed surgery job to field dress a deer with a reg knife (no blood past wrists, none on clothes).

Elk/Moose...........might need a gut hook blade (I dunno).
Isn't the trend there to bone out (no gutting)?
Maybe such a blade helps rip n zip elsewhere.

 

[Hookeye]

My set will be a Jeff White "Bush 3" knife (large) and a French Trade shorty (small).
Have the larger already.

 

[midget]

I've dressed dozens of deer and never used a gut hook knife.
Never popped the gut either.
What does such a knife blade save you time wise?
Allow the major unzip at 5 seconds vs 30 with a reg knife?

On deer, which are small and can be rolled on their back..........I simply don't see the need.
Hell, it's a 5 minute speed surgery job to field dress a deer with a reg knife (no blood past wrists, none on clothes).

Elk/Moose...........might need a gut hook blade (I dunno).
Isn't the trend there to bone out (no gutting)?
Maybe such a blade helps rip n zip elsewhere.

I never saw the use till I tried one. It just makes things easier/quicker. Could I do without it, sure. Would I buy a knife without it, sure. If the knife I want has it on it, I will still use it.

 

[66chevelle]

I have a cutco that I love.
https://www.cutco.com/products/product.jsp?item=gut-hook-hunting-knife

 

[traderdan]

I skin my deer with a car, a rope and a golf ball...BUT, I do have some knives with the hook..I find it to be a little difficult to sharpen. Knives of Alaska used to sell some nice sets.

 

[Mr Evilwrench]

A car, a rope and a golf ball. I'd like to see that, it actually sounds fascinating.

Any more, I sometimes get a little twitchy if I have to freehand anything with my right hand, the shoulder and wrist are weak. Mostly, I've gotten used to the hook because I've been too cheap to buy a blade that could cut through warm butter a second time without sharpening it. Just hook it and rip. I might do better now.

 

[traderdan]

I cut the legs off...(Axe) Hang the deer (slip knot around the neck) with strong rope. Make a cut around the neck, and start peeling down. When you have several inches peeled down, wrap a golf ball (or a rock..ect) in the loose skin and tie around it with another rope, which is attached to the vehicle...slowly pull the skin off! It works great!